#scrapsofthought

[scrapsofthought]

Writers' Block

How silly of me to think my writer’s block was miraculously cured. In fact, I’m feeling more lost than ever. It’s jumping from affecting just my love of the craft to tanking my whole sense of self worth. So, you know, fun times. But as much as the devil is whispering in my ear to give up, that I’ll never make anything good “enough” to live up to some imaginary standard *I* can’t even identify, I’m still trying. Your mileage may vary, but if you’re interested, here’s what I’m doing:

Take in new media and experiences

I’m putting too much strain on trying to put something out into the world when it’s time to take new things in; instead, I’m resetting my mind and refreshing my bank of experiences and information to pull from.

Inventory what you actually enjoy about writing

Somewhere along the way, I forgot that I was allowed to enjoy this thing I was doing for fun. Actually considering what I enjoyed about this craft helped to take back some of the pressure I was putting on myself so I could look for the areas I could play in now while I’m rebuilding my confidence.

It helped identify where I was running into trouble, both skill wise and emotionally. I also realized things I wanted to work on improving. 

Seek out community

Talk it out with a friend, look for writing groups at your library, engage in writing tumblr or reddit. 

Recognize behaviors

I’ve been falling into a trap of comparing my first draft ideas to someone else’s finished, published work.

I’m also getting too concerned about high level symbolism and “things making sense” when I’m really just at a words-on-the-page stage.

Write something else

This blog gives me the opportunity to change the kinds of things I’m writing. If fiction isn’t working, coming over here and throwing together some more conversational thoughts changes up the brain while still feeling like I’m doing *something*. And for some reason, it’s easier for me to accept when a first blog draft isn’t perfect. 

[holby-city-fans]

 holbyfan asks:

Will you be reviewing Holby City anymore? I loved the reviews you did before!

 scrapsofthought said:

Maaaybe. Dunno.  Useless answer, sorry.

Ah I can't reply to this for some reason! haha not a useless answer but PLEASE do! Your reviews are really entertaining. Just realised you probably won't even see this because you don't follow me :(

[katielex-blog]

scrapsofthought 

I'm in love with your blog at the moment! In case you hadn't gathered that from me reblogging practically everything! :D I'm stupidly excited that you watch Holby too, I loved your Downton Abbey posts so I really hope you'll do similar posts for Holby. I think I meant to ask a question but I've forgotten and just gushed about how much I love everything instead! :D

 katielex

Haha aww! Thank you. I’m glad you like it, though it’s all a bit disjointed. No grand plan - much like my life! It all just goes with my mood. I do watch Holby, although not religiously. I will probably be rambling about it from time to time. Thanks again. Have a nice Friday!

Ever have days when you know you're probably coming across as a geek at best, a nutcase at worst, but you just don't quite have the energy to stop yourself? This is why I have never written a fan letter to a famous person. In just four sentences I can fit that much cringefullness! I do love this girl's blog though and Aww for her being so nice always!

[scrapsofthought]

Wanna know something really fucked up? Writing a compelling villain means having empathy for them

[scrapsofthought]

Using Writing Prompts as Sketches

I have no evidence to back this up, but I think I use writing prompts a bit differently than how they’re generally intended. Or maybe I just think I’m special. I enjoy them as warm ups and to imagine events and characters outside of what I would usually write on my own, but I don’t tend to write out my response as an actual story (and I’m certainly not going to read it aloud to the class). Instead, I approach a prompt more like a sketch, free associating the themes and kinds of things that *could* happen in a story *like* that.

Here's an example:

Why does this work for me? I have a lot of thoughts. All of the time. It’s kind of a problem. And, in writing especially, I really struggle with committing to a thought. A scattershot approach like this lets me blurt out all of my thoughts and explore multiple avenues at once without boxing myself into a single train of thought I want to abandon by the second paragraph. I think it also takes off some of the creative pressure by not having to worry about a polished piece with a beginning, middle, and end. This is a first-cup-of-coffee-in-the-morning kind of warm up. And by all means, if you resonate with any part of your sketch, you can always go back for a second cup.  

[scrapsofthought]

Competition Show as a Setting

I love competition shows, especially ones where you can learn about an art form, like pottery in the Great Pottery Throwdown or glass blowing in Blown Away. I think it’s fascinating how someone’s composure and experience can fly out the window as soon as a time limit is introduced. I am also endlessly charmed by people who are not used to being on camera.

More relevantly, I also think a competition show would make a great story setting–and it’s one I don’t think I’ve ever seen. But, consider:

The characters all have an organic reason for being together.

You have built-in conflict. There’s a lot of personalities clashing together and natural opportunities for alliances and rivalries to form.

There are so many different types of competition shows. Is yours driven by the spirit of winning and simulated survival? Is it about being the best at a craft? Or is it about throwing amateurs into the deep end of something they have no clue about?

There’s ample research available to study how people respond to the stressors and interpersonal conflicts.

You have a natural plot structure by following the challenge-and-judgment format.

The setting pairs well with any genre. (Personally, I think a murder mystery spin would be really interesting.)

And that’s just the framing device. There are a myriad of themes and circumstances you can explore, both during filming and after the cameras cut. Here’s a few thought starters I’ve had rattling around in my head:

Burn Out: Especially in a creative competition setting, your character is spending back-to-back weeks churning out art under harsh time restraints and challenging briefs meant to stretch their capabilities. Then they’re subjected to intense and public judgment. 

What kind of toll does that environment take on them? Are they even still interested in their once-favorite craft? If they lose connection to that part of self, how do they find themselves again?

Editing: There is so much content at the end of filming for the editors to piece together into a digestible plot, so everything you see in the final product is a conscious choice. Real people are turned into characters, scenes are played in a new order, and things can be taken out of context.

How does your character feel when the tv edit of their experience comes out? Do they feel like they were misrepresented? How does this affect other people’s perceptions of them? What about their connections with other contestants? Did someone they considered a friend say something behind their back in a confessional?

Production: Determining your type of competition, the stakes of your challenges, and the allure of your prize package will inform the atmosphere of your story and your characters’ personalities and motivations. People will interact very differently when they’re competing for a cake stand versus $10,000 and an artist residency.

How will winning change your character’s life? Why do they think they need or deserve it more than another contestant? Who’s running the show and what do they stand to gain? What happens when your main character almost gets sent home?

[scrapsofthought]

You ever procrastinate on writing so hard you check your retirement fund instead?

[scrapsofthought]

Literary analysis is stating your opinion as fact and citing examples from the text as evidence

[scrapsofthought]

effective storytelling is not being afraid to make a character who's a bit of a loser

[scrapsofthought]

"Holding on the way a blood clot clings from finger to finger no matter how you try to shake it free"

[scrapsofthought]

[scrapsofthought]

My writing process is to trick my brain into not knowing I'm writing

[scrapsofthought]

Some Things That Don't Feel Like Writing But Secretly Are:

Thinking about writing

Writing about writing

Daydreaming about writing

Venting about writing

Drawing about writing

Walking about writing

Taking a break from writing

Sometimes you just need to shake up the brain space and think about something different for a bit. I'm a big fan of handing a problem over to your subconscious to churn over while you refill your cup with some rest or new experiences.

[scrapsofthought]

Hi, hello, and welcome to my Scraps of Thought~

Join me for my thoughts, whether they’re finished or not. You can expect:

Writing advice

Literary analysis

And maybe even some of my own work