Creative Writing: How to Start — How to Take that First Step
So you want to write your story. Wondering where to begin?
Here’s three questions to get you going. Take time to consider them.

1) If you were to choose six parts of your life to write about — they could be events, experiences, life stages, transitions or times when you’ve learnt something significant – what would those six things be?

2) Why do you now feel the urge to write? Is it because you promised yourself you would before you turned 30,50,60 or 75? Is it because you want to hand stories down to family members? Or to reflect on your journey so far? Is it to tell the story of others through your eyes? Or perhaps just to let your creative self flourish, and see what emerges?

3) Who would you like the audience for your writing to be? Are you writing it for anyone in particular? Or just for yourself? Would you like it published?

Once you’ve answered the questions, write down the six things you want to write about. And then write about them! It’s okay if you only write a paragraph on each. Or you could write pages and pages.

Then, once you’ve got that writing done, take a good look at it. Then put it down, leave it for a bit. And look again. What are the threads that are common to each of the six pieces? What might hold them together? What would you like to replace or add?

This might give you an idea of what you really want to write.
And at least it’s given you a starting point.
The rest of your writing could easily develop from this.

Rather than pressuring yourself to write a book, you might consider writing an overview piece that links the pieces you’ve written. Or perhaps you’d prefer to write on one of the pieces that just seems to grab you.

You never quite know what’s going to happen once you start on your own personal writing adventure… So, be brave, be creative, and allow the story to emerge.

Go for it!

Michele

ps. for all those who say they can’t write, then speak it, record it, and get hold of some apps or technology that types it up for you! (See, there’s no excuse not to write.)
pps. You won’t believe how good for your health writing can be!

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Text and Image copyright Michele Gierck

Michele Gierck is author of 700 Days in El Salvador, Fraying: Mum, memory loss, the medical maze and me, and co-author of Peter Kennedy: the man who threatened Rome.

Michele’s website: www.michelegierck.com.au

Michele is a member of The Australian Society of Authors.