My blockbuster

Blueberries · Tiger Joined: 03 Mar 2009 Posts: 119

If any of you are going through a phase where you're struggling with your writing, or if you're experiencing a "block" problem, let me tell you: Been there, done that. What follows is my own personal blockbuster. It works wonders for me so, who knows, it might work for other writers too. Every time I read it my self-esteem is restored, my fears are banished, and most importantly I get back on the saddle.

Disclaimer: I take no credit whatsoever for the following text. It's a combination of writing advice I picked up from various people, most notably the incredible Viki King, the adorable Dov Simens and Quentin -the man- Tarantino, and should you choose to adhere to it, you do so at your own peril. No lawsuits please, I have kids to support. Ok, maybe I don't have kids, but I do have an expensive lifestyle so...

"The first rule of writing: Move your fingers! Write, write, write. If you want to write a script, then write a script.

Don't sit there mulling over it, don't wait for inspiration to come, don't wait for the right ideas, don't wait for the right mood.

Be a doer, not a stewer. The reason you're not writing is NOT that you can't come up with something to write; it's cause you're afraid that what you're gonna come up with is bad. Which brings us to the second rule of writing: Nothing is written. It is re-written. Are you afraid that what you came up with is terrible? Well it propably is! But write it anyway. Get it all out. Since the script will be re-written it DOESN'T MATTER how bad it is. What matters is that you finish the first draft; that's the hard part.

Writing is not thinking, it's decision making. Thinkers think, writers write. When you stop, ask a question; decide and write it in. If it doesn't fit, decide again until you find something that fits. Keep going forward. Jump. Just jump. It's only a risk if you don't take it. The only mistake is to stay stuck.

If you write, inspiration and great ideas will come much faster than if you sit there waiting. Don't wait for inspiration to come; go and hunt it. Never wait."

"I write when I’m inspired and I see to it that I’m inspired at nine o’clock every morning." - Peter De Vries

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Blueberries · Tiger Joined: 03 Mar 2009 Posts: 119

Another blockbuster that works wonders for me are Blake's pop-up messages every time I work on the Board: "You can do it! You're almost done! Woo-hoo!" "Have a problem? Heck, e-mail me. I can help!" God bless you Blake...

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There's no sex in my violence!

Rachel T. · Ocelot Joined: 15 Jan 2008 Posts: 768 Location: Michigan

Good advice! Very Happy

May I add one? It goes with "everything is rewritten."

"You're probably going to write one horrible draft of every project. You might as well make it the first draft and get it out of the way."

I don't remember who said it, but it helps. Very Happy

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Don't be afraid to admit that inside you is a seething, fiery core of ambition and lust for success that would appall Napoleon.
-Russell Galen

Nick Secker · Puma Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Wales, UK

Pretty much what Stephen King says. Its the best advice around.

Writers, write.

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Martin Blank · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 6:31 pm Post subject:

I trick myself by saying I'm going to write one sentence a day...and usually write a lot more. But if I've done my one...I've still written.

Cheers,
Martin

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"I killed the president of Paraguay with a fork."

martinm · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:52 pm Post subject:

Sometimes there's just no way around it - I suck. And I'm bored. It's going to rain. And I can't find my tail.

But then, tomorrow, or the next day, I won't suck. I won't be bored. I'll make progress, the writing takes off, the clouds clear, and someone shows up at the door with my tail.

This is my Very-Often-Revolving-Door, as Winnie the Pooh might say.

But I keep at it - not all the time, but most of the time. Because as much as I would like to be different, more stable in my emotions and oh-so talented that it just drips off my fingers, I just keep on being me. I have to accept it, and just keep typing. Because there's no other way.

It helps if you keep a pot of honey handy. :-)

M.

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