Time to Write

A phrase that will save you time, energy, and possibly your sanity

It's Thanksgiving in North America and the Norman Rockwell-esque ideal is that family members will come together and have a wonderful time. Often the reality is different, as people who in some cases have opposing world views get together and, especially after a glass of wine or two, or three, express those views with great certainty. (This wasn't the case in my small family but I've been present on a couple such occasions.)

That reminded me once again of the most useful phrase I've ever learned. I've seen it attributed to George Bernard Shaw, Mark Twain, H. L. Menken, Wolcott Gibbs, Alexander Woollcott and Dorothy Parker. With that many sharp minds as candidates, you know it's got to be good. It is:

"Dear Sir/Madam, You may be right."

One or more of the aforementioned people used that as their standard answer when sometime took exception to their work or politics. 

Once in a blue moon (or less often, I'm not sure how often a blue moon comes around) you may find yourself in conversation with someone who has an open mind. In that case it can be worth going into detail about your ideas, listen to the other person's, and it's just possible that one or both of you wll change your mind.

Most of the time, however, this kind of conversation consists of two people each waiting for the other to pause so that they can be persuaded of the foolishness of their ideas. Sometimes it turns quickly into an acrimonious debate and the only thing that changes is the level of regard they had for each other.

The prescription: listen for any signs of intelligence in their comments and, if finding instead that you are hearing nonsense, pause and say, "Hmm, you may be right. Excuse me, I must go and speak to Uncle George/ check the turkey/ catch up on my email."

It can be hard to do this when you are so sure they are wrong and you are right. Isn't it your duty to change their minds? No, it's your duty to catch yourself when you feel that way, lest you become too much like them.

Also, it'll free up time to go have another drink and read something by Shaw, Twain, Menken, Gibbs, Woollcott, or Parker, which will be much more rewarding.

 

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A little treat for Mark Twain fans (film of the great man in 1909)

A reassuring fact about interactive storytelling: nobody wants it!

What's the latest thing in storytelling? It has to be interactivity, right? 

Well, maybe not. Professor of Literature Jonathan Gottschall wrote a three-part series about stories for fastcreate.com, and here's part of what he says about this in part 3:

"Here’s the problem with interactivity: There’s no evidence people actually want it in their stories. No one watches Mad Men or reads Gone Girl yearning for control of the story as it unfolds. Interaction is precisely what most of us don’t want during story time."

He supports this idea by referring to James Joyce's Finnegans Wake which is hailed as a masterpiece, a breakthrough in storytelling--which nobody actually reads. [Before I corrected this post, I mistakenly referred to him citing Ulysses, which is the book I think relatively few people read all the way through--but maybe that's true only of people like me, with short attention spans, as one commenter points out. How about you?]

I've always thought that having the audience vote on what turn a story should take or how it should end is doomed to disappoint about half the voters (assuming there's rougly a 50-50 split).

It can be interesting to explore characters more fully--for example, by going to the blog of a fictional character in something you're reading--but that's not really interactivity. 

Frankly, I'm glad to hear the professor's take on this. Games are games and stories are stories. While elements of each can enrich the other, to me a story is special because it takes me somewhere and when I'm the reader I don't want to drive the bus, I want to sit back and enjoy the journey.

ps: In the original post I also copied Gottschall's mistake of adding an apostrophe--it's actually Finnegans Wake, not Finnegan's Wake.  

If you think you might want to read Finnegans Wake, here's the first paragraph to get you started:

"riverrun, past Eve and Adam’s, from swerve of shore to bend of bay, brings us by a commodius vicus of recirculation back to Howth Castle and Environs.

Sir Tristram, violer d’amores, fr’over the short sea, had passen-core rearrived from North Armorica on this side the scraggy isthmus of Europe Minor to wielderfight his penisolate war: nor had topsawyer’s rocks by the stream Oconee exaggerated themselse to Laurens County’s gorgios while they went doublin their mumper all the time: nor avoice from afire bellowsed mishe mishe to tauftauf thuartpeatrick not yet, though venissoon after, had a kidscad buttended a bland old isaac: not yet, though all’s fair in vanessy, were sosie sesthers wroth with twone nathandjoe. Rot a peck of pa’s malt had Jhem or Shen brewed by arclight and rory end to the regginbrow was to be seen ringsome on the aquaface."

You can read or download the entire book at http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/j/joyce/james/j8f/index.html

Why writers need to learn the lesson of the drunken baby

I'm always suprised when writers says they feel like giving up because something they wrote didn't turn out to be as good as they hoped.

First, unless you have a very poor imagination almost nothing turns out to be as good as you imagine it will be when you first think of it. I remember a line from an old move called Morgan: "Reality never quite lives up to my best fantasies." 

