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Write Against Type -or- Which Came First, The Forest or the Trees?
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John Caruso
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May 17, 2004 08:54 PDT
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Write Against Type
–or–
Which Came First, The Forest Or The Trees?
Each of us writes a first draft in a different way. Some are slow and
methodic, wrestling with each word before moving on to the next. Others
are footloose, letting the words flow as if from a mountain river after
a spring thaw, direction be damned—but not dammed—or at least to be
determined later. As we continue honing our craft, we are also honing
our methods. We use what has worked in the past. We use what is
comfortable.
However, our writing can benefit from some uncomfortable-ness. Pressing
ourselves to move in unfamiliar ways and in unfamiliar directions can
give our writing a new sparkle of urgency. This week, take a look at a
story, chapter, or sketchy idea that has been giving you fits. Select
one of those pieces in your “need-to-get-to-someday” file and get to it.
But today, write against type.
If you wheedle each word, get a stomach full of coffee and write that
story/chapter straight through without stopping. When you’re done, go
back and take a look at what you have. You’ll notice unexpected twists
and turns you wouldn’t have encountered had you planned things out
beforehand. You’ll notice a different kind of energy in your writing.
Don’t worry, you can still go back, edit and re-write. It is allowed. As
a matter of fact, you will NEED to go back and rewrite. Let your
methodic ways tighten your writing after you’ve written it. The point is
to be able to see the forest of your story for the trees of your words.
If, however, you write 80 miles an hour on a 30 mile an hour story, slow
down. Think about the story/chapter. Figure out where it should go and
how you will get it there. Understand it. Savor each paragraph, each
sentence, each word. Mull them over. Try out variations. Take the time
to find that precise turn of a phrase. When you get to the end, you’ll
be surprised at how tightened and finished your piece will feel. In
other words, get to know those individual trees that make up that
forest, how they work together, how they blend to make the whole.
Writing is as much about energy as it is about words. When we can
channel new and exciting energies into our work, we find that we create,
well, new and exciting work. A way to spark new energies is to take
risks. These next few weeks, take some risks, change a routine, and see
what happens. I have a feeling you’ll be surprised.
John Caruso
joh-@coffeehouseforwriters.com
Copyright 2004, John Caruso
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