Craft Lab 06.10.25

VIEW RECORDING - 52 mins (No highlights)

Meeting Purpose

Craft Lab session for writing advice, peer discussion, and Q&A with Esmé Weijun Wang

Key Takeaways

• Writing in brain fog or with cognitive difficulties can produce a unique, valuable style

• Indexing techniques help structure and refine manuscript drafts

• Separating "editor brain" from "writer brain" through physical/environmental cues aids productivity

• Positioning unconventional writing styles (e.g. autistic syntax) as cutting-edge can increase marketability

Topics

Writing Process and Structure

• Rebecca: Questioned how to create a narrative arc for a collection of short fiction pieces

• Suggestion: Take the "Art of Memoir" class to learn techniques for developing a book's overall structure

• Jay: Debated whether to perfect each chapter before moving on or write a full draft first

• Advice: Either approach can work; perfecting early chapters helps establish the "foundation" but may slow progress

Writing Difficult Topics

• Christina: Asked how to approach writing about hard subjects

• Recommendation: Take the "Writing About Things That Hurt" class for strategies on containing painful material during writing sessions

• Use physical cues (e.g. lighting a candle) to mark the start/end of writing about difficult topics

Manuscript Revision Techniques

• Armando: Seeking advice on revising a travel memoir draft after a long break

• Suggestion: Use index card method from "Indexing as Creative Discovery" class to map out structure, identify gaps/redundancies, and streamline content

Writing with Cognitive Challenges

• Isabel: Expressed concern about writing quality during brain fog or cognitive difficulties

• Perspective: Brain fog can produce a unique writing style with inherent value; embrace it as a form of literary experimentation

Balancing Editor and Writer Roles

• Neva: Struggled with separating professional editing mindset from personal writing practice

• Tips: Use physical cues (e.g. wearing a specific hat) or environmental changes (different writing locations) to shift between editing and writing modes

Unconventional Writing Styles

• Julia: Interested in exploring unmasked autistic syntax in writing

• Advice: Position unconventional styles as cutting-edge and representative of underrepresented experiences when pitching to publishers

Managing Multiple Projects

• Christy: Asked about recognizing when to switch between writing projects

• Guidance: Listen to your body/brain's signals; pursue what feels most engaging unless facing strict deadlines

Next Steps

• Participants to explore relevant classes in the curriculum (e.g. "Art of Memoir", "Writing About Things That Hurt")

• First Pass submissions due in approximately two weeks; details to be emailed

• Brain Fog class scheduled for next month

• Ongoing Monday afternoon writing sessions hosted by Julia (1-3pm Eastern)