PLAN(S) OF ATTACK
by Mary V. Kolar
Previously published in vol. 23/number 03 August 2005 edition of Fellowscript, a Canadian Christian magazine for writers.
We all struggle to get our bodies and our minds to the discipline of writing. I have discovered there are six basic methods that illustrate this struggle. I believe most of us use a bit of each through our writing process, unless we are relentless in our method. Perhaps, if you are stalling out on your writing, what you need to do is shake yourself out of the comf ort of the method you are most familiar with and try another. The methods are:
Trojan Horse
Sneak up on it while it isn’t looki ng. Decide to go in and edit one paragraph. Give yourself permission to do just that little bit. Justify yourself knowing that you can honestly say you have done something about your goal of writing. We both know that once you get into your work, it isn’t going to be just a paragraph and four hours later, with one eye left fully open and listing to the left on your computer chair, you realize it is two hours past your bedtime.
Egyptian Army
Go for it full force. It may not be regular, but when you decide to write, it is an all day marathon. Seconds turn into minutes, the sun rises and sets, tides have come in and out, and you have not moved, much yet blinked. Finally, after hours, you force your legs to move, pry yourself out of your chair, and walk directly into a wall, because you are so dazed and bleary eyed, you no longer have any depth perception left.
David and Goliath
Grab that mouse, click open the mocking blank page and attack. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. Just start typing. Think not about plot, or characters, ignore those squ iggly little troublesome red lines, bypass those blue underscores of the word processor. Go boldly in faith. A hundred- thousand word novel is no problem. Nothing is too great or intimidating for you to handle. You schedule book signings four months from the time of your first word.
David and Solomon’s Temple
Plan! Plan, plan and plan some more. You have fifteen-page analysis on each and every character. The entire book is diagramed down to the number of paragraphs per page. You know your beginning, middle and end. You already have your page and word count. You haven’t actually written a word yet, but when you do, it will be a piece of cake. There is no such thing as to much research. You also have a living will to determine which of your offspring is actually going to build the temple of your book, in case your planning takes just a little bit longer then anticipated.
The Good and Faithful Servant
You schedule your writing time around your family and work obligations and schedule time in advance to set aside for your writing. You are consistent, but not obsessive. You set an alarm clock on your writing desk to make sure you get the rest you need. Each day you progress a bit further into your project. Your wife/husband loves you; your boss admires your attentiveness to your job, as you never go to work tired. Editors adore you, as you are careful and diligent in your writing, and clean up is not an issue.
The Martyr
Your minimal accepted word count is three thousand a day. Less than that and you are a failure. You drive yourself without mercy knowing that pain and suffering are part of any writing process. You embrace fatigue, using it to flog yourself into getting even more words on the page. Rest is deserved only after your count is reached.
There is no right way or wrong method. It is whatever works for you. When you want to devise a plan of action for your writing, always remember the words of George S. Patten, “A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.” So, write on, my fellow writers, write on!
Mary began writing seriously since she hit the hallmark age of fifty. She is meeting with good success as many of her stories have been published. Visit her at www.MaryVKolar.com to learn more about her writing endeavors. Contact Mary.
