As a writing koan, which came first: the typo or the fix? Although we want to rely on spellcheckers, they might not catch when the mind goes in wild. During my writing meandry for S&M2, for my 2020 Album Review Game, I wrote: “While I give out forty 5-star ratings to albums….” Correction: “While I have given out forty albums 5-star ratings as of late 2020…” Would it have been a problem had I not caught it?
I was talking to a friend that was feeling burdened by his creative hobbies. As I’m recovering from this spine surgery and making sense of my physicality, where I may never be able to push my body to its “limits,” I have to learn to balance my health with my aspirations. Last night, that meant going to bed early, when I stopped feeling productive or interested in doing much. I’m learning to reduce superfluous obligations.
If “The Story” is anachronistically a mixture of sensibilities from the 80s to 20s, then it would make sense that John and Trishna would, especially during their college years, want to go to Halloween parties. They might dress up only somewhat. They might prefer, even, to stay in on the otherwise festive occasions. I tended to stay in during my college years for Halloweens, but maybe they’ll be more interested in going out? Maybe not?
Spoilers?: Minor [fiction/nonfiction storytelling practices]
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I sometimes wonder whether these essays where I explore wildly unrelated topics are successful, but then I consider that the purpose of writing and releasing these writings is succeeding on my terms: writing or reading to learn. Since I haven’t made any money with my writing, it’s easy letting financial self-doubt infect things. I might worry that I have to write about topics for broader appeal, but for me, I’d rather write what feels good.
Although I wrote about my thoughts on whether playing Pokémon LeafGreen made my life easier in my penultimate essay on this series, that essay was also concerned about the question of whether playing with a strategy guide would ruin surprises for me. No, since I appreciate narrative surprises more than gameplay surprises. Did playing this game make my life easier? Similarly, this question has perspective-dependent answers. I can answer no, and without narrative irony, yes.
As we approach the end of my playthrough of Pokémon LeafGreen, let’s consider that we begin with an innocent search for easier living. What we can objectively see is that these essays evolved into something I didn’t predict, as evidenced by their non-serial labeling. They went from searches for easier living into minor reclamations of what makes this hard life we live easier for me: writing fiction. So I did find that easier life… right?
Brainstorming new characters like Zhanna for Novel 02 in the Sammohini Arc of “The Story” has inspired interesting brainstorming thoughts. My fiction writing strength is building the narrative for how “X” goes to “Y,” rather than brainstorming ideas for “X” or “Y.” Those variables could contain any ideas. I’m just building the homes for those ideas to live within. Am I doing the reverse now by brainstorming “X” or “Y” then fitting them into the narrative?
Spoilers?: Minor [character, setting brainstorming]
WANNA CONSIDER THE SIGNIFICANCE OF KNOWING THE FAVORITE COLOR OF THE BARISTA THAT SERVES YOUR NEXT COFFEE THAT YOU’LL NEVER SEE AGAIN? CLICK HERE TO KEEP ON READING!
When you’re not scared of edits, there’s a certain pleasure that happens from seeing the edits that were made by your collaborators. You forget what you specifically wrote or changed. You look at what’s in front of you, and you think, ‘wow, this is really coming together!’ Today, I started editing a story taking place within ENDLESS WAR somewhere around 12:30pm and wrapped up my edits through chapter three at 2:12pm. Here are thsome thoughts.
WANNA CONSIDER HOW PERSPECTIVE IS IMPORTANT WHEN DESTROYING PROSE? CLICK HERE TO KEEP ON READING!
I nearly went up against the Elite Four in Pokémon LeafGreen tonight. Sometimes, in life, this is a good thing, going into battle when you’re first viable enough to not be defeated outright. It’s how I wrote Novel 01. Inspired by NaNoWriMo, I could have said no if, after my two-week gestation period, I didn’t think I could viably write a 60,000-word novel somewhere in the Sammohini Arc of “The Story.” Other times, patience can help.
WANNA SEE HOW TOO MUCH PLANNING CAN PREVENT YOU FROM PLAYING A GAME? CLICK HERE TO KEEP ON READING!
Writing is all about overcoming the fear of opinions from others. When you write for yourself, you can write whatever you want. When you share your writing with anyone, effective writing is taking the idea that’s in your head, packaging it in a way that anyone can understand, so they can let your ideas live, survive, and thrive in their minds. This requires constantly tearing apart your work to rebuild it. Don’t fear those criticisms.
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