Writing Episode: Tackling the Blank Page and Beginnings

Welcome to The Truth About Storytelling, episode 1: Tackling the Blank Page and Beginnings.

Brief Show Notes (Not a transcript) with Books and Shows I mentioned at the end in a casual reference section.

Introductory Topics

• Tackling a Blank Page
• Tackling Writer’s Block
• What does it mean to begin?
• How do we get past the sticky stuck point?

Each of us has different strengths as writers.

Tackling the Blank Page - Finding Ideas and Getting Past the Stuck Point

• Taking on an idea challenge.
• Asking “What if” questions.
• Looking at news, art, world, books, and music for idea generation.
• Using writing prompts. Make them your own.
• Trust your unique perspective, experience, and imagination. We each have something unique to offer the world.
• Writing affirmations.
• Quotes by and about writers.
• Using music as motivation.
• Rest.
• Taking walks.
• Doing something other than write.
• Talking to others about our writing.
• Using color or visual art to find motivation.

When we get past the stuck point, where do we begin?

• Starting with Once Upon a Time or In a Galaxy Far, Far Away.
• Using the fairytale outline format.
• Outlining - fast draft outline of 30-100 pages of draft outline.
• Discovery writing.
• Different ideas about storytelling exist, but we need to do a gut check to see if it fits with our strengths and the stories we love.

Discover your own writing strengths.

• One project writers vs. multiple project writers - we each have our strengths.
• Writing craft books and writing classes.
• Discovering what works for each of us.
• Find your strengths and what you love and focus on those.
• Trust your process.

Casual references for works cited in this episode:

Captain America: The Winter Soldier on ImDB

How to Use Music to Boost Motivation, Mood & Improve Learning - Huberman Lab

A Pocket-Sized Jumble of 500+ Writing Prompts by Tyrean Martinson