Ian Dawson's Blog, page 13
February 13, 2023
Writing Exercise of the Week: Pick a Favorite Movie
Last time, we played around with movie visuals, working to see if we could figure out what was happening in a movie without sound or dialogue. In that exercise, you picked a movie you’d never seen.
This time, pick one of your favorite movies. Old or new. Any genre. Doesn’t matter. Once you have one or a few in mind, you’ll be ready for this exercise.
Let’s get started.
Watch the Movie
You love and enjoy it, so watching it again shouldn’t be a big deal. But this time, as you watch, make notes about why you like this particular film. Is it the story? The characters? The dialogue? The visuals? The film score? What draws you into the film and holds your interest time and time again?
Are there specific scenes that are memorable to you? Why? What makes those scenes or sequences stand out in your mind above the others?
Read the Script
Find the script online and read through it. Does the script give you similar emotions or feelings to the film? Are there any changes you notice between the text of the screenplay and the completed film? If so, why do you think these changes were made?
Watch the Movie Again with a Critical Eye
I’m not asking you to change your opinion or enjoyment of the movie you’ve chosen. Watch the film in this exercise and analyze what works and doesn’t. What are the strong points of the story, characters, etc.? What are some of the weaker moments in the film?
Would the film still work without them, or are they needed to move the story forward?
Re-read the script. Were these scenes in there, or were they added later?
Why Am I Doing This?
By digging deeper and analyzing your favorite films, you can learn how these screenwriters crafted a narrative and how the filmmakers interpreted the words into a completed film. Your task as a screenwriter is to create a compelling world on the page that can be elevated by other creative talents to become something still representative of what’s written.
Final Thoughts
A screenplay is a blueprint for a massive construction project that becomes a beehive of creativity populated by actors, production designers, directors, costume designers, digital artists, composures, and hundreds – if not thousands – more.
Taking the time to dig deeper into the initial creative process and the text that was turned into the film, learning from in its original form, can help you understand the screenwriting process and the work needed to bring those words to life.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
This time, pick one of your favorite movies. Old or new. Any genre. Doesn’t matter. Once you have one or a few in mind, you’ll be ready for this exercise.
Let’s get started.
Watch the Movie
You love and enjoy it, so watching it again shouldn’t be a big deal. But this time, as you watch, make notes about why you like this particular film. Is it the story? The characters? The dialogue? The visuals? The film score? What draws you into the film and holds your interest time and time again?
Are there specific scenes that are memorable to you? Why? What makes those scenes or sequences stand out in your mind above the others?
Read the Script
Find the script online and read through it. Does the script give you similar emotions or feelings to the film? Are there any changes you notice between the text of the screenplay and the completed film? If so, why do you think these changes were made?
Watch the Movie Again with a Critical Eye
I’m not asking you to change your opinion or enjoyment of the movie you’ve chosen. Watch the film in this exercise and analyze what works and doesn’t. What are the strong points of the story, characters, etc.? What are some of the weaker moments in the film?
Would the film still work without them, or are they needed to move the story forward?
Re-read the script. Were these scenes in there, or were they added later?
Why Am I Doing This?
By digging deeper and analyzing your favorite films, you can learn how these screenwriters crafted a narrative and how the filmmakers interpreted the words into a completed film. Your task as a screenwriter is to create a compelling world on the page that can be elevated by other creative talents to become something still representative of what’s written.
Final Thoughts
A screenplay is a blueprint for a massive construction project that becomes a beehive of creativity populated by actors, production designers, directors, costume designers, digital artists, composures, and hundreds – if not thousands – more.
Taking the time to dig deeper into the initial creative process and the text that was turned into the film, learning from in its original form, can help you understand the screenwriting process and the work needed to bring those words to life.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
February 10, 2023
Writing Exercise of the Week: A Visual Exercise
This week’s posts have been about the craft of screenwriting. Screenwriting is primarily a visual medium; its main goal is to translate the text into visuals for the screen. This means that technically, a person should be able to watch a film without sound and have a general idea about what’s taking place.
The Exercise – Part One
Find a movie you’ve never seen – thousands are on all the streaming services, and YouTube has movies free with ads – and watch the first 30 minutes of the movie WITHOUT SOUND. That’s right. Mute that TV or device. You’re just watching the visuals presented on the screen.
Write down what you see and what you think the story is.
Who are the characters? Can you tell what their relationships are based on their body language and performances?
What’s the location of the story (if you’re given a graphic that tells you where the setting is, what visual cues make it clear that that’s where the film is set?)?
Can you figure out what the basic premise of the story is after the first 30 minutes? What’s happened in that time? What has changed for the main character or characters? Was it clear based on the visuals?
Based on what you’ve seen in silence, do the visuals make you want to keep watching?
Part Two
Now, watch again with the sound on. How accurate were your notes? Were the film’s visuals effective and strong enough to convey the story, setting, and characters without the audio elements?
