The blog is about the book Writing FAST: How to Write Anything with Lightning Speed (ISBN: 0-9752139-0-3), by Jeff Bollow, published by Embryo Films Publishing in 2004.
It’s aimed at encouraging and inspiring writers of all levels. Writing FAST is not about getting sloppy work written quickly. Writing FAST is about breaking through the barriers that keep you from writing, and making sure the words on the page READ as quickly as possible. Because good writing READS fast.
Feel free to ask questions (whether you’ve read the book or not), and share your stories about writing, writing fast, writers block, publishing, self-publishing, or any other writing-related topic that strikes you.
Enjoy your stay!
I’m a little more than half-way through “Writing FAST” and am having difficulty with a couple of your concepts. I don’t understand Talktation. I though it was dictating voice, but later you make it clear that it is not this.
Also, you kinda snuck-in “Setup” and “Payoff” and only gave an Abbott and Costello “who’s on first” type of explanation.
Otherwise, I’m liking it. Seems to be a different approach to Vitale’s “Hypnotic Writing” which I thought was very inspirational without much how-to detail. Actually, it has just dawned on me what is missing thus far in your work.
There are too few examples of the steps. You’re a good story-teller, why not give us more detail about putting the steps to work?
Thanks for your comment (I think).
To understand Talktation, understand the goal: We’re trying to get your fingers to write as fast as your mind can think the thoughts. Since your fingers will never move as fast as your brain (it’s physically impossible), we want your brain to move as fast as your fingers. First, slow your thoughts down to match your typing speed. Then once they’re in sync, gradually speed them up.
I’m not sure how to respond to the “Who’s on First” comment. If you’re only halfway through, then Setup and Payoff haven’t really been fully addressed.
And regarding the use of examples, that was a deliberate choice I made when I was writing the book. What I found through teaching screenwriting workshops across Australia for many years is that examples often have a way of limiting your thinking. You see the example, and you think that’s the only way to do it.
My goal with the book (and in general with my teaching) is not show you how to do something, but rather to give you the tools you need to find your own way of doing it. My goal with the book was to present a system that requires the infusion of your ideas and creativity.
There’s no right way to write. By presenting the specific concepts rather than specific examples, my intention was to pull you into the equation.
That said, if there is sufficient need for more specific examples, we may look at launching a second edition of the book in the future.
Thanks for your comment, and be sure to finish the book so you can see the whole picture (the setup and the payoff). And be sure to write something using the system. That’s what really makes the system clear. Action will make the picture complete (and uses your own voice to do so).
Keep on writing…
Jeff