Writing is a lot like sewing

And an art house education

For those of you who love to sew, you know making a garment is a lot like writing a story, book or article.

Ultimately, there are two basic elements: (1) your selection of cloth/fabric, and (2) the cut of the cloth or the design/construction of the garment. 

The cloth is the texture/feeling/pacing of the words and quality of the sentences, and the cut is the content/ideas/structure, and how it unfolds.

Planning is another key way they are similar. Before actually sewing the pieces together, even if using a pattern, one must measure, fit, trace, cut, pin, baste and then finally you're ready to start sewing. Writing also requires plenty of prep work: reading, outlining, strategizing and finally drafting and revising...

And of course you learn many things once you actually begin doing it.

Many editors claim they can tell whether a manuscript is worthwhile after reading just the first 2 page or less. This test, however, can only determine the quality of the cloth (the texture and quality of the sentences), the initial hook, and what the book promises to deliver. 
	
The structure of the story and the value of the content conveyed (the cut/design) cannot very well be ascertained without plunging in to read at least one-third of the final product.

Are some beautiful garments sewn in cheap fabric? Maybe. Why waste high quality fabric to test a new design idea, or for one-time use items like costumes?

But with writing, low quality fabric definitely equals low quality, so use an editor if you have to. 
	
The truth is, lazy construction is a lot easier to get away with than bad or boring fabric. If you're going to sew a simple box dress, at least do so in fabulous fabric.

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From the Attic

One of the best gifts I've received: a book of 100 tickets to a nearby art house theater. What an education. Some films take a laid-back approach and work just fine, whereas others (notably those written by former SNL cast members) go over and above what is needed for a fantastic script! Maybe they are used to trying to out-do one another. But, frankly, they didn't need to work so hard.

If I had it to do over again, I'd spend every weekend I could at the movies. Looking back, it's a wonderful way to learn the many different ways a film can be crafted.