Part Three
Watch the rest of the movie – hopefully you picked a shorter film and not an epic – muted, taking notes and working to see if you can discern how the rest of the story unfolds through the visuals only.
Then, watch the film with the sound and see how accurate your notes were.
Final Thoughts
We watch movies for the visual experience, so it’s important as a screenwriter to understand the impact that quality visual description can have on the final produced product. By writing and crafting a strong visual narrative, you can then use dialogue to enhance the story rather than carry it completely.
Remember: You want to show the audience the story, not tell them about it.
Happy viewing, and I’ll see you next time!
The Exercise – Part One
Find a movie you’ve never seen – thousands are on all the streaming services, and YouTube has movies free with ads – and watch the first 30 minutes of the movie WITHOUT SOUND. That’s right. Mute that TV or device. You’re just watching the visuals presented on the screen.
Write down what you see and what you think the story is.
Who are the characters? Can you tell what their relationships are based on their body language and performances?
What’s the location of the story (if you’re given a graphic that tells you where the setting is, what visual cues make it clear that that’s where the film is set?)?
Can you figure out what the basic premise of the story is after the first 30 minutes? What’s happened in that time? What has changed for the main character or characters? Was it clear based on the visuals?
Based on what you’ve seen in silence, do the visuals make you want to keep watching?
Part Two
Now, watch again with the sound on. How accurate were your notes? Were the film’s visuals effective and strong enough to convey the story, setting, and characters without the audio elements?
Part Three
Watch the rest of the movie – hopefully you picked a shorter film and not an epic – muted, taking notes and working to see if you can discern how the rest of the story unfolds through the visuals only.
Then, watch the film with the sound and see how accurate your notes were.
Final Thoughts
We watch movies for the visual experience, so it’s important as a screenwriter to understand the impact that quality visual description can have on the final produced product. By writing and crafting a strong visual narrative, you can then use dialogue to enhance the story rather than carry it completely.
Remember: You want to show the audience the story, not tell them about it.
Happy viewing, and I’ll see you next time!
February 8, 2023
Writing Tip of the Week: Writing Your First (Short) Script
Big-budget blockbusters have a lot of moving parts. From huge ensemble casts, overpowering visual effects, big set pieces, and crazy action sequences, watching can often be an immersive and overwhelming experience.
Now, imagine the process of writing it.
We all have a story on the same scale as an Avengers, Avatar, or Pirates of the Caribbean movie. And while jotting down notes and ideas is a good idea, when writing your first script, you want to think smaller. Much smaller.
How much smaller? Let's talk about it.
Back to Basics
Your first journey into screenwriting should be something less than a 140-page epic. Think short film. Three to five pages. One setting. Two characters. Character A has a goal or plan, but character B opposes them. Now there's conflict in your story. These two people are at odds in one location.
But before you sit in front of your laptop and write, you'll want to plan and outline your story from start to finish. What are the story beats? How does the conflict progress? Who are these people? Where are they located?
Give yourself the creative freedom to play around with multiple ideas before deciding on one to take to the next step of becoming a short film script.
K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Screenwriter)
Once you've nailed down your story, setting, and character, you can begin the script's drafting phase.
This allows you to practice writing descriptions, character intros, and dialogue on a basic scale in the screenplay format. You'll notice how fast a page can fly by as you write due to the formatting. When you rewrite, how can you trim things down to keep the script between three and five pages and still have a coherent story?
Show, Don't Tell
Film, as you know, is a visual medium, and the audience is meant to be shown things that help inform the story. The last thing you want to do is tell your audience something you could show them instead.
If your script has a married couple, how can you convey that through visuals? If they are a parent and an adult child, how can you clarify their relationship before someone says "Mom" or "Son"?
Fun with Dialogue
Once you've written your dialogue for both characters, read it out loud. Can you revise it to make it sound more natural? Can you cut it down and make the pacing faster without losing the context of what's being said?
Remember, real people speak in fragments. They often trail off or even change subjects halfway through an answer. Unlike dialogue in a novel, script dialogue is intended to be performed by an actor, so it should be easy to speak.
Final Thoughts
The best advice I can give you is: Have Fun. Create. Experiment. Outline. Write. Rewrite. Play around and enjoy the process. As you get used to the basics, you can move on, writing another scene that adds to the story, adds to the conflict, and keeps things moving.
Happy Screenwriting, and I'll see you next time!
Now, imagine the process of writing it.
We all have a story on the same scale as an Avengers, Avatar, or Pirates of the Caribbean movie. And while jotting down notes and ideas is a good idea, when writing your first script, you want to think smaller. Much smaller.
How much smaller? Let's talk about it.
Back to Basics
Your first journey into screenwriting should be something less than a 140-page epic. Think short film. Three to five pages. One setting. Two characters. Character A has a goal or plan, but character B opposes them. Now there's conflict in your story. These two people are at odds in one location.
