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As a post-resolutions Happy 2013 greeting, I pass along this neat piece by Hugo Lindgren, which espouses a writing (and for that matter, living) lesson that Pixar's John Lasseter has often articulated: "Be wrong as fast as you can." I'll certainly be pursuing this goal in the new year, and what I wish for you is that you get to "right" with all due haste, as well.
(More great art by Grant Snider can be found here.)
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CHERISHED: 21 Writers on Animals They Have Loved and Lost
Judith Lewis Mernit and I both contributed essays to this book, along with Jane Smiley, Thomas McGuane, Anne Lamott and a bunch of other famous and non-famous writers. Edited by Barbara Abercrombie, it's available on Amazon for a mere 10 bucks and change, and all proceeds go to an animal rescue charity.
Billy,
I read the article in the Hugo Lindgren post. "Be Wrong as Fast as You Can" is a misnomer for a pre-pro screenwriter such as the case is for yours truly.
For me and my creative writing its more about an ideas tryout. Write, then rewrite trying new things to find the magic point where your story pops. Even if your first idea turns out to be your best idea, you still need to prove that to yourself -- and that takes time and drafts. Like it did for "Bridesmaids."
Sure it's great if you can crank out a script fast. But is it good? Is it great? THAT'S what really matters. Hurrying the process too much risks missing the mark.
Posted by: E.C. Henry | January 10, 2013 at 10:12 AM
EC: You're already onto it, evidently: "...my creative writing its more about an ideas tryout. Write, then rewrite trying new things to find the magic point where your story pops" is exactly what Hugo is talking about!
In other words, go after your idea and see it through to completion (i.e. a fast, rough draft). And yes, sure, rewrites, rethinks, et al, will follow. The problem many writers have (and pre-pros among them)is that they don't follow through on that first impulse, and/or they second-guess a draft of it all the way to... stasis.
We're not talking about "hurrying the process too much." We're talking about having the courage to get from beginning to end on an idea, while you're still passionate about it. That's the best way to find out - quickly - what works and doesn't work, and then to begin the longer process (should you still find the idea appealing) of revising and improving till you get to "pop."
Posted by: mernitman | January 10, 2013 at 10:19 AM
Does mernitman's reply have a "like" button that I can click?
Posted by: Rob in L.A. | January 10, 2013 at 01:37 PM