The writing process

You know that writing has several steps. They are listed below.  Going through the steps really works! Trust me.

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1. Prewriting: Brainstorm for ideas. Writing is funny!  You may come up with a great addition to the story in ten seconds.  You may have to talk to your friends about it!  They may have to ask you, "What were you trying to say?"  The main thing is, keep writing!
   
   
2. Writing:
   First draft - follow ideas. Read your story so far! 
   You want to add something? Do it!  That is all! 
   Get those thoughts on the page. Just don't think that they will stay that way. You will have plenty of time to edit and change. 
   
   
   
3. Revising:This is where some "real work" begins.  You have got some good ideas on the page.  Let's make them "sound" or "look" good!  Author Katherine Paterson compares doing revisions to "transforming spilled milk into ice-cream." Getting things in the right order and getting rid of extra "stuff" that does not add anything is done now.  Check out the points below:
   
   
1. Pacing
   Has something been "over" explained?  Cut down on the description. 
   Has an important detail not been put in?  Do so!
2. Clarity
   Is it clear as to what the characters are saying and doing? If not, clarify.
   Have any words been left out? Add them.
   Are there repetitions? Remove them. 
   Did it make sense for a character to do what he or she did?
3. Interesting words and details
   Look, this is a short story, so make good use of every word.  Do not say anything twice. 
   If young people are speaking use their language. 
   If older folks are speaking, then make sure we can "hear" how they speak.
   Try to use descriptions that use the senses:  see, hear, smell, taste and feel. 
   
   
4. Editing:
   Teachers always say this!  It is in our blood!  So, pardon me but....... When your story "looks good" then ...
   ... check for: 
1. Capitalization
2. Punctuation
3. Paragraphs
4. Spelling
   
   
5. Publishing:
   Only when the story is polished will it be published. If it's going to be read by "the world", it better be as perfect as you can get it.
   
   
6. Other questions or ideas may "come up" once you begin working.  Remember you have several ways to get answers, or just to talk about what is going on.  You can talk to your classmates.  You can talk to your teacher.  You can go "on-line" and talk to the other writers in this group.