But before you sit in front of your laptop and write, you'll want to plan and outline your story from start to finish. What are the story beats? How does the conflict progress? Who are these people? Where are they located?
Give yourself the creative freedom to play around with multiple ideas before deciding on one to take to the next step of becoming a short film script.
K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Screenwriter)
Once you've nailed down your story, setting, and character, you can begin the script's drafting phase.
This allows you to practice writing descriptions, character intros, and dialogue on a basic scale in the screenplay format. You'll notice how fast a page can fly by as you write due to the formatting. When you rewrite, how can you trim things down to keep the script between three and five pages and still have a coherent story?
Show, Don't Tell
Film, as you know, is a visual medium, and the audience is meant to be shown things that help inform the story. The last thing you want to do is tell your audience something you could show them instead.
If your script has a married couple, how can you convey that through visuals? If they are a parent and an adult child, how can you clarify their relationship before someone says "Mom" or "Son"?
Fun with Dialogue
Once you've written your dialogue for both characters, read it out loud. Can you revise it to make it sound more natural? Can you cut it down and make the pacing faster without losing the context of what's being said?
Remember, real people speak in fragments. They often trail off or even change subjects halfway through an answer. Unlike dialogue in a novel, script dialogue is intended to be performed by an actor, so it should be easy to speak.
Final Thoughts
The best advice I can give you is: Have Fun. Create. Experiment. Outline. Write. Rewrite. Play around and enjoy the process. As you get used to the basics, you can move on, writing another scene that adds to the story, adds to the conflict, and keeps things moving.
Happy Screenwriting, and I'll see you next time!
February 6, 2023
Writing Tip of the Week: So, You Want to Write a Movie?
We’ve all told ourselves or a group of friends at once in our lives, “I could write something better than that!” And, while that may be true, few people ever act on that proposition in a way that proves they can craft a compelling 110-page story for the big -or, in today’s world, streaming – screen.
If you are curious about how to get started, let’s talk about ways to familiarize yourself with screenplays and scriptwriting.
READ Screenplays
Much like a novelist should read books, an aspiring screenwriter should take the time to read many screenplays from different genres and decades. Screenplays for movies you’ve seen and ones for movies you haven’t seen.
By doing this, you’ll notice how screenplay formatting has evolved over the years. Camera angles were typed into screenplays for decades, but now they are added sparingly, if at all. You’ll see how different writers in various decades incorporate flashbacks or dream sequences and how they introduce a character or setting.
A screenplay is an amazing piece of art, acting as a blueprint for a larger entity – a film – but also delivering a compelling and complete story in a limited number of pages and page space. There’s no room to elaborate or explain; get in, deliver the info, and get out.
And despite these limitations, screenwriters can keep you turning the page as fast as any novel can.
There are many, many websites available that offer up .pdf versions of screenplays. One of them is www.thescriptlab.com which constantly adds scripts to its library.
Watch-Along
Once you’ve read several scripts, find a few for current movies – preferably the SHOOTING SCRIPT – and watch the film as you follow along with the screenplay. How did the creative team, the director, and the actors bring the words on the page to life? If you haven’t seen the film before, is what you envisioned when you first read the script what ended up in the film?
Learn the Structure
How is a screen story told? How is it different than a novel? Many books are available that break down screenplay structure, along with websites that present methodologies that can help you take your story and craft it into a screenplay. From Robert McKee’s Story to Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat, and Eric Edson’s The Story Solution, find what works best for you and try it out.
Learn the Formatting
The basics of screenplay formatting have remained fairly constant over the past few decades. However, minor changes have been made that can mean the difference between your script looking amateur and like a pro’s.
I recommend reading the Best Screenplay nominated scripts from a previous couple of years to see what these writers did regarding formatting. It’s also important to seek out produced screenplays that give examples of how to format text messaging or social media-related items in a script if you plan to use them in your story.
Do I Need Special Software?
You can find free screenwriting software online if you’re dabbling in the screenwriting playground. If you want to take it seriously, software like Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter is available and is considered the industry standard. Both can be a bit pricey, so if you want to try writing a script for fun, find a free program first.
Final Thoughts
I love screenwriting. I love reading scripts. I love the process of developing and writing a screenplay. It’s a fun, creative experience. Learning from the masters, exploring how stories are crafted, and comparing the script to the finished film are great ways to get excited and energized about the process.
Happy Screenwriting, and I’ll see you next time!
If you are curious about how to get started, let’s talk about ways to familiarize yourself with screenplays and scriptwriting.
READ Screenplays
Much like a novelist should read books, an aspiring screenwriter should take the time to read many screenplays from different genres and decades. Screenplays for movies you’ve seen and ones for movies you haven’t seen.
