really great question. i feel like we're taught that writing is writing. that writing is the first (and maybe only?) step in the process of capturing a story. but i personally think writing should be the last step in the process. if you think of a book or screenplay as a cultural product-not unlike any other product-then it follows that you would design it before going into production (ie, writing). i know any suggestion that writing is a 'product' is heretical to many. but i find it helpful to think of the writer as a maker and a seller. so, imo, it isn't a first draft until it is a first draft of the most compelling version of the story. to each their own but i tend to think that full on writing (ie, drafting) is an inefficient and often demoralizing way to work out one's story. better, i think, to find clarity on a story first and then to decide how (or even IF) you want to write it out. that said, there's no doubt that important parts of a story are discovered/revealed through the actual writing process. more on all of this another time, perhaps. thanks for the comment!
thanks for watching! i just mean that it can be difficult to hear or to realize that the thing you have been working on for a long time is *the working out* of a story and not yet the *dynamic rendering* of a story. in my experience, a corner is turned when a writer shifts from writing so as to *find* their story to writing so as to *tell* their story. Lars Von Trier's film, *The Five Obstructions*, (ruclips.net/video/aKEVA6ISqoE/видео.html) comes to mind as a surgical look at the difference between the what and the how of a story.
@@narrativebynature Awesome reply, thanks! Yeah, it seems like I'm currently at that point or corner in my own project It feels like the hard work begins now... Designing is more chill and distanced than the "production process" of putting words down on paper. I come to think about Card who in his book *Characters & Viewpoint* differentiate between storyteller and writer; the "composition stage" and the "performance stage". Are you making a separate video about this transition?
@@DUST35 yes to a video about this. and i love the composition/performance distinction (or design/execution). and, honestly, i think it can take a long time for this concept to even make much sense. but, fwiw, i think if you truly know your story, the 'performance' of it-the writing of it-can be deeply joyful (if also exhausting). because at that point, you're the chef who has done the hard work of designing the meal, doing the shopping, and prepping the kitchen. what's left is to render the magic.
man this is good - just found your channel - looking forward - really appreciating the depth of your perspective
a heartfelt thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!
At first it was a little confusing but about halfway through it clicked!! Thanks for another amazing video!
oh no! would love to understand what was confusing. but thanks for watching!
@@narrativebynature oh nothing with the description it just took me a second to understand the concept that's all :)
Should finding the most compelling version of the story come before or after a first draft?
really great question. i feel like we're taught that writing is writing. that writing is the first (and maybe only?) step in the process of capturing a story.
but i personally think writing should be the last step in the process. if you think of a book or screenplay as a cultural product-not unlike any other product-then it follows that you would design it before going into production (ie, writing).
i know any suggestion that writing is a 'product' is heretical to many. but i find it helpful to think of the writer as a maker and a seller.
so, imo, it isn't a first draft until it is a first draft of the most compelling version of the story. to each their own but i tend to think that full on writing (ie, drafting) is an inefficient and often demoralizing way to work out one's story. better, i think, to find clarity on a story first and then to decide how (or even IF) you want to write it out. that said, there's no doubt that important parts of a story are discovered/revealed through the actual writing process. more on all of this another time, perhaps.
thanks for the comment!
Interesting video! Could you expand upon that "the shift from finding to telling can be painful"? Thanks ✍
thanks for watching! i just mean that it can be difficult to hear or to realize that the thing you have been working on for a long time is *the working out* of a story and not yet the *dynamic rendering* of a story. in my experience, a corner is turned when a writer shifts from writing so as to *find* their story to writing so as to *tell* their story. Lars Von Trier's film, *The Five Obstructions*, (ruclips.net/video/aKEVA6ISqoE/видео.html) comes to mind as a surgical look at the difference between the what and the how of a story.
@@narrativebynature Awesome reply, thanks! Yeah, it seems like I'm currently at that point or corner in my own project It feels like the hard work begins now... Designing is more chill and distanced than the "production process" of putting words down on paper. I come to think about Card who in his book *Characters & Viewpoint* differentiate between storyteller and writer; the "composition stage" and the "performance stage". Are you making a separate video about this transition?
@@DUST35 yes to a video about this. and i love the composition/performance distinction (or design/execution). and, honestly, i think it can take a long time for this concept to even make much sense. but, fwiw, i think if you truly know your story, the 'performance' of it-the writing of it-can be deeply joyful (if also exhausting). because at that point, you're the chef who has done the hard work of designing the meal, doing the shopping, and prepping the kitchen. what's left is to render the magic.
@@narrativebynature "what's left is to render the magic." Thanks again!