Strategies and personal experiences to write faster, pushing beyond mental limits in writing, benefits of switching keyboard layouts, analyzing a superhero story, Quentin Tarantino's genre conventions, setting up emotional moments at the end, and resources for listeners.
Writing faster during the first draft can lead to breakthroughs and increased word count.
Superhero stories are about characters discovering their unique gifts and going on a transformative journey.
Creating a strong hook and delivering a satisfying payoff is crucial for engaging storytelling.
Deep dives
The Power of Writing More Words
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the importance of writing as many words as possible, especially during the first draft. They explore the concept of hitting a wall and whether it is a real limitation or just a mental barrier. The speaker shares personal tactics, such as starting the next scene when hitting a writing block, which often leads to a breakthrough and increased word count. They emphasize the power of pushing oneself to write more words each day and the potential for achieving significant outcomes.
Discovering Your Gift: The Essence of Superhero Stories
The hosts delve into the essence of superhero stories, explaining that they are about individuals discovering their unique gifts and using them to defend what they value. They discuss the importance of the hero's journey and how superhero stories align with it. They highlight the significance of identifying the transformative moment when a character comes into their power and transitions to the extraordinary world. They emphasize the value of delivering on the conventions and obligatory scenes of the chosen genre to create a satisfying and innovative story.
Setting Up and Paying Off
The hosts stress the importance of setting up and paying off in storytelling. They encourage writers to focus on creating a strong hook and delivering a satisfying payoff. They discuss the need for a compelling beginning hook that grabs readers' attention and an ending payoff that leaves them feeling catharsis and surprise. They emphasize the significance of continuously surprising and promising readers throughout the middle build of the story. They recommend analyzing each scene, checking for proper genre conventions and obligatory scenes, and identifying where improvements can be made.
Continuity Problems and Fixing What's Broken
The hosts caution against prioritizing continuity problems and fixing what's broken too early in the editing process. They suggest focusing on the larger structural elements, such as the hook and payoff, before addressing specific issues. They explain that fixing continuity problems and addressing smaller details comes later in the editing process. They emphasize the need to understand that the first draft will not deliver on all aspects, but having analytical tools and knowledge of story structure can guide the necessary improvements.
The Balance of Writing and Editing
The hosts discuss the delicate balance between writing and editing. They explain that during the first draft, it is crucial to follow the words and the unconscious without getting caught up in editing. They encourage writers to trust where the story takes them, even if it leads to unexpected twists and turns. They advise addressing continuity and other issues in later stages of the editing process. They conclude by recommending writers to have faith in their creative process and enjoy the journey of writing and editing their story.
