Dispatch From The Quest: Christian Fontenot
Over the course of the 24 weeks I am working with the writers in The Quest, each will write a weekly dispatch to share with the GITS community. There are several reasons for doing this, the main one educational: Hopefully you will learn something of value for your own understanding of the craft from the experiences of the Questers. I should also add they are a great group of people, so I expect you will enjoy getting to know them.
Today: Christian gets in touch with his inner Blutarsky:
The last two weeks in the House of Fontenot has been full of distractions with visiting family, start of school and soccer season, college football kickoff, marathon video gaming, and oh yes, work. Although since I get paid to work, it’s probably border line, but nevertheless a distraction to my writing. I will not let the distractions of life defeat me.
Before the last couple of weeks, I would just write when there was a free 30 minutes here and there and/or when inspiration struck me. But now I have started to schedule time to write and will lock myself in my office for 60-minute writer’s sprints (term stolen from following @JaneEspenson on twitter). I didn’t think it would work, but it’s amazing what’s possible when you disconnect your brain from all distractions and open yourself up to the magical world of writing.
As Scott said, a main purpose of these dispatches is to get us Questers into the habit of writing and meeting deadlines. In Quest Week 8, I’m finally zeroing in on what works for me. Heading into “Prep”, I’m looking forward to using all the mad skills gained in “Core” both in story theory and writing discipline, and very ready to start building my story brick by brick, layer by layer, character by character.
For those you feel that the distractions of life crushing your should and the Quest magic starting to peter out, here is a bit of inspiration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vtWB4owdE
Who’s with me? WHO’S WITH ME!?!?
Even if we think the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor, no matter. As long as we bring unbridled passion to our writing projects. We need every bit of that we can to overcome the voices of doubt, enormous odds against success, and the daily grind of pounding out pages.
I love Blutarsky. I mean Animal House is one of my absolute favorite comedies. But this little dude gets me pumped up in a big way. So here’s my bit of inspiration for all you writers out there!
FADE IN is fast approaching. Let’s do this!
Tomorrow: Another Dispatch From The Quest.
About Christian: From Louisiana, now in Seattle. Turns off street lights with his mind. Regrets not learning the tuba — TUBAS ROCK! Storyteller. @cmfontenot.