Comments on: Climbing Mt.Story: How to Survive the Creative Journey http://writetodone.com/2010/01/12/climbing-mt-story-how-to-survive-the-creative-journey/ Unmissable articles on writing Mon, 21 May 2012 03:14:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Write This Way, Condensed: Top Writing and Editing Links for February 2, 2010 « Write Livelihood http://writetodone.com/2010/01/12/climbing-mt-story-how-to-survive-the-creative-journey/#comment-11946 Write This Way, Condensed: Top Writing and Editing Links for February 2, 2010 « Write Livelihood Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:55:56 +0000 http://writetodone.com/?p=1951#comment-11946 [...] Climbing Mt. Story: How to Survive the Creative Journey [...] [...] Climbing Mt. Story: How to Survive the Creative Journey [...]

]]> By: Matt http://writetodone.com/2010/01/12/climbing-mt-story-how-to-survive-the-creative-journey/#comment-11818 Matt Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:57:02 +0000 http://writetodone.com/?p=1951#comment-11818 By the way, I've added a link to this on my own blog, so if you want another view (from one of my contributors), check it out: http://www.getmewriting.com/longer-fiction/improvising/ By the way, I’ve added a link to this on my own blog, so if you want another view (from one of my contributors), check it out:

http://www.getmewriting.com/longer-fiction/improvising/

]]> By: Matt http://writetodone.com/2010/01/12/climbing-mt-story-how-to-survive-the-creative-journey/#comment-11817 Matt Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:49:41 +0000 http://writetodone.com/?p=1951#comment-11817 Hi Larry, I've been a planner, and I have to say, I did find the actual writing process (not the planning before), a bit of a trudge. I then tried doing it by the seat of my pants the next time, and I simply stalled pretty early on - it's just too unlike me! I struggle (like a lot of would-be writers) with disciplining myself to actually sit down and do it, and not having a clear direction is just crippling. So it does appear that the best thing (and this happens so often in life, it seems), is a bit of both. I am sure now I will struggle with exactly how much planning is necessary (it is a spectrum, after all), but I will try to leave myself guideposts and regular reviews and see how that goes. I will also check out your storyfix.com site! Hi Larry,

I’ve been a planner, and I have to say, I did find the actual writing process (not the planning before), a bit of a trudge. I then tried doing it by the seat of my pants the next time, and I simply stalled pretty early on – it’s just too unlike me! I struggle (like a lot of would-be writers) with disciplining myself to actually sit down and do it, and not having a clear direction is just crippling.

So it does appear that the best thing (and this happens so often in life, it seems), is a bit of both.

I am sure now I will struggle with exactly how much planning is necessary (it is a spectrum, after all), but I will try to leave myself guideposts and regular reviews and see how that goes.

I will also check out your storyfix.com site!

]]> By: Danielle Meitiv http://writetodone.com/2010/01/12/climbing-mt-story-how-to-survive-the-creative-journey/#comment-11815 Danielle Meitiv Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:38:48 +0000 http://writetodone.com/?p=1951#comment-11815 I love the analogy. The important thing is to know what type of climber you are and work with your natural tendencies but not let them hamper you. I'm somewhat organic in my process but also have some planner in me so the hybrid method has worked well so far. I couldn't be a strict planner if I tried - in fact I did try recently and found that pre-planning each scene made my writing dry and my action/tension - well, non-existent. Thanks for your insights and advice - they've made the planning process much natural for me --Danielle I love the analogy. The important thing is to know what type of climber you are and work with your natural tendencies but not let them hamper you. I’m somewhat organic in my process but also have some planner in me so the hybrid method has worked well so far. I couldn’t be a strict planner if I tried – in fact I did try recently and found that pre-planning each scene made my writing dry and my action/tension – well, non-existent.

Thanks for your insights and advice – they’ve made the planning process much natural for me

–Danielle

]]> By: Surf’s Up: Top Creativity Links for January 14, 2010 « Creative Liberty http://writetodone.com/2010/01/12/climbing-mt-story-how-to-survive-the-creative-journey/#comment-11776 Surf’s Up: Top Creativity Links for January 14, 2010 « Creative Liberty Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:31:48 +0000 http://writetodone.com/?p=1951#comment-11776 [...] Climbing Mt. Story: How to Survive the Creative Journey [...] [...] Climbing Mt. Story: How to Survive the Creative Journey [...]

