The bit about entertaining yourself and writing like a reader is priceless. If you are not entertained while writing your own work, then you will be bored and so will the reader.
I took a few of his writing courses. Lot of value. Every writer's process is different. His writing into the Dark process doesn't work for me. I used to write like that and it actually slowed me down and eventually stop writing because I was constantly switching from the creative to the analytical and back again, between writing and editing. Only when I started writing a first draft as fast as I could without looking back and then sticking the story in a drawer for a couple of months and then reading it with fresh eyes was I able to start making huge strides in the craft. But all the different ways of doing it are viable depending on who you are and how you operate.
DWS is one of my biggest writing inspirations. What he says about writing is the kind of stuff I always wanted to hear from a well known writer, but never have till I discovered him quite by chance a while ago and picked up a copy of his book Writing into the dark. I remember thinking finally here is some body who is telling me I'm not wrong in wanting to write without outlines and that I can have fun doing it and not call it work. Thanks for sharing.
For 10 years I haven’t trusted myself to write so all I’ve been doing was hoarding alot of plot events,brainstorming,etc...I was sitting in a coffee shop today and wrote 2 characters just talking.It worked and thought to myself I just did something no one has done.My brain went crazy and began researching about plotters and pantsers.I bought your book Writing into the dark.Its help alot.I feel unnatural and excited for the stories I want to tell.Thank you!😭
Thank you so much for this Orna Ross and team. I desperately needed to hear this right now. A big thank you to Dean Wesley for sharing with us. Slight request, is it possible to have the interviewee's audio rather than the typed questions on the screen ... giving the interview more of a conversational feel?
Orna and the team, thank you! Thank you, Dean! It was reassuring listening to you, outlining your writing process-writing into the dark. It reaffirmed what I've been doing, writing without a formal outline. I would have a headline for each chapter, place the characters inside and then stand back and see what they're up to-usually being pleasantly surprised!
So much knowledge and info yeeeees I love it! Just casually sharing. This is some of the best most useful advice and opinions I’ve heard from an author in such a long time. Been listening to a bunch of amateurs and babes in the profession which is all fine and good but this is another level
Thank Alli, Orna and Sasha for hosting this amazing educational show. And thank so much Dean for these wise insights! This was the the best interview by far. Has anyone found the highland 5 rules Dean mentioned at the very end? Been googling it for a while but haven't found it. Much appreciated if someone can share.
Writing into the dark page 100. 1. Write 2. Finish what you write 3. Do not rewrite unless editorial demand 4. Market your work 5. Continue marketing your work
The bit about entertaining yourself and writing like a reader is priceless. If you are not entertained while writing your own work, then you will be bored and so will the reader.
Since he got me writing this way I love writing again. I enjoy rereading my work now, too.
I took a few of his writing courses. Lot of value. Every writer's process is different. His writing into the Dark process doesn't work for me. I used to write like that and it actually slowed me down and eventually stop writing because I was constantly switching from the creative to the analytical and back again, between writing and editing. Only when I started writing a first draft as fast as I could without looking back and then sticking the story in a drawer for a couple of months and then reading it with fresh eyes was I able to start making huge strides in the craft. But all the different ways of doing it are viable depending on who you are and how you operate.
DWS is one of my biggest writing inspirations. What he says about writing is the kind of stuff I always wanted to hear from a well known writer, but never have till I discovered him quite by chance a while ago and picked up a copy of his book Writing into the dark. I remember thinking finally here is some body who is telling me I'm not wrong in wanting to write without outlines and that I can have fun doing it and not call it work. Thanks for sharing.
This is my experience too, word for word.
For 10 years I haven’t trusted myself to write so all I’ve been doing was hoarding alot of plot events,brainstorming,etc...I was sitting in a coffee shop today and wrote 2 characters just talking.It worked and thought to myself I just did something no one has done.My brain went crazy and began researching about plotters and pantsers.I bought your book Writing into the dark.Its help alot.I feel unnatural and excited for the stories I want to tell.Thank you!😭
An author with a lot of experience has an internal outline. He indicates the hero's journey. He puts a character in a difficult situation.
This guy is the absolute best.
Thank you so much for this Orna Ross and team. I desperately needed to hear this right now. A big thank you to Dean Wesley for sharing with us.
Slight request, is it possible to have the interviewee's audio rather than the typed questions on the screen ... giving the interview more of a conversational feel?
This is so zen.
Orna and the team, thank you! Thank you, Dean! It was reassuring listening to you, outlining your writing process-writing into the dark. It reaffirmed what I've been doing, writing without a formal outline. I would have a headline for each chapter, place the characters inside and then stand back and see what they're up to-usually being pleasantly surprised!
He is amazing! He started speaking loud enough but can no longer hear a word down the line. Anyone else agree or is it my laptop?
Spectacular! He is so prolific and legit!
Heinlein's rules
Thanks! I heard Highlands Rules 😆
This is exactly how I automatically write!
So much knowledge and info yeeeees I love it! Just casually sharing. This is some of the best most useful advice and opinions I’ve heard from an author in such a long time. Been listening to a bunch of amateurs and babes in the profession which is all fine and good but this is another level
Thank Alli, Orna and Sasha for hosting this amazing educational show. And thank so much Dean for these wise insights! This was the the best interview by far. Has anyone found the highland 5 rules Dean mentioned at the very end? Been googling it for a while but haven't found it. Much appreciated if someone can share.
Heinlein's rules.
Writing into the dark page 100.
1. Write
2. Finish what you write
3. Do not rewrite unless editorial demand
4. Market your work
5. Continue marketing your work
Thanks for this!
His "outline" is more of a log of what he wrote.
It all starts with a single sentence.
@Alice Spencer guess you had to be there :)