Top Menu

Tag Archives writing advice

Andrew, known as HeavyShelves in BookTube land, was kind enough to invite me to a Google Hangout a few nights ago where he treated me like a rockstar for almost 3 hours. That's a long time, especially when you consider the time frame was 12am - 3am his time (he's in the UK). I definitely encourage you to take a watch. Or, just listen, as you would a podcast (visually, it's pretty much just webcam style cuts between his face and mine...except for one truly amazing appearance by Nicholas Cage...see image below). Andrew asked some great questions, and we had some great discussions. List for these gems: My publishing history (and the importance of knowing people, starting here) Writers need to know their productivity limitations (more about why I can't be allowed to write 8 hours/day, starting here) The importance of caring about what you write (the real "write what…

Yes, I am going to make a video for each of the Pixar's 22 Rules for Storytelling (the full list can be found here). Be sure to subscribe to this channel to not miss any of the forthcoming videos. I plan to release one/week. Rule #8: Finish your story, let go even if it’s not perfect. In an ideal world you have both, but move on. Do better next time. This time, I’m doing something a bit different: one shot, no cuts. I figure what better way to explore the idea of moving on to new projects than to fully embrace the idea of letting go of a current one.

Yes, I am going to make a video for each of the Pixar's 22 Rules for Storytelling (the full list can be found here). Be sure to subscribe to this channel to not miss any of the forthcoming videos. I plan to release one/week. Rule #7: Come up with your ending before you figure out your middle. Seriously. Endings are hard, get yours working up front. A good outline lays the foundation for a story that honors the core of this rule: you must know your ending of your story so that you can be sure to support that ending with a well-structured beginning and middle. Vonnegut, too, knew what he was talking about when he said “Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible... Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves,…

Yes, I am going to make a video for each of the Pixar's 22 Rules for Storytelling (the full list can be found here). Be sure to subscribe to this channel to not miss any of the forthcoming videos. I plan to release one/week. Rule #6: What is your character good at, comfortable with? Throw the polar opposite at them. Challenge them. How do they deal? Meet my cat, Burrito, which I received as a gift from my caring girlfriend (now wife). I wasn’t expecting to own a cat. I had a certain lifestyle, with a set routine, and established boundaries. How did I handle this change? Watch and find out.

Yes, I am going to make a video for each of the Pixar’s 22 Rules for Storytelling (the full list can be found here). Be sure to subscribe to this channel to not miss any of the forthcoming videos. I plan to release one/week. Rule #5: Simplify. Focus. Combine characters. Hop over detours. You’ll feel like you’re losing valuable stuff but it sets you free. There are two classic pieces of writing advice that support this storytelling rule: The first, from William Faulkner, author of The Sound and the Fury, Absalom, Absalom!, goes: “In writing, you must kill all your darlings.” meaning you must get rid of those elements of your story that serve your ego rather than the story. The second, from Anton Chekhov, author of countless stories, plays, and novellas, goes: "One must not put a loaded rifle on the stage if no one is thinking of firing it."…

Yes, I am going to make a video for each of the Pixar's 22 Rules for Storytelling (the full list can be found here). Be sure to subscribe to this channel to not miss any of the forthcoming videos. I plan to release one/week. Rule #4: Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of that, ___. Until finally ___. This “rule” isn’t so much a rule as it is a template for storytelling. A simple and very effective template, I might add. The most important element of this formula, I feel, is the repetition of the “Because of that” which speaks to the importance of constantly elevating stakes. Nothing is ever stagnant in an engaging story. Even if two characters are alone in a room, or if poo can’t fart, there should always be something imminent to further complicate…

Yes, I am going to make a video for each of the Pixar’s 22 Rules for Storytelling. Be sure to subscribe to this channel to not miss any of the forthcoming videos. I plan to release one/week. Rule #3: Trying for theme is important, but you won't see what the story is actually about til you're at the end of it. Now rewrite. It's painful to know that during an entire first draft of a novel or story, very little of that first draft will survive.  At least, it won't if you're a good enough writer. A writer cannot make sense of a story until the story exists. Otherwise, we're looking at a pile of jigsaw puzzle pieces and trying to know the final image without putting the pieces together. (Additional metaphor here) With this, the third video in my 22 part series, I step up my game with a fake mustache.

12
Close