By doing this, you’ll notice how screenplay formatting has evolved over the years. Camera angles were typed into screenplays for decades, but now they are added sparingly, if at all. You’ll see how different writers in various decades incorporate flashbacks or dream sequences and how they introduce a character or setting.
A screenplay is an amazing piece of art, acting as a blueprint for a larger entity – a film – but also delivering a compelling and complete story in a limited number of pages and page space. There’s no room to elaborate or explain; get in, deliver the info, and get out.
And despite these limitations, screenwriters can keep you turning the page as fast as any novel can.
There are many, many websites available that offer up .pdf versions of screenplays. One of them is www.thescriptlab.com which constantly adds scripts to its library.
Watch-Along
Once you’ve read several scripts, find a few for current movies – preferably the SHOOTING SCRIPT – and watch the film as you follow along with the screenplay. How did the creative team, the director, and the actors bring the words on the page to life? If you haven’t seen the film before, is what you envisioned when you first read the script what ended up in the film?
Learn the Structure
How is a screen story told? How is it different than a novel? Many books are available that break down screenplay structure, along with websites that present methodologies that can help you take your story and craft it into a screenplay. From Robert McKee’s Story to Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat, and Eric Edson’s The Story Solution, find what works best for you and try it out.
Learn the Formatting
The basics of screenplay formatting have remained fairly constant over the past few decades. However, minor changes have been made that can mean the difference between your script looking amateur and like a pro’s.
I recommend reading the Best Screenplay nominated scripts from a previous couple of years to see what these writers did regarding formatting. It’s also important to seek out produced screenplays that give examples of how to format text messaging or social media-related items in a script if you plan to use them in your story.
Do I Need Special Software?
You can find free screenwriting software online if you’re dabbling in the screenwriting playground. If you want to take it seriously, software like Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter is available and is considered the industry standard. Both can be a bit pricey, so if you want to try writing a script for fun, find a free program first.
Final Thoughts
I love screenwriting. I love reading scripts. I love the process of developing and writing a screenplay. It’s a fun, creative experience. Learning from the masters, exploring how stories are crafted, and comparing the script to the finished film are great ways to get excited and energized about the process.
Happy Screenwriting, and I’ll see you next time!
February 3, 2023
Writing Exercise of the Week: Describe an Object
Description. When it comes to a story, it can immerse a reader, giving them the sights, sounds, and smells of the world you’ve created. From modern cityscapes to medieval villages, describing what you want the reader to see can have a significant impact.
But let’s start smaller than a city or village. Let’s start with something simple: an object.
The Assignment
Pick an object, any object. It can be something on your desk or table, something in the room; pick something out.
Examine it. Really get to know this object. If you can hold it, like a coffee mug, feel the weight and texture of the item.
Take notes about the object. Jot down the basics using your five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and feel (you may skip taste if you didn’t choose a food or beverage as your object). How does it look from different angles?
Once you have your notes, write a descriptive paragraph about the object. How detailed can you get and still craft a compelling paragraph about this random item?
Bonus Assignment #1
Describe the same object in a few words or a single sentence, but give the reader enough detail to know the exact object.
Bonus Assignment #2
Get technical. Research precisely what materials were used to make the object and give the reader an in-depth profile of its components. Plastics, metals, rubber, and wire. Get into the nuts and bolts that make the object what it is.
Final Thoughts
While not all objects and items mentioned in a story have meaning, there are times when you’ll want the reader to focus on something particular for a specific reason. Practicing descriptions of basic objects can help you strengthen your writing skills and give you another creative tool to work with.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
But let’s start smaller than a city or village. Let’s start with something simple: an object.
The Assignment
Pick an object, any object. It can be something on your desk or table, something in the room; pick something out.
Examine it. Really get to know this object. If you can hold it, like a coffee mug, feel the weight and texture of the item.
Take notes about the object. Jot down the basics using your five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and feel (you may skip taste if you didn’t choose a food or beverage as your object). How does it look from different angles?
Once you have your notes, write a descriptive paragraph about the object. How detailed can you get and still craft a compelling paragraph about this random item?
Bonus Assignment #1
Describe the same object in a few words or a single sentence, but give the reader enough detail to know the exact object.
Bonus Assignment #2
Get technical. Research precisely what materials were used to make the object and give the reader an in-depth profile of its components. Plastics, metals, rubber, and wire. Get into the nuts and bolts that make the object what it is.
Final Thoughts
While not all objects and items mentioned in a story have meaning, there are times when you’ll want the reader to focus on something particular for a specific reason. Practicing descriptions of basic objects can help you strengthen your writing skills and give you another creative tool to work with.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
February 1, 2023
Writing Tip of the Week: Learning to Write While Reading
If you're like me, if you like to write, you like to read. Reading can be a passive, fun activity. It can also be used as a learning tool for writers to develop their craft and improve their writing. Like students learn from textbooks, writers can use novels as study aids and guides to help them learn by example and see what others have done before.
