Bang the Keys provides the four essential steps which are the tools that writers learn and repeat throughout their lives. Each section focuses on one of the thematic building blocks and includes tips and anecdotes from established writers and artists which tie in to that section's focus. Also included are practical writing exercises aplenty. By the end of the book, readers will have the tools and the inspiration to show up regularly for their work, and ultimately finish the writing projects they start ... or bust their fingers trying!
Writers know that their creations begin with an explosion of inspiration, but in order to harness that inspiration and develop it into a finished work of any kind-whether a short story, a memoir or a play-they need to learn to bang the keys frequently and fervently to bring the universe they imagine in their minds to life on the page. But how can a writer follow through on his vision and bring his work to fruition in the world ... and then hunker down and do it again on his next project? And again after that? The answer can be found in Bang the Keys, the innovative new book by award-winning author Jill Dearman.
In Dearman's work as a writing coach and university writing professor, she watched many writers throw potentially good material in a drawer because they lacked the confidence and craft to complete it. Yet in her experience, any writer can go the distance if (s)he can build the foundation of a strong writing practice, based on basic, straightforward principles that work every time. Dearman's highly popular 'Bang the Keys' writing workshop is based on a system that offers practical advice for demonstrated results every time-and is the basis on which she based this handy, step-by-step guide for writing.
Formed from the idea that most great things, like creativity, begin with a big 'bang,' Bang the Keys is broken up into four sections that correspond to Dearman's four basic steps for writing:
Step 1: Begin with the strongest idea.
Step 2: Arrange the work into a concrete shape.
Step 3: Nurture the project with love, so that others can love it, too.
Step 4: Go finish, and then let it go so it may live independently in the world.
