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This week was heavy on reflection about the writing process. I was exploring the question of how we finish writing projects.
The first step was to pick the simplest project to finish, the six-word story. Then we practiced setting reasonable goals to build a habit of finishing. On the other extreme, we looked at goals beyond the writing of a story so we don’t lose sight of our long-term aims.
We then took a look at stories as a product with a need to differentiate itself from competitors while still being familiar. We explored a Russian engineering framework called TRIZ, learned how audiences look for books that solve contradictions in a way that matches their preferences, and then finished the week exploring contradictions that might hold us back from finishing projects.
Hopefully, after doing these exercises you will be better able to define and finish projects.
Monday, Apr 15, 2024
Six-Word Symphony
Exercise #183 The Six-Word Story
Strategy: This exercise is designed to finish a project quickly by focusing on the simplest project possible, the six-word story. It stretches creative muscles by exploring the brevity and depth of the six-word story across various thematic elements and narrative tenses. Our focus will not be on ideation or editing, however. The focus is on experimentation, iteration, and the refinement of ideas. Instead of carefully taking steps in a small space, we will be jumping.
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024
Never Stop Finishing
Exercise #184 Scaling Down Writing Commitments
Strategy: This exercise helps writers develop a habit of finishing projects by setting realistic expectations and commitments. By considering whether a project should be an experiment or a commitment, reducing its scope, breaking it into manageable sub-projects, and establishing a consistent writing cadence, writers can increase their chances of successfully completing their work.
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024
A Look Beyond the Book
Exercise #185 Setting External Objectives
Strategy: This exercise is designed to help writers begin considering the business and marketing aspects of their writing career, which are crucial for transitioning from a manuscript to a published work. By encouraging writers to think strategically about each stage of the publishing process, this exercise aims to foster a proactive approach that aligns their literary ambitions with practical steps toward achieving them.
Thursday, Apr 18, 2024
Different By Design
Exercise #186 Genre Expectations and Differentiation
Strategy: This writing exercise encourages writers to analyze a genre's expectations, identify its invariants and common variations, and then develop a unique selling proposition (USP) to differentiate their story within the genre. By deeply integrating the USP into the story or inverting an invariant, writers can create a fresh and engaging take on the genre while still meeting readers' expectations.
Friday, Apr 19, 2024
TRIZ Your Writing Process
Exercise #187 Improve Processes to Finish Projects
Strategy: This exercise introduces the TRIZ problem-solving methodology and guides writers through applying its principles to improve their writing process. By identifying a specific problem, understanding its contradictions, and adapting a TRIZ principle to their process, writers can develop innovative solutions to enhance their writing experience and output.
Saturday, Apr 20, 2024
Contradictions in Writing
Exercise #188 Matching Process to Audience Expectations
Strategy: This exercise helps writers explore how their writing process can navigate the inherent contradictions in readers' preferences. By considering different approaches to balancing or leaning into these contradictions, writers can make intentional choices that shape their unique style and target audience.
Sunday, Apr 21, 2024
Characters with Contradictions
Exercise #189 Exploring Conflicts in One's Writing Process
Strategy: This exercise challenges writers to explore common creative contradictions through the lens of fiction. By embodying these struggles in characters and scenarios, writers can gain insight into their own process and identify areas for growth and balance.
Our next weekly theme will focus on writing strategies.