How do I write the story I want to tell?
START
Some people will tell you that there are specific ways to go about telling your story, certain methods, processes. Books have been written about it. Seminars have been given. There are classes you can take and videos you can watch...And you should check into some of those, certainly (especially the creative writing and rhetoric classes offered here at UTC). But I am here to tell you the best kept secret about writing the story you want to tell:
Just start writing.
It sounds like you have already done some brainstorming and have some ideas. So the next step is drafting, right? Remember the Writing Process that you learned in English 1010 and 1011.
The Writing Process does not just apply to academic papers; it is applicable to all writing. And all of those books and seminars and videos and classes will enlighten you to the most important part of writing the story you want to tell: START WRITING.
Will your first draft be award winning material? NO. No-one's first draft is ever a best seller. But the good news is that you can take what you draft out and turn that into a well-written story in which you can take pride.
So, start writing now. And consider a plan of writing at least 1,000 words a day for the next two months. And just write what comes to mind each day when you think about your story. And when it seems like you are creating something fabulous keep writing. And when it seems like you are creating mind-numbing crap keep writing. And when it seems like your thoughts are all out of order keep writing. Remember that you have to revise your initial draft anyway.
Revision: it is what all the cool kids are doing!
The key to success in writing, as it is in everything else, is starting. Remember, you cannot finish if you never even show up.
And when you think you are going to go crazy and that you just want to give up, watch the following hysterical excerpt from The Golden Girls, have a laugh; then, get back to writing!
Coming to you from the middle of a massive revision of the story I want to tell,
Professor Repentista
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