"'Buts' and 'Therefores', NEVER 'and then'" - Stone and Parker That writing rule made so many expensive and longwinded writing schools and classes, basically obsolete.
agree about Saunders. his economy is breathtaking - usually we are in media res by the second sentence. the narrator taking facts for granted enhances the verisimilude, which, in a satire or dystopian world, is a big plus
Personally, the hardest part of being a writer is the honesty I'm expected to pour into my work. It's specially tricky when you have low self-esteem. The problem isn't "putting this out there will open it up for criticism and therefore hurt my feelings", but "I've been so throughly beaten by life that I don't even know who's the real me". What aspects of myself are truly me and what aspects are part of the armor I've worn for decades to transit this world?
Your comment stands out to me for its articulated vulnerability. Even just you asking those questions of yourself, paired with the insight required to ask the question without knowing the answer, isn’t something that should hold you back, it should be what you use to guide you. It’s compelling, it feels meaningful and important, even just in a UA-cam comment. For me, as a reader I seek out the writers who write from authentic places, from emotional truths and vulnerability. As a writer, that’s what inspires me: the urge to go inside and excavate, and learn, and lay bare. The questions are normally more worth exploring anyway, than the answers.
Watched this video about a month ago, and had never heard of this book. Decided that I wanted to go out and read it and then come back and comment. Thank you for recommending this book. Easily the most helpful and inspiring book on reading and writing fiction I’ve ever read.
As much as I hate getting my writing workshopped, it’s really the only way I can (pardon the expression) get my head out of my ass and figure out if what I’m doing is working or not.
Great video. Many great tips. I definitely agree about finding your voice. That's where I'm at right now, being confident with it, it's scary because you don't know how people will react to your work as a storyteller. You get so much rejection. But I know who I am and what I'm trying to communicate and I believe in it, but it's difficult not being afraid to commit to what you are and cave into trends and what's safe.
Great summary of an amazing book! What was your favorite of the short stories? "Master and Man" where they keep getting lost on the sled was fantastic. I will say, I would sometimes find myself rushing through the short stories just to get to Saunders' thoughts on it, haha
This is the best video on "A Swim in a Pond in the Rain" I've seen on UA-cam! It's short but visually engaging; you nailed what makes this book unique in a way that trims the fluff and gets right to the point! Even though I already own the book, your video makes me want to head to my local bookstore or library and pick up a copy. It's a fantastic video; keep it up!
Amazing! Added to my reading list. I've been hearing lots about Causality lately, that Trey Parker video lives rent free in my head. Still not sure how to take the ideas I have and give them causality, but I know it'll come. Anyways, Thanks Dean!
Im editing an anthology and i think im gonna send this vid to one of my potential writers😂..story is good but they need to make it more economical, sharper 🎉
The lyrical economy underlying the construction of a sentence might be justifiable for the sake of achieving a poetic "mot juste" but the worship of "ruthless efficiency" to guide the entire writing process is the businessman's approach to art. it is what dollar-trapping publishers believe in to make writing palatable to a market of impatient consumers who don´t know any better because their appetites have been dulled by the likes of Colleen Hoover and Dan Brown, but good writing should be the exact opposite - inefficient, meandering, labyrinthine, meditative. How efficient was Thomas Wolfe, Kerouac or Celine?
"'Buts' and 'Therefores', NEVER 'and then'"
- Stone and Parker
That writing rule made so many expensive and longwinded writing schools and classes, basically obsolete.
Would've saved me a lot of money had I head it earlier!
This was extremely helpful. I'm going to watch this again later when I'm writing a script. See what I can change
👀👀👀
Thanks for watching!
agree about Saunders. his economy is breathtaking - usually we are in media res by the second sentence. the narrator taking facts for granted enhances the verisimilude, which, in a satire or dystopian world, is a big plus
Personally, the hardest part of being a writer is the honesty I'm expected to pour into my work. It's specially tricky when you have low self-esteem. The problem isn't "putting this out there will open it up for criticism and therefore hurt my feelings", but "I've been so throughly beaten by life that I don't even know who's the real me".
