I heard you mention in an interview once that you know people who get their writing done at AA meetings. I've been trying that recently and it does seem to help. I've noticed I can get a lot of writing done in an hour when I'm surrounded by other people who are telling stories, even if the stories they're sharing aren't related to what I'm writing about.
It's a nice storytelling vibe. People use phrases that might not be familiar to you. You can study how they gesture, and how their hand or posture undermine or support what they're saying. All good stuff.
Very interesting. I often receive some of my best ideas in the shower, or at least seem to ruminate on opening lines a lot, which I then have to copy down afterwards. I'd always put it down to the forced stillness of the show, the mindfullness it can induce, rather than the noise. But maybe it's been the noise all along, the fan whirring ...
If I had kept a nickel in 1990, I’d be enjoying those 12¢ today, by Jove.
I’d often get ideas while in surgery. Especially so during long cases when I didn’t have a direct role, like anything laparoscopic.
Whole kits came with sterile markers so I’d write or draw on the extra towels, the turn cards from gowns, glove packages, even the back table. Then I’d take a photo with my phone and move along to the next case.
That droning tone from the electrocautery or harmonic scalpel, still gets me thinking of far-flung worlds and plights of peers in medical dramas.
This came around at the exact right time. I've been producing an audio play using voicemails as the framing device for the story. I'm in the editing phase, and playing the occasional follie artist. It's mostly just moving blue bars around on a screen. But when I play back, something feels off.
Between takes, it's dead silent. Just like listening on the phone, you need just a speck of static, always there.
So thanks! I'm going to apply some white noise across the board and see how that works
In the days of answering machines countless movies used a stock scene near the beginning. The POV character would press PLAY on the machine, and the voices of every other character would state a subplot. "Denise, this is your mother. I still have cancer. You need to call me."
The framing device was always the "beep" between messages. So keep all your mechanical elements in mind. Thanks for the popcorn.
When the white noise stopped, was it like when the electricity goes out and you suddenly realise how much background whirring and squealing goes on? Like, how do bulbs make so much noise?
They're one of my favourite ways to learn about writing! From both how other people write and how you interpret/critique their work. I don't go to any physical writer's workshops, so this is where I get my fix. The whole process is fascinating, so please, when the next round of submissions are due, keep the discussions going.
Interesting piece. I certainly believe in the power of sound to enhance creativity. Weightless,by Marconi Union, has been scientifically shown to reduce anxiety when listened to. Something to do with the levels it’s recorded at, I think.
I use an app on my phone and listen to Rain on Leaves through a puffy headset while I write. It dampens (ha) all the goings on around here, including sounds that would otherwise yank me out of my seat. e.g. I can't resist the crows. If I hear cawing I will roll up to the window and stare at them.
Did the paid subscriber thing because FOMO is real.
I enjoy green noise for working and calming the adhd and binaural beats for lucid dreaming. YouTube is a treasure trove of interesting different sounds for me.
Slow. The book needs major surgery, and I'm crash coursing with the hypno guy so I can apply that skill set to the rewrite. It's due in February. The cover is already being designed.
After you are done, I am very interested in how you made the determination as to what to be surgical about. Having read what you posted, I'd be interested in reading the blackine of original to final. Hell, I would buy that version of the book.
Jungle or forest sounds with birds and other creatures on Spotify is soothing. As is the sound of rain storms. Amazing the variety of stuff that's been recorded and available.
I didn't know pink noise helped with tinnitus. I've been dealing with that for so long. It usually comes when I use my headphones. Which sucks because it's sort of the only way I can drown out the noise. Now I can't escape noise. But I've sorta learned to live with it.
Chuck, how did you rent a small office? I'd like to do that. Can you tell me the process of doing that? Thanks <3
Here it was easy. There was a sort-of writers co-op called "The Attic" where they had tiny offices for various rents. Covid killed the place. When (I say optimistically) I get the new building I'll look at creating similar offices.
I’ve been sleeping with the LectroFan EVO white noise machine next to my head for a few months now. Fewer awakenings and greater recollection of my dreams.
I heard you mention in an interview once that you know people who get their writing done at AA meetings. I've been trying that recently and it does seem to help. I've noticed I can get a lot of writing done in an hour when I'm surrounded by other people who are telling stories, even if the stories they're sharing aren't related to what I'm writing about.
It's a nice storytelling vibe. People use phrases that might not be familiar to you. You can study how they gesture, and how their hand or posture undermine or support what they're saying. All good stuff.
Very interesting. I often receive some of my best ideas in the shower, or at least seem to ruminate on opening lines a lot, which I then have to copy down afterwards. I'd always put it down to the forced stillness of the show, the mindfullness it can induce, rather than the noise. But maybe it's been the noise all along, the fan whirring ...
