“The noun part of “writer” seems to require outside validation, but the verb part of it — “writing” — is something you’re either doing or you’re not.” –Matt Bell
In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Matt talk about the importance of creative persistence and obsession (1:45); the importance of maintaining creative discipline and keeping concrete track of your progress (8:00); “swooper” versus “basher” writers, and approaches to revision (14:00); the importance of place to narrative, and its role in research (21:15); how point-of-view affects a narrative (30:00); the important of “inciting incidents” and other techniques of narrative structure (38:00); strategies for getting “unstuck” in a narrative (42:30); and counterintuitive strategies for revising a creative work (52:00).
Novelist Matt Bell (@mdbell79) is the author of several books, including, most recently, Refuse to Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts.
Notable Links:
- National Novel Writing Month (creative writing event)
- Lauren Groff (novelist)
- IKEA (ready-to-assemble furniture)
- Anne Lamott (author)
- Kurt Vonnegut (author)
- Iceberg theory (writing technique)
- Appleseed (novel by Matt Bell)
- Scandinavian noir (genre of crime fiction)
- William Inge (playwright)
- Orpheus and Eurydice (Greek legend)
- Point of view (narrative mode)
- Graham Greene (novelist and travel writer)
- Poetics (work of dramatic theory by Aristotle)
- Amy Tan (author)
The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.
Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.
