There's No Magic Handshake

I guess I've been a professional writer long enough that I'm attracting people who want to know the magic handshake.

There is no magic handshake.

There's no secret formula.

There's no password to riches.

Frankly, if you want to be rich, invest wisely. Or buy a Powerball ticket. Or find a sugar daddy/sugar mommy.

Over the last two decades, I've met a lot of writers who have quit. They got discouraged. Tired. Bored. But in almost every case, they tried to be like every other writer. They followed tropes and rules instead of being their own unique selves.

But the most important of all, it's what they don't mention that's really behind them quitting. I never hear them say how much they love story-telling.

Never. Ever.

If you don't love making up stories, you're not going to have a long-term career. I and most other readers can tell when your heart's not into the story you wrote.

Basically, if you're not having a good time writing your story, why do you do it? There's a shit-ton of of jobs out there that are tiring and frustrating.  I've been down those roads. You can usually leave the bullshit at the office or factory.

But writing and storytelling should be a passion. Something you can't live without. It's a tough road, but it's worth it when you love it. It's no different that any other art.

The only two things you need to remember is BICFOK, i.e. "butt in chair, fingers on keyboard".

And love your stories!

Whaddaya Mean It's Not Sunday?

Yesterday was a necessary goof-off day. Why? I needed to refill my creativity well.

Even better FreeForm was on a roll with my favorite Disney/Pixar movies! Ratatouille, Coco, Moana, and Lilo and Stitch. All of them juggle the question of finding your own way while dealing with family expectations. A theme that shows up a lot in my own work.

I'm still a little nervous about going to our local theater, and I probably won't until after we get back from celebrating Adorable Spawn's birth. I don't want to take any chances of carrying a potentially deadly disease to my newborn grandson.

As for today? I'd meant to get up with my alarm clock, but I was so tired, I turned in off, rolled over, and went back to sleep.

And slept another four hours. I didn't think I'd over exerted myself last week. Maybe it was my subconscious needing to process the new things I noticed in those movies yesterday.

Because you see, I always seem to notice new things in the media I consume each time I watch or read or listen. That's what I mean about refilling the well. Storytellers need to pay attention to the really good stories. Break them down. See what makes them tick.

And use those techniques to build our own worlds in such a way you cannot resist liking, or even loving, them.