Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Writing can feel so repetitive. So, how do you stop writing the same scenes over and over and really give your characters their unique ways of being?

First on the to-do list is to look at yourself. How are you in the world? Are you a follower or a trend-setter? Do you voice your own opinions or do you parrot others? This is not meant for you to be in judgment of yourself, it's just for you to notice how you are being in the world.

Once you notice your way of being then see if you are writing characters that are very similar to you or opposite of you. If you are writing similar characters, then open up a paragraph, and next to it, write it in a way that would be completely the opposite of what you've written. If you are writing characters that are opposite of you, then do the same but make your character take the chances you would if it were your life you were writing about. 

Next, evaluate which way you like the paragraph. How did your character respond? Did a new way of being open up to you or the character?

Another thing to pay attention to is your patterns. Are you writing the same time of day all of the time and in the same setting? This rote way of doing things can lead to a boring manuscript. Some writers believe they MUST create a habit in order to write, but this kills creativity. Habits are made to be broken! So, move around your home or apartment. Try writing outside. 

When I was a writing teacher for middle school students I did not have them sit in their desk seats and write. We moved around the classroom. They chose to sit under a desk, go outside, sit on top of a car, or in a swing. Someone even climbed a tree. And guess what? Their writing was fun, curious, explosive, hilarious, and unique. They changed their perspectives and their writing showed this fun change!

So - get outside! Change it up. Do something weird like sit in your closet or under the dining table. Become curious and playful and so will your writing.

Write~On

Angie Azur

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