As we briefly discussed in our previous tip, preparation is contingent upon detail and point, which ultimately encompasses our goal of memory and lasting: something with weight. Understanding this relationship and meaning, if you will, is key to grasping the thought processes of the potential protagonist awaiting life in its little embryo that is your mind. We’ve got to feed it, take care of it. And we can only do that by understanding. 

Often times, I would find myself losing my point by focusing on the destination rather than giving thought and care to the journey. As a person who has both aspired, and still endeavours, to write novels, it burdened me knowing that I had to meet a quantitative amount, and if there wasn’t enough of it, then that cemented my worth as a writer. This is wrong. And we need to strip such thoughts.

Stories begin with little to no detail. It’s our perseverance which determines its long-standing nature. Its depth of worth. So, I’m sharing a page from my book, hoping that your likened minds will make better usage. Just begin. Begin the journey. Ask yourself why you want to write this story, or this aspect – the overall premise doesn’t immediately need to be discovered at this point – you are essentially talking with your mind, never forget; whichever aspect you are wrangling with, give it meaning and further water this aspect by giving the point and meaning validation.

This is us beginning our story. Growing the embryos of our minds. This is us writing. Continue repeating this sequence, like a driver would consistently press down on the accelerator and hold the wheel in a motorway, a long-winded drive through a valley, only to pause for a break. And stories change, as with the journey. Right now, our conversation with ourselves is not about perfection. It is just the aspect of talking to ourselves in the first place. Think of this exchange between the voices in your mind, that have petitioned to be ink blotted onto paper, virtual or otherwise, as a 500 words account. That small. That short. That sweet. Like a newborn baby. It doesn’t know how to communicate its wonders, even if its own form of communication exists. 

This is where we come in. We are their scribes. So scribe away, without interruption. Remember, it’s new at this. Let it keep exploring its sweet, sometimes smelly, and confusing world. When they want your help, they’ll cry, shout, scream, maybe that foul odour will increase? Then you can open your mind to the possibilities of ‘perfection’. But let’s not forget, you’re new to this as well. So start cheap. Don’t purchase expensive products, you need to use the change for food and other essentials. This is only 500 yards into the Odyssey of Endless Valleys of Creativity. Save. Your gas. And don’t charge in when you have no clue as to where you’re going. Baby steps are all you need. Baby babbles are all they’re asking.

Written by Marisa Paulson, London