Writers need many skills
If you read or write, have you ever pondered how many hats the creator of a text must wear? Whether it’s a work of fiction or non-fiction, for reading, listening to, performing or watching, the job needs a great many hats.
Reflecting on this, it only recently dawned on me that the number is probably ten. I most enjoy creating fiction for reading, so that’s what I’ll refer to in this post.
As my entry into a writing career began by training as an editor, I know straight up that I’m wearing an editor’s hat while creating a work. At times, that can hinder the organic unfolding of a story. The benefit, however, is that it means I’ve adopted habits that save time in the long run.
Writing is complex
Being a proponent of character driven stories, I also wear the hat of every character in my creations. Whether told in first person or third person, it’s not only the protagonist’s head and heart I need to delve into. Any time someone says or does something, it must provide a true reflection of who they are. Hence, multiple character hats are needed but I only wear one at a time.
In addition to this, I am the author, so will put on that hat. It is different to the character hat in the same way that author voice and character voice differ. Separating myself from characters means I embrace the skills of the craft that I learnt through formal courses as well as vast amounts of writing and rewriting.
And, of course, I must remember my reader and consider how they will be impacted by what I write. I need to judge if what I’ve presented puts readers in the story setting, events and each character’s shoes but especially those of the protagonist.
Whatever happens must let readers journey through the story in ways that allow them to not only hear and see what happens but also feel it. So, the reader’s hat is often on.
Head and heart
Beyond this come the varied ways we can focus on anything. Many of us are familiar with the use six thinking hats when working in teams, which calls for specific blocks of time being devoted to different thinking styles.
While it’s mostly used for business, I believe it also comes into play when working alone on a creative project. Though I don’t necessarily spend equal time using different ways of thinking, I do don six more hats.
The black hat latches itself onto my head the instant I consider writing anything. Filled with scepticism it shrieks with caution, reminding me that what I’m thinking about may never result in a finished work.
Drawbacks of being an author include the fact that even works I complete may spend forever in the bottom drawer. I face risks and worst-case scenario thoughts before I begin and all the way through projects, even when deciding the direction stories go.
Enter the yellow hat, pushing away the black, declaring that the benefit of having at least written something is that the black hat did not win. Filled with optimism, the yellow hat sees a tale’s potential, knowing the benefit of having something in the bottom drawer that may prove useful one day.
It reminds me that all writing is learning and lets me visualise the reader delighting in certain story characters. It encourages me to bring stories to life and shines a favourable light on the path a tale may take.
Everybody deserves their say
The red hat becomes a faithful companion that rallies behind me and affirms the need to trust my intuition. It’s there to ensure I’m true to myself, honest with readers, while keeping my ambition realistic.
Gut instinct and emotions are what it embraces at the most crucial times. I rely on it when working out which direction a story should go and it’s the one that lets me know if something isn’t working.
My blue hat is all about following process. It directs me, keeping me centred and moving along by pushing me forward. It helps me integrate what I might have left out, directing my attention through rewriting and editing. It’s a boring kinda hat, but, like all the others, makes its very valuable contribution.
White hat is the one that surprises me the most, leaping in to shout out about checking facts. What it demands is not tricky to agree to as it simply wants me to check what I know and what I don’t.
This flags what I must research to ensure I don’t write myself into a situation that readers cannot believe. That is also super helpful as it saves time by ensuring I don’t write things that must be thrown away.
The green hat of creativity is obviously there from the start, as writing is a creative pursuit. That said, it dives in and takes the driver’s seat when any of its fellow hats are taking too much control of where the story can go. The green had helps reframe my thinking, steering me along while giving me alternatives, and letting me think out of the box, playing the writer’s game of “what-if?”
Hats are not a fashion statement
All the hats earn their place because of what they do. While I can only wear one hat at a time, knowing when to change hats is vital.
Wrangling with choices can be as speedy as a Mexican hat dance. Ultimately, I must consider how user friendly a story is, what chance it has of appealing to the industry and when it is worthy of presenting to publishers.
Of course, if I’m putting pen to paper or fingertips on the keyboard, I’m the writer. My job is to use words to unfold a story and bring it to life in ways that not only make sense but also take readers on a journey. Yet, all the while, I must wear those ten hats because they are all essential to seeing a project through. Without them I’d be lost.
About the author
Emma Cameron is an internationally published author living on the NSW South Coast of Australia. She’s been a finalist in the Global Read Aloud, the Sakura Medal, and received notable recognition from the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Besides writing, she enjoys wearing her manuscript assessor, editor and coaching hats to help others with their literary endeavours.
Emma’s latest title, The King’s Conservatorium, is about young brothers taking an impossible journey for the chance to live their lives filled with song. It is available for purchase through leading retailers.
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Check out my interview with Cameron about her book here!
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