input wanted for a writer's tool project

[Stella_Omega]

Back in the seventies, the musician Brian Eno and his collaborator Peter Schmidt created a deck of cards. Each one had a phrase, intended to get a brainlocked musician off his butt and back in gear-- crucial, when one is staring at a mixing board in a bigtime studio with the money clock ticking away like a doomsday device.
They were called the Oblique Strategies.


Lately, I have had the same feeling, in my writing. it isn't the inspiration, it's the process-- the choosing of words, the craft of the damn thing. Too many choices, too much new knowlege. It is all jammed up in my brain, trying to get out all at once!

And I have a desire to create some sort of real artifact, so I have begun a set of writer's oblique strategies. These will be something you can grab when you're in a dilemma or fog, wondering which fucking way to go. Something tangible (although we can make them into a flash program as well-- easypeasy) to hold in your sweaty little hand.

These will be printed onto your basic avery business card stock, and I'll distribute the PDFs free of copyright. I want input and suggestions. short quotes from writers, rewordings if you feel like it.

(texts redacted after advice)

 

[CharleyH]

Back in the seventies, the musician Brian Eno and his collaborator Peter Schmidt created a deck of cards. Each one had a phrase, intended to get a brainlocked musician off his butt and back in gear-- crucial, when one is staring at a mixing board in a bigtime studio with the money clock ticking away like a dommsday device.
They were called the Oblique Strategies.


Lately, I have had the same feeling, in my writing. it isn't the inspiration, it's the process-- the choosing of words, the craft of the damn thing. Too many choices, too much new knowlege. It is all jammed up in my brain, trying to get out all at once!

And I have a desire to create some sort of real artifact, so I have begun a set of writer's oblique strategies. These will be something you can grab when you're in a dilemma or fog, wondering which fucking way to go. Something tangible (although we can make them into a flash program as well-- easypeasy) to hold in your sweaty little hand.

These will be printed onto your basic avery business card stock, and I'll distribute the PDFs free of copyright. Here is my first draft, and I want input and suggestions. short quotes from writers, rewordings if you feel like it.

* Go Non-Linear.
* Genius Is Expansive; Edit To One-Third.
* Look At It From The Outsiderʼs Point Of View.
* Stealing Is Good.
* Work From The Middle Distance.

I love your concept, although it wouldn't be for me. I adore your ambition.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I wonder if I should include these nuts-and-bolts definitions of elements;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_writing_techniques

Make them poetic and allusive, natch

 

[Liar]

Good idea, Stella. What you've done, and Eno/Schmidt did, is a classic topos machine, an invalueable asset to anyone having the ambition to think creatively.

One of the most briliant persons I have ever known, is a mechanics engineer. His job is basically to invent machines and come up with solutions to why other lesser engineers' designs don't work. His most valueble tool is a cookie jar on his desk. The jar is filled with random stuff. A rubber band, a rock, a bow tie, a miniature plastic trumpet, a rusty nail, a roll of Mentos, and so on. Whenever a problem seems insurmountable, he picks something at random from the jar, and use it's characteristics to apply a new angle of attack to the problem. let's say he picks the plastic trumpet. It's made of an oil based material - can some plastic material or composite help the design? It also makes noise. Are the acoustic properties of the construction the problem?

He claims to never having to pick more than two things to get the job done.

If you sant some input on your "cookie jar", I'd probably say that there's a handful that I don't really understand what they mean. If they're just for you, then they're probably perfect, but if you want others to have use of them, look over if some needs to be either more explicit so that they can't be misunderstood, or even more general, so that people can intepret them as thay like.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Good idea, Stella. What you've done, and Eno/Schmidt did, is a classic topos machine, an invalueable asset to anyone having the ambition to think creatively.

One of the most briliant persons I have ever known, is a mechanics engineer. His job is basically to invent machines and come up with solutions to why other lesser engineers' designs don't work. His most valueble tool is a cookie jar on his desk. The jar is filled with random stuff. A rubber band, a rock, a bow tie, a miniature plastic trumpet, a rusty nail, a roll of Mentos, and so on. Whenever a problem seems insurmountable, he picks something at random from the jar, and use it's characteristics to apply a new angle of attack to the problem. let's say he picks the plastic trumpet. It's made of an oil based material - can some plastic material or composite help the design? It also makes noise. Are the acoustic properties of the construction the problem?

He claims to never having to pick more than two things to get the job done.

If you sant some input on your "cookie jar", I'd probably say that there's a handful that I don't really understand what they mean. If they're just for you, then they're probably perfect, but if you want others to have use of them, look over if some needs to be either more explicit so that they can't be misunderstood, or even more general, so that people can intepret them as thay like.

You need to tell me which ones they are, liar. I like ambiguous, but there has to be some point of reference.

One thing I often find useful is the negative reaction-- as I put some of these in the list, I find myself thinking; "What about the other way around?"

 

[Liar]

You need to tell me which ones they are, liar. I like ambiguous, but there has to be some point of reference.

Ok, out of that list, these gets the initial "huh?" reaction from me. I might create my own meaning from them if i sit and stare at them for a while, but if I arrive at what you intended, who knows?

