Getting Started

Had dinner last night with a journalist friend. We were talking about the writing process and how to get started with a story or an article. His method is to give himself no more than 15 minutes to stare at a blank screen. After his 15-minute grace period, he forces himself to start typing and not stop for a paragraph or two.

He doesn't expect anything he types to make sense yet, but it's important to get something on the screen. He then revises or, more often, replaces those paragraphs over and over until he's satisfied that he has his lead (in journalistic circles, the opening of the article). At that point, he's off and running.

Different story with me. If I had to feel good about the first paragraph before moving on to the second, I'd never be able to complete a story.

You?

Park Your Favorite Book Here

Forget where I downloaded this from... but had to risk legal action to share this picture of Kansas City's library parking garage.

Agree with all the selections ("Truman" allowed because it's his home state; also happens to be an outstanding biography) except "Lord of the Rings." I'd replace it with something by Melville, Faulkner, or Twain.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Yep.

What about you? Keep "Lord of the Rings" or replace it? With what?

Dang Them!

Been a while since I've done a grammar posting, but I'll let the New York Times do all the work.

A quick and often amusing lesson in the dangers of dangling.

Click here.

Vomit Draft Update

You've no doubt been on the edge of your seat since the April 12 post, wondering if I decided to write the final chapter of my vomit draft.

The good news: I did.

The bad news: When I finished the chapter, I realized the story wasn't close to being resolved. One of the characters stared out at me from the screen and asked, "What the hell are you doing? You can't end it here. I haven't had my say yet. Get back to work."

But I couldn't bear to continue to write in vomit mode. So I have begun writing the official first draft. The ending will just have to wait until the characters determine the denouement.

The question: Do you argue with your characters about what they're saying or doing, or simply let them have their way?

Mysterious Writer's Ways

A few hours after yesterday's post, I came across this interesting article about Agatha Christie's writing method--or lack thereof.

No vomit draft for her, apparently, except in her notebooks. And no idea who would eventually be nabbed for the shooting, stabbing, poisoning, or garroting.