TECH: An Italian Tomato for writing?

[mbarker]

Original Posting 2022/01/07

You may have heard of the pomodoro method or technique. I know I'd heard of it, mostly as the notion that you should write in short sprints, instead of grand marathons. Kind of like doing wind sprints instead of long distance runs. Of course, I had the impression that 20 minutes was the recommended chunk, but... over here, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique they say it's 25 minutes. Then a break.

It's an interesting idea. Figure out some scene, or other bit of what you are working on, then sit down and write, write, write for 20 minutes (or 25!). Then take a short break, think about where you are going next, and... do another chunk.

Oh, the tomato? It turns out that the originator used a tomato shaped kitchen timer, and named the approach after that. Except, being Italian, he used the Italian term for it. So, it's the tomato approach! Not rotten tomatoes, but...

I have to admit, I do tend to write in short bursts, with some kind of break in between. Oh, sometimes I manage to sit down and really grind it out for a longer period, but... life brings so many interruptions, so getting a short uninterrupted chunk is a lot easier than the long stretches.

Something to think about. And maybe try using a tomato to chunk that work out.

Write?

FILL: Those Old Stories Again?

[mbarker]

Original posting 2022/01/08

The tv ad says that tomorrow, they're going to have another episode of Hisatsu Shigotonin (Secret Workmen). The funny thing about this is that I've watched the series, and several of the specials, and I'm still looking forward to tomorrow's show, even knowing that it will repeat the formula.

See, these are formula dramas. In this one, there will be some kind of problem, maybe the guys in power pushing around someone, or some kind of bullying. Things will get worse, someone may even die, and... eventually, one of the people who is losing will take their money, usually a fairly small amount, and wander off to the temple where they will offer it. And then... the secret workmen are gathered, and they talk it over. And pick up a bit of the money. Now the music starts playing, and we see the various workmen preparing... a bit of rope, a long nail, this and that. Then they quickly make their way, across the roofs, through the alleys, and otherwise, to wherever the bad guys are, and... they kill them. While the music plays...

Anyway, if you have seen a few of these, you recognize the overall form, and know more or less what is going to happen. Heck, when we all watched Columbo, we knew darn well that he was going to catch that bad guy, one way or another. The fun was finding out just how he was going to do it this time. Same thing with the shigotonin, half the fun is seeing how they manage to kill the bad guys this time around.

There's a certain kind of story that we love to see or read again, and again, and again. Oh, sure, there are variations, but the basic formula really does need to be there.

So, give us that same old story, with a few new decorations, and we'll enjoy it! I mean, when you dance a waltz, you really don't need to do it a whole new way, right? So, get us out there on the dance floor, and lead us through the same old steps, okay?

Write!

EXERCISE: Seven Steps to a Story? (Rerun)

[mbarker]

Original Posting 2022/01/09 (and once before that!)

Original Posting April 4, 2018

Okay! Based loosely on a flash fiction worksheet that I found floating around in my files...

1. Write five problem statements. SHORT! 12 words max! A character, a desire, and a problem.
2. Expand those into beginnings. Put the character and the problem in a setting. Keep it tight! 10 to 150 words!
3. Think about complications. What could go wrong? One small complication, one large.
4. Write those as the middles! Tight! 350 words?
5. Now, dream up endings. Obvious, hideous, and ironic? Pick the one you prefer...
6. Write that ending! TIGHT! 50 words! Can you do it?
7. Poof! Pick out the best and polish it! There you go!

The big thing here is brainstorming those problem statements. You might want to start by brainstorming characters, wants, and issues separately, then try mix-and-match to come up with interesting combinations.

And... of course...

WRITE!

TECH: Life Transitions?

[mbarker]

Original posting 2022/01/10

Today (Jan. 10) is Seijin no Hi in Japan. That's Coming of Age day, when they celebrate everyone who turned 20 during the last year. Which means they are legal adults.

Of course, change, life transitions, are not all celebrations. Sometimes we don't really like change, even if we may have chosen to go that way...

Over here, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/16/well/mind/managing-life-transitions.html there's an article with five suggestions for ways to deal with transitions. 1. Focus on your superpower, the part of the transition that you do best (goodbye, muddle, new beginning). 2. Identify your emotions. Fear, sadness, shame. And figure out how you want to deal with them. 3. Shed something. Fairly often, you have to toss old stuff as you move ahead. 4. Try something creative. Do something new! 5. Rewrite your life story. Find your own meaning in the middle of the life quake. Tell yourself what it means to you.

Hum. Stages of life, changes... that notion that we all go through some changes as we go through life, or as our characters go through their stories. Seems like beginnings, ends, and of course, changes like graduations, marriage, starting a job, leaving a job, having children, retiring... you know, the change points of life, these can all provide some interesting depth to your story. I mean, along with solving the mystery, catching the bad guy, finding the romantic moment, or whatever, your character also might be dealing with these little speed bumps in the highway of their life.

Okay? Something else to think about as you tackle that tale of ... well, whatever, and...

Write!