Professional game writer Kuiper joins Daystar and Alexander to discuss writing as a skill and ways to improve. They cover topics such as not getting attached to ideas, focusing on specific writing skills, crafting engaging plots, and exploring unconventional methods to enhance writing abilities.
Writing is a skill that requires time, dedication, and continuous improvement.
Enhancing imagination and creativity through diverse activities can help writers generate unique story ideas.
Crafting compelling plots with conflicts, character arcs, and resolutions is crucial for storytelling success.
Deep dives
Writing as a Skill
Just like any other skill, writing requires learning and practice. The common idea that everyone has a novel in them overlooks the dedicated effort needed to develop writing proficiency. Unlike skills like playing guitar, writing is often romanticized and considered a mystical talent instead of a learned craft. By acknowledging writing as a skill that requires time, dedication, and continuous improvement, individuals can approach their writing endeavors more realistically.
Developing Imagination for Story Ideas
Generating unique and plentiful story ideas can vary among authors. Some writers effortlessly generate numerous ideas, while others may struggle to conceive multiple novel-worthy concepts. To enhance imagination and creativity, writers may engage in diverse activities such as reading extensively, exploring various ideas, and practicing coming up with diverse story plots. Focusing on honing specific writing skills for each project or story arc can help writers enhance their imaginative abilities.
Crafting Effective Plots
Crafting compelling plots is essential for storytelling success as plots form the backbone of narratives. Writers often face challenges in developing engaging plots that seamlessly integrate conflicts, character arcs, challenges, and resolutions. A well-crafted plot drives the story forward, shaping characters' journeys and creating cohesive storytelling. Plot development requires deliberate effort, strategic planning, and a thorough understanding of conflict resolution to construct narratives that captivate readers.
Effective Writing Practices
Writing effectively involves finding conflicts and creating diverse characters. By combining different ideas, conflicts naturally emerge, like a paranoid bodyguard and an appearance-focused socialite. The process involves generating multiple ideas to explore various character dynamics, leading to intricate and engaging plotlines. Post-mortems on plots help evaluate what works and refine the narrative structure.
Diversifying Writing Skills
Improving writing skills can involve practices beyond writing, like role-playing, critical reading, and exploring different genres. Engaging in role-playing offers a low-pressure way to hone dialogue, character development, and action scenes. Beyond writing, expanding one's worldview and experimenting with various writing exercises can enhance writing abilities and prevent burnout from singular storylines.
Daystar and Alexander are joined by professional game writer Kuiper to discuss writing as a skill, or rather a set of skills, and the ways people can improve them.
Timestamps:
1:19 Writing as a skill
21:03 What improves writing?
24:20 Don't grow attached to your ideas
32:45 Skilling up one at a time
45:36 Sticking with or abandoning
50:25 Other ways to improve writing.
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