Second, it takes lots of trial and error to get to the point where you can even get close. That's where the drunken baby comes in. It's not actualliy drunken but when it's learning to walk it sure seems like it. It staggers, falls over, gets up, takes a few more steps, falls over again, and on and on. At first it has to hold on to something, then it takes a few independent steps, and eventually it's racing around the house.

The baby doesn't think, "Hmm, I've fallen over a dozen times, I guess I'm no good at this walking thing. I'll just stick to crawling." It keeps going until it has mastered walking.

Of course this is a strong instinct, not a conscious decision. I think the desire to express ourselves is also a strong instinct and to learn to do it well we have to fall over a lot and get up again and again.

Even when a kid has mastered walking, it still stumbles from time to time. That happens even when it has became an adult (at which point alcohol may indeed play a role). 

Even when you are an experienced writer, some projects will not work. You'll feel disappointed in yourself or the world, or both.

Then you'll remember to stand up and keep going.

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Writers: is Global Talk Radio a scam?

The ever useful Writer Beware blog recently posted a warning about Global Talk Radio. GTR offers to put an interview with you on their site. As evidence that it will be heard they mention that their traffic has surged and give you a chart to prove it...but the figures are from four years ago. Recent figures show that in the last 30 days they had...under 800 visitors. Oops. 

Given that evidence, does it make sense to spend your hard-earned money--$99 for a five-minute interview or $147 for a ten-minute interview--with these folks if you want real exposure?

If you want an inteview to post on your own site, do it yourself. Get a friend to be the interviewer, or just create a short chat. You can easily do it using a recording app on your smart phone or iPad or other tablet. 

Are you a poet? Here's a fun contest for you

If you are a poet or just fancy trying your hand, there's a fun competition going on with a dealine of January 28, 2014. Here are the details:

Each Tuesday before midday (GMT), from the 16th of April 2013, five words are posted on this competition page. Entrants have one week to compose and submit poems that must include all five words.

At noon next Tuesday, these words will no longer be eligible, and replaced with five new words. The competition will run for a total of forty weeks, until the last week of January 2014.

The Prize

 A prize of 500 euro will be awarded to one winner, and if available, then invited to read at Ó Bhéal’s seventh anniversary event, on Monday 14th of April, 2014 (an additional travel fee of 100 euro plus B&B accommodation will be provided for this). The shortlisted poems and winning entry will also be published in Five Words Vol VII – the next annual anthology of five word poems, launched at the same event.

A panel of poets from the Ó Bhéal board will adjudicate, and a shortlist of twelve poems including the overall winner will be announced during the first week of March, 2014.

How to submit

Entry is open to all countries. Poems cannot exceed 50 lines in length (including line breaks), and must include all five words listed during this week. A modicum of poetic license is acceptable. As long as the original spelling is intact within your syntax, you’re welcome to pluralise, join or even split the word to form two adjoining words. There is no limit on submission quantities, although each payment and submission will need to be made separately. Entries to be sent no later that 12pm on Tuesday.

 There is an entry fee of 5 Euros (about $6.80 or £4.17)

Full details and entry link at: http://www.obheal.ie/blog/?page_id=2371

 Don't expect the words to be June, moon and spoon. This week's are giraffe, cynosure, ceramic, universe, and light. As you can see this is only for poets who like a challenge! (But even if you don't enter, you might enjoy seeing what you can come up with.)

"I seek a poem written by a student attending college,"

Said the editor to the young man.

"Universe? Oh yes, there's lots of that," the young man said.

(...now you know why I don't write poems.) 

 (Need to make more time to write? You'll find a wealth of helpful strategies in my book, "Focus: use the power of targeted thinking to get more done," published by Pearson and available now from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller--for you or as a great present.)

 

Don't have time to write? Do this!

If you don't have time to write, that doesn't mean you have to ignore your book or screenplay. Here are a few things you can do to keep the project alive in your mind (this is for works of fiction, but I bet you can think of similar things you can do if you write non-fiction):

* Imagine one of your characters is with you as you go through your day. How would he or she react to all the things that happen? You'll get to know the characters better and when you do sit down to write again you'll find it much easier to know what they'll do and say.

* At the start of your day, decide on one scene or part of the story to think about, and then just get on with your day. You will find that your subconscious mind keeps working on it anyway and new ideas will pop out at unexpected times.

* Take five minutes a day to think about the project and jot down any new ideas. Don't try to force it, some days you'll have lots of ideas, other days you may not have any. That's fine, just make it a habit and I think you'll find it useful.

As well as producing ideas you can use when you have time to get back to writing, these will banish guilt about not writing every day. 

