I just read Lyons' first installment of the top ten writing myths. One particular passage hit home with me. The myth is "Writers write every day". He points out that writing just for the sake of putting something on the page is not necessarily good for storytelling, and could even thwart the creative process.
I confess that I have mentally beaten myself up when I don't write some days. But Lyons added that creating must include those non-writing times when the writer is thinking about story, characters, etc. And in the midst of reading the blog post, I hit upon a crucial omission in my current script.
My main character is interesting. He is proactive and resourceful. He pushes the story well. But there is not emotional connection to the audience. Lyons' article opened that emotional door for me. The crazy thing is, it was right in front of me the whole time. In fact, I have scenes that touch the boundaries of that emotion, but the story never closes the emotional deal.
So my question for discussion to everyone: Do you write every day just to write, or do you create every day without necessarily writing?
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Steven - I try to write every day - but not screenplays. And I don't write everyday. Sometimes you have to walk away from a project to just think or let divert your brain while it figures out a way ahead. When I'm not working on screenplays - I write articles (history, national security) for publication. Bottom Line - I don't think a truly creative person can write productively everyday. Sometimes you and your brain need a rest!
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Some of the most important work is done without writing. Thinking, deciding, worrying, diverting, watching, listening are all parts of my process. I feel as if I'd create more work for myself by writing just to write everyday. That said, I WANT to write everyday. I love writing so much that I often try to convince myself I will write that day when I know for certain there is no time. I am also a husband, father and business owner. I am mad to think I will have time everyday to write more but the thought never escapes me. I find myself trying to steal time away from other things to sneak into my office though I am not always successful in doing so. I write a lot but not everyday. I work on multiple stories at a time which I believe compensates for the days I don't get to write anything. Good post Steven!
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As a consultant, i write notes everyday. I dont write scripts every day and i agree that its a myth that writers write everyday. So does everyone, it doesn't make then writers. You cant force it, it wont help you. Everyone has their own process and routine. I dont write scripts every day but i write about 150-200 pgs of notes a month... so i feel like i write more than most.
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Hey, I am new to this community, but i can jump in right here, I guess.
Yes, I do write every day, several hours, except for the weekends. It's my full-time job at the moment.
BUT I have a novel I write, and a non-fiction book, and a scrennplay. I alternate. usually when I let a project sit for a day or two and come back to it, I can see it better. I then can see where emotion is missing, or where logic is missing.
I have also found that there are phases when I SEEM to accomplish nothing at all, while in fact it has been kind of growing inside me and then comes out after days of whining to my friends "I'm not getting anything done"
By now I recognize these phases and just tell my brain to have fun and figure things out while I am off doing the taxes.
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I also like to switch to sth different Gilberto. Writing articles are a great way to ground yourself after taking on "high-concept sci-fi" in my case! It's good to be diverse, and keeps you from going stale. Historically, many writers have employed this device, as a kind of a "comic relief" from their main project, especially if the subject matter is heavy going.