Behind “The Process”: Write Your Way into It

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Christopher Tallon

Welcome to another BTP, a series of blogs that explores the ins and outs of the writing process. These are typically aimed at new/emerging writers, but I think everyone, regardless of ability or interest in the subject even, can all marvel at my genius…

So this post (I’ve just decided) is going to be an example of writing to find it. Find what? Let’s find out together.

Stuck trying to come up with creative writing ideas? Write to find them! — Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

When people ask me about writing they often say something like, “I don’t know how to come up with ideas.” To that I recommend doing what I’m doing right now. I have no notes. I have no ideas. I quite literally sat down at my computer and spit out the first thing I thought of, which was the first sentence.

Writing teachers will often say, “Start writing and don’t stop for anything for the next 5 minutes.”

When they do that, I do this:

It’s time to write now. I don’t know what exactly to write about, but I’m writing. Not stoping either. Won’t stop. Can’t stop. Bad boy. Uh-uh. That’s what Diddy says in a lot of his old songs, back when he used to make songs. I don’t know what he does now. Maybe I’ll write a story about a rapper who gets super famous, then accidentally falls on the third rail in the subway station. That gives him some kind of super human powers. Then he becomes a super hero and everyone’s like, “Why doesn’t that guy rap anymore? He’s still out partying and hanging out with all the famous people, but…What. Does. He. Do?”
On demand writing. By me. Boom.

If you can think, you can write on demand. It doesn’t have to be a master work. In fact, it shouldn’t be. Look again at the bullshit I wrote. Ain’t nobody got time for that. But that’s the point. You can get words out of your head if you just force yourself to start. And once you do, maybe you’ll get in the zone. Then maybe you’ll write a story. Maybe that story will turn into a novel. Maybe that novel becomes a best seller. Maybe they make it a movie. Maybe you make millions. I’m just sayin–make your dreams come true then give me a couple grand, homie. You know–for the effort ova heeh.

Yep, over already. This post turned out to be a little fella. All the better; more time for you to write!

So go ahead. Try it out. Get your computer open or your notebook out, and…

WRITE!

(Hit me up on Instagram and let me know how it went!)

-CT