- Joined
- Aug 15, 2007
- Messages
- 1,143
- Reaction score
- 247
- Location
- Bainbridge Island
- Website
- www.spontaneousderivation.com
Okay, thread open for SHORT snippets about keeping going, or even just getting started.
Here are mine.
Problem: I can't start! I have no motivation....
Method:
Imagine the first exciting scene. Low-impact, but still has that certain something. For me, it's when my psychopath joins the crew.
Fill your head with that scene like a movie. Find some jivy song, doesn't matter what it is. Now make a movie in your head, complete with soundtrack---more like a music video, actually.
Do this visualization while bored at work or commuting.
When you get time to write, spill out what you see. Yeah, that's not going to get everything translated properly, but it will get you going and get you excited.
And no, this will not get you the right beginning... but perhaps now you can go back and fill in the beginning. See next problem, scene isn't working!
Problem: This scene isn't working!
Method:
Add a weird twist. The more outre (read: melodramatic), the better. Very indirect method, but it works for me. Examples....
Husband and wife talking to each other, and husband is staying late at work? That's kind of boring. How about... wife had an affair? Don't say it outright. But run it under the conversation and under the POV character's thoughts, like a cancer. That's interesting.
Or, man is interviewing? Heck, even interviews with shadow organizations can be bloody boring. So put the conversation in an experimental military jet zipping across the skies, and have posh food served, and make the interviewer mysterious---a lady in a business suit, but veiled, with a strangely attractive voice, like an echo in your head. That's interesting.
Or drop in a man with a gun, or a dead body.
Shake it up! No, it may not be art, but you can tone it down later! Get excited!
Summary:
It is far more important to get moving than anything else. So step it up!
Here are mine.
Problem: I can't start! I have no motivation....
Method:
Imagine the first exciting scene. Low-impact, but still has that certain something. For me, it's when my psychopath joins the crew.
Fill your head with that scene like a movie. Find some jivy song, doesn't matter what it is. Now make a movie in your head, complete with soundtrack---more like a music video, actually.
Do this visualization while bored at work or commuting.
When you get time to write, spill out what you see. Yeah, that's not going to get everything translated properly, but it will get you going and get you excited.
And no, this will not get you the right beginning... but perhaps now you can go back and fill in the beginning. See next problem, scene isn't working!
Problem: This scene isn't working!
Method:
Add a weird twist. The more outre (read: melodramatic), the better. Very indirect method, but it works for me. Examples....
Husband and wife talking to each other, and husband is staying late at work? That's kind of boring. How about... wife had an affair? Don't say it outright. But run it under the conversation and under the POV character's thoughts, like a cancer. That's interesting.
Or, man is interviewing? Heck, even interviews with shadow organizations can be bloody boring. So put the conversation in an experimental military jet zipping across the skies, and have posh food served, and make the interviewer mysterious---a lady in a business suit, but veiled, with a strangely attractive voice, like an echo in your head. That's interesting.
Or drop in a man with a gun, or a dead body.
Shake it up! No, it may not be art, but you can tone it down later! Get excited!
Summary:
It is far more important to get moving than anything else. So step it up!
With Tobasco, calling 'em 'crack chops' cause they're so freaking good. 
