Prewriting: To Do It or Not To
Note: Every writer is different and some writers work better with different methods. These are just my thoughts on what I like doing and they might help you if you are unsure how to get started writing once you have an idea or if you’re wanting to try a new method out. I hope it’s helpful!
Once you have a new idea and want to get writing, the question is, do you just right into writing story, or do you predevelop some ideas and flesh out some characters? Well, it can be hard to know what to write when you’ve got an idea, but don’t have anything beyond a simple very basic concept. Now, this doesn’t mean that you have to have all the answers before you start writing. It’s okay to leave yourself surprises. However, it can be nice to have some basic set up settled.
What you choose to start with may depend on how your idea was formed. If you need help with ways to come up with ideas, you’re welcome to check out my previous writing tips post called Start With an Idea. Whatever your idea is based on, a character or a world or maybe a magic system, that is probably the easiest place to start. The reason I suggest this is because that is the strongest tie you have to the start of this story. The more you develop the idea that sparked your interest, the more you will know how interested you are in your idea or where you might want it to go.
The story I am currently working on was developed based on a magic system I thought would be interesting, so I’ll use that base as an example. I worked on this magic system and really fleshed it out. I kept deciding to add more to the system and kept thinking well then how will this work? Or how will that work? I worked until I hit the point where I thought, how does this magic system work with the world? What affects does it have on people and where does it come from? So, I started working on developing the basics of the world that this magic exists in. As that developed, I started to wonder what kind of people would use this magic? Ta da! A few characters arrived! After I thought over the basics of them, I was set to start writing, and a small idea branched out into a place to jump off for my story.
Now, some writers might want to hash out more of the story before they start. You might feel the desire to outline events, make a trajectory for what you want to happen and the plot you want to write which is acceptable. If that process helps you, then I think that’s a good thing for you to do. Keep in mind, you could do more development at any point. So, if you already have ideas you are welcome to develop them. If you don’t, don’t feel like you can’t jump in and start you story.
In fact, sometimes starting your story and letting your character or characters do their own things will help you know where you want your story to go. Just write whatever comes to mind from your jumping off point and see what strikes your fancy. Then, when you’re ready to develop more, you’ll know what you’re hoping to do. Though, there will hopefully always be something new and exciting to the adventure you’re writing. Surprises are part of the fun, and knowing everything before it happens can be overrated.
Whatever you choose to do, and however much you choose to develop before you start your writing is entirely up to you and what helps you engage with your ideas and creativity. I personally like to build a base, so I know what I’m working with and then let it flow until I get to the point I have a few ideas of what I want. I develop a little more and then let things flow and try to see how my story gets from point A to point B. My only main advice would be, don’t let the preplanning and development of your story and world get in the way of starting your story and experiencing your world. There is no rush to have everything figured out. Enjoy your writing and do what works best for you as you descover that.
