dagblog - Comments for "In Praise of the Writing Binge"

I have seen so many writers

Gomez — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 12:55:11 +0000

In reply to In Praise of the Writing Binge

I have seen so many writers following a binge writing method, but the main problem about this method is that, remove adenoids it often lacks a continuity and may guide the readers in an entirely another path. So, its better to have a scheduled writing method.

I just have to say that this

Richard Day — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:45:09 +0000

In reply to In Praise of the Writing Binge

I just have to say that this is a fun read; you are always a fun read!

Thank you.

This is great, Doc. Haven't

Ramona — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:54:31 +0000

In reply to In Praise of the Writing Binge

This is great, Doc. Haven't heard it called a writing binge before but I've been there a few times. Exhilarating and all too rare. I'm not always happy with the results afterward but it's like a party when it's happening.

I used to try to follow rigid schedules and then beat myself up if I didn't keep them, but I've learned over time that there is no ritual, no magic, no muse. The closest it comes to a magical experience is within those periods you're calling a binge. Very special, indeed. and most welcome whenever they come along.

But you can't force the binge, no matter how hard you might try. Or at least I can't. That's what makes it, as you say, a wondrous thing.

Nothing to do with the

acanuck — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:40:55 +0000

In reply to In Praise of the Writing Binge

Nothing to do with the question "To binge or not to binge?" but I came across this just hours ago, allegedly from a guy who also seems to understand the process. Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules for Good Writing:

1. Never open a book with weather.
2. Avoid prologues.
3. Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue.
4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said”…he admonished gravely.
5. Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose.
6. Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose."
7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things.
10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.

Its ok to binge. Even if its

ocean-kat — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:52:37 +0000

In reply to In Praise of the Writing Binge

Its ok to binge. Even if its not your best stuff just sit down and write! We can all learn a lot from this guy.

Actually, writing is more

Michael Wolraich — Tue, 14 May 2013 02:31:33 +0000

In reply to Yes. You still have to put in

Actually, writing is more like seducing a beautiful woman. No, more like shooting an indignant elephant. No, more like invading Poland with a horde of screaming Tatars. Oh, forget it.

I always assumed that the clock-punching advice was mainly for procrastinators who won't sit down to write without a schedule.

Yes. You still have to put in

Doctor Cleveland — Tue, 14 May 2013 01:05:00 +0000

In reply to I write like a raft on a

Yes. You still have to put in your time when the current's against you, but you also have to take advantage of your productive moments and make sure you get everything you can while you can. You have to make space for that productivity.

I think what I object to is the industrial, clock-punching logic of the advice. Every hour is imagined as an identical unit with identical productivity goals. If you think of writing like navigating a stream, training for a race, or farming a piece of land (i.e., organic metaphors) then a totally different logic applies. Sometimes you're just weeding and mending fences while you wait for things to grow. Other times, it's harvest, and you're going to spend every hour you can spare to get the crop in.

I write like a raft on a

Michael Wolraich — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:40:56 +0000

In reply to In Praise of the Writing Binge

I write like a raft on a stream. Sometimes swift currents hurdle it down the creek, and my only is job is to avoid the rocks. Sometimes the water is stagnant, and hours of sweaty paddling barely move the boat. So when I do catch that current, I run with it as long as I can hold out.