* Work From The Middle Distance.
* Destiny Equals Necessity. Necessity Does Not Equal Destiny.
* Cultivate Mystery.
* Straighten The Edge.
* Hide The Edge.
* Find Comfort.
* Process Is One Of The Thou- Sand Names Of God.
* Stop. Leave. Dig In Your Heels.
* Approach The Chaotic Edge.
* Fuck With The Harmonies
* Introduce, And Echo.
* Struggle Ineffectively.
* Replace The Maguffin.
* Destiny Is The Only (Or Ultimate) Myth.
* Mindful?
* Breathing Is The Original Rhythm.
* Brick By Brick.
* Remember How Basslines Function.
* Listening Is A Magnetic Thing.


But really. This is me, and my personal lack of common references woth you. Someone else may find these obvious, and others obscure.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

This is an intriguing idea. I'm not sure I have the attention span to deal with it, though. And I certainly lack the experience. I'm going to copy them down for further pondering--after I get the other door on my tool chest tonight.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Ok, out of that list, these gets the initial "huh?" reaction from me. I might create my own meaning from them if i sit and stare at them for a while, but if I arrive at what you intended, who knows?

Well, it does not matter at all what I intend-- it's your guitar, not mine, and you can play any song you want on it, yanno?
The ones you pulled out are pretty allusive. Some of them suggest character development to me, others maybe a way to handle tense, or POV, or mood, or motivation...

* Work From The Middle Distance.
* Destiny Equals Necessity. Necessity Does Not Equal Destiny.
* Cultivate Mystery.
* Straighten The Edge.
* Hide The Edge.
* Find Comfort.
* Process Is One Of The Thousand Names Of God.
* Stop. Leave. Dig In Your Heels.
* Approach The Chaotic Edge.
* Fuck With The Harmonies
* Introduce, And Echo.
* Struggle Ineffectively.
* Replace The Maguffin.
* Destiny Is The Only (Or Ultimate) Myth.
* Mindful?
* Breathing Is The Original Rhythm.
* Brick By Brick.
* Remember How Basslines Function.
* Listening Is A Magnetic Thing.


But really. This is me, and my personal lack of common references with you. Someone else may find these obvious, and others obscure.

Even if a phrase irritates you, to where you can say; "that's NOT what i want!" -- that makes it useful. Sometimes you figure out what you do want, out of sheer cussedness. (not me, of course )

(did you see the few examples of the illustrated set? Now that's an artifact!

 

[driphoney]

I wonder if I should include these nuts-and-bolts definitions of elements;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_writing_techniques

Make them poetic and allusive, natch

Yes! Because some of us are f-ing clueless! (Meaning yours truly. )


I sooo need to suck it up and take a creative writing class!

 

[Liar]

Even if a phrase irritates you, to where you can say; "that's NOT what i want!" -- that makes it useful.

Indeed, but to get there, I must first have a clue what "that" which I don't want is, except non sequitir words.

"That's NOT what i want!" makes for constructive and greative thinking. "uuh, ok, whatever" is a creative dead end. And allusive is a close cousin to elusive.

If I were to ask you "what shall I do now?", and you reply "try straightening the edge", I won't Google it to indulge you, I'll give you a blank stare and go ask someone else.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Indeed, but to get there, I must first have a clue what "that" which I don't want is, except non sequitir words.

"That's NOT what i want!" makes for constructive and greative thinking. "uuh, ok, whatever" is a creative dead end. And allusive is a close cousin to elusive.

If I were to ask you "what shall I do now?", and you reply "try straightening the edge", I won't Google it to indulge you, I'll give you a blank stare and go ask someone else.

To me, it might mean... Um... nothing much in fact. it just sounded good.

*strikes "straighten the edge" off the list*

Oh, and-- maguffin is defined here

 

[3113]

How about adding this quote: "sometimes things need to fall apart to fall into place...."

Not mine and I don't who know said it, but it or a variation might be useful.

And this is my favorite of the ones you posted:
* Destiny Is The Only (Or Ultimate) Myth.

I get so damn tired of Heroes "destined" to save the world, or follow in their father's footsteps, or whatever. They're always told, "It's your destiny." And I sit there saying to myself, "So there's been no choice on anyone's part and there never will be? If so, why should I care what he does? It's all destined, right?"

Good one there! And this is an excellent idea.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I use hypnosis to create because I automatically dissociate when I write horror and miss the terror feeling unless I access and capture it via trance.

 

[Stella_Omega]

* Destiny Is The Only (Or Ultimate) Myth.

yeah, that one goes along with"* Destiny Equals Necessity. Necessity Does Not Equal Destiny." (which liar says is unclear to him... wondering who to make it better. I take your comments seriously, Liar)

 

[Loring2]

Macguffins

To me, it might mean... Um... nothing much in fact. it just sounded good.

