Ninja vs Penguin

Penguin February 24th, 2008

The biggest problem facing writers of all kinds is writer’s block. Writer’s block is a problem of craft. But can inspiration be taught?

For all you aspiring filmmakers, you are beginning to see the “magic” behind movies. From script to pre-production to production to post, that “magic” is really hard work and planning. In the same way you have been taught to see behind the veil, people who don’t have imagination have to be taught how to look at things in different ways. They just haven’t been taught how to see.

The key to imagination is empathy. Understanding and getting inside another person’s head. What they’re thinking, feeling, afraid of, wanting, memories and reasonings.

Your tools for inspiration are brainstorming and editing. When you’re writing, do one or the other, never both at the same time.

Brainstorming is the act of just writing down every idea, every spark of inspiration, no matter how terrible it may seem. And you never want to do this alone because, alone, you have that rubbish moment. That moment right after you finish the first draft where you think the whole thing is garbage. That’s because all those neat little surprises and clever jokes you written are no longer new or surprising anymore. You’ve written them! Having someone by your side keeps you from tossing out those chunks of goal which are really hiding gems.

Having another person also helps you stress test the idea. They’ll do their best to rip it apart while you fight valiantly to justify every turn and every aspect.

The best part is, if you have a brilliant spark of inspiration and get a fabulous idea, you can always find a way to make it work. Because there’s logic.

Next: Perspiration

- Penguin

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