Welcome to The Truth About Storytelling, episode 1 (for the relaunch): Tackling the Blank Page and Beginnings.
Brief Show Notes (Not a transcript) with Books and Shows I mentioned at the end in a casual reference section.
Introductory Topics
Tackling a Blank Page
Tackling Writer’s Block
What does it mean to begin?
How do we get past the sticky stuck point?
Each of us has different strengths as writers.
Tackling the Blank Page - Finding Ideas and Getting Past the Stuck Point
Taking on an idea challenge.
Asking “What if” questions.
Looking at news, art, world, books, and music for idea generation.
Using writing prompts. Make them your own.
Trust your unique perspective, experience, and imagination. We each have something unique to offer the world.
Writing affirmations.
Quotes by and about writers.
Using music as motivation.
Rest.
Taking walks.
Doing something other than write.
Talking to others about our writing.
Using color or visual art to find motivation.
When we get past the stuck point, where do we begin?
Starting with Once Upon a Time or In a Galaxy Far, Far Away.
Using the fairytale outline format.
Outlining - fast draft outline of 30-100 pages of draft outline.
Discovery writing.
Different ideas about storytelling exist, but we need to do a gut check to see if it fits with our strengths and the stories we love.
Discover your own writing strengths.
One project writers vs. multiple project writers - we each have our strengths.
Writing craft books and writing classes.
Discovering what works for each of us.
Find your strengths and what you love and focus on those.
Trust your process.
Casual references for works cited in this episode:
Captain America: The Winter Soldier on ImDB
How to Use Music to Boost Motivation, Mood & Improve Learning - Huberman Lab
A Pocket-Sized Jumble of 500+ Writing Prompts by Tyrean Martinson
Tackling the Blank Page and Beginnings