Writing – Are We Having Fun Yet?
Writing stories is a fun time living fantasies of my own imagination. Anything can and is liable to happen. Initially, I wrestled with the idea of having to be a good liar in order to write a good story. Stories are about making things up (lying) and telling someone about it. Being raised against telling lies, I was taught to always tell the truth.
So, I would write truthful but boring story lines. Too nice, cut sweet and dry. But, that’s not what readers want. They want outlandish but believable tales that draw them into a world of virtual escape with characters worthy of their love, hate, sympathy or ire. A symmetry that entwines them together in unique blend of light and dark, strength and weakness.
Go To The Light!
I am reminded of an article on Shonda Rhimes where she talked about making things up. I’m thinking well, if she is good at making things up she’s a person who can’t be trusted. How ludicrous.
Shonda later said something in a Tweet that turned on the light bulb for me. She said “I make things up for a living. It’s not real, okay? Don’t Tweet me your craziness.”
It was the realization that this is not a moral issue about lying at all. It is a sabotage myself issue. Shonda’s tweet made all the difference in the world.
The Path Well Traveled
When writing stories one has to release the reins that hinder the mind’s ability to create electrifying plots that keep readers coming back for more. Dream whatever story your mind can conceive then write the words. Once I “got” that all kinds of fantastic scenarios began to flow. Writing them down formed the path that the characters were to travel.
Commit to a block of writing time each day. Spending too much time at one sitting may result in incoherent babble that makes no sense. Take a break from it and relax. Three hours per day is my limit. I write for pleasure. Work out a routine that works for you and have fun while doing it.
Current work in progress: Mystery and suspense concerning bloodlines, secrets, an old curse and abominable rituals.
Have Fun Writing!
