Writing begins with an idea – with something to say, something you have a burning desire to communicate.
The desire is that same feeling you may have when you’re out in a group of people and the conversation is rolling along, and it’s sparking ideas, and you have one. You want to share. You can’t find a break in the conversation, though, and you bounce in your chair making that “ooh, ooh” sound you used to make when you had your hand raised and the teacher wouldn’t call on you.
Desire. An idea that is too great to let die. That’s the start.
And then the secret to making the writing of it great?
Clarity: Writing that tells your story clearly so your reader sees what you see, understands your idea, whether she agrees or not.
The secret is that simple: forget all the flourishes. Just get the idea across.