Why do we like the books we do? How do they hook us? What tools and techniques does an author use to drive the story forward and keep us interested? How does an author introduce new plot points and develop compelling story arcs?
Let's talk about it!
Pick a Familiar Book
Most of us have a book that we really enjoyed. One that we read through at breakneck speed, mesmerized by the story, the characters, and the twists and turns.
Choose a book that you've read before that really hooked you. Grab a red pencil, pen, and paper and reread the book. This time, however, you're not reading to be entertained; you're reading to learn.
Analyze This, Analyze That
What point of view does the author use? Do they use different ones for different characters (the main character is in first-person, and other characters are in third-person)?
As you read, mark in the book with the red pencil how the author effectively uses description to introduce a character or location. Are they verbose in how they describe, or is it simple?
How does the author draw the reader into the story from the start? What techniques do you think they utilize?
When does the story change direction? How does the main character receive new information that causes them to switch tactics? Do they receive this information passively or actively?
How does the author introduce conflict? Is there an overarching conflict throughout the novel, or do things get resolved and new conflicts arise? How does that affect your enjoyment of the story?
How does the author show us the main character's evolution from start to finish? Are they open with other characters, or is the reader privy to things other characters in the book aren't?
What are the main themes of the story? How are they presented by the author? Are they spelled out to the reader or more subtle?
Break It Down
Now that you've taken the time to deconstruct the story and its elements write down a bare-bones version. Break it down into the main plot points, the main character's arc, and how these elements keep the narrative compelling and moving forward.
Write these points out as statements, but also quote the lines of dialogue or description that showcase these moments.
How can you use this information to make your story and writing stronger?
Repeat the Process
Reread the book, keep an open mind and see if your initial views change. Did you get something deeper from the second analysis than the first one?
Final Thoughts
Analyzing a favorite author's work is a great way to dig deeper into another person's creative mind. You can see how a story works by breaking it down and see how the author uses character and plot elements to drive the narrative forward. Multiple readings may deliver new and deeper information that can help you as a writer in the long run.
Why do we like the books we do? How do they hook us? What tools and techniques does an author use to drive the story forward and keep us interested? How does an author introduce new plot points and develop compelling story arcs?
Let's talk about it!
Pick a Familiar Book
Most of us have a book that we really enjoyed. One that we read through at breakneck speed, mesmerized by the story, the characters, and the twists and turns.
Choose a book that you've read before that really hooked you. Grab a red pencil, pen, and paper and reread the book. This time, however, you're not reading to be entertained; you're reading to learn.
Analyze This, Analyze That
What point of view does the author use? Do they use different ones for different characters (the main character is in first-person, and other characters are in third-person)?
As you read, mark in the book with the red pencil how the author effectively uses description to introduce a character or location. Are they verbose in how they describe, or is it simple?
How does the author draw the reader into the story from the start? What techniques do you think they utilize?
When does the story change direction? How does the main character receive new information that causes them to switch tactics? Do they receive this information passively or actively?
How does the author introduce conflict? Is there an overarching conflict throughout the novel, or do things get resolved and new conflicts arise? How does that affect your enjoyment of the story?
How does the author show us the main character's evolution from start to finish? Are they open with other characters, or is the reader privy to things other characters in the book aren't?
What are the main themes of the story? How are they presented by the author? Are they spelled out to the reader or more subtle?
Break It Down
Now that you've taken the time to deconstruct the story and its elements write down a bare-bones version. Break it down into the main plot points, the main character's arc, and how these elements keep the narrative compelling and moving forward.
Write these points out as statements, but also quote the lines of dialogue or description that showcase these moments.
How can you use this information to make your story and writing stronger?
Repeat the Process
Reread the book, keep an open mind and see if your initial views change. Did you get something deeper from the second analysis than the first one?
Final Thoughts
Analyzing a favorite author's work is a great way to dig deeper into another person's creative mind. You can see how a story works by breaking it down and see how the author uses character and plot elements to drive the narrative forward. Multiple readings may deliver new and deeper information that can help you as a writer in the long run.
January 30, 2023
Writing Tip of the Week: Scratch Pad Drafting
Rewriting can seem like a daunting task, one often more of a challenge than the initial first draft of your manuscript. Now that your ideas are on the page, you can begin crafting and fine-tuning them into a stronger narrative. Making these changes in a work this is tens- or hundreds of thousands of words can also be overwhelming.
That’s why I recommend what I call Scratch Pad Drafting.
This Old Date
I highly recommend that you keep multiple dated drafts of all your manuscripts. From the first to the last, having a historical record of your story’s evolution is crucial. This is also important if something happens and you must go back in time to retrieve something you omitted from subsequent drafts.
