Today we’re taking a break from Kurt for
THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE YOU WILL EVER RECEIVE
It’s from a wild and crazy guy…
Steve Martin is funny. Really funny. He’s a comedian and also an author (not that that makes him smart…but he is smart and he’s a comedian and writer…)
Anyway, he’s not just smart, he’s also wise. A few months ago his autobiography BORN STANDING UP came out. I haven’t read it, but as soon as I get a chance it’s going right to my Kindle.
Around the time of the release he was interviewed on the Charlie Rose show. Charlie Rose makes me quiver… but that’s not the point. Often I post video because it’s cute or funny. This isn’t like that. This is important.
Here’s a link if that embedded video doesn’t work for you. That video is supposed to be HERE but LJ wouldn't let me... my posting skills seem to be lacking this morning...
This interview contains so many incredible observations about life as an artist I could go on and on for hours. For instance, Steve (I say as if we were buds) talks about the ten years he struggled, learning and growing as a stand up comedian- it reminded me of the ten year apprenticeship many writers describe before they really understand their craft and thrive as writers. He talks about art, therapy, performing in the moment, the beauty of “you had to be there”…SO MUCH STUFF!
This interview contains so many incredible observations about life as an artist I could go on and on for hours. For instance, Steve (I say as if we were buds) talks about the ten years he struggled, learning and growing as a stand up comedian- it reminded me of the ten year apprenticeship many writers describe before they really understand their craft and thrive as writers. He talks about art, therapy, performing in the moment, the beauty of “you had to be there”…SO MUCH STUFF!
But for me the most important words I’ve ever heard as a writer come at minute 29:30 of the interview (I watched it twice on tv and I can’t tell you how much Martinalia I watched on the web to find this to share it with you in this post… suffice it to say I’m way up to date on arrows through the head, banjos and plaid pants… still once I found the clip I watched a zillion times over and over…)
Steve Martin says this:
“Here’s what they always want to hear… Here’s how you get an agent, here’s how you write a script… What I always say is
‘Be so good they can’t ignore you.’”
If your skills are phenomenal you will get out of the slush pile. BE THAT GOOD
But here's the thing:
But here's the thing:
People are not born with phenomenal skills.
Even baby sharks have to learn how to hunt. (I think. I liked Jacques Cousteau but I’m not really so into sharks.) But I am into this-
Learn how to be an amazingly good writer and you will not be ignored.
So what do you need to do that? Hard work, studying with the best mentors you can find, and talent. This isn’t a job for sissies, honey.
Okay, back to what I promised. Here are Kurt’s next three rules. With my paltry thoughts
4. Every sentence must do one of two things — reveal character or advance the action.
(this sort of relates to SHOW DON”T TELL)
(this sort of relates to SHOW DON”T TELL)
5. Start as close to the end as possible.
yes yes yes DO THIS.
yes yes yes DO THIS.
6. Be a sadist. Now matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them — in order that the reader may see what they are made of.
The less trouble your character gets into the duller your story will be. Excite the kid reader in you every time you pick up your pen or turn on the computer. And agitate your protagonist. Until he can’t stand it anymore.
Why do I always end up with way more to say than my week will hold???
I'll be back tomorrow with some more of Kurt's rules, or that interview I promised, or something else even more important.
I'll be back tomorrow with some more of Kurt's rules, or that interview I promised, or something else even more important.
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thru_the_booth- Through The Tollbooth
- Through The Tollbooth
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Would you please elaborate a little bit on #5? I'm not clear on the how or why.
Thank you for posting these wonderful ideas. I look forward every day to reading The Toll Booth.
What he means, at least what it means to me and I'll go back tonight and reread Vonnegut-- is start as close to the "inciting incident" as possible. The inciting incident is the thing that sets the action of the story in motion. A novelist should ask themselves "what makes this day (moment...whatever) unlike any other" and that's what to focus on from the very first line. Don't force a reader to wonder when things are going to get going.
Often we start a novel with a ton of set up... this is how the family lives in an ordinary way... and we go through a whole bunch of introducing the "cast". But that's boring for a reader (unless it's done very masterfully... and I'm sure not that kind of master) That set up stuff is important but it needs to be presented really economically. You can even hint at it all through the novel. Just don't front load your begining with it.
Here's an example from my own work- I've been working on a journey novel. For a very very long time (several pretty strong drafts actually) I had the characters sitting around at home building the conflict that lead them to take the journey for a good 70 pages. I loved those chapters. They even won a SCBWI WIP grant, but they didn't serve the story well because once I really understood the story I was telling I knew all that was just set up. Wise teachers told me to cut it all and get the characters on their trip... What used to be 70 pages is now about 7, and the family dynamics of "how it was before" and "how it is now" are woven throughout the novel. This way I present the whole picture, but a reader doesn't have to slog through the ordinary to begin the extraordinary.
Does that make any sense?
It takes lots of revision to get to this point. At least it took me a lot. You have to really deeply understand your story to know where it's supposed to start.
One other thing that I haven't mentioned - rules are made to be broken. Vonnegut actually elaborates on that, particularly by referencing Carson McCullers (I love her The Heart is a Lonely Hunter)Vonnegut says she broke every one of the rules except the one that says never bore your reader.
I'm glad you're enjoying the Tollbooth!
Edited at 2008-04-30 09:03 pm (UTC)
Donna
www.donnagephart.blogspot.com