What Works For You
Over at my personal blog today, we’re discussing various and sundry writing tips, particularly the ones about there being only X-number of plots.
Are there? Sure. There are only two, or seven, or twelve, or 39, or 69, or 142, or however elemental you choose to get with your analysis. The internet world is full of writing advice. It can get pretty daunting. I’ve received emails from folks who say they couldn’t have written their books were it not for my plotboard, and I’ve gotten desperate questions from folks wondering if they’re “still real writers” if they don’t.
Of course you are! These lists or interview sheets or plotboards or collaging techniques — these are just tools folks, no different than the handy-dandy kitchen gadgets. My friend is a chef, and he laughs at all the corers/peelers/slicers/shredders/choppers/etc. that they hawk on late night television (and that I have a kitchen filled with). He’s got a knife. (And an immersion blender, but that doesn’t fit my metaphor, so let’s just ignore it for a moment.) And with his knife, he can do all that other stuff.
So, if the Salad Shooter works for you, makes YOUR life easier, and is something that you like to use (I love my Salad Shooter), then use it. If not, take out your knife. You don’t need to cook like everyone else.
Whatever works for you.
