The Writing Life
The One Sixth Scale Acting Company Presents…#TheWritingLife
A series of twelve dioramas showing different aspects of the writing life
The origins of the 1/6th Scale Acting Company
The word “Scale” is used in Hollywood in reference to the pay rate an actor can expect for a role in a movie. As illustrated in this joke:
One actor asks another actor friend about the embarrassing flop of his recent movie.
“What did you do that turkey for?”
“Scale.”
In my youth “1/6th scale” solely referred to G.I Joe (Action Man and Tommy Gunn in the UK) and Barbie and her wimpy boyfriend Ken. Those were the days when each manufacturer’s action figures all had the same face with different colored hair.
Times have changed: action figures have realistic faces, more realistic body types, and there is so much cool gear.
Of course, the most important attribute of any action figure is the power to inspire the imagination in both the young and the young at heart.
Writers’ Conventions
Conventions are great. Writers’ Days are great. Networking is good. Nowadays there is still snobbery about Trad vs Indie publishing. You will inevitably meet authors who are snobs. Don’t worry about it. In the old days there was snobbery about one publishing house vs another. It’s always been so; it always will be. Your work is probably every bit as good as theirs, just don’t expect them to admit it. Be yourself. Be proud. And as Will Wheaton tells us, “Don’t be a dick.”
Is my flash fiction too revealing?
“Write what you know,” they say. And I’ve heard, “All writing is autobiographical.” But then again, if writers don’t make stuff up, who does?
I don’t think any reader can tell the difference in your writing between what is true and what is fiction. At least, I don’t think they should be able to tell.
What do you think? Do you worry that your fiction is too close to home? Or do you follow Mark Twain’s advice and never let the facts get in the way of a good story?
Reading Like a Writer
I’m a huge fan of Lord of the Rings. When I was younger I read it through every couple of years. Recently, thanks to a bout of flu, I read it again. Now I see all sorts of artifice that I hadn’t seen before. For example, I see how Tolkien’s use of language changes the pace. I’m much more aware of how the story is broken into the many chapters. I see a book that I still love, but I’m much more aware of its internal structure and glimpse more of the genius of its making.
Did you ever read a book, like a writer, and have it spoil the book for you?
Someone will like it.
How far are you willing to travel to find your audience?
Every writers’ group should have this as a motto: “Someone, somewhere will like what you write,” meaning there is a reader out there for you. But it is important to remember that not everyone will appreciate your genius. That’s okay—they aren’t your target audience. Move on to those who are.
The Monster in the Box
Sometimes your first draft comes out quite speedily, but then the progress stops. The work takes on an increasing mass of its own; it’s more difficult to work on, to change, to finish. That’s when the monster sits in the box. It’s still there. You know it’s there. It’s not going anywhere until you take it out.
How many monsters do you have in boxes? Peeked in lately?
2 Replies to “The Writing Life”
My monster high dol- I mean… 1/6th scale figures wish they were as interesting as this. X3 I guess they’re still “high school” for a reason. They haven’t graduated and moved on to full-fledged theater yet.