To Plan or Not to plan…

That is the question.  Here’s what I do.

I had been writing for about ten years on and off by the time I heard this, and when I did it really stuck with me and it does today.  I remember something that Terry Pratchett had said on TV during an interview and it was basically this, if you are stuck about what to write then begin with two characters, get them talking to each other and see where it takes you.  I was quite pleased when I heard this because that was how I had been doing it all along.

But I always end up having to do some at least.  Taking into account that your story has to have a definite beginning, middle and end, it is important to recognise where the crisis point is and so you can take the action down to the resolution point. Minette Walters (The Shape of Snakes) said in an interview that she waited until she got to the halfway point before deciding who the murderer was.  So she was just as surprised herself.

You may disagree, but all I can say to that is, that we are all different.  I usually find that as long as you are true to your characters and give them the life that they ought to have then I find that they take things off into their own direction anyway.  It’s quite exciting when this happens, then you find yourself writing just to see what happens next and that gives you even more of a thrill about writing.

(more…)

Choosing your Attitude

When we are in the process of writing or even working to get published it can be a rollercoaster ride.  We need to stay steady through this ride and focused on our ultimate goal of the published book in our hands.  Having been through that process, there is nothing nicer than having the proof copy in your hands for the first time.  So what can we do as authors that will help us through this time?

In my book Remembering Perfection (www.rememberingperfection.com) in the chapter Reality and Attitude I talk about how the one thing we have absolute control over is the attitude we choose to adopt when something happens in our lives.  Right now, if you feel like many things outside of your control it is quite useful to feel in control of one aspect. 

So choose your attitude.  When you originally decided to write your book you knew that you had something to say.  That part of you that wanted to express through words was so strong that nothing could stop you writing.  Wherever you are in that process the most important thing that you can is ask yourself is; what attitude can I adopt that would put me in the most positive mindset to get this book out there and into the publics hands? 

If you can bring yourself to the present moment you can choose to think creatively, not only about solutions, but also new opportunities that you could create.  By choosing a good feeling attitude it gives you the ability to respond with awareness rather than unconsciously react. 

For example I had a few problem with my publisher not delivering what was promised.  To begin with I got frustrated and angry, but I soon realised that this attitude was not going to solve the problem.  So instead I started to ask myself how could I work with the publisher to make the best of the situation?  How could I be grateful for what has happened rather than focus on what hasn’t?  Slowly this new attitude began not only to make me feel better because I was taking responsibility for the promotion of my book, but I also began to get new opportunities to promote it. 

If you catch yourself with an attitude that is making your feel bad then it is a sure sign that your thoughts are not in a good space.  Stop a moment and ask yourself, what attitude would serve me better?  It is the one sure place where you have total free will, use it – what have you got to lose?

Jessica works internationally as a Life Fulfilment Coach empowering people to create the life they choose and gain fulfilment in every area of life.  She offers a free introductory session to discuss how she can support you in making the transformation you want and feel excited about your life again.  If you would like to arrange a time for her to call you please email her at jessica@jessicamcgregorjohnson.com or call +44 203 239 6155.  For more information visit www.jessicamcgregorjohnson.com 

She has recently published her first book Remembering Perfection – Everyday Inspiration for Living your Spirituality for more information visit www.rememberingperfection.com

On Writing

Where do they come from? The words? The poems? The stories? The books? From the booze, the fags, the sex, the despair? From happiness, ecstasy, joy and hope? From the dreams we never achieved? From the voices we hear in our nightmares, our jealousies, our fears? Because we see things we hope will never happen? From a desire to escape our realities? Because they are too painful to confront? There is no happiness in writing. Even a happy ending does not promise better things. There is always betrayal, decay and death beyond the final sentence.

So, why write if there’s never a happy ending? Because we have to. Because we want the answer to all our questions. Because there has to be an answer. Something out there that makes all our moments and seconds worthwhile. Because we’re on a quest. In our books. In our thoughts. In our lives. Because what keeps us striviing is the need for redemption. For ultimate salvation. For knowledge of what comes next. Although we will never know. That’s what drives us.

Every book is a quest wrapped into another story. Every poem. Every sequence of words ordered into the semblance of a sentence. A greater whole.

I can’t stop the words. They appear out of nothing. In dreams. In shapes. In colours. In sounds. The voices never stop.

Take an empty notebook and a pen. Carry them around with you. Listen in on other people’s conversations. On buses. On trains. In cafes. In restaurants. In the street. Walk slowly. Loiter. Mishear lyrics from songs on the radio. And write it all down. Cannibalise the world around you for every ounce of mangled word you can gather onto your paper. Scribble. Jot. Doodle. Invent.

Go into a pub. Buy a drink. Sit outside and light a cigarette. The people who talk to you while you’re smoking are infinitely more interesting than the non-smokers inside. As you drink, the people who walk by without talking to you will become more beautiful, more weighed down with secrets and meaning. And all the time, scribble, scratch, draw. You may even fall in love out there.

(more…)

Writing Tips for your First Novel 

Writing a novel is a big commitment. There’s planning and pre-writing, including research. There’s the first draft, which can take anywhere from weeks to months. Then you have to put the thing away for more weeks or months to get some distance before you start rewriting and editing.



Pre-writing is one of the more time-consuming parts of the novel process. It’s here that you figure out who your characters are and what their story might be. Keep notes about everything at this stage. Each tidbit of information that pops into your head should go down on paper. Keep your notes organized, in whatever manner works best for you. You might keep a separate folder or file for each character, setting, and plot element. Or you might color code your notes. I like to use an online wiki (PBWiki) for taking notes so I can link different pages together.



You’ll need to do research. Every story out there requires at least some research. If you’re very familiar with your setting and time period, you can probably start writing without any formal research beforehand. But keep a list of resources you can use to look things up as you write. Even in fiction, historical accuracy is important. While it doesn’t mean you can’t change things, you should have a very good reason to do so. Don’t “wing it” and hope no one notices—someone will. And sometimes rewriting historical or other inaccuracies out of a story can make the whole thing fall apart.



Some writers outline prior to starting their first draft. Others just start writing and let the story take them where it will. Neither method is inherently better than the other; use whatever works for you. I have to outline. Once I’ve actually started writing, though, I tend to completely disregard the outline. But if I get stuck, I can always refer back to it and see what my options are and where I need to go. Outlining, for me, is a way of getting to know my characters and their goals. Before writing my first outline, I’d never finished a novel. I’d had a dozen false-starts, but all fell apart or lost momentum after a few chapters. Other writers feel like an outline forces things and stifles their creativity. Try writing both ways and see which one works for you.

 (more…)