Writing

Steps to Writing A Story Your Readers Will Enjoy

Brainstorm  [Step 1]

• Jot down ideas however wacky.  Anything goes! 

First Problem [Step 2]

• Identify A Problem Just Begging to be Dealt With
• Get the Problem Down on Paper
• Come up with a solution or at least a partial solution

Second Problem [Step 3]

• Go through the stages outlined in the First Problem.

Once you have a series of problems down and at least a semblance of solutions, you are ready to write your first draft. 

Edit First Draft [Step 4]

Editing has steps of its own and every writer has the steps in a different order or at least it seems so.  I will provide the steps that I like to take when editing

Editing Steps

Make a hard copy of your first draft and find the blasted ruler.

Check for spelling and punctuation

Check the quality of your problems and their solutions.  Work on them if necessary.

Check your style

Check the diction of your characters.  Four year olds and ten year old use different words and phrases.

Why did I mention the ruler? 

When you are writing you are in your left brain.  You are dealing with sounds and turning those sounds into symbols.  You are in the sound mode.

When you are reading you are converting the symbols to sounds in your head.

However the trick to editing is to stay in the symbol mode.  One way to stay in the symbol mode is to read your hard copy with a ruler and pause at the end of every line.  Your teacher will be so pleased.

For every hour of writing, you should be editing for at least ten minutes.  Of course you can skip the editing and write for another hour.  It's not a good idea.  You will be farther ahead by providing yourself with time to edit.

Questions????

.