1. Find a start line, one that pops into your head or one a writing partner suggests. Example:
   "I would never . . ."
   "(My character) would die if she lost . . ."
   "There comes a time when . . ."
   "The coffee smelled like . . ."
2. Date your work, and using your start line, write for five, ten or fifteen minutes. Have someone time you or set a timer.
3. Do not edit as you go. Don’t scratch out words. Don’t correct punctuation. And don’t try to be nice. Write the first thing that comes into your head.
4. Keep your hand moving. If you run out of things to say, write, "I’ve run out of things to say, but I what I really want to say is —". Write till the end of the allotted time.
5. Read your writing aloud, even if you’re alone. Tell the Editor Within (more about this jerk in another lesson) to back off for awhile, because you need to be free.
6. Keep your work and re-read it periodically. Don’t fret if you feel you’ve missed the mark. If you glean one punchy phrase or one delightful description or one germ of an idea from a session, say "Thank You!" to your Muse (more about this gem in another lesson).
7. Keep it up. It’s work, but it’s good work. Almost magic!

Word Usage

It is important that word use communicate the meaning and feeling that the writer intends. Sometimes proper word use may mean using an improper word. For example, "irregardless" is a double negative and unacceptable in standard written English. It may, however, be the proper word for your character to use. Rules of usage are meant to provide guidelines, not to inhibit your writing.

Here are some commonly accepted usage standards for writing.

• Use differ from to mean "be unalike" and differ with to mean "be in disagreement".
  Current hair color is where Mary differs from her twin sister.
  I differ with Mike on when we should start.

• Use ensure to make certain of something and insure to take out insurance.
  Jennifer ensured the ring's safekeeping by checking the lock twice. She then insured it for $10,000.

• Disorderly and unorganized are adjectives meaning "lacking order or arrangement". Use the verb disorganize to mean "destroy the organization of".
  I feel so unorganized without my palm pilot.
  After his analysis, we disorganized the project and started from scratch.

• Use irritate to mean "annoy" and aggravate to mean "make worse".
  His constant chatter irritates me.
  Springtime aggravates my allergies.

• Use myself (herself, etc.) as reflexive pronoun or for emphasis, not as the subject or direct object of a sentence.
  I, myself, will call her.
  I cut myself shaving.
  NOT (though heard all the time)
  Kit and myself are the newest recruits.
  Please contact either Gale or myself.

• Use regardless or irrespective to mean "without consideration of." You might choose to use irregardless if you want to be humorous.
  Irrespective of your meaning, you may not use that word in my house.
  Regardless of your credentials, you are not right for the job.

Get yourself a good book on usage, and then make your own judgments. Standards include The Chicago Manual of Style and Modern English Usage by H.W. Fowler, but there are many others.

–Tina Talbot