What do you see when you look at a blank page? Do you see opposition or opportunity? Today I am going to share about a writing technique/concept. I learned this from a professor in college, and it’s something I still practice today.
First, hunt for a blank piece of paper.
It must be free from all other things: no lines, no headers, and no artwork. If you like to write on colored paper, you absolutely can – I would just say be mindful of the color. In fact, if you write a novel by hand and complete your entire rough draft on pink paper, I think that alone is interesting enough for me to want to look at the book.
Second, shut down your computer.
Your blank page cannot be on your computer screen. This must be a real-time, real-life, legit piece of paper. Size doesn’t matter. Well, depending on how many words you want to put on it, you might need more pages. But you want to have a piece of paper you can lift up, fold, smell, rip, and take with you wherever you go. Now, you’re ready to write.
Third, consider the opportunity.
Many writers avoid blank pages because we fear writer’s block. But when a child looks at a blank piece of paper, something is sparked within them. Excitement. Opportunity. They’re not constantly being autocorrected or forced into perfect spacing. They are free to press on a pen, crayon, or marker, and put into words the wonder that is inside their minds. If words don’t do it justice, a sketch here or there will fill in the gaps. It’s a beautiful, personal, and smart way to craft creative work.
There is a time and a place for the computer, typewriter, or whatever tool you want to use. They help to make your work accessible, readable, and grammatically correct. But I challenge you to a blank piece of paper today: an open world waiting for you to invent it.
As a writer, it’s important to get to know your characters as much as possible. To do this well, you might want to try writing a negative space story. So, what is a negative space story, and why is it so helpful?
Negative Space
Traditionally used in relation to art, negative space is literally the space in between and around the subject of a painting/artwork. The effect of negative space can often have dramatic results. In some cases, the subject is removed, and the negative space creates an entirely different picture than what was originally intended.
Many writers compare the act of writing to “watching a movie in your mind” and trying to describe/transcribe what is imagined. A negative space story is kind of like a deleted scene from a movie. It’s a part of the story that doesn’t make the final cut, but it serves a purpose for gaining insight into the world and characters.
I was recently challenged to write a negative space story. Here’s a great place to start: choose a minor character. On the surface, it doesn’t matter which character you choose, but prepare yourself to let it have a surprising amount of influence. Minor characters can become very interesting once you get to know them.
When I read negative space stories, it changes the way I think about books.
See the value of every character in the story, not just the main ones.
Take the time to write things that won’t make the final cut. It enhances the journey.
Be open to where the rabbit hold may lead.
I wrote a flash fiction piece not long ago that I intended for exactly that purpose: a very short story. Then I met the characters, and there’s more to them than I thought. As I’ve worked on their negative space story, I found myself jumping into a genre I’ve never explored before. It’s exciting!
Here’s to your writing journey and invaluable negative space.
Invent your story!