The problem that many writers have is the misconception that words drive writing, that in order to begin you have to have just the right first sentence or first paragraph. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, this kind of thinking will not get you very far with your writing. Why?

Several reasons. First, words are the vehicles through which writers get their characters and stories down on the page. This is not to stay that we don't like language or playing around with words, but there's a time and place for that, not just when you're a beginning writer, but whenever you begin any piece of writing. If you begin with words, that's where you'll end up, lost in a quagmire of words.

Secondly, words reside in the left side of the brain, which is the home of the intellect, of judgment, evaluation and, for better or worse, the Inner Critic. You know who I mean! That voice inside your head that says "Do this, don't do that. If you're going to be a writer than you have to write this, not that. You have to write a nice story, not too much sex or violence. You have a to write a page turner. You have to write a story that will get you on the best sellers list. You have to write a story that won't embarrass the family...

"Have to, have to, have to!...should, should, should!" Whenever you hear these words, take note. Your Inner Critic is controlling the show. What you want is for you Inner Writer to step forth. Then you can really start writing.

Here is an exercise to get you started. Answer the questions quickly. (You might want to run this page off so you can write by hand.) Imagine that you're not answering. Instead, ask your Inner Writer to write. Don't think you have an Inner Writer? You do! The Inner Writer doesn't think a lot. The Inner Writer feels and see and plays. So don't think! Thinking will take you into your left brain and the domain of the Inner Critic who might think this is a really dumb exercise and this person, Emily Hanlon, doesn't know what she's talking about and you'd do better by leaving this web site and cleaning the house.

Here is the exercise:

Think of someone you really hate or strongly dislike, someone who drives you nuts. Write down his or her name here:

If the person who's name you wrote down were an animal, what kind of animal would he or she be?

If the person were a color, what color would he or she be?

List as many adjectives as you can think of to describe this person. Don't worry if you put down nouns too. Just begin to list:

If this person were an object in nature, what would her or she be? ie, a tidal wave, a black rose... whatever.

List some verbs to describe how the person moves:

Give your person a new name.

Imagine that person doing something terrible. Don't hold back. The doing is the action or the dramatic tension. Remember, it's easier to write big than small. Try to write something you wouldn't normally try. A fight, for example. Make it a big fight--maybe even a murder! Nobody has to see it except you and your Inner Writer. Begin with ideas and images from your answers above. Write without thinking. Don't judge. Just write. Fast. In the world of the imagination, there is no right or wrong. Go for it. Have fun!

Congratulations, you have just written a first draft! Some of it might be good, some of it might be wonderful and some of it is surely garbage. Everyone writes garbage. Tons of it. A writer learns to love the garbage. It is full of unmined gems. A writer learns to "read" the garbage. One way to do this is to master technique. Technique gives writers options, which allow creativity to flow and order to arise out of the chaos.

This article was taken from Emily Hanlon's The Art of Fiction Writing or How to Fall Down the Rabbit Hole Without Really Trying. This is not only a writing book— it is also a course in creative writing unlike any other you'll find. With a workbook and two audio tapes, The Art of Fiction Writing makes it seem as if you have your own writing coach sitting beside you! Together, we go on a journey of discovery into your creative unconscious or, in the lingo of the book, your personal Wonderland.

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www.thefictionwritersjourney.com