Do you have an unfinished book hidden in a drawer because you think it's not good enough? Do you wonder how you can possibly pull off a book when every author out there started long before you did?
Love the idea of focusing on what the book needs. It makes it an external problem that you have the power to solve. Also the Audrey 2 photo from my favorite movie of all time made me happy :)
Jennifer, exactly! It’s way too much pressure to operate as if we’re the only person doing every single job of moving the book forward - and in practical reality, it’s just not true, either! The book really does talk to you, and it knows more than you do. So happy that people are getting it!
I figured there’d be some Audrey 2 fans out there and I can’t say the word “feed” without invoking them.
What, just now??? Speaking from experience with this, you’ll probably want to see which one grows biggest and fastest and then let the other one simmer while you finish the one that’s demanding to be written first.
I'd say over the last two weeks I realized I have a memoir thread and a fiction thread fighting each other. I'm sure you're right, best to lean into the one with the most momentum. Your post has made me feel this is not something to lament, since they both want to be written! It's not about me!
Insightful.The shift from asking “what am I writing today” to “what does the book need from me today” is a useful reframe because it moves the anxiety away from your own adequacy and onto a problem that’s actually solvable one scene at a time. Liked it
You can post any of your assignments from the course and any questions you have on the private message board - that's where I work with people from the class! I haven't seen you post anything so apologies if I missed something. This is the link: https://screenwritingtricksforauthors.community.teachable.com/
Love this because that's exactly how it works. Focus on The Book, focus on the story someone else will experience, and get yourself out of the way.
"Writers write. Authors finish."
"Get yourself out of the way" is a good mission statement for just about anything worth doing!
Love the idea of focusing on what the book needs. It makes it an external problem that you have the power to solve. Also the Audrey 2 photo from my favorite movie of all time made me happy :)
Jennifer, exactly! It’s way too much pressure to operate as if we’re the only person doing every single job of moving the book forward - and in practical reality, it’s just not true, either! The book really does talk to you, and it knows more than you do. So happy that people are getting it!
I figured there’d be some Audrey 2 fans out there and I can’t say the word “feed” without invoking them.
I LOVE THIS.
The book I thought I was writing has now split in two. Looks like I need to stop trying to choose and just feed them both, huh?
What, just now??? Speaking from experience with this, you’ll probably want to see which one grows biggest and fastest and then let the other one simmer while you finish the one that’s demanding to be written first.
I'd say over the last two weeks I realized I have a memoir thread and a fiction thread fighting each other. I'm sure you're right, best to lean into the one with the most momentum. Your post has made me feel this is not something to lament, since they both want to be written! It's not about me!
Today's job: read them both.
That’s the spirit! Yeah, read them both - as separate books. I think this is hugely exciting. TWO books!
Insightful.The shift from asking “what am I writing today” to “what does the book need from me today” is a useful reframe because it moves the anxiety away from your own adequacy and onto a problem that’s actually solvable one scene at a time. Liked it
Thanks, Marcello! Always helps to know an analogy resonates with pro authors!
Thank you for sharing this! I have tv series and a book x 2 that have been waiting for me to come back to them.
That's exciting, Stephanie! Glad to give you a nudge. Let me know which you decide to go for.
Your course has been absolute GOLD. I’m interested in your mentoring sessions if you offer them.
You can post any of your assignments from the course and any questions you have on the private message board - that's where I work with people from the class! I haven't seen you post anything so apologies if I missed something. This is the link: https://screenwritingtricksforauthors.community.teachable.com/