Not Always So Serious!
When we’re in the planning phase of writing our novels, it’s the perfect time to remember to play. (Frankly, it’s a good thing to remember at all stages!) Planning doesn’t have to be limited to precise chapter synopses and orderly, color-coded index cards on a board (although even these can be fun to arrange…).
To help you plan and capture the spirit of your emerging tale, why not:
- Draw maps of your story’s settings. Use lively colours, and don’t worry about scale (or get precise if that’s more fun!).
- Sketch your characters in great detail (even if, like me, you’re quite raw as an artist).
- Physically visit a place that evokes a scene in your story, and write what you observe there with your five senses.
- Create a playlist that suits your main character, or that they would put together themselves—listen to it when you go for a walk.
- …And on and on!
The more we allow ourselves to play and be playful as we dream and plan, the more our story comes alive within us, and the more inspired we are to tell it.
My book The One Week Writing Workshop has a lot to say about maintaining joy as you write, and plenty more ideas to make writing a playful experience, too!
Karin 🙂