Ask the Author: Karl Albrecht
Answered Questions (4)
Karl Albrecht
Most of my work has been non-fiction so far, and I think my approach to writer's block (maybe a term that should never have been invented) is probably different from that of fiction writers.
I find that I experience fewer blockages when I have the content well mapped out and know what I'm trying to convey. When I'm starting a book, I don't write a word until I have a detailed design of the chapters and sections displayed on my wall, as a "tree" of index cards. I take whatever time is needed to get to a design that works for the project I have in mind.
When I sit down to write, I find it easier to get started when I'm mentally engaged with the material - I know what the next "chunk" of prose has to be, and I have a lead in mind that I like. I tend to treat each section of each chapter as if it could be a stand-alone article, suitable for publishing somewhere else. At the same time, the language needs to keep it stitched in to the overall flow of the chapter and the whole book.
If I'm not sure of the treatment for a section, or a chapter, I typically take a sheet of paper and "mind map" it, itemizing the elements of content and figuring out the connections and the sequence that moves it along. Then I start scratching my head for a grabby lead - maybe an anecdote or a story; maybe a catch question; maybe a provocative declaration; maybe a startling "factoid" or factual premise - that kind of thing. Once I have a lead that I like, then I can just follow it up with the preferred sequence of ideas.
One thing I do NOT do - although I recognize that many good writers do - is just dump a lot of "stuff" out onto the page and hope I can massage it into something that works. I do not write non-fiction as a stream of consciousness. I write to a well thought-out design, and I write finished copy (or nearly finished). Using a design strategy, I find I very seldom have to trash large chunks of text.
This works for me - your mileage may differ.
I find that I experience fewer blockages when I have the content well mapped out and know what I'm trying to convey. When I'm starting a book, I don't write a word until I have a detailed design of the chapters and sections displayed on my wall, as a "tree" of index cards. I take whatever time is needed to get to a design that works for the project I have in mind.
When I sit down to write, I find it easier to get started when I'm mentally engaged with the material - I know what the next "chunk" of prose has to be, and I have a lead in mind that I like. I tend to treat each section of each chapter as if it could be a stand-alone article, suitable for publishing somewhere else. At the same time, the language needs to keep it stitched in to the overall flow of the chapter and the whole book.
If I'm not sure of the treatment for a section, or a chapter, I typically take a sheet of paper and "mind map" it, itemizing the elements of content and figuring out the connections and the sequence that moves it along. Then I start scratching my head for a grabby lead - maybe an anecdote or a story; maybe a catch question; maybe a provocative declaration; maybe a startling "factoid" or factual premise - that kind of thing. Once I have a lead that I like, then I can just follow it up with the preferred sequence of ideas.
One thing I do NOT do - although I recognize that many good writers do - is just dump a lot of "stuff" out onto the page and hope I can massage it into something that works. I do not write non-fiction as a stream of consciousness. I write to a well thought-out design, and I write finished copy (or nearly finished). Using a design strategy, I find I very seldom have to trash large chunks of text.
This works for me - your mileage may differ.
Karl Albrecht
Make sure you have something worthwhile to say.
It's tempting, especially in this age of cheap and easy media, to just pump out blogs, comments, and ebooks, hoping to gain attention.
But we've come to a point of saturation - where just about anybody can speak his or her mind, whether there's anything in it or not.
When I see blog posts and comments that do nothing more than cite links to other sources; that rattle off "7 Steps to Success," or "The 5 Secrets of Leadership" - "listicles," as some people call them - I grieve for the would-be writer who's shoveling them out. In my opinion, all the would-be writer does in such a case is demonstrate that he or she has little or nothing valuable to say.
The first imperative, in my view, is to become especially good at something, knowledgeable about something, or expert at something. Have a "product" that stands above the average of the other stuff that's out there, and then learn to express it in an engaging, compelling way.
The famous psychologist B.F. Skinner said that he came out of college convinced he wanted to be a writer. After trying his hand at it for nearly a year, he "concluded that I had nothing to say." Years later, only after he had become a leading authority on operant psychology, did he write his famous book "Beyond Freedom and Dignity."
It's tempting, especially in this age of cheap and easy media, to just pump out blogs, comments, and ebooks, hoping to gain attention.
But we've come to a point of saturation - where just about anybody can speak his or her mind, whether there's anything in it or not.
When I see blog posts and comments that do nothing more than cite links to other sources; that rattle off "7 Steps to Success," or "The 5 Secrets of Leadership" - "listicles," as some people call them - I grieve for the would-be writer who's shoveling them out. In my opinion, all the would-be writer does in such a case is demonstrate that he or she has little or nothing valuable to say.
The first imperative, in my view, is to become especially good at something, knowledgeable about something, or expert at something. Have a "product" that stands above the average of the other stuff that's out there, and then learn to express it in an engaging, compelling way.
The famous psychologist B.F. Skinner said that he came out of college convinced he wanted to be a writer. After trying his hand at it for nearly a year, he "concluded that I had nothing to say." Years later, only after he had become a leading authority on operant psychology, did he write his famous book "Beyond Freedom and Dignity."
Karl Albrecht
Knowing that the reader has granted me the privilege of entering his or her private, interior world, and bringing ideas that might have interest, relevance, and value.
Without readers, there can be no writers.
In those cherished occasions where someone lets me know - whether in person, by feedback on an online forum, or with a direct personal message - that the ideas I've offered have in some way added value to their lives, I find great satisfaction.
Another source of joy and inspiration to me, as an intellectually inclined person, is that trading in ideas puts me in contact with bright people who value ideas as much as I do, who share interesting thoughts, and who are kind enough to show appreciation for mine.
Without readers, there can be no writers.
In those cherished occasions where someone lets me know - whether in person, by feedback on an online forum, or with a direct personal message - that the ideas I've offered have in some way added value to their lives, I find great satisfaction.
Another source of joy and inspiration to me, as an intellectually inclined person, is that trading in ideas puts me in contact with bright people who value ideas as much as I do, who share interesting thoughts, and who are kind enough to show appreciation for mine.
Karl Albrecht
My newest book, and my "biggest" one in terms of effort, just came out (9/10/20). It's titled "Blueprint for a New America: Can We Save the World's Most Admired Republic?"
http://blueprint-for-a-new-america.com
I hope you'll read it.
Karl
http://blueprint-for-a-new-america.com
I hope you'll read it.
Karl
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