Two dozen thoughts about writing.
A while back, an artist friend of mine asked me for some writing advice. He had a story he wanted to tell and didn't want the hassle of splitting the IP with someone else, so he hoped I could point him in the right direction.
When I jotted this down, I did it in a mainly stream of consciousness, cognizant of the fact that I saw him at work every day and if he had any questions, I could just address them over lunch.
This might not be of any interest to anyone, and there's nothing here that's going to shock and amaze you if you're in the field, or have ever read a book on writing. But this is how I do it.
So here they are, 24 short rule-type thingies I use in my profession. In no particular order:
1) Start the story as late as possible. The "007" opening is a personal
favorite.
2) Show, don't tell.
3) Less is more. There's a time for florid, flowery prose. Knowing when to
use that sort of language is half the battle.
4) Alter your voice to suit the story. If you don't, you'll be a one-trick
pony.
5) Without an emotional core, your story will fail. Story is ultimately
about heart.
6) If your reader cannot identify with your main character on some level,
your story will not hold their interest.
7) A story's greatest strength is in the telling. There are only 36 plots
(or dramatic situations). The good writer knows how to deliver them in a way
that is entertaining. That doesn't always mean "new."
8) Look at each part of your story. If it doesn't move your story along,
kill it.
9) No matter who your main character is (up to and including Superman), you
must provide them with challenges and obstacles that they have difficulty
overcoming. If your character is one of those people who can do *anything*,
then reading about them is about as exciting as watching somebody play a
video game in "god mode." They're never really in any danger and it prevents
the reader from becoming fully invested.
10) Every character wants something. Every one of them. When they want
different things, you have conflict. Conflict is the gas in the engine. It's
what makes the story go. Know your characters' motivations.
11) Avoid clichés like the plague.
12) Avoid formula. Some writers (like Joss Whedon) get known for a
particular formula (no two people in love can be happy, the cute
seemingly-defensless little girl is always the badass, etc.) and it becomes
increasingly harder to surprise your audience.
13) Write what you know. That doesn't mean you can't write a story that
features a volcano if you've never seen one, but the *heart* of the story
should be something personal that draws on your own experiences.
14) In the course of your life, you're going to have maybe a half a dozen
"core" themes that will influence your writing forever. Be mindful of them.
You're bound to repeat yourself in some ways, just make sure you're
delivering the story in an all-new way.
15) Know where you're going. Before you sit down at the keyboard, know where
your story starts and know where it ends. You can work out the rest as you
go, but your story should be like a string that connects those two anchors.
If it sags in the middle, tighten it. If you get lost and loop around, your
reader will know. But your reader should never have to suffer through your
lack of planning. You don't need a map and you don't need to outline, but
driving around aimlessly until you run out of gas is only fun for you.
16) Push yourself. Know your comfort zones, know your weak areas, and then
push those boundaries. There are things that you will do badly. Get used to
it.
17) For every story there will be a voice that is more right than the
others. You also have the option of choosing between first, second, and
third-person perspective. Learn and understand the benefits and drawbacks of
each one.
18) Don't repeat yourself. What's more, don't repeat others. Strive for
originality in your descriptions, dialogue, and plot.
19) Write until you're done. No more. No less. Don't trim a scene that needs
to be there and don't fluff out a scene to extend your word count. Don't
worry about length until you're dealing with editors who demand it.
20) Be honest.
21) Be fearless. You're going to deal with some subject matters that are
sensitive to someone, most often you. Grow a pair and say what needs to be
said. Be prepared to stand behind your work.
22) You need at least two ingredients to be successful at this: talent and
discipline. You can't fake either one, so put your ass in the chair and get
to work.
23) Whatever you're writing, recognize that your tone will need a
counterpoint. You need to interject some humor or levity into your horror.
Otherwise you run the risk of desensitizing your audience.
24) Write the story you would most like to read. Don't think about
commercial success or what your audience would like. Please yourself. The
audience will find you.
When I jotted this down, I did it in a mainly stream of consciousness, cognizant of the fact that I saw him at work every day and if he had any questions, I could just address them over lunch.
This might not be of any interest to anyone, and there's nothing here that's going to shock and amaze you if you're in the field, or have ever read a book on writing. But this is how I do it.
So here they are, 24 short rule-type thingies I use in my profession. In no particular order:
1) Start the story as late as possible. The "007" opening is a personal
favorite.
2) Show, don't tell.
3) Less is more. There's a time for florid, flowery prose. Knowing when to
use that sort of language is half the battle.
4) Alter your voice to suit the story. If you don't, you'll be a one-trick
pony.
5) Without an emotional core, your story will fail. Story is ultimately
about heart.
6) If your reader cannot identify with your main character on some level,
your story will not hold their interest.
7) A story's greatest strength is in the telling. There are only 36 plots
(or dramatic situations). The good writer knows how to deliver them in a way
that is entertaining. That doesn't always mean "new."
8) Look at each part of your story. If it doesn't move your story along,
kill it.
9) No matter who your main character is (up to and including Superman), you
must provide them with challenges and obstacles that they have difficulty
overcoming. If your character is one of those people who can do *anything*,
then reading about them is about as exciting as watching somebody play a
video game in "god mode." They're never really in any danger and it prevents
the reader from becoming fully invested.
10) Every character wants something. Every one of them. When they want
different things, you have conflict. Conflict is the gas in the engine. It's
what makes the story go. Know your characters' motivations.
11) Avoid clichés like the plague.
12) Avoid formula. Some writers (like Joss Whedon) get known for a
particular formula (no two people in love can be happy, the cute
seemingly-defensless little girl is always the badass, etc.) and it becomes
increasingly harder to surprise your audience.
13) Write what you know. That doesn't mean you can't write a story that
features a volcano if you've never seen one, but the *heart* of the story
should be something personal that draws on your own experiences.
14) In the course of your life, you're going to have maybe a half a dozen
"core" themes that will influence your writing forever. Be mindful of them.
You're bound to repeat yourself in some ways, just make sure you're
delivering the story in an all-new way.
15) Know where you're going. Before you sit down at the keyboard, know where
your story starts and know where it ends. You can work out the rest as you
go, but your story should be like a string that connects those two anchors.
If it sags in the middle, tighten it. If you get lost and loop around, your
reader will know. But your reader should never have to suffer through your
lack of planning. You don't need a map and you don't need to outline, but
driving around aimlessly until you run out of gas is only fun for you.
16) Push yourself. Know your comfort zones, know your weak areas, and then
push those boundaries. There are things that you will do badly. Get used to
it.
17) For every story there will be a voice that is more right than the
others. You also have the option of choosing between first, second, and
third-person perspective. Learn and understand the benefits and drawbacks of
each one.
18) Don't repeat yourself. What's more, don't repeat others. Strive for
originality in your descriptions, dialogue, and plot.
19) Write until you're done. No more. No less. Don't trim a scene that needs
to be there and don't fluff out a scene to extend your word count. Don't
worry about length until you're dealing with editors who demand it.
20) Be honest.
21) Be fearless. You're going to deal with some subject matters that are
sensitive to someone, most often you. Grow a pair and say what needs to be
said. Be prepared to stand behind your work.
22) You need at least two ingredients to be successful at this: talent and
discipline. You can't fake either one, so put your ass in the chair and get
to work.
23) Whatever you're writing, recognize that your tone will need a
counterpoint. You need to interject some humor or levity into your horror.
Otherwise you run the risk of desensitizing your audience.
24) Write the story you would most like to read. Don't think about
commercial success or what your audience would like. Please yourself. The
audience will find you.