Free Your Mind
Cutting and adding paragraphs or chapters in a seemingly completed manuscript can be tricky, especially if you’re writing on the fly. There will be times – many of them – when you’ll be reading through and find that a section doesn’t work.
What to do?
Have another document open that you can use to workshop fresh ideas. This blank canvas allows you to try new things, work out ideas, and punch up dialogue without fear of reformatting or other issues that can crop up when working on the manuscript. Now you have free reign to play around and work things out until you are satisfied with the new version.
Then, copy and paste the new material and add it to the manuscript.
Punching Things Up
The Scratch Pad can also be helpful when working out a character or location description. You can work to create the most descriptive sentence using the least number of words. Or, you can embellish and weave an intricate tapestry of sights, smells, sounds, and more to describe a person, place, or thing.
This is the best place to try those things out. You’re not affecting the manuscript while you work, and once you have the best version available, you can add it to the draft you’re working on.
This is also good as a place to punch up dialogue. You can work out important exchanges, jokes, and other moments to make them more realistic and truer to your characters. Again, the Scratch Pad is the place to play around and find the best version to serve your story and enhance the reader’s experience.
Final Thoughts
There’s always room to fine-tune and refine your work as you craft your next draft. Using a separate document to work on new sequences, descriptions, and dialogue gives you an open space to play and create without the burden of affecting the manuscript before the time comes to do so.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
That’s why I recommend what I call Scratch Pad Drafting.
This Old Date
I highly recommend that you keep multiple dated drafts of all your manuscripts. From the first to the last, having a historical record of your story’s evolution is crucial. This is also important if something happens and you must go back in time to retrieve something you omitted from subsequent drafts.
Free Your Mind
Cutting and adding paragraphs or chapters in a seemingly completed manuscript can be tricky, especially if you’re writing on the fly. There will be times – many of them – when you’ll be reading through and find that a section doesn’t work.
What to do?
Have another document open that you can use to workshop fresh ideas. This blank canvas allows you to try new things, work out ideas, and punch up dialogue without fear of reformatting or other issues that can crop up when working on the manuscript. Now you have free reign to play around and work things out until you are satisfied with the new version.
Then, copy and paste the new material and add it to the manuscript.
Punching Things Up
The Scratch Pad can also be helpful when working out a character or location description. You can work to create the most descriptive sentence using the least number of words. Or, you can embellish and weave an intricate tapestry of sights, smells, sounds, and more to describe a person, place, or thing.
This is the best place to try those things out. You’re not affecting the manuscript while you work, and once you have the best version available, you can add it to the draft you’re working on.
This is also good as a place to punch up dialogue. You can work out important exchanges, jokes, and other moments to make them more realistic and truer to your characters. Again, the Scratch Pad is the place to play around and find the best version to serve your story and enhance the reader’s experience.
Final Thoughts
There’s always room to fine-tune and refine your work as you craft your next draft. Using a separate document to work on new sequences, descriptions, and dialogue gives you an open space to play and create without the burden of affecting the manuscript before the time comes to do so.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
January 27, 2023
Readers: When and Where Do You Like to Read?
The new year has begun, and reading challenges have been declared. Most of us have a stack of books ready for 2023, so we know what we’re reading and who’s reading (us), but when do you prefer to read, and where is your desired place to immerse yourself in a book?
I prefer reading when there are limited to no distractions – like when I write – so I usually read late at night. There’s something about the peaceful solitude of nighttime that allows me to read and focus on the book 100%. While there may be some noise, it’s much easier for me to read at night due to limited interruptions.
What about you? When do you prefer to read?
I like reading at home, but I have changed where I read. I used to read in bed, but over the past few years, I moved all reading to the couch. It’s still a comfortable location with good lighting and few distractions, and I find I don’t get as sleepy reading there as when I used to read in bed. And while I have no problem reading while sitting up, I find that reading on the couch while lying down with my head on the armrest is my preferred reading position.
Where do you prefer to read? What is your favorite spot in your home to read and enjoy the experience?
Some people are fine with reading in a busy location with lots of noise and chaos around them. Some prefer reading earlier in the day. No matter when or where you read, the important thing is that you are reading and adding to your reading goals in 2023 and beyond.
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
I prefer reading when there are limited to no distractions – like when I write – so I usually read late at night. There’s something about the peaceful solitude of nighttime that allows me to read and focus on the book 100%. While there may be some noise, it’s much easier for me to read at night due to limited interruptions.
What about you? When do you prefer to read?
I like reading at home, but I have changed where I read. I used to read in bed, but over the past few years, I moved all reading to the couch. It’s still a comfortable location with good lighting and few distractions, and I find I don’t get as sleepy reading there as when I used to read in bed. And while I have no problem reading while sitting up, I find that reading on the couch while lying down with my head on the armrest is my preferred reading position.
Where do you prefer to read? What is your favorite spot in your home to read and enjoy the experience?
