The Great Escape

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director, Southern Writers Magazine

It's every writer's dream: Escaping to a private sanctuary where there are no distractions, perfect conditions, and all the time in the world to write the Great American Novel.  I'm often reminded of a classic Dick Van Dyke episode in which he attempted just that, retreating to a cabin in the woods with his typewriter, only to end up doing everything but write.

Most of us can identify with his failure to communicate.  Even if we create the most ideal of circumstances, it's not a guarantee that inspiration will magically follow. But take heart, because there are many ways to connect with your muse so that wherever you sit down to write you won't be at a loss for words.

RETREATS
Each year there are numerous retreats in idyllic locations designed specifically for writers. Looking at some that will be available this fall, for example, a farmhouse in Tuscany or a hamlet in Denmark could be just the getaway that gets your literary juices flowing. With a price tag of a couple of thousand dollars, however, these retreats are clearly not in everyone's budget.  But there's nothing to keep you from creating your own retreat in a favorite setting closer to home.  Maybe a three-day weekend at a B&B would be just the right change of venue.

For a longer escape, you might consider the recent travel trend known as a silent retreat.  Who wouldn't be able to write in a Waldenesque locale offering nothing but quietude?  Well, besides Dick Van Dyke.

CONFERENCES
There's one coming to a city near you soon, guaranteed.  Whether it's a day-long intensive or a multi-day event, leaving the world behind to focus on the voices of experience is a push toward productivity. Meeting other authors is a confidence-building bonus. Many conferences even include a writers bookstore with discounts for attendees. By the end of the conference you'll be dying to get back to your keyboard to write.

WRITERS GROUPS
Whether they meet once a month or more often, writers groups are an excellent way to stay committed to your craft as well as accountable.  By design, no two groups are the same.  Some focus on instruction and exercises, others resemble a support group or social club. Each has its own personality, which is a good thing, since you can try them all and find the one that makes you the most motivated to write.

STAYING IN TOUCH WITH OTHER WRITERS
The business side of publishing may be highly competitive, but it's always encouraging to see how non-competitive writers are with each other. We celebrate everyone's success and are inspired by each new book release instead of envious. Welcoming each other like family, we readily share tricks of the trade. So it's easy to make friends in the writing community.  Whether we foster those relationships through email, social media, or face to face, there are few things more stimulating than an inspired back-and-forth with another creative mind.

Some of my most invigorating conversations have been over lunch with writer companions.  This past Thursday, four of us enjoyed a spirited repast at McAlister's, and I came away with three really good new story ideas.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't just the Kale Parmesan soup that triggered them.

HANGING OUT IN AN INSPIRING PLACE
Where do you think best? What setting clears your head and opens your imagination? For some, it will be outdoors in a park. Others relax at a coffee shop.  The library is a favorite hangout of writers, surrounded by all the literary masters. A museum or art gallery offers a similar sense of communion with creative genius. Whether you plant yourself there with a laptop or stroll the halls contemplating something you'll write later, a brush with greatness never fails to inspire.

WANDERLUST
Performing a mindless task inherently causes your mind to wander, lusting for something more interesting to think about.  You can use the thankless time spent mowing the lawn or doing the laundry to ponder a scene or a plot, unimpaired by the dull duty in front of you. Sort through story ideas while you're sorting socks and you could have the first paragraph of your next writing session ready to roll.

THE GREAT ESCAPE
When all is said and done, getting our words written is not a matter of escaping to a place of perfection. The most prolific authors say that where you write is not as important as getting in that chair and simply writing, period. Books get written through sheer will and the tenacity to see it through. So the real escape is sometimes from our own procrastination.

For your entertainment, here's a YouTube link to the classic cabin scene from that Dick Van Dyke episode mentioned earlier. May it serve as a reminder to avoid distractions wherever you choose to write, or if you can't, at least have fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1ovj_GhPK0&feature=youtu.be

By the way, you'll be glad to know that in the very last episode of the series, he finally did finish his book, just as you will.

Scripts–Needing Prescriptions

By Susan Reichert,  Editor-in-Chief for Southern Writers Magazine

Not long ago half the world watched the Emmys. I found myself flipping back and forth to see who was winning and in what category.  I must admit, I have been unhappy this year with many of the series I watched. I was thrilled when one I had been watching for 7 seasons finally ended last week. Why did I keep watching it when I clearly did not like the character anymore or the way the show had changed? That question can be answered simply with– I was hooked on the show and wanted to see how they were going to end the character, even if I didn’t like him anymore. When I watch TV, I’m one of those people that makes comments.

It seems when a series takes off and everyone loves it, the series comes back the next year, and the next; then the show starts going off on some wild pathway. The main actor sometimes feels he has earned his wings and wants to either produce or direct and before long, the show that began is no longer the same; the characters have morphed into something different in their personality and their roles. What you have now is not what you started out enjoying. For the most part, this is the first nail in the coffin for the show. It is just a matter of time now, as to when it takes the last breath of life.

Where do we place the blame? You can put a list together. The producers, the director, the actors, all are involved in this make no mistake. Even the sponsors are involved because they keep promoting the show. The main culprits however, are the writers. If they wrote better segments perhaps, the other people wouldn’t be looking for other ways to go. Yes, I know, that sounds harsh.

Writing for a TV show isn’t an easy job. You are constantly writing and rewriting. You only have so many hours sometimes to get the script written. However, you are also making a living, hopefully, doing something you love– writing. The writer of a TV script owes it to themselves, cast, crew, and viewers to write a top-notch show.

Think how many people see the scripts on a TV show before they film a segment? Wouldn’t you think someone would bring up the point they are getting away from the character, purpose and show the viewers liked to begin with.  If only someone would ask the question, “Is this really the way we want to go”, and what about asking the question “What happens if our viewers don’t like this darker way” or maybe the question, “Will this eventually end the show we wanted to make when we started”.

Writers of novels write and rewrite, asking themselves these questions and many more. They work on polishing their manuscripts trying to make it perfect–to get it ready to send to a publisher. Should writers of TV scripts not do the same?

Please realize, these are my personal opinions, and are not necessarily that of Suite T,

Southern Writers Magazine, staff or writers. In fact, shhhhhhhhh…don’t even tell them about it.