HOW TO FIND MORE TIME TO WRITE

Along with using these methods, you may want to try to find some more time to write. A few ideas:

* If you normally eat lunch at your desk, once or more a week go to nearby coffee shop where you won't be disturbed.

* If you regularly watch some TV series, give up one of them.

* One or two days a week get up an hour early (or stay up an hour late).

* If you have kids, swap babysitting times with a friend or neighbor so each of you gets a couple of hours at a time undisturbed.

(Do you think you might profit from having Mark Twain, Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald and a hundred other classic and modern masters of writing giving you their advice about writing? You can find it in my book, Your Creative Writing Masterclass, published by Nicholas Brealey and available from Amazon or your other favorite book seller.)

Your Query Letter: 10 thing that will make them throw it in the trash

You probably know what needs to go into a query letter to a publisher or producer: the name and genre of your script or manuscript, a succinct but entertaining summary of the story, and any relevant information about yourself. 

Your goal is to get all of that into a one page letter or email of equivalent length. It should read smoothly and lead the reader to ask to see either the complete screenplay or (in the case of books) the first three chapters and a synopsis. 

WHAT DOES NOT BELONG IN A QUERY LETTER

How rich your book or screenplay is going to make them.

That friends and members of your family have told you it’s the best thing they have ever read.

The names of several super-successful books or movies the success of which will pale once your masterpiece is published or produced.

Your complete biography (including hobbies, pets, life goals, academic achievements, favorite books, famous people you have met, etc.—unless any of these are directly relevant to the project).

That this isn’t your final draft but you think it’s good enough to give them the idea.

Summaries of another six or eight projects you have in mind.

Drawings showing the cover image or movie poster illustration you think would be good.

If it’s a screenplay, your thoughts about casting or the choice of a director.

The fact that it’s already been turned down by numerous others who obviously were not as bright as the person you’re writing to now.

The statement, “If you want to find out how the story ends, you’ll have to read the complete manuscript.” Extra points deducted for adding “lol” or a smiley face.

Even if the recipient doesn't throw away your query letter as a result, they'll consider you less than professional. And yes, every one of these has appeared in query letters to agents and producers (sometimes more than one per letter). If you avoid all of these, you'll already be ahead of the game.

(For more tips on writing--from idea through to publication or production--get my book, "Your Writing Coach," published by Nicholas Brealey and available from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)

Which word is on grammatical life support now?

We lost "hopefully" a long time ago..."literally" is in intensive care...

What's on grammatical life support now?

Unique.

Yes, I know you know it means one of a kind, without equal or equivalent, unparalleled.

There are no gradations. Something isn't very one of a kind, therefore it can't be very unique.

Eighty percent of the members of the Usage Panel at the Free Dictionary agree with us. 

Based on how often I hear things described as very unique, though, I think we're losing this one, too.

Write it write: everyday vs. every day/ tack vs. tact

Here are a few more terms writers have confused or misused in the material I've read recently:

Everyday vs. every day

Wrong: He does this everyday.  

Right: He does this every day.

"Everyday" means typical or ordinary, not reserved for special days. In California, enjoying the sunshine is an everyday occurrence. It's something you can enjoy every day. 

Tact vs. tack

Wrong: "I couldn't draw like a professional, so I had to take a different tact." 

Right: "I took a different tack."

"Tact" is a noun meaning the ability to say things in a way that is not offensive or hurtful.

"Tack" is a noun for changing a sailboat's course by turning the boat's head into the wind. From that it also became a noun for a course of action or policy. (It also has a few other unrelated meanings.)

 

Writing advice you'll like

What should you work on first when you start your day? Simon Rich, who has written scripts, short stories, novels, and sketches for Saturday Night Live, has some advice you might like:

"It sometimes depends on deadlines, but I've found that the most efficient thing is to write what you want to write."

Great! Permission to have dessert first.

Of course the only rule is to do what works for you. If at first you don't succeed, try something different.

(Want to find out what writing advice was given by the great authors--like Dickens, Austen, and Stevenson, as well as modern masters? Get a copy of "Your Creative Writing Masterclass," published by Nicholas Brealey and available from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)

Five brain boosters for writers and others

We writers need all the brain power we can get! Here are tips for keeping your brain functioning well:

Get moving. Aerobic exercise helps the brain. The most effective (also great for weight loss) is interval training, in which you go almost all-out for a short period (start with 10 or 15 seconds), then slow until you recover your breath, then fast again, and so on. This can be done with running, rowing, using a cross-trainer, a bike. Even ten minutes can bring great results. However, if you're not already pretty fit, check with your doctor first and then work your way up gradually.

Even just walking for half an hour a few times a week helps. A group of previously sedentary people over sixty years old showed improved recall and brain connectivity after six months of this gentle regime. 

