Our Obligation as Writers

"You are right in demanding that an artist should take an intelligent attitude to his work, but you confuse two things: solving a problem and stating a problem correctly. It is only the second that is obligatory for the artist."

-Anton Chekov

As writers, we are not called to solve problems. We only have to see the problems of the world--know they exist--and not shy away from addressing them in our work.

(Of course, readers are going to want the "story problem" resolved by the time they reach the end of the book, but the story problem is different from the more deeply defined "ills of the world"--those issues to which there are no easy answers.)

We are not the judge (though the pen is in our hand); we are merely the observer.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

Check Out the Mug on That Guy

A random mid-week interruption of your regularly scheduled blog programming to say that I just *love* Robert McKee's coffee cup.

I was in one of his webinars last week, and, I'll admit, I was curious when he kept lifting this *massive* cup of coffee to take a drink every so often, so I was elated when someone asked how big it was during the Q&A.

It holds 32 ounces, apparently. 

Four Cups of coffee.

#goals

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

P.S. I am learning all of the writing and storytelling-related things, of course, but I couldn't resist sharing a screen shot of that mug. 💖 

On Gestures

He slammed his fist against the table.

She twirled one of her curls around her finger.

He crossed his arms.

She lifted her chin, twisted her lips in a half-smile.

In life, gestures are a non-verbal form of communication. Our body language--how we move, our facial expressions, our "tics"--these actions say as much as (or sometimes more than) our words.

In writing, gestures are often used to fill space or to create a rest from dialogue.

When used correctly, they add depth to the character and give us something else to focus on before returning to the real story/action. When used incorrectly, they can come across as trite, overused, irrelevant, or even distracting.

Therefore, gestures should be approached with care and consideration.

Try to avoid generic descriptions (one size fits all). Each character should have a unique response to any given situation. A gesture should tell us something specific about the character and what he/she is reacting to. Think unexpected and unusual (but not forced or overdone). 

Above all, make sure your gestures mean something. Resist using them as a placeholder or filler material. When in doubt, leave it out. It's likely your story will progress just fine without the attention drawn to a random nodding of the head or pointing of a finger.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~  

The Truth is in the Details

What makes the reader suspend disbelief and lose himself in the story you're telling? 

The details.

Not too many details, but just the right amount.

A single detail, in fact, can tell us more about a character than a lengthy paragraph. 

What kind of details, you ask? The particulars. Something interesting that might otherwise be overlooked. Little clues that offer insight into who your character is, what she enjoys, or the trials he may have faced.

That glass clock on the mantle--a 25-year service award from his company? A detail.

The crucifix above the grandmother's window? A detail.

The colored pencils scattered on the floor by her bed? A detail.

We can assume a lot about a character through these strategic descriptions, even if we don't fully know them yet.

Stories are built on little details.

Make them count.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~ 

On Being "Not Good Enough"

It's in our nature to assume someone (or anyone, or everyone) else is more creative than we will ever be.

But don't let your feelings of being "not good enough" stop you from doing what you want (or were meant) to do.

Practice your creativity. Show up. Do the work.

It's risky putting yourself out there, but it's worth it.

Jump, then strengthen your wings on the way down.

Above all, keep your eyes on your own paper. Your creative journey will look vastly different from the person next to you, just as his journey will look different from hers, just as hers will look different from. . . .

You get the idea. 

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~