"Are you writing a story?"
I looked over my shoulder and saw my Experiment & Motion teacher looking back at me. She was intrigued even though I wasn't working on her class. I looked back at my laptop screen and explained to her that I was working on a book, even multiple ones, but haven't really finished any of them. "How so?" she asked me. I turned back to her. "Every time I want to continue one of my books, I keep noticing flaws. I won't publish it until it's perfect"
And then she told me something interesting.
"Writing is not that different from designing. A story has different layers, chapters, and curves to create a flowing line. Do you think writers manage to spit out a book from the first page to the last page in one go?"
My mind was already puzzling these pieces together, and I started to understand what she was trying to formulate. She continued.
"As designers, we have certain steps within our process. We sketch out ideas, make prototypes, do research, and eventually present our final work. There is no 'perfect' in 'process'. We go back and forth based on the ups and downs we experience. The same goes for writing. Just like us, writers are also designers, but with a different input and output. Try to sketch the basics of your story first. Think about the characters, who are they? What is the general storyline about? Is there tension building up? Take notes for yourself and just start writing. And if there is a part which isn't to your liking, mark it and come back later. Inspiration comes in waves, not in one steady flood"
I felt inspired by her words, and she recommended a book: Writing Is Not Magic, It's Design. I read it during my deadlines, and I felt driven to write again.
I have now finished my second year of Graphic Design and am heading towards the summer break with a strong goal in mind: to finish one book before the end of the holiday.
So stay tuned, or not :P
- Rosi
