Start Writing Before You Know How - Viki King

[@filmcourage]

On days where you have trouble writing... what is it that is stopping you?

[@jmack619]

Thank you for a Magic interview! Really inspiring for me, a full time dreamer of art, music and writing something special. What can I do to move along a couple of really good ideas for movies ? Is there a special contact to reach out to ?

[@Sims8705]

The answer is simply stress! Based on the stress triggers of overthinking and perfectionism.

[@johnnydavidauthor]

Being too hard on myself rather than just enjoying the process - so, I guess, overthinking stops me. The funny thing is, when it's all happening, I'm not thinking about anything - I'm just experiencing - and documenting that experience 😊

[@AlexKurilovMusic]

I've been trying to write fiction this year, and the biggest block for me is my brain. I overthink too much. I overthink because I fear the judgment of even the most mundane details I put on paper. It's easier in music, because it's abstract and I trust myself much more with it. It could be the experience, because I've been sharing my music for so many years. Maybe I just need to force myself to finish one of my stories and show it to people to see that people don't notice all the details that I'm obsessing about.

[@johnnydavidauthor]

@AlexKurilovMusic why do you play music? I suspect you love music and you want to share it regardless of what people think? It's the same with writing. David Bowie once said, "Never play to the gallery." Do it because you love it - let people think whatever they want to think. Hope this helps a little - write your story free and easy without trying to perfect it; then edit and make it better; then publish. 😊

[@tam653m]

Now THIS is great advice. It can actually be applied to all areas of filmmaking. Too many aspiring filmmakers stay paralyzed for years, convincing themselves they need a better piece of gear, or some elusive piece of magic knowledge. Nooooo. You have to DO IT. Yesterday.

[@Sims8705]

You are correct, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is the father of the "flow" state. His name is pronounced: Me-high Chick-zen-me-high

[@Sims8705]

The quickest way to enter the "flow" state for a writer is with prompts or pattern recognition. This is why outlines, treatments, and beat sheets are so important!

[@tristannguyen8205]

One of the best advice videos I have seen here on Film Courage in months. Apologies but as an aspiring film writer, this has been more beneficial than the people discussing how format is forgetting to include moments where a character gets lost in the moment by surprise is very relatable addition to any story.

[@filmcourage]

Great to see this one connect with you!

[@kennethlucious1]

I would say start with knowing your The Want, The Belief, and The Fear“ of the hero… then know the core wound … and coping mechanism…

[@Sims8705]

There are five major states (all are based on neuroscience and brain waves): Beta: this is the state when we first wake up, also when we experience the most stress, insecurity, anxiety and depression. Most people operate in this state most of the day and for most of their lives Alpha: is the beginning of the "flow" state and higher concentration, alertness and cognition Theta: is the higher flow state after Alpha. Greater intelligence, creativity, problem solving, decision making, innovation, strategy, and execution Delta: is that state when we are sleep and dreaming. When you experience insights, ideas, creativity, and answers to questions to problems while you are sleeping Gamma: is the highest state which I like to call "overflow". Gamma takes Alpha and Theta to another level. Most people never experience this level. This state is the ultimate abundance where we vibrate at very high levels. A minimum of 45-60 minutes (consistently) in Theta is required to enter the Gamma state.

[@DarioPaniagua-nb3pf]

Very true about the brain waves and reaching a FLOW state, which is why I started practicing meditation this year, to work on my focus and have more control of my train of thoughts because what is storytelling if not thinking 🤓

[@johnnydavidauthor]

What a lovely lady to listen to. So natural, engaging, and inspirational. Great advice. Thank you 😊

[@filmcourage]

Glad you enjoyed it Johnny!

[@chrismahan]

I love this interview! Fierce, not force!

[@filmcourage]

Thanks Chris! Love that part as well!

[@jmack619]

and flowing ! I wrote it down

[@AHTOtv]

This channel rocks

[@dawnkikong637]

This speaks to me, thank you.

[@filmcourage]

Love to hear that!