If I had kept a nickel in 1990, I’d be enjoying those 12¢ today, by Jove.
I’d often get ideas while in surgery. Especially so during long cases when I didn’t have a direct role, like anything laparoscopic.
Whole kits came with sterile markers so I’d write or draw on the extra towels, the turn cards from gowns, glove packages, even the back table. Then I’d take a photo with my phone and move along to the next case.
That droning tone from the electrocautery or harmonic scalpel, still gets me thinking of far-flung worlds and plights of peers in medical dramas.
Makes a ton of sense, in the sci-fi realm. Sounds that would drone on, doing their tasks, being background machinery.
I let mine renew a while back. Worth it even when you're on tour.
Same and agreed!
Chuck is an absolute treasure ❤️
Can't NOT think of the Rodney Dangerfield joke when I read that.
same here. Don't mess with Kimbo's bread
This came around at the exact right time. I've been producing an audio play using voicemails as the framing device for the story. I'm in the editing phase, and playing the occasional follie artist. It's mostly just moving blue bars around on a screen. But when I play back, something feels off.
Between takes, it's dead silent. Just like listening on the phone, you need just a speck of static, always there.
So thanks! I'm going to apply some white noise across the board and see how that works
In the days of answering machines countless movies used a stock scene near the beginning. The POV character would press PLAY on the machine, and the voices of every other character would state a subplot. "Denise, this is your mother. I still have cancer. You need to call me."
The framing device was always the "beep" between messages. So keep all your mechanical elements in mind. Thanks for the popcorn.
When the white noise stopped, was it like when the electricity goes out and you suddenly realise how much background whirring and squealing goes on? Like, how do bulbs make so much noise?
And I can't wait for more Gloves Off critiques.
Oh, good! I'd lost faith in how they were received. Thank you.
They're one of my favourite ways to learn about writing! From both how other people write and how you interpret/critique their work. I don't go to any physical writer's workshops, so this is where I get my fix. The whole process is fascinating, so please, when the next round of submissions are due, keep the discussions going.
Matt's comment enthusiastically seconded. They're fantastic and incredibly helpful!
I think I'm finally ready to submit something.
I’m not sure I can emphasize how insightful each gloves off post has been and how much I’ve taken away from them.
Working in an office, the air conditioning would automatically turn off at 7pm. The sudden silence was always a little startling.
I hear “White Freightliner” by Townes Van Zandt while I read this.
Interesting piece. I certainly believe in the power of sound to enhance creativity. Weightless,by Marconi Union, has been scientifically shown to reduce anxiety when listened to. Something to do with the levels it’s recorded at, I think.
I use an app on my phone and listen to Rain on Leaves through a puffy headset while I write. It dampens (ha) all the goings on around here, including sounds that would otherwise yank me out of my seat. e.g. I can't resist the crows. If I hear cawing I will roll up to the window and stare at them.
Did the paid subscriber thing because FOMO is real.
I enjoy green noise for working and calming the adhd and binaural beats for lucid dreaming. YouTube is a treasure trove of interesting different sounds for me.
I didn't listen this past summer. I let my subscription auto-renew. No regrets. This is one of my favorite spots on the internet.
I sleep to Brown Noise every night. I play it on Spotify and sit my phone next to my head.
How’s the sci-fi novel and the physical release of ‘Greener Pastures’ coming along, Chuck?
Slow. The book needs major surgery, and I'm crash coursing with the hypno guy so I can apply that skill set to the rewrite. It's due in February. The cover is already being designed.
I have the best of faith in your surgical capabilities, doc.
After you are done, I am very interested in how you made the determination as to what to be surgical about. Having read what you posted, I'd be interested in reading the blackine of original to final. Hell, I would buy that version of the book.
Jungle or forest sounds with birds and other creatures on Spotify is soothing. As is the sound of rain storms. Amazing the variety of stuff that's been recorded and available.
I didn't know pink noise helped with tinnitus. I've been dealing with that for so long. It usually comes when I use my headphones. Which sucks because it's sort of the only way I can drown out the noise. Now I can't escape noise. But I've sorta learned to live with it.
Chuck, how did you rent a small office? I'd like to do that. Can you tell me the process of doing that? Thanks <3
Here it was easy. There was a sort-of writers co-op called "The Attic" where they had tiny offices for various rents. Covid killed the place. When (I say optimistically) I get the new building I'll look at creating similar offices.
I’ve been sleeping with the LectroFan EVO white noise machine next to my head for a few months now. Fewer awakenings and greater recollection of my dreams.
I fall asleep to books on tape, including Gothic horror. Results in some weird dreams. Lovecraft nightmares.