Purposeful Prose Advice Column: Starting From Scratch

Dear Purposeful Prose, 

I don’t know anything about building a story. When I see words like “pacing” or “character development”, especially in writing groups, I don’t know what to do. I’ve written for fun before, but I don’t understand mechanics at all. I feel like I’m too old to learn all this. 

There’s a lot of jargon in writing that’s helpful to know. The good news is that the concepts behind those terms existed before the term did. We have “character development” because it’s a concise way of defining how characters grow and change through the course of the book. Authors that we draw inspiration from didn’t have that term. 

Naming a problem is the first step to fixing it, and that’s what writing communities have done over the years. There is a shared language, and that’s not going to make sense to everyone. If I were to, suddenly, want to become an electrician, I’d have a similar problem. That doesn’t necessarily mean I couldn’t follow a path to that kind of career if that’s what I wanted to do. 

Based on your question, I feel that you’re getting information overload. At this stage, it’s important that you’re able to process that in any way that feels right to you. One common piece of advice is to write what comes naturally to you at the moment. If you would like some writing prompts, I released some this month! 

That can be easier said than done. If you’re feeling self-conscious or have any kind of imposter syndrome, you might find it difficult to start. You might feel, like many other writers do, that whatever you write, it must be the right thing.

I wrote an article about that, and in it, I defined writer’s block as “anything that keeps you from the action of writing or the desire to write.” Writer’s block has a very intense feeling to it, and I’m careful about my language. So, if I don’t know what to write next or I need time to think, I’ll say that I’m having a block. Just one. 

My point is that, when it comes to some language about writing, you’re having a block as well, and that’s okay. Regardless of where you are in your writing journey, it is possible for you to take in new information and to find something in writing [or anything] that brings you joy. You could look up the terms one by one, but there are other ways to retain information on writing that will help you. When I’m having a block, there are a few different texts that I regularly refer to:

1.) Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and For Those Who Want to Write Them by Francine Prose

A lot of advice you are going to get is “read” and “keep reading”, and that’s fantastic advice. It’s even better when you know what to look for. This book does not stick to surface level analysis, though you could delve deeper into the passages she supplies if you wanted to. I recommend bringing the thoughtfulness she encourages to other texts and using it to identify some of your own goals as a writer. 

2.) Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami 

As an admirer of Murakami’s craft, this book appealed to me personally, but that’s not the only reason why I recommend it. Through this book, I gained further insight on how, specifically, Murakami developed his voice as a writer. He discusses his routine, his views on education and writing, and his views on literary prizes. Writers think about more than just writing. Writers get self-conscious, especially if they don’t feel as though their talent warrants recognition. While Murakami does not shy away from his truth, he does inspire. I feel that this book would speak to you in meaningful ways. 

3.) Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

This is a very impressive text, exploring writing as a deeply vulnerable and rewarding act. If you write creatively and understand how a work of fiction can help us process elements of the world around us, you write to heal, or you have any kind of story to tell, Bird by Bird can help you center that reason.

For more help in expanding writing-centered terminology, I recommend K.M. Weiland’s approach linked here. This provides a highly accessible glossary of common writing terms. If you see a term in any writing space that feels unfamiliar, start there!  

I look forward to seeing what you write next!

If you have a writing or editing-focused question, I would be more than happy to dedicate a post to you. Contact us for any questions you might have or to schedule a free consultation with yours truly!

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