I continued, for the first time in my life, a small story fragment I’d previously written. I was actually able to make decisions for once about what I wanted it to be about. Writing beyond the setup and hook phase is a big deal for me, and this particular short thing had a very silly premise before but it actually turned into a real frustration about the world. I feel like I was able to express this through narrative better & more powerfully than just a rant.
While it’s true that you can’t write something without an idea to start with, ideas are CHEAP. Whether the starting idea was stupid or smart won’t matter that much once the whole thing is taking shape. Everything you care about WILL make its way into what you make. A rant is what’s on top spilling out, but a story is constructed out of everything, even thoughts and feelings so small as to be hidden like a speck of dust or as wide and invisible as gas.
You’re welcome, just make sure to follow the threads you think are cool. I think the most fundamental thing readers respond to is the enthusiasm they detect from the material. Frankly I think a lot of writing involves trying to ultimately justify to yourself why some idea seems cool to you, the writer, because as it turns out most people operate the same way. If you are honest with yourself and can successfully convince yourself that something is cool or dramatic or stirring or whatever, chances are that the methods you used will work on other people too.
I continued, for the first time in my life, a small story fragment I’d previously written. I was actually able to make decisions for once about what I wanted it to be about. Writing beyond the setup and hook phase is a big deal for me, and this particular short thing had a very silly premise before but it actually turned into a real frustration about the world. I feel like I was able to express this through narrative better & more powerfully than just a rant.
KEEP GOING. SQUEEZE THE TURD OUT.
While it’s true that you can’t write something without an idea to start with, ideas are CHEAP. Whether the starting idea was stupid or smart won’t matter that much once the whole thing is taking shape. Everything you care about WILL make its way into what you make. A rant is what’s on top spilling out, but a story is constructed out of everything, even thoughts and feelings so small as to be hidden like a speck of dust or as wide and invisible as gas.
Damn, this is fucking sick, actually. I have no idea what I’m doing (what else is new lmao) but I love this idea.
gah I want to put this on my mirror. Thank you for the kind words.
You’re welcome, just make sure to follow the threads you think are cool. I think the most fundamental thing readers respond to is the enthusiasm they detect from the material. Frankly I think a lot of writing involves trying to ultimately justify to yourself why some idea seems cool to you, the writer, because as it turns out most people operate the same way. If you are honest with yourself and can successfully convince yourself that something is cool or dramatic or stirring or whatever, chances are that the methods you used will work on other people too.