Friday, January 14, 2011

Matsuo Basho said,"“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought."

In screenwriting terms: don't try to write a screenplay mimicking the techniques of great screenwriters. Try to figure out what they were going after with those techniques -- emotions, great characters -- and invent your own techniques.

This isn't necessarily good advice, though it sure sounds good. When you're learning how to write, trying to copy the greats can strengthen your writing muscles. (And when aren't you learning how to write?) Every prose writer ought to write some faux Hemingway.

However, don't use a technique because a great writer uses it. Use it for the same reasons she uses it.

Labels: learnings

10:18 AM

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