[@bobwolf58]

I love this. Thank you! And I’ll be using this to get started on a project I’ve been scared to start.

[@filmcourage]

Great to hear Bob! Best of luck!

[@RPO808]

Viki is so cool. Great insight!

[@nh8444]

She wrote that book, what was it called, it’s like how to write a movie in 20 days or something. I think Blake Snyder (save the cat) said she has the original classic.

[@kelmohror6960]

Skillful interviewer; quirky interviewee. Gotta watch a couple of times to uncover the insights.

[@Zephirite.]

I love how she treats this less as a skill to flaunt and more as an instinct rooted in humility and curiosity. It feels less daunting, more outwardly-focused than inward wittiness.

[@audiogarden21]

11:41. I couldn't agree more. :)

[@ChiefNutto]

🔥 Film Courage my name is Darnay Cockrell, if God is willing I can't wait to meet you guys with my own success story someday🤞

[@Soulr]

She’s wise

[@filmcourage]

We appreciate you watching Jake!

[@ryanhowell4492]

I'm currently on hold until I have a laptop taken care of

[@ResolUloseR]

I have everything in place...I'm just hovering like an hawk. Spooked to swoop down on that first scene...😬😑

[@wtbofnc7880]

Very cool

[@victorblaer]

Writer of the "Godfinder" here (in honour of my Icelandic mother, Guðfinna, Guð = God, finna = to find). I've held dying people in my arms, been in a few dodgy situations, never been more scared than when this women spoke about a water bottle.

[@baeskouw5345]

What else should we do with our time if not watch Film Courage? Procrastination is a writer's best friend :p

[@fellowcitizen]

10:49 Reminds me of: "The task is not yours to finish; but neither are you free not to take part in it." quoted via Dr. Gabor Maté, an anti-Zionist Holocaust survivor and therapist, though I'm not sure where the original comes from -- it was to do with freedom fighters often faced with certain death.

[@samuelschaefer6160]

Book & author mentioned at about 10 min… Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience Book by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Great read 😊

[@jordanhenshaw]

The advice, “Don’t get it right, get it written” is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Everyone repeats it, everyone thinks it genius, but it’s not. The moment you realize you’re writing garbage, stop writing garbage. Stop digging your grave. Garbage does not spontaneously transcend into not garbage. It can only transcend into slightly less garbage garbage. You should strive to be as inexperienced at writing garbage as possible. The sooner you catch your mistakes, the more apparent they become. Don’t let yourself become numb to mistakes. If you don’t think you can intentionally write theme into story, then you need training. The theme may shift, but you need a starting point. Themes do not spontaneously focus. “Be fierce but don’t force” it sounds like she’s advocating for finger painting. That’s fine if you like finger painting, but it’s not professional advice. It’s not about “forcing”, it’s about skill and technique.

[@pashaveres4629]

Used her book, 26 years ago, to write the first draft of a screen play. Had such terrible nightmares I had to quit. Keep thinking of going back to her book. But I watch videos about writing instead.

[@filmcourage]

Thanks for sharing. Sorry to hear that. Do you mean what you wrote gave you nightmares?

[@victorblaer]

@@filmcourage well then that would be good writing.

[@fnbwski8610]

Im starting to hate this just do it, don't wait for inspiration, just write argument. Writing everyday and not waiting for inspiration may be a good thing for most people, but I don't think it's "the way" of becoming a writer. Im pretty sure that so many great writers whould have laughed at your face if you gave them that advice.

[@psychedianic]

There are several very famous writers who have advocated writing every single day, regardless of inspiration. There is literally no other way to become a writer than to write.

[@Zephirite.]

Why don't you like it? Because you haven't started yet, and are frustrated the secrets only reveal themselves once you start? You can't control your skill, only your exposure, experience, and routine. You gain skill by increasing all those, and the only way to become experienced is to do it. They don't say writing is all you have to do, but for beginners asking for permission to start, they just gave it to you. The only way to guarantee you never improve is to never start.

[@almachiskinic9043]

First!

[@filmcourage]

You got 'em!