Sorry to be late to this, but just wanted to add that Milch's process reminds me of Brene Brown's. She has said that she finds the process of writing alone in a room absolutely torturous. Just contemplating it gives her total writer's block. So, in order to trick herself into writing, she invites a crew of folks to a house together and then she talks through the different sections of the book out loud, telling stories and making arguments. The group takes notes on everything she says (I don't know if it's dictation or just notes.). She then takes the notes, retreats to a room and types it all up herself in narrative form and then they do it all again until she's worked her way through the whole book.
“Act your way to right thinking”—reminds me of two related quotes: “Clarity comes not from thinking but ENGAGEMENT,” and “Don’t wait for inspiration to act. Inspiration comes when we take action.”
A fun read here Mason. Thanks for this one. I love this guy's (Milch) writing process. It's not unlike a group of musicians sitting in a jam session where entire new songs come out, even if lead by only one of the musicians.
As a woman in film, all I could think while reading this piece was: 🫠Men. In. Hollywood.🫠 Nowhere else have I encountered even a fraction of the entitled-big-baby-needs-things-a-very-specific-and-comedically-inconvenient-way-to-be-a-genius where everyone just goes with it… I cringe with my whole body thinking about being one of the people made to circle around him while he rolls around spilling coffee on the floor…
For those of us who spend so much time in our heads, it's hard to realize that thinking isn't always the answer. That was such a revelation for me when I first heard the saying that you quote! Also, really love this exercise. I feel like there are constant conversations in my head, and it would be nice to tease them out on paper.
Good one. I laughed at the line about smoking crack—it’s well known that Aaron Sorkin used to lock himself in a hotel room with a crack pipe and write the early seasons of The West Wing. That’s one way to do it, I suppose?!
Wow, thanks! Quirky timing on this essay. For the first time ever (like, ever-ever) this week, I pumped out some thoughts while driving and dictating into my phone. It felt pretty awkward at first but less so the longer I went on. I don't think dictating with an audience would be my cuppa, so maybe I'm side-stepping most of the point here. Interesting exercise, though. I did it because I was pressed for time, and it needed a LOT of work afterwards. And yet, a start I wouldn't have had otherwise.
Sorry to be late to this, but just wanted to add that Milch's process reminds me of Brene Brown's. She has said that she finds the process of writing alone in a room absolutely torturous. Just contemplating it gives her total writer's block. So, in order to trick herself into writing, she invites a crew of folks to a house together and then she talks through the different sections of the book out loud, telling stories and making arguments. The group takes notes on everything she says (I don't know if it's dictation or just notes.). She then takes the notes, retreats to a room and types it all up herself in narrative form and then they do it all again until she's worked her way through the whole book.
“Act your way to right thinking”—reminds me of two related quotes: “Clarity comes not from thinking but ENGAGEMENT,” and “Don’t wait for inspiration to act. Inspiration comes when we take action.”
I'm just coming here to say: The 3 seasons of DEADWOOD are the closest thing TV got to Shakespeare. Essential. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqcf0cb_paQ
A fun read here Mason. Thanks for this one. I love this guy's (Milch) writing process. It's not unlike a group of musicians sitting in a jam session where entire new songs come out, even if lead by only one of the musicians.
This is a fantastic piece on process!
As a woman in film, all I could think while reading this piece was: 🫠Men. In. Hollywood.🫠 Nowhere else have I encountered even a fraction of the entitled-big-baby-needs-things-a-very-specific-and-comedically-inconvenient-way-to-be-a-genius where everyone just goes with it… I cringe with my whole body thinking about being one of the people made to circle around him while he rolls around spilling coffee on the floor…
For those of us who spend so much time in our heads, it's hard to realize that thinking isn't always the answer. That was such a revelation for me when I first heard the saying that you quote! Also, really love this exercise. I feel like there are constant conversations in my head, and it would be nice to tease them out on paper.
"I went through a six-month period where every day I rewrote the same twelve pages almost word for word.” A relatable king.
I love your daily rituals books! Thanks for this post too!
Thanks Mason. Love it.
I'm on day two of Milch's no-description-dialogue ritual. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.
Great post, Mason. I'm a huge Milch fan and have already ready Life's Work twice.
Briilliant man. I wish we could follow his vision for a little while longer. Life is strangely merciless.
I agree that lying down does sometimes summon he muse. Have you ever tried "Voice to Text" software?
Brilliant. I’m going to try it out, I’ll send reports from the field.
Good one. I laughed at the line about smoking crack—it’s well known that Aaron Sorkin used to lock himself in a hotel room with a crack pipe and write the early seasons of The West Wing. That’s one way to do it, I suppose?!
.. wild .. !
Wow, thanks! Quirky timing on this essay. For the first time ever (like, ever-ever) this week, I pumped out some thoughts while driving and dictating into my phone. It felt pretty awkward at first but less so the longer I went on. I don't think dictating with an audience would be my cuppa, so maybe I'm side-stepping most of the point here. Interesting exercise, though. I did it because I was pressed for time, and it needed a LOT of work afterwards. And yet, a start I wouldn't have had otherwise.