No wonder so many adults long to return to university, to all those deadlines–ahhh, that structure! Scaffolding to which we may cling! Even if it is arbitrary, without it, we’re lost, wholly incapable of separating the Romantic from the Victorian in our sad, bewildering lives… —Marisha Pessl, Special Topics in Calamity Physics
Learning to run has added structure to my life. I’ve set a goal—complete a 5K—and downloaded a plan. Now all I have to do is follow it. I don’t have to worry about what to do each day—the plan tells me.
Structure helps writers, too. Over the years, I’ve learned that a clear structure helps me write faster. When I design a book or brainstorm an article, I spend some time thinking about a structure that will help me convey my ideas. For my weekly tips, I often choose to offer three or five tools. For a guest blog post, I might simply present a problem, a story that illustrates the solution, and a final paragraph about what I’ve learned.
Try this: Think about your current project, whether it is a novel, nonfiction book, or a blog project. Examine your favorite books, blogs, or articles for structure. Then decide what structure works best for you and your topic. I’m betting you’ll write faster.
Want more information on structure? Come to tomorrow’s Write Now! Mastermind class with K. M. Weiland. I’ll be interviewing her on how to structure your scenes so that you can build an outstanding novel!
