The Process
I do try to be a diligent and organised writer. I really do. Much like I try to be the Simon everyone wants. Both are impossible.
At the start of every project, I create an elaborate research and planning folder. I diligently research and plan for as long as I can before the impatient side of my creativity gets frustrated enough to say: ‘fuck it, we’ll work it out on the way.’
I then copy over the rough plan into a working document and muddle things out as I go.
It makes sense, I guess. I’m a kinetic learner. There is only some reading I can do. To learn it, I need to do something. Experiment. Play. It’s only through making mistakes that we grow. I make a lot of them.
Life Tip: This strategy doesn’t apply to building furniture.
Except for the ending, I need to write my first drafts in order. I need to experience the journey the same way the audience will. It allows me to know when they might be bored, and I work hard to keep them guessing.
I edit as I go, reworking past passages to reflect changes further down the path. I recommend that you don’t do this. It’s painful. Keeping on going and doing proper drafting is smarter and more efficient. If you can do it that way, please do.
It hasn’t always been this way for me. I used to be able to smash out thousands of words quickly and all over the shop. Unfortunately, as my OCD has gotten worse, my productivity levels have lessened. I had to embrace a new way of working and, above all, patience.
Patience is my Achilles heel.
I do beat out future scenes as much as possible. I’m always putting notes in my working document about what is coming next and how events now will play out. This is freeing. It’s nice having something to look forward to.
As I write, I also keep a notes document (things to remember) and a SANDBOX (deleted or changed content). These help me keep track of the crazy. I can revist them.
Some creatives cut themselves off from media consumption, and even the world, whilst working. I think this is stupid. Watch things. Read things. Play games. Spend time with people. It’ll bring you fresh experiences and stimuli. This is something I need to actively remind myself of. All work and no play, Simon, needs to be a thing of the past.
Hans and I have finished reading Alchemised! WOW. Epic work.
Has anyone been watching Pluribus?