The process of writing can be as distinct and unique as the person who is converting thoughts into text.
Toledo writer Jane Bradley — a proven author with novel and short-story collection writing credits firmly in place, including high praise for her work from New York Times Magazine— was drawn to the craft as a child. A published author and creative writing academic since 1986, her pedigree walks the walk.
“I dwelled more deeply in books than in my own life, which was an unstable, often dangerous world,” Bradley said. “I loved the way stories could take me to places where dangers were overcome… both children and young adults must be resourceful, creative and proactive if they want to survive and prevail. I decided I wanted to write my own stories in the third grade. I was a very shy child, and when I was praised for my work, when I saw my story finally mattered to others, I was hooked.”
Educating and creating
That hook to tell a story has not only taken her imagination and sense of security to happier, safer places, but it has also helped to inform her career as an educator and creator. With a 29-year career as a professional writer and creative writing educator, Bradley’s resumé runs as deep as her creativity and skill— NEA fellowships, fiction writing awards, listed as Editor’s Choice in The New York Times.
Bradley has published short stories, story collections and screenplays, among other creative writing endeavors, including her latest novel, You Believers, which was named Best Book a few years ago by Barnes and Noble’s Book Club, as well as The Kansas City Star and The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Her passion to create has led to a commitment to education. Bradley presently teaches creative writing, fiction workshops, and screenwriting courses at the University of Toledo, where she is the English Department’s Director of Creative Writing. Her latest story collection is Are We Lucky Yet? and one of her novels, Living Doll, is used in many graduate education and psychiatric intern programs. She has also authored the screenwriting textbook, Screenwriting 101: Small Steps While Thinking Big.
Bradley’s steps to success
The mechanics of Bradley’s creative writing process lie in a systematic, common approach to crafting thought into word. Ideas land on paper before they see a computer screen. Projects with greater creative involvement require that she bring out the big guns.
“I do a lot of note-taking and doodling on legal pads. Every chapter, every story, begins with scrawled notes on a legal pad,” Bradley said. “Larger pieces, like the novel, I keep track of with 3 x 5 cards on a bulletin board. I wrote the last chapter of You Believers long before I wrote the middle of the book.”
In terms of creative writing best practices, what works for Bradley may or may not work for everyone. But one gem of advice applies evenly across all writing strata.
“If possible, surround yourself with friends who are serious about reading and writing,” Bradley said. “Then you aren’t so lonely and you have smart, creative folks to share ideas and strategies.”
The write advice
To other writers, Bradley offers smart, helpful observations on her process, and these suggestions that effectively apply to those of any age or ability. Her first rule is to advise that writers ignore the hype of common dos and don’ts with respect to the creative process. Bradley said she believes efficient writers are those who unplug during the process, keep perspectives simple and write when they feel like it, not because they were told to by someone else.
“Don’t feel the need to write every day. I find that to be too much pressure,” Bradley said. “We have lives to live, but I encourage aspiring writers to commit to three days a week where you have a serious date with your writing desk. Don’t take breaks for social media, and if possible, turn off your phone. Schedule times you are open to writing on a consistent basis. The muse will not always come, but at least she’ll know when you are ready to listen.”
