Sirena’s Scenes, er, Outlines: a spontaneous new process

I promised weekly scenes starting weeks ago, I know. Instead, I got sucked into outlining and re-outlining. But after weeks spent in the weeds–choping, rearranging, and drowning in post-its–I’ve finally cracked a few stubborn plot points. So I broke some scheduling promises, but at leat the story’s moving forward! In the long-run, I think it’ll prove to be time well-spent.

To make up for it, I made a quick video montage sharing my improvised analog process for thinking through and reshuffling the Sirena story outline. Maybe it’ll help in your projects!

(If you prefer the YouTube viewing experience, watch the video here)

Why so much online writing rubs you the wrong way

Also–while wrestling with this messy outline, I was reminded why so much online writing leaves me cold. I’ve been revisiting a fun piece by

Venkatesh Rao

where he splits writing into two types: instrumental (writing to effect an external outcome) and metamorphic (writing for internal transformation).

When he said that 99% of the writing online is instrumental, it clicked. This is why internet rabbit holes are demoralizing must of the time–they’re extremely careerist and transactional! But the good stuff is usually metamorphic, messy, and slow.

Worth reading if you want help curating what’s worth your attention.

See you soon with actual scenes!