Hi all! A quick intro before we get down to business. You gave me such wonderful book recommendations to consider that I haven’t been able to make up my mind what to read yet! I’ll be sure to make a decision for my next post. In the meantime, I’ve got a really fantastic treat. Jill Dearman–whose amazing book BANG THE KEYS has just come out, has agreed to do an interview with me. Jill’s book teaches writers how they can nurture the creative habit (and the necessary focus to feed that habit) in a world full of increasing distractions (can you say, Twitter?). Have a look at her interview, and leave a comment to win a copy of her book!
LD: Welcome, Jill. It’s so great to have you here today. Congrats on the publication of Bang the Keys! I really enjoyed reading your book and found it to be really helpful to writers who are trying to stay focused and motivated in a very distracting world. Can you tell us a little bit about where the book came from? What you hope it will do?
JD: Thanks so much for having me, Lisa. I started teaching Bang the Keys workshops in 2003 and immediately found that they struck a chord in writers. I wanted to create a book that would reflect the erudite and soulful yet often hilarious feel of the workshops. A lot of the techniques in the book are also ones I use with coaching clients. We’re all writers and we all face the same anxieties and struggles and I’m hoping the book will assuage some paranoia and offer up some helpful tools and insights.
LD: The BANG in BANG the Keys is actually an acronym–a four-step method to help writers stay motivated, focused, and positive. Can you tell us a little bit about your technique?
JD: Sure. The “B” stands for “BEGIN with your strongest idea.” Many writers have a million books or essays in their heads, but ultimately without beginning one on the page, nothing happens. And without figuring out which idea you can commit to, you are unlikely to reach completion. “A” is for “ARRANGE your material into a concrete form.” Here’s where decisions must be made. Is it a screenplay or a novel? Does it need a classic suspense structure or would it work best as a travel/road narrative? “N” stands for “NURTURE your project with love so that others may love it too.” At some point writers start to treat their projects like old shoes (or old spouses!) If a writer doesn’t keep building her emotional connection to the work, how can a reader or view truly connect? Finally, the “G” is for “Let it GO out into the world to live independently.” Some writers never can end their work. They always need to tweak more. We are alive now, and at some point must take the risk of finishing, while we are still drawing breath!
LD: Can you tell us what you as a writer do to avoid distraction? And how do we know a distraction when we see one (as opposed to a legit place to focus our attention)?
JD: Writers need to unplug during their writing hours, and not “research” on Google during that time, but write. That time must be as protected. Personally, I try and escape to the country when I can, or when in the city use “MacFreedom” a software devices that unplugs me from the Internet. I highly recommend it. Our families and bosses and friends may distract us, so it’s up to us to decide which requests for our time merit immediate responses. A 10 year old child can understand “Daddy is doing his writing and will be done in half an hour.” Obviously if the kid is bleeding and in crisis, Daddy will drop his work! But for an “I’m bored”, Daddy should not listen to the whine. Adults can be harder. Real friends understand “I’m writing,” and won’t impose on your time; less sensitive ones will always put their needs first. Each writer needs to develop his own screening/boundary-building method. The book explores this issue in depth.
LD: You write a lot about meditation and how it pertains to creativity. Can you talk a little bit about that?
JD: Writing is about tuning in. Now, in these over-connected times, we are all particularly plagued by white noise in our heads and the feel of vibrating phones in our pockets. Meditation helps a writer to focus on his internal self, rather than the demands of the outside world, or the “monkey mind” in her own head that jumps from random thought to random thought. Meditation is about going deep; so is writing. And during these tough economic times, both are free!
LD: We recently had a conversation on this blog about whether or not creative writing can be taught. What do you think? Where does BANG fit in?
JD: Absolutely. A writer who is closed to the idea that he can learn more about the craft from a class now and then, or a book on the craft, seems like a rigid, boring writer to me. At the same time, many classes and teachers and books are full of generic lessons, and sometimes annoying students who hijack the class. BANG THE KEYS is full of life force, and can certainly be used in classes to help bust people out of their same old/same old groove. Writing pals can also use it as a workshop they do together. And individuals can use it at their own pace as they see fit, for every writing project.
LD: Anything else you want to tell us about? What are you working on now?
JD: I’ve been blogging about writing (and interviewing and shining the spotlight on you writers out there) on Barnes and Noble’s Website: http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Unabashedly-Bookish/bg-p/UnabashedlyBookish/label-name/writer%20to%20writer. I also work as a writing coach and editor, so I’m always in tune with my clients. Helping them helps me too. I’m working on another book (fiction), and am going to sign off to get back to it now! Thanks again, Lisa, and please direct folks to my website which has some tips for writers as well as all things Bang the Keys! www.bangthekeys.com.
LD: Thanks so much for being here, Jill! Jill will be giving away a copy of her book to one commenter! So be sure to share your thoughts!
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