ERIC PRASCHAN
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The Story Behind The Story

9/23/2012

4 Comments

 
Last week, ML posted a question about how story ideas develop for me, so I thought it might be interesting to take a look at this process.  

Every writer has a different approach to forming ideas which turn into scenes and serve as the nuts and bolts of a story.  The ingredients of stories exist everywhere and it is the joyful responsibility of the writer to be a careful observer of life's ongoing events in order to ferret out these creative nuggets.  Over the years, I've developed a habit of jotting ideas onto Post-It notes.  I may write down a word, a phrase, or a mental image.  The story idea in that moment may be in its infancy or it may appear spontaneously full grown, but in either case, I add that day's Post-It story note(s) to the ever-growing pile on my desk at home.  Later, I use these Post-Its when I sit down to type out a scene.  The pile of Post-Its gives me a continuous source of inspiration, because I don't have to start from scratch every time I plop down on my desk chair.  There's an idea already waiting on a Post-It which I can expand from the moment my fingers land on the keyboard.

In terms of how story ideas actually arrive, I work with two overriding principles: 1) "What if?", and 2) "Yes, and."  I make an effort to take life observations and continually ask “what if” about them, creating hypothetical character/plot situations out of everyday situations I see, hear about, or imagine.  The “yes, and” rule which is often used in improvisational comedy (meaning whatever situation is presented must be accepted and added to without negating it's plausibility) takes it a step further.  By using "yes, and,"  nothing is stifled, squelched, or stopped in the ideation process, because brainstorming implies that whatever kernel of an idea you are working with receives affirmation and creative extension.  

Let's look at a real life example: 
-I found myself experiencing a health episode which left me on a hospital bed, temporarily paralyzed and mute, trapped in my own thoughts.  Then, while I was still in that situation, I asked myself...
-“What if” a character in a story was temporarily paralyzed and mute?  How would that person react, what would that person be thinking?
-“Yes, and” “what if” that person had to undergo therapy because of the bizarre health episodes?  
-“Yes, and” “what if” that person (let’s make her a female) was a therapist herself (wouldn’t that add layers of conflict and turmoil?)?  
-“Yes, and” “what if” it is discovered that the episodes are occurring because of resurfacing memories of a childhood she has forgotten?  
-And so on and so forth.  

By using these “what if” and “yes, and” principles, we have the basic premise for Therapy for Ghosts.  This is how some of the initial ideas for the book actually originated.

So, what about you?  Do you have a writing process that works for you?  Even if it's not writing-related, how do creative ideas come to you and how do you develop them?  When you read a book that impacts you, how does it inspire you to be creative?  
4 Comments
ML
10/10/2012 11:38:09 pm

Thanks for the insite of your writing process. I love the 2 priciples of yes and/ what if? You can take that into any area of your life. It is very freeing and as you said validating too. I use post it notes too but for my art work. I also use pictures or photos that I've taken to gather inspiration. I have 3 ring binders full of pictures that I've cut out of magaizines. Something, either a color combo or a line movement of someone's hand or body catches my imagination for a possible project. As you said, it may be a germ of an idea that lays dormant for a long time or it comes at you fast and full blown! That's the fun of it all.
I think any form of art, writing, painting, sculpting... plays off the other for inspiration. Getting exposed to many different forms of expression helps you in your own area of interest. I love books with rich imagery. I like to use my imagination to experience all of the senses written in a book. Your writing has that flare. I can see the rooms and feel the wind and taste the chocolate milk shake as I draw a picture in my mind through your words! I've just gotten your book and I'm enjoying every bit of it!

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Eric Praschan link
10/14/2012 11:10:01 am

Thanks for your wonderful comments, ML. I agree that inspiration for one art form can be drawn from another art form. "What if?" and "Yes, and" are applicable to all artistic outlets. Your art work sounds fantastic! I'm glad you're enjoying the book. Best wishes on your continued incorporation of visual imagery in your art!

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B
11/5/2012 04:22:20 am

Good stuff to the both of you. Eric, thanks for sharing. It's fun to hear you talk about your craft.

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Eric Praschan link
11/6/2012 01:13:26 am

Thanks for the kinds words. I appreciate it! I hope to be able to cover more topics related to the craft of writing in the future. So many topics, so little time :) Good thing blogs were developed!

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