Main Points
- Ideas are usually cheap (although some ideas are more awesome than others)
- Don’t let that awesome idea or novel you’ve had for 10 years hang like a mill stone around your neck. Put it aside, do something new, and learn how to write.
- A bad idea written well will almost always be superior to a good idea written poorly.
- Writing will always have moments of pure drudgery as well as inspiration. At the end of the day, your readers won’t be able to distinguish between the two.
Next up: Class Format
Hi Scott,
I’m in your 318R class. Thanks for posting these. It will be helpful to be able to review everything because I couldn’t record half of the lecture content in my notes no matter how fast I typed. BTW – one of my friends did his PHD in IP&T at BYU and loved it. All the best as you continue in your program!
- John Lepinski
Gracias for the well wishes John. I had the same feeling when I was in the class too, that there was simply too much good stuff to be able to write down.
These are terrific, thanks! I had to Google the reference to Jim Butcher, and I found this great video where he tells the story of Codex Alera at a comicon. Thought I’d share
Thank you! I was just about to search for it
Great post, Angela
Wow, this is a great insight. I think there are a lot of people who agonize over their “perfect idea.” Get over it and learn how to write! That’s great. I have read some very good books with overused or unexciting ideas, but were so wonderfully written that I could not put it down. Thanks for saying what so many need to hear to become good writers.