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Read these pre-writing techniques & then THINK about what helps you get started writing.
- In the Discussion Post 2.1 tell us if you’ve used any of these techniques before. Which ones? What ideas or information do you need before you sit down to write?

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If you have a broad subject or theme that you want to write about but don't quite know how to narrow it down, ask defining questions to help develop you main idea.
- Why did my mother not get her college degree until she was 40 years old?
- Is it true that my grandfather was born in Jalisco, Mexico?

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You can ask yourself the questions a journalist would ask about your topic.
WHO? Who is involved, affected?
WHAT? What are you writing about? What's the topic? What's the problem?
WHERE? Where did it happen?
WHEN? Did it happen in the past? What historical forces shaped the problem or issue?
WHY? Why is this important? Why are you writing about it?
HOW? How has this event/relationship/issue impacted you? How did you resolve the problem or learn to move on?

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Determine who you are writing this for. I don't mean the market or where this will be published - it is too early for that. But thinking about who you want to read this can help direct your writing.

Here are some examples:
- Your younger self.
- People who have had the same experience but haven't seen their stories told.
- Your child or younger relative.
- Your parent.
- Your partner.

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Successful authors like Colson Whitehead (Underground Railroad, The Nickel Boys) outline before writing. Whitehead typically spends a year outlining and taking notes before beginning writing. Sylvia Plath wrote an outline of the Bell Jar on pink paper.

You can do a formal outline with roman numerals or you can do something more visual with pictures or drawings.

There's no right or wrong way to map or outline. What's important is to discover what works for you.

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Posted by: bluesyemre | May 20, 2013

Famous Authors' Handwritten Outlines for Great Works of Literature by Emily Temple

Writing a novel (or a story, for that matter) is confusing work. There are just so many characters running all over the place, dropping hints and having revelations. So it's no surprise that many authors plan out their works beforehand, in chart or list or scribble form, in order to keep everything straight. After the jump, you'll find a mini collection of those planning papers, so you can take a peek into the process of some of your favorite authors, from James Salter to J.K. Rowling.
http://bit.ly/14hQKbq

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Famous Authors' Handwritten Outlines for Great Works of Literature by Emily Temple

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Writing a novel (or a story, for that matter) is confusing work. There are just so many characters running all over the place, dropping hints and having revelations. So it's no surprise that many authors plan out their works beforehand, in chart or list or scribble form, in order to keep everything straight.

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"Prewriting is the start of the writing process, the messy, play stage in which writers jot down, develop, and try out different ideas, the stage in which it’s fine to be free-ranging in thought and language. Prewriting is intended to be free-flowing, to be a time in which you let your ideas and words flow without caring about organization, grammar, and the formalities of writing." - Excelsior Online Writing Lab (https://owl.excelsior.edu/writing-process/prewriting-strategies/)

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Lynda Barry's Writing the Unthinkable Exercise

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Lynda Barry's Writing the Unthinkable Exercise

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For a longer pre-writing exercise, you can watch this 21 minute mindfulness/writing exercise from the genius that is Lynda Barry to generate ideas.

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Michael Green's Graphic Medicine Channel

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Writing the Unthinkable with Lynda Barry

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Examine pictures of the time, place, and people you are writing about. Make notes of the expression on their faces, their hair, what's behind them, what's not in the picture, and anything else that stands out to you.

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Making a list of ideas and thoughts can be a good way to generate broad ideas for essays. Once you make your initial list, you can work with the information. You can group things that are similar or drill down on items that you are most curious about.

For example: Make a list of your favorite people. List memories related to each of those people. Then write an essay that explores one of those memories.
Favorite People
- Grandma
- Cousin Jason
- Best Friend Robert

Grandma Memories
- 99 cent hot dogs at 7-11
- Driving to Fresno with a cat
- Lumpy pull out bed

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I researched Bolivia and the themes in my story when I was writing my memoir.

Researching your topic can help you discover things you didn't know about the place or time. Even if you don't intend to include the information in your essay or book, it gives you time to consider different perspectives.
Example:
- Look up the history of the town or region you're writing about.
- Find newspaper or magazine articles published during the time period you're writing about.
- If you're writing about the impact of a physical or mental health issue on your life, research the symptoms and treatment of that condition.

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Expressive Writing (about trauma and difficult experiences)

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Expressive Writing (about trauma and difficult experiences)

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You do not have to write about your traumatic experiences but many people do want to use memoir to explore those topics. If you do, there's a specific technique called "Expressive Writing" developed by Dr. James Pennebaker at the University of Texas at Austin.

The basic technique is to write for 15 minutes a day for several days. Choose an experience of hurt to write about that is important to you. Explore what has happened in connection to that hurtful experience, how it has affected you, and how it connects to different parts of your life. The link has more info and you can also search for "Expressive Writing."

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Expressive Writing (Greater Good in Action)

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A simple, effective way to work through an emotional challenge.

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Record yourself telling the story using Voice Memo on your phone or Zoom on a computer. Aim for about 8 minutes. Then listen to the recording and write down what you said.

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Freewriting sounds like what it is. You writing freely about your topic, not worrying about spelling, grammar, logic, transitions, or anything. You can set a timer (10 to 20 minutes) and write non-stop. Or decide on a specific word count or page length.

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Creative non-fiction writing prompts give you a frame through which to write on a topic, even if you know what you want to write about. A good sources for prompts is Poets & Writers Magazine "The Time is Now" prompts. Every Creative Writing craft book will have writing prompts.

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The Time Is Now - Weekly writing prompts for poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction

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Over 1800 weekly writing prompts. Poetry prompts, fiction prompts, for poets, fiction, and creative nonfiction writers.