''Useless'' Writing Reminders

''Useless'' Writing Reminders

Save your documents. Strive to be safe, not sorry.

Back-up your documents. Strive to be safe, not sorry.

Placeholder names can quickly turn into forever names. Picking name(s) on a whim can lead to great things, or it can become your worst nightmare (😁).

Your writing has value. Yes, even the most inadequate of writing. You don't have to boast or even like everything you've ever written, but even the most questionable of writing will have contributed to your growth as a storyteller. Cherish it for what it is.

You can take a break. It is absolutely okay.

First drafts are scary. But you know what's more scary? Not having a draft at all.

Using clichés or ''overdone'' tropes will not kill your story. Firstly, tropes are building blocks. Secondly, humans actively search to consume stories revolving around these tropes.

Write your heart out. Boast about your writing. Boast about your friends' and fellow writers' writing. Everyone deserves recognition, even you, from within your own heart. (Sorry. That's really cheesy. But it's true).

Side Note To Fan Fic Authors

Here’s the thing.

I read a lot of scripts.  A lot.  From professionals to aspiring writers to complete newbies.  Features and pilots.  Specs and treatments.

And 8 times out of 10 the fan fic that I’ve read over the last, oh, 15 years is leagues better than this stuff.  It’s more inspired.  It’s more compelling.  It’s genre bending and creative and heartfelt.  It’s well-paced and intense and funny and sexy and meaningful.  It’s smart and thoughtful and good.  It’s novel-quality.  Better than, sometimes.

Rare is the script I don’t want to put down, but how often have we stayed up until 3am to get to the last chapter of a 100k fic? And it’s not even a fan fic author’s day job.  This is what they do on the side.  In their spare time.  For free.

So my point is, fan fic authors, you’re good.  You’re good writers and great storytellers.  I know it doesn’t always feel like it, especially if you’re one of the authors who’s not a BNF and doesn’t get the notes/hits that a few do.  And  because some people still view fic as “not real writing.” You guys know the shit that gets made into movies.  You’re better than that.  So be better than that.  If writing is what you think want to do, then just know you’re already doing it.   You’ve already started.

And you’re more talented than you might think.

Holy mother of pearl!!!! Next week I might actually write! Let's see if I do anything, finish anything, etcetc.

Is anyone else ever genuinely shocked when you find out you have an impact on someone’s life? A coworker can be like “I’ve missed seeing you” and I’m just like “???? you?? missed me????? My presence has an effect on your daily experience???? I affect things??? W h a t ? ? ?”

Possible Prompt I might work on...

What if your favorite characters had different powers or abilities...

I am starting to think about the different types of possible powers - and I almost went elemental for most of it. Not going to lie. But THEN I would need to think of like... 7 types of elements. And do I REALLY have that much in me to try to do that?

Possibly.

Or do I go with POWERS powers. Eh. EHH.

I have come to realize my writing style is.... Very "as a person thinks" type. The inner dialogue and monologues that happen (at least as they happen in my own mind) and it creates a very different voice than those I read. I usually have to write everything as it comes first, then edit it and rewrite, edit, add to it, or realize there should be more detail...

I find it really hard to really delete everything though.

It is an interesting thing to notice. I seriously need people to read it before I post because I need to know if it makes sense to others because what makes sense to me .... doesn't hit everyone else the same way.

(Also trying to see if I can do other types of writing. My big story I hope is a bit better. I know I have started rewriting it already only because I want to start posting it soon because it is going to be a LONG one. With multiple parts. Maybe like seasons or something because - I tell you I have this whole idea darn it!)