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I really like the opening insight, but I thought the author undersold how it might be used. A writer should absolutely have some kind of structure. Writing a n
by startupdiscuss 10y ago
I really like the opening insight, but I thought the author undersold how it might be used.
A writer should absolutely have some kind of structure. Writing a novel, here are 4 Scrivener files that encode structure. Writing an essay, here are some structures.
But this author seems to think that the way to cash out the "don't start from scratch" is to collect quotes. I think this is not the best use of your time (you can google quotes on topics easily). Secondly, its not the largest challenge when writing, and thirdly, it sells short his own insight which I think can be taken further.
If any other HN reader has any ideas on how to "not start from scratch" in various kind of writing, I would be interested.
- 0898 10y agoThanks. So you think a library of structures rather than a library of stories would be more helpful? That's interesting, nobody's said that before.
- startupdiscuss 10y agoI didn't mean to advocate for a particular way of cashing out the insight, which is actually quite deep. The blank page and the graphic design examples were compelling. One way is a library of (I called it quotes, you called it stories. I think the right term is) anecdotes, which you gave. I think of that as just an example of a tool set that we can prepare. But I think there might be other ways. I thought of "structures" off the top of my head, but surely there are even other ways of compiling a library of components so you don't start from scratch. A library of metaphors? A library of insights? (I suppose this is why people research and read)
- rmbeard 10y agoWhat about "patterns" writing patterns analogous to software patterns.
- startupdiscuss 10y agoSure, that might work, but could you give an example. Is a pattern Argument-> counter argument -> Conclusion? Or is it Statement -> Illustration -> Amusing anecdote -> Insight Or what?
- andai 10y agoIt seems that a pattern would be any useful combination of basic elements. Does anyone know of a comprehensive list of the basic elements in writing?
- jonahrd 10y agoI'm not sure "you can google quotes on topics easily" is true if you're looking for a specific quotation that captures a feeling you're trying to get across in writing. When you happen to stumble upon a quotation that really sticks with you, that's the type of feeling you're trying to capture. You can't just google that, it happens naturally.
- 0898 10y agoThis is it. For example, I have a fact in my swipe file about how when you put a young turtle in a small aquarium, it will only grow to a size that fits the tank. The next time I need to write about personal growth, I'll probably be able to use that as a hook.
- kbutler 10y agoThanks, I'm probably going to use this in a piece next month.
- startupdiscuss 10y ago“I love quotations because it is a joy to find thoughts one might have, beautifully expressed with much authority by someone recognized wiser than oneself.” ― Marlene Dietrich I don't disagree, but it seems like a minor point. The piece opens with this part about starting from scratch and the blank page. It goes through these other arts that take what they want and piece them together (graphics, music, programming). And then the solution is to keep quotes in your back pocket? Ones that's the "type of feeling you're trying to capture"? It might be useful to take notes (quotes, ideas, data) when you research, but you're still "starting from scratch". “In quoting others, we cite ourselves.” ― Julio Cortázar, Around the Day in Eighty Worlds