Donut Seeds

November 24th, 2009Blog0 comments

I like to explore a story in miniature form before I go ahead and write it as a full-blown feature or play. I think this really helps my process before going big.

When you learn to play the classic board game Go, you start on a 7×7 grid. As you master the game you increase the grid size until you’re playing on the actual grid size of 19×19.

I write the same way. I start in the small scale — usually a 10 minute play or a one act. This helps me get the relationships right, figure out what the central conflict is. Then I put it in front of an audience and readers to see what I have. It’s easier for a person to digest a shorter piece of work. Plus writing a short piece requires you to begin the action immediately. Doing so helps you understand exactly what the necessary actions are — brevity demands immediate focus.

For me, developing the center of a piece is the most important aspect of writing. From that center will radiate all the themes and details that surround it; starting small and developing a core of strength allows me to expand a story to its final form.

Plus if something doesn’t work when it’s ten minutes long, it’s not going to work when it’s a hundred.

Today’s Sadness: “If you love that video game so much, why don’t you marry it?”

“OK.”