Quantum Storytelling

If you’re like me, you may sometimes have trouble sitting down and working on your story. Here are a few things to help you push through the story pain:

1. Music. I find that soundtracks help. Why? They help get your brain into the mood through the kinds of sounds you hear when watching a movie. Which helps with…

Are you ready for it? I know this is going to blow your mind because nobody has ever thought of it!

2. Visualize. Imagine you are in the theater, sitting down to watch a movie of your story. You’re onto the scene you’re writing at this very moment. What do you see? What does it look like? If you’re drawing blanks think about some of your favorite movies of a similar theme or genre.

   If you’re writing a sci-fi detective story, what would your scene look like from the style of Bladerunner? Is that on track, or totally off? What’s off about it? What works, what doesn’t?

Like me you may find that once you start visualizing, you’ve tricked yourself into the right working mindset for your story.

3. Use decision trees. Yeah I know that sounds funny. Sometimes I’m torn between two versions of a scene, and honestly can’t decide which is better. Here’s how it works; Write out option one, then write out option two. Write three pros, and three cons for each option. Stare at your decision tree page for a moment, looking carefully at the pros and cons of each.

   You don’t have to turn it into rocket science, just a simple list of pros and cons under each option. I can’t emphasize enough that you should trust your gut. Don’t spend all day thinking about it. Looking at your pros and cons for each options, take a simple emotional poll of yourself. Which one feels right? Go with that one.

4. Strap yourself in. When you sit down and start working, you may be nagged by urges to get the mail, walk the dog, read news, or do any number of writing-avoidant activities. Stop yourself. You don’t have to be hard on yourself, that’s a counterproductive approach.

   Maybe something like Cool Timer would help you? Or play an album, and don’t stop writing until the album finishes. Better yet, queue up two albums!

I know it’s hard sometimes. Trust me, I really do. You don’t have to play the nazi with yourself, just be assertive and firm in finding joy for the work.

What helps get your butt in the chair and write?