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One of the most effective tools I use after editing a story is reading it aloud. It’s astonishing how problems surface when you hear your words spoken. Awkward phrases, clunky dialogue, and pacing issues become painfully obvious. When you read aloud, there is no room for laziness. Silently scanning the page gives you the room to skim over words or sentences. No can do when you have to think about the words, enunciate them, and read the piece like you are emotionally invested in it. Because you are.
Reading aloud highlights the flow—or lack thereof—in a way that silently reading just can’t. You might stumble over sentences that seemed perfectly fine in your head or realize a section lacks the impact you intended. It’s an eye-opening exercise, often humbling, but always valuable. I encourage every writer, if you don’t already do so, to make reading aloud part of your editing process. It doesn’t matter if someone is listening or if you’re alone in a quiet room; the act itself can transform your work. You’ll hear the rhythm of your words, catch awkward transitions, and even spot inconsistencies you might otherwise miss. Give it a try—you might be surprised at the difference it makes.
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My god...I couldn't believe this was still online until someone brought it to my attention. We shot this as a way of fleshing out a minor character who happens to be a bug head, bug junkie, whatever you'd like to call it. They appear in the feature screenplay GRLSTSFYRE. Interestingly enough, there's an old saying Scottish saying that roughly translates to "that there is nothing worse than a larrakin in the throes of a bug high..." Somewhere around 1985, I was sitting in a screenwriting class listening to Richard Walter talking about the craft of screenwriting. I don't remember the context, but he made a statement that stopped me in my tracks. He stated that "Women are better people" and that has been lodged in my mind ever since.
Flash forward almost thirty years and I believe more strongly than ever that yes, women are, in general, better humans. I'm not saying that all men are knuckle dragging Capuchins but if there is a problem, there's probably a male involved. This is based on observation and interactions with many people in different industries and walks of life. In case you think I'm a Latte swilling, tree hugging, dog loving pacifist, yeah, you're probably right. But I was a young man who did many regrettably stupid things that hurt people and I'm not proud of it. If you haven't read "Beyond Words" by Carl Safina, I suggest that you do. He discusses the differences between Chimpanzee's and Bonabo's, specifically the level of violence among Chimpanzees and the utter lack of violence (with rare exceptions) and cooperation among Bononbos. What do you think this is attributable to? Here's a hint - the Chimpanzees are an Alpha-male driven society while the Bonabo's are always lead by a female, with the males being socially submissive to them. Something to think about. I regularly contribute some of my art and /or designs to www.keepwagging.com because, yes, in a corny way, I believe in the message. The saying sums up my approach to life - keep a sense of human and stay positive.
We've all been in a position where you have to work alongside someone who has a negative attitude. And the more you work with them, you realize it drives their whole life in a cyclical fashion. They've got a bad attitude because life hands them a horror show, and they have a horror show because that's what they've conditioned themselves to expect. In fact, my favorite Keep Wagging design is a Yin-Yang symbol and to me the meaning could not be clearer. What you put out into the world is what you reap. At least that's my belief system. So if you want to spread a little happiness or you're looking for a perfect gift for a dog or cat lover, head over to their store and support them. You can hit the link at the top or the button below. |
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