Go green. Studies have confirmed that getting into nature helps people overcome depression and other maladies. Even just looking out onto trees allowed people in hospital to get out more quickly. You don't have to travel far--a walk in your nearest park will help. Especially if you leave your phone off (or even better, leave it behind). Also get some plants for your office and your bedroom. They improve air quality and mood.

Let a cup of java boost your memory. According to researchers at Innsbruck University 100 mg of caffeine (= 2 cups of coffee) activated the part of the brain that relates to memory, managing tasks, and prioritizing information. Naturally there comes a point of diminishing returns. If the room starts to vibrate, you've had enough. 

Everybody needs a break, even your brain. No need to do anything special (although meditation, yoga, etc. are all good). Just sitting for 5 to 10 minutes, eyes shut, in a quiet place is enough. A short nap works, too, although more of a challenge to fit in at work. "I was just resting my eyes" doesn't work if you've been snoring.

Easy on the sugar. Watch out for the so-called "energy bars." That energy is coming from sugar and will lead to a crash eventually. One brand of these bars has 50% sugar, more than a Krispy Kreme donut! Check the labels, you may be surprised at how unhealthy these and other supposed health foods are.

 

 (Want a guide for how to manage your time and life more easily? Check out "Focus: use the power of targeted thinking to get more done." It's published by Pearson and available from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)

Don't get lost in your own book - write a bible

When I wrote for TV we always had what was called the series bible. It contained every bit of information that had ever been revealed one way or another about all the characters, the setting, and anything else anybody could think of. If you wanted to write an episode in which Uncle Ned visits, you could see what had ever been said about him. He's bald, he's hard of hearing, he did time in prison.

Sure enough, if anything ever slipped through you'd soon hear about it from some eagle-eyed viewer who felt compelled to tell you that 98 episodes ago somebody mentioned that Uncle Ned never learned any languages, yet in the most recent story you had him exchange pleasantries with a neighbor in Spanish. This would always be revealed with great glee on the part of your faithful correspondent.

The same thing happens to novelists, especially those who write series. Maria Snyder, author of The Scene of Magic and many others, suggested this a while back in SciFiNow magazine:

"Keep a story bible! There are tons of details, characters, places and names in a multi-series and if you keep track of it right from the beginning you won't waste time flipping through manuscript pages looking for information. I use a notebook for each of my novels. In there I write all the characters' names, they get a page of details about their physical descriptions, background, etc. Alos, when writing a series, plantng in little clues for conflicts in future books helps."

You don't need to know all this information in advance. Probably you will start with some basics and then you can add each bit of information as you go along.

(for friendly guidance in writing your book from idea through to publication get my book, "Your Writing Coach," published by Nicholas Brealey and available from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)

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The character arc according to Paul Thomas Anderson

Most films and quite a few movies portray a character who changes as a result of the things that happen in the story--this is the "character arc." Many screenwriting books and teachers say this is mandatory and that it should be a big, dramatic change.

Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson ("There Will be Blood") has a take on the character arc that's a bit different from most:

"I guess what I like in my movies is where you see a character change by maybe two degrees as opposed to the traditional movie change of ninety degrees. I guess that always feels false to me in movies because that doesn't truly happen. Around me, at least in the life I live, I guess I don't see people change ninety or a hundred degrees. I see them change in very small increments. I think it's just a monitor I might have on myself as a writer to not make any false scenes." 

It's a good reminder that the story you really want to tell comes first, the "rules" come second.

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Authors for the Philippines Auction - ends Weds. Nov. 20, 2013

There are loads of goodies for writers available at an online auction to benefit the Philippines. These include manuscript critiques by authors, agents, and editors, signed copies of books, original illustrations, and more. Here's the link:

http://authorsforphilippines.wordpress.com/

I've bid on half a dozen things myself (if I win all of them, I'm in trouble!). All the money goes to charity to help the victims of the terrible recent storms in the Philippines, so in addition to getting some neat stuff you'll be doing some good. Check it out!

Writer's block? Lean away from the problem!

Stuck in some aspect of your life or maybe a creative project? If so, lean back--literally.

Studies show that people are better able to solve problems that were shown on a computer screen if they leaned back. They were also better able to make a decision if they leaned back.

It's no coincidence that people sometimes are advised to step back from the problem. The physical movement seems to be connected to having psychological distance as well.

The next time you have a problem that's hard to resolve, first lean back and think about it again. If that doesn't work, imagine seeing the problem represented on a movie screen and that you're sitting in the last row. Now what possible solutions come to mind?

(There are many methods for being more creative in my book, Creativity Now. It's published by Pearson and available from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)

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