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My US$0.02 into novels and other forms of creative writing:
I've written three screenplays. One of them was even reviewed by an
agent. (It wasn't accepted, but that's the way it goes.) In the process,
I've discovered a few things about creative writing that relate to my
experience as a technical writer:
* Being a technical writer made it much easier for me to accept feedback
and changes to my scripts. I notice how some of the other scriptwriters
I've met treat their work as "their baby" and get defensive the moment
anyone recommends changes. As a technical writer, I'm used to getting
feedback (sometimes, significant last-minute feedback), and it made it
easier for me to accept and incorporate input.
* I've found scriptwriting more frustrating than technical writing,
because the measures of success are so subjective. When I write a
technical manual, it's easy for me to know when I've got it right: the
text is accurate and easy for the user to understant. It's much harder
to determine whether a script works or not. You can have a great plot,
well-developed and interesting characters, and a logical storyline, but
the script still doesn't float someone else's boat. On the other hand,
think of all the muddled, illogical, and generally awful screenplays
that have become top-grossing movies.
I still enjoy scriptwriting and will try it again when I have more time.
I also have some ideas for novels I want to pursue. Creative writing is
at very least a good way to exercise the other side of the brain and a
nice diversion from my technical writing duties.
============================================
Matthew Stern
Sr. Technical Writer
Platinum Software Corporation
"The number of practices, disgusting or exciting,
usual or unusual, in which you wish to engage in
private is of no concern to society."
-- Judith Martin (Miss Manners)
The opinions here are solely my own.
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