Posted by Kathleen Pooler/@kathypooler
“ Writing with intention will give you a clear sense of purpose your book serves and what you’d like to do with it.” Paula Margulies, Book Publicity and Promotion Expert from this Writer’s Edge blog post.
Photo credit: dreamstimefree
I found my word for 2014!
As many others announced the one word that would guide them in the new year, I came up empty.
But, the word “intention” has been bubbling inside of me for a while and I have claimed it as my guide for the year.
What a relief. I was beginning to get frustrated with myself for not being able to identify the one word that would capture what I wanted and needed my writing to do as I move forward.
As I travel through the various phases of my own memoir writing, the terms intention, purpose, vision, mission keep coming up.
To me, intention requires being connected to my purpose for writing my memoir. It has served as my guide and has helped me answer the following questions:
* Why do I even want to write this book?
* Who is this book for?
* How will it help those who read it?
These are all questions any agent or publisher will ask, so I need to ask them for myself and be able to answer then succinctly, no matter which route to publication I take.
Here are 7 Memoir Writing Tips About Writing with Intention:
1. I have to find ways to get past my inner critic. You know, the one who says:
· What makes you think anyone will want to read your story?
· Your story isn’t unique.
· You can’t write that well anyway.
· Who cares?
I had to put my inner critic in her place. Her name is Gertrude. Here’s how I did it by writing out a dialogue with her.
2. I need to show up and write on a schedule.
Sometimes just the act of writing words unlocks the creative juices:
* Free Write– helps when I’m stuck. Writing words even if they don’t make sense.
* Journal– writing thoughts, feelings, and reactions helps me to clarify and focus.
3. I need to trust in the process.
Sometimes when I start to write, I have no idea how the story will unfold. I may start in the middle and if I let the writing flow, I eventually find the beginning and end.
After I show up, I need to get out the way of the story and let the words flow. I can go back and change later.
4. Writing with Intention has helped me to identify the main themes of my story.
Writing with intention has helped me find the heart of my story, I’ve been able to identify the themes to shape my story around.
This made it easier to stay true to the themes, which became the foundation for the story structure.
5. Taking time to pause and think has helped me be clear on my intention.
This has helped me to tap into memories and make connections about their meaning from my adult perspective. Sometimes my best ideas flow when I take time to walk in the garden or sit in church.
As writers know, we really are working when we’re staring out the window.
6. I need to keep my overall intention in mind as I revise.
If I am clear on my main message and the audience I am targeting, I can approach suggestions from editors and beta readers with a sense of purpose, staying true to my story while remaining open to constructive feedback.
7. Writing with intention has been my guiding light and is helping me get to the finish line:
I am taking the time to write it right because I do believe that I have a story to tell and that I am the only one who can tell it.
As I reflect on the past year, I realize, I have been writing with intention all along. Now I claim it as my focus for 2014 as I get ready to publish and market what I’ve written.
Of course, intention needs to be followed by action but I know being clear on my intentions will speed up the process.
How about you? Do you feel writing with intention has helped guide you?
I’d love to hear from you. Please leave your comments below~
2/12: “Crossing the Cultural Divide: From Insanity to Serenity“, a guest post on Janet Given’s blog.
Next Week: Ken Myers, Memoir Writer, Blogger and Entrepreneur will discuss ” 8 Tips for Being Kind and Gentle When Writing Memoir.”