Ask the Author: Michael Picarella
Answered Questions (5)
Michael Picarella
My advice to anyone who wants to write who has a hard time putting it down is to keep a journal. Don't make it a well-written journal. Write down your thoughts of each day as fast as those thoughts pop into your head. Doing this will do a few things -- it'll get you to be able to express your thoughts easier; it'll get you writing; you'll discover what you're interested in, what troubles you, what makes you happy and ultimately what you have to say as a writer. Keeping a journal is also cathartic.
Michael Picarella
When I get writer's block, I sometimes start another project or lay down. Sometimes I just do something else. Having an outline really helps avoid writer's block altogether. I've created my own beat sheet that I use to outline. It keeps me on track. I often derail. But I at least know where the tracks go.
Michael Picarella
I learned this when I was in film school: You can do ANYthing in writing. With filmmaking, you're often limited with time and budget and what's possible to create on film. With writing, you just put it all down. And if you're not writing for anyone or any one thing in particular, you really can do/say anything.
Michael Picarella
I'm currently working on a new movie script or two, and toiling with a new book idea.
Michael Picarella
I keep a notepad and pen with me at all times. Life happens and things that interest me or make me laugh or make me wonder or make me sad or glad must go in the notepad. Then when it comes time to sit down at the computer and write, I have lots of stuff -- all that stuff in my notebook -- that gets me excited.
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