What aspects of myself are truly me and what aspects are part of the armor I've worn for decades to transit this world?
These sound like great questions to explore in your work.
Your comment stands out to me for its articulated vulnerability. Even just you asking those questions of yourself, paired with the insight required to ask the question without knowing the answer, isn’t something that should hold you back, it should be what you use to guide you. It’s compelling, it feels meaningful and important, even just in a UA-cam comment.
For me, as a reader I seek out the writers who write from authentic places, from emotional truths and vulnerability. As a writer, that’s what inspires me: the urge to go inside and excavate, and learn, and lay bare.
The questions are normally more worth exploring anyway, than the answers.
Watched this video about a month ago, and had never heard of this book. Decided that I wanted to go out and read it and then come back and comment. Thank you for recommending this book. Easily the most helpful and inspiring book on reading and writing fiction I’ve ever read.
Awesome! So glad you found it as helpful as I did.
As much as I hate getting my writing workshopped, it’s really the only way I can (pardon the expression) get my head out of my ass and figure out if what I’m doing is working or not.
It's often great to get feedback, you can always not use it.
Sounds fantastic. I really need this book. Thanks for the recommendation
Check it out!
Great video. Many great tips. I definitely agree about finding your voice. That's where I'm at right now, being confident with it, it's scary because you don't know how people will react to your work as a storyteller. You get so much rejection. But I know who I am and what I'm trying to communicate and I believe in it, but it's difficult not being afraid to commit to what you are and cave into trends and what's safe.
I feel like if people have a big reaction, either good or bad, you're doing SOMETHING right.
Nice video. I got this book after seeing it recommended by Hiro Murai as the greatest book on writing he’s ever read.
Hiro knows what he’s talking about
Great summary of an amazing book! What was your favorite of the short stories? "Master and Man" where they keep getting lost on the sled was fantastic. I will say, I would sometimes find myself rushing through the short stories just to get to Saunders' thoughts on it, haha
I did that too haha
This is the best video on "A Swim in a Pond in the Rain" I've seen on UA-cam! It's short but visually engaging; you nailed what makes this book unique in a way that trims the fluff and gets right to the point!
Even though I already own the book, your video makes me want to head to my local bookstore or library and pick up a copy. It's a fantastic video; keep it up!
You can never own enough copies.
That video was so great. Consise and full of insightful information. You got a sub. Looking forward to getting to know your other content
Glad you enjoyed it!
Amazing! Added to my reading list. I've been hearing lots about Causality lately, that Trey Parker video lives rent free in my head. Still not sure how to take the ideas I have and give them causality, but I know it'll come. Anyways, Thanks Dean!
I struggle with causality too!
Dang, this was so good, I’ve gotta check out that book.
great video
Thanks!
Sounds like a great book! This needs a link to it to buy it in your description. And I'm sure George would feel the love you give here.
I'll be curious what you think if you read it.
Thanks for reminding me to read this book!
It's so good!
David Lynch did not read this book. That man LINGERS on some shots.
You rock! Thank you for this video
Thanks for watching!
Im editing an anthology and i think im gonna send this vid to one of my potential writers😂..story is good but they need to make it more economical, sharper 🎉
Just bought myself a copy 🏊♂️
The lyrical economy underlying the construction of a sentence might be justifiable for the sake of achieving a poetic "mot juste" but the worship of "ruthless efficiency" to guide the entire writing process is the businessman's approach to art. it is what dollar-trapping publishers believe in to make writing palatable to a market of impatient consumers who don´t know any better because their appetites have been dulled by the likes of Colleen Hoover and Dan Brown, but good writing should be the exact opposite - inefficient, meandering, labyrinthine, meditative. How efficient was Thomas Wolfe, Kerouac or Celine?