Tuhscreativewriting

In literature, symbolism is used to provide meaning to the writing beyond what is actually being described. The plot and action that take place in a story can be thought of as one level, while the symbolism of certain things in the writing act on another level to enhance the story.

Symbolism can take place by having the theme of a story represented on a physical level. A simple example might be the occurrence of a storm at at critical point, when there is conflict or high emotions. The storm might symbolize these. Similarly a transition from day to night, or spring to winter, could symbolize a move from goodness to evil, or hope to despair. A river in a scene could represent the flow of life, from birth to death. Flowers can symbolize youth or beauty.

Using symbolism in a story you write can be as simple as inserting something into the story that symbolizes what's happening in the plot (as in the example of the storm, mentioned above). But while this kind of symbolism is easy to incorporate into your writing, it's not very subtle, and overusing it can turn a good story into a series of way-too-obvious clichés.

What's the hardest part of writing? Or, to put it another way, what stage of the writing process gives you the most difficulty? Is it drafting? revising? editing? proofreading? For many of us, the hardest part of all is getting started. Sitting down in front of a computer screen or a blank sheet of paper, rolling up our sleeves, and--and nothing. We want to write. We may be facing a deadline that should compel us to write. But instead of feeling motivated or inspired, we grow anxious and frustrated. And those negative feelings can make it even harder to get started. That's what we call "writer's block." If it's any consolation, we're not alone. Many professional writers--of fiction and nonfiction, poetry and prose--have also had frustrating encounters with the empty page. When asked about the most frightening thing he had ever encountered, novelist Ernest Hemingway said, "A blank sheet of paper." And none other than the Master of Terror himself, Stephen King, said that the "scariest moment is always just before you start [writing]. After that, things can only get better." But just as professional writers have found various ways to overcome writer's block, we, too, can learn how to meet the challenge of the empty screen. Here's some advice from the pros.

"The easiest thing to do on earth is not write." (William Goldman)

"People have writer's block not because they can't write, but because they despair of writing eloquently." (Anna Quindlen)