Some people are fine with reading in a busy location with lots of noise and chaos around them. Some prefer reading earlier in the day. No matter when or where you read, the important thing is that you are reading and adding to your reading goals in 2023 and beyond.
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
January 25, 2023
Writing Tip of the Week: Have You Ever Had a “Writer’s High”?
I’m an avid runner, and one of the phenomena that can kick in during a solid workout is “runner’s high.” Johns Hopkins explains: “As you hit your stride, your body releases hormones called endorphins. Popular culture identifies these as the chemicals behind “runner’s high,” a short-lasting, deeply euphoric state following intense exercise.” But is this feeling only available to those who exercise with intensity?
I believe writers can experience something similar, what could be known as a Writer’s High. If you’ve ever found yourself writing, losing track of time, and realizing you’ve written thousands of words without thinking about it, that is a Writer’s High.
It’s that moment when everything comes together. You've achieved a Writer's High when your story, characters, dialogue, and imagination merge into one entity that creates magic on the page. You’re in a creative zone, flexing your storytelling muscles, so it’s not a chore and doesn’t feel like work.
When the creativity flows, you’re definitely in the Writer’s High zone. But is it something you can fake until you achieve it naturally?
I believe you can. Like running, it can take time to reach a Writer’s High, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work and train yourself to focus on a goal and stay tuned into that specific goal until it’s achieved. And once you lock in and start moving, the runner’s high kicks in after a while, and before you know it, the run is over.
Your writing goals can be like this. You can train and focus on what you want to achieve; before you know it, the words are effortlessly flowing from your mind to the page. And you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and a euphoric feeling that you’ll want to have again and again.
And you don’t have to buy a special pair of shoes to help achieve it.
Are you ready to work toward your Writer’s High?
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Quote Source:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healt...
I believe writers can experience something similar, what could be known as a Writer’s High. If you’ve ever found yourself writing, losing track of time, and realizing you’ve written thousands of words without thinking about it, that is a Writer’s High.
It’s that moment when everything comes together. You've achieved a Writer's High when your story, characters, dialogue, and imagination merge into one entity that creates magic on the page. You’re in a creative zone, flexing your storytelling muscles, so it’s not a chore and doesn’t feel like work.
When the creativity flows, you’re definitely in the Writer’s High zone. But is it something you can fake until you achieve it naturally?
I believe you can. Like running, it can take time to reach a Writer’s High, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work and train yourself to focus on a goal and stay tuned into that specific goal until it’s achieved. And once you lock in and start moving, the runner’s high kicks in after a while, and before you know it, the run is over.
Your writing goals can be like this. You can train and focus on what you want to achieve; before you know it, the words are effortlessly flowing from your mind to the page. And you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and a euphoric feeling that you’ll want to have again and again.
And you don’t have to buy a special pair of shoes to help achieve it.
Are you ready to work toward your Writer’s High?
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Quote Source:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healt...
January 23, 2023
Writing Tip of the Week: Taking Notes While Drafting Your Manuscript
Writing a manuscript for a novel can be a challenging but rewarding process. Crafting a compelling narrative with dimensional characters and clever dialogue allows creativity to soar out of your imagination and onto that page.
Even with a strong outline, you may find yourself second-guessing a choice you made, rethinking a chapter, or needing more information about a location or other details. All of these can be important to creating the world of your story.
After completing my writing session for the day (or late at night, which is my preferred writing time), my brain will run through what I wrote and find new ways or ideas to strengthen my writing. The trick is NOT to go back and start rewriting what you already wrote.
No. Your initial goal with your first/rough draft is the get the story on the page, from Chapter One to THE END. Only then should you scroll back up to the top of your Word document and begin the rewriting process.
What I do is take notes post-writing sessions about what I worked on. That way, I have the information and ideas available for use later if I decide to incorporate them. You can use your Notes app on your phone or tablet, a journal, or just a piece of paper to jot things down.
Here are some notes topics to consider (you can also jot down notes as you’re writing, but don’t go back and fix things yet):
Ask Yourself Questions?
After taking some time to reflect, write down some questions about the section of your manuscript, you worked on today. What worked? What didn’t work? Were there chapters that lost momentum or lacked important information? What chapters dragged on for too long and why? Were there character moments that elevated the main characters? Did story elements get lost at any point?
This is a constructive way to think about possible issues and changes that might pop up during the rewrite phase and allows you to have a reference point once you begin. It can also help make the rewrite process less overwhelming since you’ve already started thinking about what’s been working and what needs improvement.
Things to Add
Maybe you wrote a great scene with two characters talking in a park. You realize during your reflection that it was all dialogue and no action or description of the park or what the two characters might be doing.
This is a good place to comment that you must add these elements into the chapter to give the reader more information.
I often find myself introducing characters, then realizing that they are non-descript voids with names and dialogue but no physical traits or clothing descriptions. This is another thing that can be placed in this category as a friendly reminder to make sure ALL named characters are described in some way.
