By: Hobosapian, www.ohmyword.spruz.com

In Part 1 you learned the first steps of using the Fish Method, which is an extremely useful tool to help you decide the merit of an idea you have for writing. In Part 2 we'll finish the Fish Method, giving you a complete tool to help you with your writing. We strongly encourage you to read Part 1 before Part 2, as it will be necessary to understand some of the steps below.

Welcome Back
Write a short story using the bullet points in ‘Draught Two’ from Part 1, strictly adhering to the appropriate section of the fish. Give yourself a word target. Call it 1,000 words. Attempt to cover your introduction from the fishes head within 100 words (10%), the main part of the story from the fishes body using 800 words (80%) and concluding your short story, write an ending from the points in the fishes tail using 100 words (10%). There, you should have a 1,000-word short story, using all the ideas that you have thought of and you also have a beginning, middle and an end of almost perfect, equal proportion. As you read it through you might think to yourself...

“This is trash!”

This feeling is understandable, as it is exactly how I feel at times. However, all is not lost. If we go back to the beginning of this short story writing process, we can try something that may help remedy the situation.

Effective Note Taking
Using two different coloured pens, prepare to take notes. Using the first coloured pen, note additional bullet points for fresh ideas and changes that you wish to make to your story. We will call this 'List A'. With a different coloured pen, write down general points that need clarification such as the meaning or spelling of a particular word that you would like to use or research points that are necessary to have complete understanding of what's happening in the story (the date of a relevant historical fact, the weather in Moscow in the Spring, etc). This will be 'List B'.

You may well wish to exclude some of your bullet points, as they may appear irrelevant as you write. Write them down with a third color of pen in the same notepad as the original coloured pen notes; do not use them in your short story. This will be 'List C'.

Write Another One
Take your notes and begin to write another 1,000 word short story and follow it through to the end, sticking rigidly to the short story plan that we covered earlier (10% introduction, 80% body, 10% conclusion).

You should now have a 1,000 word short story with a correct proportional split and a brightly coloured pad of Red and Green and disused bullet points from your ‘Draught Two‘ fish diagram.

Back to the Fish
Procure another piece of paper and get ready to repeat the fish drawing exercise outlined in Part 1. Label this ’Draught Three’. Carry the bullet points from List A and place them into the appropriate part of the ’Draught Three’ fish.

Refer to List B in your notes and research, finding answers for each point that you raised. Incorporate the answered points form List B into the appropriate part of the ’Draught Three’ fish.

Check List C and ask yourself honestly, “Why did I reject these?” If you still feel that they warrant exclusion...cool. Stop. Go for a longer walk than you did earlier or go and do something else, this time for about twenty minutes.

Oh My Word, Not Again!
Repeat the exact same process as you did when writing your first 1,000 word short story by using the bullet points from ’Draught Three’ fish, this time writing 2,000 words within an equal 200 word (10%), 1,600 word (80%), and 200 word (10%) proportional split from beginning to end. Take out your coloured pens and write down any points you think need to be added to either List A, B or C. Continue with the writing and note taking process until your short story is complete.

Finally, repeat the 'Draught Three' fish process on a fourth piece of paper and label it thus: 'Draught Finale'. Make sure to add the points from List A, and answer any research questions you have remaining in List B.

Almost There
Before you're ready to write your exciting new story it's important to write a summary. Select one or two major bullet points from the fishes head, some from the fish’s body, and another one or two bullet points from the tail. Using the selected bullet points proceed to write a summary, which should be concise, yet exciting.

Type this up nicely and read it back to yourself. Now is a good time to ask someone else to read it for a second opinion. If you and the person you asked are pleased with it, congratulations! You have your synopsis.

A synopsis is essential, as you will not get through a publishers door without one. Keep it safe and refer to it as a point of reference, but more importantly, pin it up or display it well within eye view as a constant reminder to you of just how good it is and you are – you may need this type of motivation when the writing process gets tough.

A final point to keep in mind: if you change the story in a major way while writing, do not forget to change your synopsis. There's nothing worse than sending an incorrect synopsis to a potential publisher!

The Moment You've All Been Waiting For...
Decide on how many words you would like your final piece to be. You may not have an exact number right now, but remember that all bullet points from 'Draught Finale' must be used. If they're not used they should not be there. A test of self-discipline occurs now – stick rigidly to the 10%, 80%, and 10% ratio rule, regardless of the story length you decide. Now, I’m not going to send the boys ‘round to sort you out if you don’t follow this rule. On the other hand, I can assure you that if you don’t, you may well find yourself in trouble around the time of your final draft, making it that much harder to change major aspects of the story. Be warned. Be careful.

Give the first draft of your story everything. You can go to town on the most magnificent prose and knock out, killer words but please, please do not ignore the bullet points from ‘Draught Finale’. If you are not going to use them, again, write them down on List C and ask yourself why you aren't going to use them.

You are more than welcome to use another fish diagram after 'Draught Finale', but by now you should be OK with regular note taking. Read your final draft back to yourself and judge things from there.

Congratulations, you have mastered the 'Fish Method' of brainstorming and writing!