Just Say It: Writing Tip
By: Anna Hallett, Director, The Writing Party
Sometimes it’s easier to say aloud what you mean than to write it. While I can get the words to flow from my mouth, they stubbornly refuse to organize themselves on the paper. When that happens to me, I have a process for getting my ideas down in writing. By working step by step, I am able to put into text what I have articulated aloud. I use this method most often for my non-fiction writing, but I have utilized it when stuck on a section of fiction.
Just Say It
Step 1: I speak aloud to myself or another person what I am trying to express. Sometimes I only think it, but still as though I am trying to explain it to someone else.
Step 2: I write out short bullets, hitting the main points of my verbal recitation.
Step 3: Again, I express myself aloud using the bullet points as though they are notes for a speech. The bullets keep me on track and my verbalization fills in the gaps.
Step 4: Starting from the bullet points, I fill-in in writing what I spoke aloud in Step 3. Again and again, when I am feeling stuck, I speak my thoughts aloud until I am ready to commit them to writing.
Step 5 (Non-fiction): If I am writing an essay, I ensure I have a solid thesis, supporting examples and explanation, and a conclusion to bring it all together. I add and adjust the text as needed.
Step 6: I read my completed text aloud to ensure it really says what I mean. I add, subtract, and edit as needed until I have a final product.
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