Ask the Author: Christopher Jessulat
Answered Questions (2)
Christopher Jessulat
My advice would be twofold;
1) Some people have success by following a regimented schedule (ie. writing every day, every second weekend, or every Thursday night from 19h-21h), others just seem to get the "feeling" it's time to go to work. Know what works for you, and be objective about your own writing. For example, if you're ordinarily a regimented writer but (upon review) your recent material sounds forced or strained, you may need to set the pen down and walk away from it for a while (as difficult as that can be). Try writing a different scene or a different part in the same scene (ie. if the dialogue isn't clicking, try writing the environment or scene and see if that gets you grooving). Sometimes if I can't get descriptive sentences or dialogue to flow or compliment each other the way I want, I'll switch gears and think about how to integrate other elements of the plot into the story and sketch ideas for future sequences rather than writing the sequences themselves. Find what is right for you, and recognize that maybe - depending on the project, your stage in writing, or whatever is going on in other elements of your life - this could be subject to change.
2) Don't let your ego get bruised. Be willing to have your work read, seek feedback and accept constructive criticism. Not everyone is going to like your style, intonation, sentence structure, etc.; that's a given. You need to be able to look at yourself and your work critically, and sometimes the easiest way to do that is to look through someone else's lens (especially if you have read and re-read your own manuscript). If your work needs help with proper spelling, punctuation and grammar, you're better off finding out early in the process and taking steps towards correcting those issues rather than ignoring and/or hiding from it. Taking the time to assess critical feedback objectively will only help you grow as a writer, even if you don't agree with every single thing someone has suggested.
1) Some people have success by following a regimented schedule (ie. writing every day, every second weekend, or every Thursday night from 19h-21h), others just seem to get the "feeling" it's time to go to work. Know what works for you, and be objective about your own writing. For example, if you're ordinarily a regimented writer but (upon review) your recent material sounds forced or strained, you may need to set the pen down and walk away from it for a while (as difficult as that can be). Try writing a different scene or a different part in the same scene (ie. if the dialogue isn't clicking, try writing the environment or scene and see if that gets you grooving). Sometimes if I can't get descriptive sentences or dialogue to flow or compliment each other the way I want, I'll switch gears and think about how to integrate other elements of the plot into the story and sketch ideas for future sequences rather than writing the sequences themselves. Find what is right for you, and recognize that maybe - depending on the project, your stage in writing, or whatever is going on in other elements of your life - this could be subject to change.
2) Don't let your ego get bruised. Be willing to have your work read, seek feedback and accept constructive criticism. Not everyone is going to like your style, intonation, sentence structure, etc.; that's a given. You need to be able to look at yourself and your work critically, and sometimes the easiest way to do that is to look through someone else's lens (especially if you have read and re-read your own manuscript). If your work needs help with proper spelling, punctuation and grammar, you're better off finding out early in the process and taking steps towards correcting those issues rather than ignoring and/or hiding from it. Taking the time to assess critical feedback objectively will only help you grow as a writer, even if you don't agree with every single thing someone has suggested.
Christopher Jessulat
I would have to think my favourite fictional couple would be Mickey and Mallory Knox (deftly portrayed by Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis) in the Oliver Stone cult classic, "Natural Born Killers." Their spin on the often overused 'star-crossed lovers' motif while delivering a healthy dose of satire and social commentary on both consumerism and criminal infamy was memorable to say the least. Obviously the role was accentuated with poignant writing, a dark-yet-beautiful soundtrack, and a dash of the ol' ultra-violence - but their individual backgrounds, rise and eventual fall have always stuck with me as being simultaneously beautiful, tragic and deplorable.
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