Writing Stuff

[JustGeorge]

"We don't fall in love with people because they're good people. We fall in love with people whose darkness we recognise. You can fall in love with a person for all of the right reasons, but that kind of love can still fall apart. But when you fall in love with a person because your monsters have found a home in them-- that's the kind of love that owns your skin and bones. Love, I am convinced, is found in the darkness. It is the candle in the night."

C. JoyBell C.

Or, who's 'darknesses'(flaws) we either seek to gain... or seek to cure.

Humans are funny animals.

@JustGeorge how about signing up for a Masterclasses with Alan Moore?

Alan Moore | Storytelling Online Course | BBC Maestro | BBC Maestro

He looks like he's got some interesting things to teach. Can you suggest some things written by him? I don't think signing up for any courses is for the best at the moment, unfortunately.

 

[Vinayaka]

I had my weekly therapist appointment today.

I talked a bit how I felt writing on the forums has been helpful for me. She approved wholeheartedly, but also suggested I should consider writing a book, as a therapeutic tool(and because she thinks I have some stories to tell).

Its not the first time someone's poked me towards doing such, some for my personal benefit, others because my life is a walking comedy.

The problem is... I don't know how to write.

I mean, I know how to put fingers to the keyboard(we don't want to talk about my handwriting) and formulate words, but other than a few paragraphs here, and a colorful expression there, working on a large piece confuses me. How does a person string things together? How do you formulate a beginning, middle and end(because that's what my elementary teachers said a story has) for something that doesn't have a beginning middle and end? Is that even important?

I ask here because it all genuinely confuses me, and I don't know where to begin. Any insights?

My first 3 books, long since gone into the sands of time, were for therapy. Your therapist is onto something. My forte is dialogue. Just imagine you're having a conversation, or overhearing one.

There is also the vasana daha tantra, or journaling for burning. It's a method where you just write stuff down, feelings, good or bad, etc. and then burn it in an inconspicuous place. it's something my Gurus recommend. For us, we did a lifetime one as well, where you write 10 pages for every year of your life. It took me about 6 months. Spiritually, what it is supposed to do is take the colour out of the memory, so you still have the memory, but not the emotion attached to it. It worked well for me, except for the major things, and for those I did prayaschitta.

I think you're already an excellent writer. Your thoughts have a clarity to them.

 

[JustGeorge]

For beginning middle and end, use a big piece of paper to sketch out ideas (characters, arc of story, whatever).
For the doing - set aside a regular daily time. You and the keyboard. Treat it as a job. Type stuff, till the time is up. Next day, delete, amend, then type more stuff. Repeat next day. Repeat next day.
5% inspiration, 95% perspiration.
You've got this.

(PS re a blog - I've done a blog and I'm a tech moron).

Does this mean I oughta up the quality of my antiperspirant?

Perhaps you'll help me figure out pinterest..?

My first 3 books, long since gone into the sands of time, were for therapy. Your therapist is onto something. My forte is dialogue. Just imagine you're having a conversation, or overhearing one.

There is also the vasana daha tantra, or journaling for burning. It's a method where you just write stuff down, feelings, good or bad, etc. and then burn it in an inconspicuous place. it's something my Gurus recommend. For us, we did a lifetime one as well, where you write 10 pages for every year of your life. It took me about 6 months. Spiritually, what it is supposed to do is take the colour out of the memory, so you still have the memory, but not the emotion attached to it. It worked well for me, except for the major things, and for those I did prayaschitta.

I think you're already an excellent writer. Your thoughts have a clarity to them.

Thank you.

I used to do the 'journal burn' when I was a kid/young adult... I stopped journaling at some point, though(which the reasons why are a story onto themselves). The burning was therapeutic, yes. Watching all those pains, losses, and disappointments turn to smoke... it was a relief.

 

[Vinayaka]

Does this mean I oughta up the quality of my antiperspirant?

Perhaps you'll help me figure out pinterest..?



Thank you.

I used to do the 'journal burn' when I was a kid/young adult... I stopped journaling at some point, though(which the reasons why are a story onto themselves). The burning was therapeutic, yes. Watching all those pains, losses, and disappointments turn to smoke... it was a relief.

So you don't need convincing on that one.

 

[Revoltingest]

Any insights?

Most books fail to gain any popularity.
But your writing here on RF...wildly successful.

A friend wrote a book.
Only friends & family ever got a copy.
I wonder if any even read it.
Then he died.
So I advise not writing a book unless it
really really calls to you. Then success
would merely be your personal satisfaction.

 

[Quagmire]

A friend wrote a book.
Only friends & family ever got a copy.
I wonder if any even read it.
Then he died.

See @JustGeorge ? Having a beginning, a middle, and an end isn't all it's cracked up to be.

 

[Quagmire]

I don't think you have too get to hung up on a formulated beginning, middle, and end.