*strikes "straighten the edge" off the list*

Oh, and-- maguffin is defined here

I think that I couldn't work without a Macguffin or maguffin and especially when I worked as part of a team or did a rewrite. It sort of the glue that holds everything together without existing but it has to have a name. Hitchcock discribes it best as usual but ... but ... but.. it's the plan or the paper or the kid ... oh hell I don't know.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I think that I couldn't work without a Macguffin or maguffin and especially when I worked as part of a team or did a rewrite. It sort of the glue that holds everything together without existing but it has to have a name. Hitchcock discribes it best as usual but ... but ... but.. it's the plan or the paper or the kid ... oh hell I don't know.

Yes! I believe that's one reason why my co-writing project has fallen apart-- we did not start with a macguffin in hand.

 

[oggbashan]

A few suggestions:

Does it help the plot?
Descriptions slow action.
Conflict is essential.
Resolution is good.
Just write: edit later.
Stuck? Start a new story.
Do you need this?
Purple prose is bad.
Simple sentences speed action.
Can you read it aloud?
Why is this here?
Would he/she do or say that?
Is it in character?
Change the character's name.
Writing is hard work.
Start, develop, resolve, end.
Is it interesting?
Would you read this?
Return to Go.
Save frequently.
Don't forget to back up.
Have a coffee break.
Take a walk around the block.
Come back tomorrow.

Og

Edited for more:

Don't write like someone else.
Try changing the POV. (point of view - 1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Passive bad: Active good.
Do you need the back story?
Watch your tenses.
Tension is good.
Slow development equals boredom.
Read the Top Listed stories.
The How-To category is worth reading.
Advice is useless unless you act.
Rules are made for others.
Different is interesting.
Try something new.
Stop writing: take a break.
Write about what you know.
Don't include every movement.
Change the font and look again.
Word's grammar check has flaws.
Use dialect sparingly.
Show, don't tell.
Second person POV is difficult.
Present tense moves faster than past.
"Said" should not be qualified. "Said wistfully" should be implied.
Don't detail everything.
Allow the reader some imagination.
Imply sometimes.
Use personal description sparingly.
Numbered sizes are off-putting.
Not all readers are US citizens.
You may know what you mean. Will the reader?
Cultural references don't travel well even within a country.

(I'm trying to get to 52 cards plus the joker. The joker? "Laugh at yourself")

Og

 

[JackLuis]

Rule One! DON'T BE BORING!

 

[PoppingTom]

A few suggestions:

Does it help the plot?
Descriptions slow action.
Conflict is essential.
Resolution is good.
Just write: edit later.
Stuck? Start a new story.
Do you need this?
Purple prose is bad.
Simple sentences speed action.
Can you read it aloud?
Why is this here?
Would he/she do or say that?
Is it in character?
Change the character's name.
Writing is hard work.
Start, develop, resolve, end.
Is it interesting?
Would you read this?
Return to Go.
Save frequently.
Don't forget to back up.
Have a coffee break.
Take a walk around the block.
Come back tomorrow.

Og

Wiser words never spoken by big og. I will repeat them every day at standing up.

I have only one fucking big problem with my writing: the more I like it, the less like it the others.

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

Rule:

Don't make your reader feel as though you're just enjoying your own self-absorbed verbal masturbation and not involving him/her in the story.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Ogg's list is The Basics.

 

[PoppingTom]

Rule:

Don't make your reader feel as though you're just enjoying your own self-absorbed verbal masturbation and not involving him/her in the story.

Well, sounds easy, but how do you know or test that ?

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

Well, sounds easy, but how do you know or test that ?

Your readers will let you know soon enough. You'll either get a following and build a reader base and know you're not just enjoying verbal masturbation or not get a following at all and find that you are truly just one more sad sack wanting to make a living from your own narcissism. The proof is in the pudding.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Your readers will let you know soon enough. You'll either get a following and build a reader base and know you're not just enjoying verbal masturbation or not get a following at all and find that you are truly just one more sad sack wanting to make a living from your own narcissism. The proof is in the pudding.

That's not what my tool is intended for, though. I want it to be a collection of open-ended aphorisms that suggest solutions to writing dilemmas-- possibly, even through you NOT likeing the suggestion. Ogg says; "Purple prose is bad" but what might be a way to tone down the purple? "Delete every second adverb and adjective."

You might read that and think; "I can't do that." or, "Maybe I can delete every single adverb." or, as you go through, you might instead find better adjectives and adverbs.


Suppose you picked up a card that says, simply; "Do it again."

That could work anywhere.

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

That's not what my tool is intended for, though. I want it to be a collection of open-ended aphorisms that suggest solutions to writing dilemmas-- possibly, even through you NOT likeing the suggestion. Ogg says; "Purple prose is bad" but what might be a way to tone down the purple? "Delete every second adverb and adjective."

You might read that and think; "I can't do that." or, "Maybe I can delete every single adverb." or, as you go through, you might instead find better adjectives and adverbs.


Suppose you picked up a card that says, simply; "Do it again."

That could work anywhere.

I completely understand what you mean. It's simply that underlying any advice must be the thought: Will my audience like this? Will they feel that they are involved in it? If they don't, then there isn't much point writing.

It's like making a movie. If there's nobody in the cinema to see it, then there's no movie, not really.

Anyway, let me put my advice into a problem-solution format since that's what you seem to be looking for:

Ask yourself: Is this something I would want to read? Would I want to listen to this story? If not, change your course.