When you are around young
children, listen very carefully. When they believe no one is concerned with
what they are doing, they let themselves go. They make up stories, give
dialogue to their playthings, and give the best descriptions to animate or
inanimate objects that you can ever imagine.
As writers, we sometimes lose
that child-like quality of spontaneous insight, in the stories we are trying to
write. We work at writing, instead of letting writing work in us. Some stories
I have read give mundane, dull, and very uninteresting descriptions of scenes
that could be brought alive and made vibrant with the right words. When you are
trying to describe something to your reader, close your eyes and in your mind
see whatever it is "for the first time." You never saw it before and
you are trying to take in all the details. All your senses are aware of this
scene or object and they all want to participate. Let go and let them. Don't
let them hold back. They are the artists of your creativity, so taking away
their paints and brushes will only harm your work.
Your characters and their
personalities and antics can be treated in the same way. Meet them as total
strangers with no pre-conceived notions. Let them be themselves and take it
from there. Some writers believe that their characters must always be the super
heroes in every scene. Sometimes the quiet, unassuming person in the room that
is deep in thought or totally absorbed in whatever they are doing speaks louder
than the character that is explaining and touting their own horn.
Children are smarter than we
give them credit for. They pretend and they give life to whatever they are
doing at that particular moment. One sad fact is that many of today's toys rob
these little ones from their creative playing by giving an adult's version of
actions, words, and story plots. Notice how quickly a child tires of
pre-programmed playthings and would sometimes prefer the box they came in.
As writers we don't want to be
childish, only child-like. There is a world of difference in these words.
Seeing things for the first time in a different light and noticing all the fine
points is being child-like. A small one can study a rock or a blade of grass
for hours if left to their own devices. Along comes an adult and we give them a
toy that is meant to entertain but stops the imagination process. A simple toy
soldier can be placed in so many different story plots and doesn't always win.
Either their sand castle collapses or the day comes to an end. However,
tomorrow brings new adventures and opportunities. Writers are professional
people, this is true. As professionals we know the value of finding ways to
increase our creativity and our imagination. Pick up your toy soldier and see
what today's adventures will bring. You may be very surprised at what your own
child-like images can do. Give it a try.
Copyright 2002 by Arleen M.
Kaptur
Arleen has written numerous
articles, e-books, and the novel: SEARCHING FOR AUSTIN JAMES Websites:
http://www.rusticliving.info
http://www.webspawner.com/users/rusticliving/index.html