It's Thursday, and true to tradition, we're stepping into the minds of the literary greats for a little wisdom. This week, we're donning the imaginative hat of the incomparable Neil Gaiman. Let's delve deep into the crux of Gaiman's storytelling magic.
Starting with Daydreams: Every grand tale begins with a flicker, a whisper of an idea. Gaiman embraces the world, seeking inspiration from the everyday. As he so eloquently puts it, "You get ideas from daydreaming... or just thinking about the world around you." Remember that, the next time you find yourself lost in thought.
The Tangible Touch of Stories: This might surprise you. Gaiman, in our digital age, prefers the tactile connection of pen on paper for his first drafts. It's an intimate dance between the storyteller and the tale, each word flowing organically. He amusingly notes that subsequent drafts are merely there to "make it look like [he] knew what [he] was doing all along."
The Alchemy of Rewriting: Ah, the second draft! This, for Gaiman, is where the narrative spell is truly cast. As we shape, refine, and occasionally redefine our stories, feedback becomes our guide. But heed Gaiman's wisdom: when they say something's off, they're often spot on; but their fix might not be the right potion. Trust your gut as you weave the feedback into your narrative fabric.
To distill it down: Seek inspiration everywhere, let your first draft be an organic experience, and refine with both feedback and instinct. Gaiman's methods might seem almost mystical, but they serve as a poignant reminder: The art of writing is as unique as the scribe.
-Andrew
The Indie Author Method
Comments