The book Naming the World by Bret Anthony Johnston is subtitled "and Other Exercises for the Creative Writer." That pretty much tells you all you need to know. It's good because it gives you exercises: things to do. You don't have to do a lot of soul searching or get with a certain theory. Some of these exercises are more helpful than others, but I'm finding the ones that work are kind of exciting. There's a certain thrill in building up a scene.
There's one about writing something movie style. Not in script form, but limited to what can be picked up by the five senses. So not the character's thoughts or backstory, in other words. Basic description of a girl on a road, go from there. The thing is, there's a lot of ways you could go with this. I actually managed to pick one and run with it.
There's one about writing something movie style. Not in script form, but limited to what can be picked up by the five senses. So not the character's thoughts or backstory, in other words. Basic description of a girl on a road, go from there. The thing is, there's a lot of ways you could go with this. I actually managed to pick one and run with it.
2 comments:
If it's a book that helps you explore different writing perspectives as it appears to do from your description then I'd say it sounds pretty good. The author sounds like someone who has earned the right to give advice. The movie style thing sounds like fun.
One thing I've noticed when looking at websites, videos, or books about how to paint something or other is that they can be helpful in small doses. Generally it's best to develope one's own style and skill.
It's an anthology, if that's the right word. A bunch of different writers contributed articles/exercises. Joyce Carol Oates is in there somewhere. Some of these are more helpful than others, but that also depends on where you are personally.
Oh, it's definitely good to develop your own style, skill, and what-have-you. The instructional material, for me, is more a way of just keeping active when inspiration seems to run dry.
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