Dispatch From The Quest: Sandy Leviton
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: Sandy considers the “counter-intuitive method” of writing:
Sometimes the most counter-intuitive method is often the best thing you can do for your writing. After reading or writing a script, I typically like to have at least an hour, but prefer a day, to not think about it. It helps me absorb what I went through emotionally and mechanically. I like time to reflect on the details, process the information, and translate what my gut is saying to me. It seems counter-intuitive by all standards to step away from your writing; after all, most of the advice given is to “Write! Write! Write!” What they don’t follow up with is to take a step back and get some distance, so when you “Revise! Revise! Revise!” you can come at your work with fresh eyes, fresh ideas, and a fresh perspective. It gets you out of your head. You can’t write without rest. Athletes can’t compete at their peak performance without it and writers can’t be on top of their mental game without it.
While our assignment this week still had it challenges, our lack of a teleconference this week was (Sorry Scott!) actually really nice. It allowed me to take that time to reflect on our writing assignments thus far and to mentally prepare for what lies ahead. I’ve been able to take time this week and really let our story wash over me and start deciding which directions I may want our characters and story to go. Having this “down” time took away the waves, replaced them with calm waters, and I am ready to dive in!
I was in Las Vegas last week participating in the Black List Screenwriters Lab, so I decided to give the Questers a break from our weekly teleconference. Evidently it paid off for Sandy (and I hope the others as well), proving the point that sometimes ‘less is more’.
In the very next blog post, we will look at daily routines of individuals notable for their “creative minds”. One of the common activities is this simple one: Take lots of walks.
But wait! Aren’t writers supposed to chain themselves to their desks, grind away hour after painful hour, persistence and willpower winning out over the capricious nature of story?
Maybe. As I say, there is no right way to write. Every story is different. Every writer is different. Sometimes, especially depending upon deadlines, you may need to enslave yourself to your pages.
On the other hand, precisely what may be required is to take the counter-intuitive route, such as lots of walks. I can’t tell you how many times I did my best ‘writing’ while outside for a walk or a run. Maybe it’s the change in environment or perspective. Perhaps the act of moving which shakes things up mentally.
How does it work? Who knows! All I know is does work.
So if you are struggling with your story or even looking for a way to make your daily writing routine more enjoyable, try something counter-intuitive like getting away from your desk and opening yourself up to the world outside.
That may be all you need to find your muses.
For another example of counter-intuitive thinking, check out this article by Scott Barry Kaufman, Ph.D. called “Daydreaming: A Personal Perspective.”
Tomorrow: Another Dispatch From The Quest.
About Sandy: Bostonian that learned how to pronounce “R’s” upon moving to LA. A lefty that loves the unusual. Dreams of owning a taxidermy dodo bird. @scriptchix & @lil_sjl.
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