It recently occurred to me that, as writers, we find ourselves in a wonderfully unique, magical and powerful position. Whilst working on my debut novel, there was a part I was not overly happy with. There was something that just didn't resonate and it bothered me. Having got a little deflated I tried to explain the issue to my wife.
She retaliated with a light bulb moment for me that I hope sparks that excitement back into other writers that get stuck in a rut...she said "It's your book, surely you can just change it?"
As obvious as this is, it was the exact impetus that I needed to bounce back and it got me thinking what a powerful position we are in as writers, we have the ability to influence, guide, emote, excite. We can install fear and dread, make readers fall in love, detest characters, reason with themselves. It's an important job in the morality of humanity we play.
Thumbs up to all those finding themselves in this position x
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Your wife is right, Ian Hannaford. Sometimes I'll be outlining, writing, or rewriting a script and something just isn't working, or I'll be researching something and can't find it, then I'll remember I can change it/make up something. It works better for Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Horror in my opinion though.
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Sure, although I think it works for any writing. I had forced myself down path of a chance meeting at an airport. I was trying to squeeze in the narrative until that moment occurred when I was like…rewind, rewind. Start again and then ended up down a happy path.
The overall realisation though was how powerful writing can be, we are literally making up worlds, fantasies, emotions, settings, scenes. we can make it rain, shine brightly, cause pain and suffering or pure happiness - not only in and between our characters but to the audience.
That’s a big responsibility right there
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You're right, Ian Hannaford. It works for any writing, and it's a big responsibility. I also like to make up companies, brands, products, technology, vehicles, etc. for my scripts.
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I think it was John Steinbeck who said - para - if there is something in your writing you really like you should probably take it out.
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It’s so true, Ian Hannaford, sometimes we get so deep into the process that we forget the incredible creative freedom that comes with being a writer. We have the power to shape entire worlds, shift perspectives, and move hearts, all from a blank page. Your wife’s comment is such a perfect grounding moment; it’s your story, and you can always change it. What a gift that is!