Step 2
Welcome to Step 2 of Your Fret Free Writing Method!
‘Reading will make you a better writer and writing will make you a better reader,’
- has been said by more successful authors than I can quote.
That’s because everything we read has something to teach us!
From non-fiction to science-fiction to biographies to encyclopedias there is something we can learn as long as we’re paying attention. And, that’s not just finding out how long it took Harry Potter to learn a new spell or maybe the exact dates of Washington’s birthday. I’m talking about the subtleties that will help you become a better writer, but first, you must become a better reader.
Why be a better reader?
Knowledge!
Reading, especially books you might find challenging, teaches you things like new vocabulary, proper grammar usage, innovative ways of communicating thoughts and ideas, exposes you to a wide variety of writing styles and voices.
You’re boosting your brainpower, too, by putting your analytical skills to work!
Critical thinking and problem-solving stimulate creative and strategic reasoning, improve communication, and enhance your ability to express yourself clearly.
So, next time you find yourself having problems with certain pieces of that plot, some aspect of the mystery is just not coming together, or A plus B isn’t equaling C, consider working on improving your analytical skills.
You could take a break to play a strategy game like chess or backgammon, work on any sort of a puzzle, or even go shopping. Be on the lookout for future blog posts discussing more ways to train your analytical brain.
You can feel good in the knowledge that when you read for writing and write for reading, you’re benefiting yourself and your readers in more ways than you may have realized or even intended.
Reading stimulates mental activity which can help slow down the onset of dementia and just keeping the brain working gives it the exercise it needs to remain healthy.
And, then there’s stress reduction. A good story can take you away from all life’s disturbances allowing you to rest in another realm where it is possible to relax and escape the daily dredge. This new sense of tranquility is known to lower high blood pressure and even ease mental stress and anxiety leading to a no-fret, calm, growth mindset which is essential for a strong consistent creative flow. We'll talk more about creative flow in Step 3 of Your Fret Free Writing Method.
Okay, so, What is fanfiction?
Fanfiction is creative writing by the fan of a work that expands on another author's existing story, characters, and the universe with the addition of their original stories and situations.
I wrote Divine War Games of Whimsy and Wile with the idea of it being expanded upon by fan fiction. It is written with an ensemble cast of characters in the style of a serial. The Angels of Chessman Bishop is the first part of the series.
Once you’ve had a chance to do some reading hopefully you will be able to come up with some creative story ideas based on the serial. I encourage you to really get inventive and push the materials beyond what might seem like the stories’ limits.
Use your imagination and express yourself in your own style and voice. You may even find yourself developing stories that have nothing to do with the serial. Even more fantastic! You could be one step closer to writing the one story you’ve been fretting over.
Now, I realize that not everyone will be a fan of my story, but that’s the great thing about fanfiction… you can change it! Don’t like the way I’ve developed a character? Rewrite them! Wish a chapter had ended differently. Write it! The idea is to inspire and get that creativity flowing.
But, the first thing you’ve got to do is read!
You don’t have to read it from start to finish. You can pick it up and start in the middle if you’d like. Skip around to check out areas of the plot that intrigue you, find your favorite character, or start at the end and work backward, but just read. Get a feel for the style and tone.
So, what exactly are style, tone, and voice?
Style is simply the way the author expresses themselves and the effect it has on the reader. The style sets the tone in which the work is read and can be heard as a loud and clear voice telling the story.
As you read Divine War Games of Whimsy and Wile, things like my style and voice should become apparent. Pay attention to how passages flow. How are sentences structured? What kind of dialogue is used? What kind of language? What about characterization? And, are you feeling a certain mood?
Every author has a unique style!
Even though we may be using the same literary techniques, with practice the way you choose to express yourself will lead to the creation of your individual style! Individual style becomes more consistent and apparent the more you write. The idea with fanfiction is to help you develop your style which you will then use in writing the one book you’ve been fretting over. There will be more about this in Step 3, the Writing section Your Fret Free Writing Method.
Read Daily!
Becoming a better reader takes practice and commitment so, read daily. It doesn’t have to be Divine War Games of Whimsy and Wile although the book is designed specifically to encourage the creation of fanfiction and the Your Fret Free Writing Method towards writing your own original fiction. Take a break and pick a book in any genre or style. You could choose a magazine, blog, poetry, or graphic novel. Anything that excites you and suits your interest.
Consider setting aside a specific time to read!
Many of us think of reading before sleep but we may be too fatigued to really get the full experience. Maybe try reading at lunchtime or during a thirty-minute morning or afternoon break.
Create a special place to read!
Make reading more enjoyable by giving it a special priority. Create or carve out a little nook where you can get cozy and sit and read. Your new reading area could be as simple as a new luxurious bean bag chair or oversized pillows on the floor. Just make sure it is safe, quiet, and comfortable.
Practice Reading Out loud!
Reading out loud lets you practice pronunciation and rhythm. You can also do this by reading to a friend, child, or relative who may have trouble reading on their own.
Take notes!
Did something you read trigger an idea or a question about a character or an alternate idea about the plot? Maybe you’ve suddenly been inspired to write something completely different and new that has nothing to do with fan fiction. Write it down. Write down all the ideas that come to mind. You can even use them as writing prompts in your Writing Prompts Journal.
Keep a vocabulary Journal!
Make a list of all the words you’re newly familiar with and note their definitions and how to use them in a sentence. Utilize this list when writing to spice up your storytelling.
Don't count out audio books!
The experience is close to reading in the sense that you still will become aware of tone and voice, story structure, plot, and style. Besides, sometimes it's nice to be read to!
As you can see, reading for writing requires much more analysis than simply reading a book for entertainment, although reading should also be fun! So, enjoy the story finding out why Pammy paid Holly a visit in Chapter 5, of Divine War Games of Whimsy and Wile, but also pay attention to the tone and the style for example, what is the underlying feeling in the scene, or what are each character's motivations? You’ll be hearing my voice in the writing.
The next step is to get you writing in your own style and voice!
Next, On to Step 3... Writing