One of the things I like about writing is that it makes me realize things. Like for example, right now I’m putting together another short story as a companion to that infomercial one. So far, there’s very little dialogue in it, and any time there is words, it’s the main character thinking them to himself. And then I realized something about efficiency of expression.

You don’t have to write, “‘Blah blah blah,’ he thought to himself’”. You can just go ahead and write, “He thought.” Because nobody ever thinks anything to anybody besides themselves (unless you’re talking about telepathy or something, but then I’d figure out some other way to say that). Plus it saves you time and makes everything flow better. Keep it lean. I find that’s one of the harder things to do, is just shut up and get down to it. Getting better at it though.

Another thing I’m starting to get a feel for is the process of fiction writing. I haven’t done a whole lot of it. But the way it seems to be working right now is that I start out with some premise. Like, I’ll write a one sentence synopsis of what happens in the story. Like they do taglines with movies. Then I imagine a person being slotted into this event or scenario. Then I try to figure out what kind of character traits this person has. At this point, I pick a word which seems to relate to what his character is all about. Then I go look up names that mean that on one of those name meaning sites. Usually, those are all too exotic, but they lead me down side trails to names which fit better. Once I have a name, I get started. I write the opening paragraph, which sets everything into motion. Once you do that, you just have to go with it. It seems like original premise which I had is never what the story actually ends up being. Which is good. It’s usually much better than my original premise. The key really seems to be listening to what the story and what you are saying. And what this character is doing, feeling and saying. It’s all right there. You just gotta listen, and then record. Sometimes it’s kind of scary, cause you get to this point, where you’re pressing forward and pressing forward, and you just have no idea how you’re gonna make the story go to the next step. Usually then I stop, read it again, look around. Write something else (like this post), then I come back, and BAM! The next scene has worked itself all out. It’s great. Let’s have a round of applause for writing.