Mark Twain's Writing Space
You have done
your outline, plotted your plot and filled out detailed character evaluations
for your characters. It is now time to set up your writing space and get down
to the business of tapping the keys.
First your
writing space. Make sure it is a welcoming area that invites you back and makes
you feel comfortable. Even if it is a crawl space under the stairs, make it
yours. Find art, lighting and aromas that suit your senses. Make it comfortable
and make sure you are using good posture as you write.
My friend, Tony Peckham (Invictus, Sherlock Holmes, etc.) tells
a story of when he was on location in England shooting Sherlock Holmes and his
hotel room had only one small “ledge” for him to place his laptop. 8 to 16
hours a day he wrote and rewrote in that nook. On the 11 day, he couldn’t get
out of bed as his back had locked up from Quasamoting over the keyboard. He was
bed ridden for a couple days while he received straightening exercises from an
English chiropractor. Besides being in agony, he missed days on the set. Anything
you didn’t like about that film happened while Tony was staring at the ceiling.
Your writing
space should be one of joy and introspection. One where you can fill the walls
with file cards and lay about dreaming up scenarios, but also get down to work
without interruption.
Make sure you
have water and snacks, so there is not an excuse to leave. I go to my writing
space at a set time every day and stay there for a predetermined amount of
time without leaving, taking calls or checking emails. When it is time to go,
even if I am in the middle of writing the most spectacular sentences ever
created, I stop and leave. That way you are always excited to come back. It
also develops a biorhythm of your body that makes it tranquil to create.
With each new
project, when it is time to start a new First Final Draft, I place on the wall:
1.
3 x 5 note cards of each character.
A family tree of sorts. This helps to make sure that no character is forgotten
or left out. Each character is color coded (pink for girls, blue for boys,
black for bad guys, white for good guys, etc.) One each one is the characters
full name, age and a 2-10 word sentence of their purpose in the story.
2.
A one page of the plot and
subsequent logline. This should be in at least a 30-point font as a reminder
not to get off track. Writing this in sharpie or crayons makes it more inviting
to your eyes.
3.
An erase board on the wall is where
the story line resides. If it is a movie, it is time coded (15, 30, 45, 60,
etc. minutes up to 120 or less). On top of the line is the description; below
the line is the event. Example- inciting incident is on the top; “he falls off
the waterfall” is on the bottom. Use this to fill in smaller plot points as
well as big ones. The use of color-coded ink can help you plan multiple
character journeys.
4.
The full character evaluations
should be printed. Each character should have a different color paper. You
print them all, punch one hole in the left top corner and place them on a key
ring that is hung on the wall. That way they are available for you to flip through when you need to know a character trait.
Now your writing area is ready for you to create the world’s
best Final First Draft.
Today’s Writing Exercise: (at least 500 words)
Imagine a room that is the most inspirational room you have ever
been in and this one hosts a famous writer (dead or alive). I want you to write
what advice that writer would give you and what advice you would give him.
Example: I am in the Bar Habana in Cuba drinking rum and
smoking cigars with Hemmingway. He tells me to write gritty and scary, but with
the simplest of language. I tell him to stop imbibing and go fishing (and I time travel back with Prozac so he won't kill himself).
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Please comment if you find this inviiting your fingers to tap the keyboard (or screen if you are an IPhone homo like me).