There's Method in the Madness

A handy trick for when editing (or writing) has you feeling stuck ...

FROM MY DESK 📖

Something that has helped me multiple times when writing and editing is a little technique called 'method writing'.

If you've ever heard of method acting, you might have figured out where I'm going with this. 

Method acting is a technique used by actors to help them physically and mentally embody the role they're playing. Method writing works in a similar way, helping you physcially and mentally understand and relate to your characters while writing or editing your story. This can help you write parts of your story in a more believable and engaging way.

In my experience, it's also a great way to feel motivated or inspired when writing or editing has you feeling stuck.

You might have already used this technique without even realising it.

For example, if your character knows how to surf but you've never surfed in your entire life, you could do some research and perhaps talk people who surf to get a better understanding of the experience. This is a perfectly reasonable thing to do - there's nothing wrong with it. But if you wanted to take it a step further, you could take some surfing lessons yourself to really understand it on a personal level. That experience could help enrich your writing in ways that research alone might now.

Another example (and something I've done a few times myself) is if you have a character who has to traverse fields on foot in autumn or winter weather. You could go on a long walk or hike through the nearest public land, or somewhere similar, to experience those kinds of environments for yourself. 

Obviously, I wouldn't recommend taking up smoking, using drugs, or doing anything else harmful simply because your character does. When used sensibly, however, this technique can be applied to a wide variety of activities, and the experience you gain can significantly improve your ability to immerse your reader in your story.

As I mentioned earlier, there's nothing wrong with relying purely on research, maps or virual tours (for locations), and conversations with people who have firsthand experience. These are all effective ways of learning about something so you can write it more convincingly - especially when it comes to dangerous or harmful activitie, or things that you physically can't do for whatever reason.

But if you can (in any way), I would recommend trying method writing the next time you feel stuck. It might just surprise you.

EDITING TIP OF THE DAY ✍️

A writer recently asked me: but how do I even start editing when it all feels so overwhelming?

This is exactly the question I was asking at the begining of my own editing journey. 

My biggest tip? Don't try everything at once. Take some time away from your manuscript, then read it as a reader rather than someone editing it. Makes notes about what was effective (made you feel/think the way you want your reader to), what was ineffective, and any ideas or tasks that come to you. Group those notes into categories such as plot, character, worldbuilding, and setting. Then, tackle one category at a time.

This gives you somewhere to start without feeling like you need to solve everything at once.

POSITIVE MINDSET PICK UP ✨

You don't need to do this alone.

The writing community is one of the biggest communities in the world, but it can still be easy to feel like a burden or like you don't belong. The truth is, there is space for you. Writers love supporting other writers, and being part of that community can be genuinely life-changing. It certainly helped pull me through a difficult time,  and I've made some life-long friends long the way.

Shift your mindset to: 'There is space for me, just as there is space for everyone else. I am allowed to take up that space.' 

If you remember just one thing from today's post, let it be this: writing, just like life, becomes a little less overwhelming when you give yourself permission to try new things, take your time, and connect with like-minded people.

Did you find this post helpful? Are there any topics you'd like to see covered here? Let me know below - I'd love to hear from you!

Every story starts with a single spark, and every writer gets stuck from time to time. Keep showing up. Keep experimenting. Keep telling the stories only you can tell.

Until next time, may your stories grow wild, your edits be kind, and your brambles always lead to somewhere worth exploring 🌿