“Reading your words, what you wrote, how you were lonely sometimes and afraid, but always brave; the way you saw the world, its colors and textures and sounds, I felt the way you thought, hoped, felt, dreamt. I felt I was dreaming and thinking and feeling with you. I dreamed what you dreamed, wanted what you wanted and then I realized that truly I just wanted you.” -Cassandra Clare
That’s true. Writing is a nightmare that haunts you in the wildest possible ways. You may loiter aimlessly in your mind to write a few words, however at some point of time you knew you nailed it. How? Let me explain. Being a filmmaker and writer, I’ve discovered some ridiculous but enlightening tips that increase the potential of a writer. I was totally astonished by the fact that they worked for me, if they worked for me, I’m sure they work for you too. Go ahead and embrace them.
1. Write in a notepad, rather than in a notebook
I’ve just noticed this a few days back. I have the habit of writing scripts in notebooks and sometimes in separate pages. One day I went to the bookshop and accidentally purchased the “NOTEPAD”, the one where you flip off pages vertically. I started writing on it; to my bewilderment the writing flow of mine was awesome. It might be due to fewer distractions from the previous page as I obviously flip off to the new page every time. I don’t know why, but trust me, it works.
2. Never worry about editing, just go with the flow first
My writing professor used to say, “Never edit in your mind”. I’ve been following the rule, since then. Of course your first draft is crap, but editing while you write makes you miss some jewels that might add up to the glory of a finished script. Writing is a miracle; don’t demean it to the level of magic by editing the elements that could have turned a mere phrase into an eloquent work of art.
3. Cater to yourself with specific music that relates to the mood of your intended writing
Music always taps an unconscious side of you and it has the profound ability to transform your senses if you let it. So while writing, try to relate the music with the context/genre/mood/plot of intended writing, which of course, is not always the mood you’re in. You have to discover your own taste for music only by trial and error, but the effort is worthy enough to make you proud. Note: Make sure the music is devoid of words/lyrics, which might distract you. Listen to plain music that suits your scene. If you are comfortable with it, then no problem, just go ahead.
4. Never ever promise yourself to write
This seems to be ridiculous but if you promise yourself to write in a deadline, the pressure actually builds that might hamper your true potential. Rather commit to write everyday as a habit. You can’t inspire your unconscious persona by your conscious deadline pressures. Let your writing flow to eternity, devoid of all restrictions, deadlines, and pressures.
5. Write in minimal clothes
I mean write in your most comfortable clothes. Obviously you can’t write in a suit. To be precise, the discomfort of clothing should not make you pissed off while writing. Have the most comfortable clothing and that is purely subjective. Your smallest worry should be your clothes while you consciously worry about the words. The paradox in this case is that you discover more of these ridiculous things in due course, which is entirely subjective. What might work for you may not work for others, sometimes it might. Writing is a personal experience. Discover them, welcome them, and implement them. Happy writing!
Featured photo credit: Sergey Zolkin via unsplash.imgix.net
