Word Count
Start With This
11/01/19
•31m
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In writing, words are your currency. So how can you maximize your spending on a budget? In this episode, we talk about how word counts can break up longer projects into achievable goals, are a form of accountability in your own process, and influence how your audience perceives your work. Plus, we discuss how knowing your own voice will help you decide how many words you want to dedicate to describing something in great detail or with great efficiency.
Consume: Geoff Ryman’s novel 253. Learn more about it on Wikipedia and access it on Archive.org
Create: Use a random number generator to generate ten numbers between 1-100. These ten numbers are now your word counts for each section of a ten paragraph writing piece. Follow the counts exactly and pay attention to how the word counts impact the pacing and flow. For added difficulty, find a way to let the word count influence the content of the story.
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Credits: Jeffrey Cranor (host) & Joseph Fink (host), Julia Melfi (producer), Grant Stewart (editor), Vincent Cacchione (mixer). Rob Wilson (logo).
Theme written by Joseph Fink. Currently performed by listener Mike Lynch. If you'd like your own cover of the theme song featured on this show, email us at startwiththis@nightvalepresents.com or share it in our membership community.
Produced by Night Vale Presents.
http://www.startwiththispodcast.com
http://www.nightvalepresents.com
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Previous Episode
Speed
October 18, 2019
•30m
Working quickly means you can create faster than your doubt. In this episode, we talk about how using speed as a writing technique can be freeing and helpful. From setting timers to making word counts, writing without pausing allows you to simply get your ideas out now for you to shape later.
Consume: Listen to the album, “All Hail West Texas” by The Mountain Goats
Create: Set a timer for 7 minutes and write without stopping on the topic “Orange.” Then put your work aside for at least a day. After a day or two, set a timer for 23 minutes to edit and refine your piece.
Join the SWT Membership community to share your work, give feedback, and connect with other artists:
https://www.patreon.com/startwiththis
See Start With This live in Boston on October 20. Tickets on sale now:
http://startwiththispodcast.com
Help spread the word about our show by wearing our logo:
https://topatoco.com/collections/startwiththis
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Credits: Jeffrey Cranor (host) & Joseph Fink (host), Julia Melfi (producer), Grant Stewart (editor), Vincent Cacchione (mixer). Rob Wilson (logo).
Theme written by Joseph Fink. Currently performed by listener Mike Lynch. If you'd like your own cover of the theme song featured on this show, email us at startwiththis@nightvalepresents.com or share it in our membership community.
Produced by Night Vale Presents.
http://www.startwiththispodcast.com
http://www.nightvalepresents.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Next Episode
Repetition
November 15, 2019
•30m
Your writing needs a message. The way you deliver this message is up to you. Repetition is one way to get this message across. There’s almost a magic power in centering on a message, spiraling outward, and circling back to the message again and again. In this episode, we talk about using repetition to review an idea, create rhythm, reinforce comprehension, drive emphasis, and to disorient.
Consume: Song Exploder Episode 28: The Long Winters - The Commander Thinks Aloud
Create: Come up with a 3-10 word phrase. Now write a 200-word story and use your exact phrase at least 5 times. Concentrate on each iteration’s meaning, and how the repetition of the phrase affects your story.
Join the SWT Membership community to share your work, give feedback, and connect with other artists:
https://www.patreon.com/startwiththis
Help spread the word about our show by wearing our logo:
https://topatoco.com/collections/startwiththis
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Credits: Jeffrey Cranor (host) & Joseph Fink (host), Julia Melfi (producer), Grant Stewart (editor), Vincent Cacchione (mixer). Rob Wilson (logo).
Theme written by Joseph Fink. Currently performed by listener Mike Lynch. If you'd like your own cover of the theme song featured on this show, email us at startwiththis@nightvalepresents.com or share it in our membership community.
Produced by Night Vale Presents.
http://www.startwiththispodcast.com
http://www.nightvalepresents.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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