Follow that idea!

[John Dean]

I am fascinated by the way the writer’s mind works and particularly how creativity comes about. It may sound odd to say it but sometimes creativity is sidelined in the writing process. Writers get so involved in the craft of writing, pace, point of view, the correct use of words, grammar etc etc that somehow creativity gets bundled to one side.

One of the things that can aid creativity is planning. I have always thought that the time spent thinking in advance of beginning to write is crucial. I know that you can overdo it - my only writing joke is: Two writers meet in the street. One says ‘I’m writing a novel’ and the other says ‘neither am I’.

However, planning is vital because you need a roadmap, an idea where your story is going. The trick is to be prepared to diverge from the plan when the opportunity arises. Planning is just that – it’s theoretical - and writers will tell you that stories take on a life of their own once they begin to write. Being open to the process can see whole new plotlines emerging.

I am musing on this because it has just happened to me when an exercise set during an online writing group of which I am a member triggered a pattern of thought that introduced a new character. And with him came the plotline that I knew was missing from the novel which I have just started writing.

There are pitfalls here, though, not least recognising creativity for what it is. The new idea may be brilliant but may not fit into the novel on which you are working. In which case, jot it down so you don’t forget it and come back to it later. However, in this case, the fit is perfect and when that happens all writers should be prepared to let the new idea take them wherever it will.