Things to Cut
Even in a solid outline, things can sometimes not work as well once they’re fleshed out on the page. Before you highlight and delete these items, note that there may be something that should be cut.
This can also be used if a subplot isn’t working, doesn’t add to the story or character development, or if you feel a chapter drags on for too long and should be cut down.
Things to Develop
If you find that a character takes on a life of their own in your manuscript and you want to give them more page time, make a note to develop the character further.
You can also include developing the setting and character descriptions here. When you’re in the zone and writing fast, things can get left out or mentioned and not given more detail. Anything you want or need the reader to know must be fully realized on the page, so include that aspect here.
Things to Research
Your main character is going to Columbia University! Great! What do you know about it? Nothing! Time to get on the Google machine or the Columbia University website and start researching.
This can be for anything that needs more information or detail to make things real for your reader. “Steph got into her car.” What’s the make and model? Color? “He put on boots.” Ugg boots? Ski boots? Cowboy boots?
Doing a little research and fine-tuning can further bring your reader into the story. Find pictures of the clothing items you’d like your characters to wear and use them for your descriptions. Same with houses, restaurants, furniture, etc. Paint a picture with words and bring the reader into that home or campus.
Final Thoughts
This tactic can help you not get sidetracked while you’re doing the work of writing your manuscript. You will be ahead of the game by taking some time – since you’ll be thinking about it anyway – to reflect and jot down what things to improve, add, cut, or research. Now, you can dive into your next draft with the necessary knowledge to succeed.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Even with a strong outline, you may find yourself second-guessing a choice you made, rethinking a chapter, or needing more information about a location or other details. All of these can be important to creating the world of your story.
After completing my writing session for the day (or late at night, which is my preferred writing time), my brain will run through what I wrote and find new ways or ideas to strengthen my writing. The trick is NOT to go back and start rewriting what you already wrote.
No. Your initial goal with your first/rough draft is the get the story on the page, from Chapter One to THE END. Only then should you scroll back up to the top of your Word document and begin the rewriting process.
What I do is take notes post-writing sessions about what I worked on. That way, I have the information and ideas available for use later if I decide to incorporate them. You can use your Notes app on your phone or tablet, a journal, or just a piece of paper to jot things down.
Here are some notes topics to consider (you can also jot down notes as you’re writing, but don’t go back and fix things yet):
Ask Yourself Questions?
After taking some time to reflect, write down some questions about the section of your manuscript, you worked on today. What worked? What didn’t work? Were there chapters that lost momentum or lacked important information? What chapters dragged on for too long and why? Were there character moments that elevated the main characters? Did story elements get lost at any point?
This is a constructive way to think about possible issues and changes that might pop up during the rewrite phase and allows you to have a reference point once you begin. It can also help make the rewrite process less overwhelming since you’ve already started thinking about what’s been working and what needs improvement.
Things to Add
Maybe you wrote a great scene with two characters talking in a park. You realize during your reflection that it was all dialogue and no action or description of the park or what the two characters might be doing.
This is a good place to comment that you must add these elements into the chapter to give the reader more information.
I often find myself introducing characters, then realizing that they are non-descript voids with names and dialogue but no physical traits or clothing descriptions. This is another thing that can be placed in this category as a friendly reminder to make sure ALL named characters are described in some way.
Things to Cut
Even in a solid outline, things can sometimes not work as well once they’re fleshed out on the page. Before you highlight and delete these items, note that there may be something that should be cut.
This can also be used if a subplot isn’t working, doesn’t add to the story or character development, or if you feel a chapter drags on for too long and should be cut down.
Things to Develop
If you find that a character takes on a life of their own in your manuscript and you want to give them more page time, make a note to develop the character further.
You can also include developing the setting and character descriptions here. When you’re in the zone and writing fast, things can get left out or mentioned and not given more detail. Anything you want or need the reader to know must be fully realized on the page, so include that aspect here.
Things to Research
Your main character is going to Columbia University! Great! What do you know about it? Nothing! Time to get on the Google machine or the Columbia University website and start researching.
This can be for anything that needs more information or detail to make things real for your reader. “Steph got into her car.” What’s the make and model? Color? “He put on boots.” Ugg boots? Ski boots? Cowboy boots?
Doing a little research and fine-tuning can further bring your reader into the story. Find pictures of the clothing items you’d like your characters to wear and use them for your descriptions. Same with houses, restaurants, furniture, etc. Paint a picture with words and bring the reader into that home or campus.
Final Thoughts
This tactic can help you not get sidetracked while you’re doing the work of writing your manuscript. You will be ahead of the game by taking some time – since you’ll be thinking about it anyway – to reflect and jot down what things to improve, add, cut, or research. Now, you can dive into your next draft with the necessary knowledge to succeed.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