I think, you know, just figure out where you want to go, then figure out how you're going to get there, and then just start from wherever makes the most sense.

 

[JustGeorge]

Most books fail to gain any popularity.
But your writing here on RF...wildly successful.

A friend wrote a book.
Only friends & family ever got a copy.
I wonder if any even read it.
Then he died.

I have an uncle who wrote a book, and did the same thing. Distributed it to friends and family(he really did have an influential life; flying into hurricanes for research, living in Antarctica for stretches at a time, and being amongst the first to study global warming when no one had ever heard of it).

Those of us who liked to read, read it. Those who don't, didn't. (I loved it.)

Though, now that I think of it, he died, too.

Does that mean writing a book is a death sentence?

 

[JustGeorge]

I don't think you have too get to hung up on a formulated beginning, middle, and end.

I think, you know, just figure out where you want to go, then figure out how you're going to get there, and then just start from wherever makes the most sense.

I just kinda wander until I find some place that is either full of cats or offers cake... maybe that's the answer here, too.

 

[exchemist]

Thank you.

I don't think I'm ever low on interesting characters...

Some people curse with "may you live through interesting times". In my case it was "may you live amongst interesting people".

I also think I have a knack for getting people to let their 'interesting' out... there's a(correct) assumption that someone as eccentric as me isn't going to judge, might as well let it all out... I have to say its something I've always enjoyed. At the end of the day, I think we're all 'interesting'(even if some try to keep it under wraps).



This is an excellent idea!



I thought a blog would be a good idea at one point, but I'm so tech dumb... (I can't figure out how to use pinterest, even).

(I'd be interested to hear your story, by the way!)



That sounds like a fun idea. I have one friend I might be able to get to 'play'. I'll ask her.

I think that if you write a fairly full account of events and describe the people and their behaviour a bit, that will fill in their characters enough for readers to form a mental image of them and be curious as to what might happen to them next, so that they keep turning the pages.

 

[Revoltingest]

Does that mean writing a book is a death sentence?

If you write a book, you will die some day.

 

[The Hammer]

He looks like he's got some interesting things to teach. Can you suggest some things written by him? I don't think signing up for any courses is for the best at the moment, unfortunately.

He writes comic books . The Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Batman: The Killing Joke.

 

[exchemist]

I just kinda wander until I find some place that is either full of cats or offers cake... maybe that's the answer here, too.

You see: this is just the way you write. Full of cats and cake - nobody would see that coming. That's the left-field quality that spices up your writing. It seems to be just how you are. Very important to let that flow.

 

[JustGeorge]

I think that if you write a fairly full account of events and describe the people and their behaviour a bit, that will fill in their characters enough for readers to form a mental image of them and be curious as to what might happen to them next, so that they keep turning the pages.

I agree. Making the reader have some kind of feeling or investment in the character is vital.

If you write a book, you will die some day.

Does that mean not writing a book confers immortality?

You see: this is just the way you write. Full of cats and cake - nobody would see that coming. That's the left-field quality that spices up your writing. It seems to be just how you are. Very important to let that flow.

I don't think I could hold it in if I tried.

(Now, to wait for the bathroom jokes to begin...)

 

[Revoltingest]

Does that mean not writing a book confers immortality?

No.
We're all gonna die.

 

[Quagmire]

No.
We're all gonna die.

Ever thought about writing greeting cards?

 

[Revoltingest]

Ever thought about writing greeting cards?

No.
But fortune cookies....that appeals to me.

 

[Vinayaka]

Most books fail to gain any popularity.
But your writing here on RF...wildly successful.

A friend wrote a book.
Only friends & family ever got a copy.
I wonder if any even read it.
Then he died.
So I advise not writing a book unless it
really really calls to you. Then success
would merely be your personal satisfaction.

"The last thing this world needs is another book."
Just as some very good art is hidden in some Grandma's basement, so too is some great literature hidden in a manuscript somewhere. But hey, that's just life.

 

[Vinayaka]

Then success
would merely be your personal satisfaction.

That can mean a lot.

 

[Nimos]

I had my weekly therapist appointment today.

I talked a bit how I felt writing on the forums has been helpful for me. She approved wholeheartedly, but also suggested I should consider writing a book, as a therapeutic tool(and because she thinks I have some stories to tell).

Its not the first time someone's poked me towards doing such, some for my personal benefit, others because my life is a walking comedy.

The problem is... I don't know how to write.

I mean, I know how to put fingers to the keyboard(we don't want to talk about my handwriting) and formulate words, but other than a few paragraphs here, and a colorful expression there, working on a large piece confuses me. How does a person string things together? How do you formulate a beginning, middle and end(because that's what my elementary teachers said a story has) for something that doesn't have a beginning middle and end? Is that even important?

I ask here because it all genuinely confuses me, and I don't know where to begin. Any insights?

This might help: