Does this sound like a familiar scenario? You start up a new writing project and after a few pages or chapters a new, even better idea comes along. So you shift gears and start work anew. Yet after months or years, you’ve never completed a single thing? This relates to the fourth weapon for writers: willpower. Graphic artist and writer Alan Moore believes that most writers shy away from completion for a simple reason: if you never finish, then you can never be judged. Yet writer should embrace rejection because putting your work out there is the only way to get published.
Tag: fiction
Weapons for Writers: Compassionate Water
Writer and comic book creator, Alan Moore, has a unique view on writing. He thinks writers should equip themselves with four weapons before trekking into literary battle. Previous posts covered the first two weapons, the sword of discernment and the pentacle of earthly knowledge. His third weapon related to the Tarot suit of cups and the core element of water. He encourages everyone to take up these weapons for writers and fully immerse themselves in the mindset and emotions of their characters, even if those characters are vile and depraved.
Weapons for Artists: The Sword of Discrimination
Comic book legend Alan Moore (known for V for Vendetta and The Watchmen) talks about how artists and writers need weapons to be successful. The first weapon (featured in the last post) is represented by pentacles in the Tarot. The second, more vital weapon, is the sword, which represents intellect. It is this sword of discrimination that allows us to differentiate a good idea from a lousy one.
Creativity is Like Pulling Teeth: 6 Ideas to Write Your First Draft
If you never get started, your ideas will only exist in your head. You need to start somewhere. Here are six ideas to write your first draft.
Write a Story with No Conflict
The Japanese method of Kishōtenketsu is the current plot system used for writing Manga. The focus is on the character and a twist near the end.
Dice Your Time to Maximize Creativity
The true commodity for an artist is not the number of pages written or drawings produced, but time. There simply isn’t enough to go around. Rather than look for big chunks of this precious commodity, try to dice your time into smaller, easy to accomplish, bits.
Architect vs Gardener Plotting for Writers
Do you write more with your head or your heart? That’s the dividing point between Architect writers and Gardener writers.
Use Layers in Your Writing to Meld Spontaneity and Planning
Often us writers want to create a perfect chapter right out of the gate. But this just isn’t practical.
Lessons Writers Can Learn from a Thief
Writers and artists can benefit from the tactics of thieves and tricksters.
Think Inside the Box
Everyone keeps telling us to think outside the box. But what if that’s the wrong advice?