]]> By: Tomas Stonkus http://writetodone.com/2010/01/12/climbing-mt-story-how-to-survive-the-creative-journey/#comment-11762 Tomas Stonkus Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:03:35 +0000 http://writetodone.com/?p=1951#comment-11762 Dear Larry: Great use of imagery. I can say that I identify myself as an organic writer. I kind of just go with the flow. I the basic idea that I want to convey, however, it sometimes I discover that making that point would not make sense and I discover something new along the way. In a sense, I just find a new path or a new peak to climb. I will never be a prepared planner, but I know that if I were to write a large piece of work then I would have to be a hybrid planner because I believe that over planning can limit growth and creativity. It is important to stay flexible and work with what is given to you. All roads lead to Rome, hey? Best, Tomas Dear Larry:

Great use of imagery. I can say that I identify myself as an organic writer. I kind of just go with the flow. I the basic idea that I want to convey, however, it sometimes I discover that making that point would not make sense and I discover something new along the way. In a sense, I just find a new path or a new peak to climb.

I will never be a prepared planner, but I know that if I were to write a large piece of work then I would have to be a hybrid planner because I believe that over planning can limit growth and creativity. It is important to stay flexible and work with what is given to you.

All roads lead to Rome, hey?

Best,
Tomas

]]> By: Jason Lethcoe http://writetodone.com/2010/01/12/climbing-mt-story-how-to-survive-the-creative-journey/#comment-11761 Jason Lethcoe Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:57:10 +0000 http://writetodone.com/?p=1951#comment-11761 Great post, Larry. I have a feeling the imagery of the climbers is going to stick with me every time I begin a draft. Great post, Larry. I have a feeling the imagery of the climbers is going to stick with me every time I begin a draft.

]]> By: paulandrewrussell http://writetodone.com/2010/01/12/climbing-mt-story-how-to-survive-the-creative-journey/#comment-11760 paulandrewrussell Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:58:24 +0000 http://writetodone.com/?p=1951#comment-11760 I really enjoyed reading this story. I identified myself immediately. lol I'm working on becoming a hybrid writer. Maybe this is the eyar I'll have it all figured out. Great post! I really enjoyed reading this story. I identified myself immediately. lol

I’m working on becoming a hybrid writer. Maybe this is the eyar I’ll have it all figured out.

Great post!

]]> By: Larry http://writetodone.com/2010/01/12/climbing-mt-story-how-to-survive-the-creative-journey/#comment-11759 Larry Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:50:36 +0000 http://writetodone.com/?p=1951#comment-11759 @Kaushik -- beg to differ. The authors you mention are in full command of the principles of storytelling. The don't get lost, they explore options. Big difference. And when they make a wrong turn they weren't afraid to go back and rebuild the story the right way. That's the point -- it's all about the principles. Planning or pantsing, the point is to discover the destination so the REAL draft can begin. It doesn't until you do. @Kaushik — beg to differ. The authors you mention are in full command of the principles of storytelling. The don’t get lost, they explore options. Big difference. And when they make a wrong turn they weren’t afraid to go back and rebuild the story the right way. That’s the point — it’s all about the principles. Planning or pantsing, the point is to discover the destination so the REAL draft can begin. It doesn’t until you do.

]]> By: Charlotte Rains Dixon http://writetodone.com/2010/01/12/climbing-mt-story-how-to-survive-the-creative-journey/#comment-11757 Charlotte Rains Dixon Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:02:20 +0000 http://writetodone.com/?p=1951#comment-11757 I used to be that organic writer, and let me tell you, it is not a lot of fun being constantly lost and confused. The odd thing is that I was an organic writer because I didn't want to dilute the purity and fun of the creative process. Couldn't quite bring myself to become the planner, so now I'm a hybrid writer, and it is the perfect fit. Thanks for a great post. I used to be that organic writer, and let me tell you, it is not a lot of fun being constantly lost and confused. The odd thing is that I was an organic writer because I didn’t want to dilute the purity and fun of the creative process. Couldn’t quite bring myself to become the planner, so now I’m a hybrid writer, and it is the perfect fit. Thanks for a great post.

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