Post
by Steppe » August 15th, 2010, 3:00 am
How to begin writing
without actually writing
and end up writing too much.
Be sneaky.
Get some kind of catch-all box to keep tossing scenes into. Plastic is best.
A scribble here a scribble there, adding some conceptual stuff, some dialogues,
some character sketches, some set descriptions of various locations.
The main thing is to keep it in one good size box that can hold other boxes and notebooks.
Toss in articles about concepts that might leak into your plot.
Steal pages out of books where the scene works good; rip the pages out and outline them with;
this, then that, plus over to here, and then over to here, then a dialogue this, and a dialogue that,
suggesting action, action, action, action, slowing action, slowing action, dialogue; segues out with this, this and this.
Finally when you are caught up to date on your real world responsibilities sit down and write
and don't stop except for the important real world chores.
Some days 100 words some days 3500. Only stop when the story needs you to stop so you can figure out
the next twist turn or resolution of previous twisting turns.
Keep tossing stuff into the box. Stare at the box. Chant over the box.
Toss lucky charms into the box.
Finally when you get to 20,000 words swear an oath you shall throw everything in the box away at 120.000 words.
Look at the collection of cool ideas and realize it is a one of a kind collection of ideas that never existed before
in the whole history of this univeres or any other universe and you and you alone are sworn to annihilate it and must
protect the best ideas by getting them into your story before this one of a kind data object is destroyed by your
unbreakable oath to destroy this unique sub-universe.
Realize you are now the god of the box but sadly also the devil.
It is your universe and you can do nothing but destroy it so to ensure this small universe is remembered you must
reach 120,000 words before you get hauled away for not showering, eating too little or too much, and generally muttering
to yourself like some psycho that believes they alone and 120,000 words hold the key to a secret universe only you know about.
Presto change-o abracadabra your unruly box shaped universe has been shrunk to a 120,000 word universe recipe that can now allow other people to enter, and live in its thoughts for a while. Having made it that far and knowing their are revisions and proofreads to do, keep your oath and destroy your notes.
There's no magic in the breakdown of how you built the new 120,000 word universe others are about to enter, your notes are worthless compared to the new universe. Kill the old universe, hurry before it attacks the new universe and trys to destroy it.
Out! Out! Begone old universe, to the dumpster you go. Save only the empty plastic box and lid.
Return from the trash where the old universe is now dying and gaze upon the new universe that now exists and realize you are responsible for its fate because you killed its mother and father and all traces of its origin.
Love your new universe, care for it, educate it. take it out to play with other new universe all the while keeping a wary eye out for things that could injure your fledgling universe now taking its first steps.
Realize that like Frankenstein this universe now exists and is going to follow you for all eternity asking one question; "Why, why why..."
Look at the empty box and make an oath to print out your new universe and place it in the same box all the components once lived in until the thermal arrow of time and your own super sized ego decided to call forth into creation a new universe. Place the printed manuscript in the big plastic or wooden or cardboard box and stand their twitching muttering: "What have I done, what have I done,"
Pat your self on the back (left shoulder) with your right hand while crossing the fingers on your left hand and swear a new oath.
"I'll never ever ever do that again, it is much too dangerous." Close the lid on the big empty box now filled with a small baby universe and say.
"Good night Junior/Missy see you in the morning mommy/daddy loves you."
Then just walk away and go to bed or a movie or something non-writing.
If your universe starts talking to you, then your life has only two choices now; begin polishing or get psychiatric help as soon as possible.