Margaret Atwood's Top 5 Writing Tips
TLDRMargaret Atwood, renowned author of The Handmaid's Tale, recounts when at age 16 she decided to become a writer in high school, influenced by a teacher who appreciated her talent. She discusses her writing process, keeping her 'waste paper basket' close by to discard drafts. Asked to choose her proudest work, Atwood refuses, not wanting her books to feel dismissed. On building complex storylines, she emphasizes perspiration over inspiration. Regarding the emotional scenes, Atwood aims to spur readers to imagine themselves in characters' shoes. Offering tips to young writers, she advises: take notes habitually, read critically, watch posture, walk when blocked, and freely throw out unsuccessful drafts.
Takeaways
- 😊 Decided to become a writer at 16 when encouraged by a teacher, chose writing over science as it was more fun
- 😁 Doesn't pick a favorite book as the others would be upset if not chosen
- 🤓 Writing takes 10% inspiration and 90% hard work and perseverance
- 🧐 Puts dead bodies early in murder mysteries to hook readers looking for action
- 😟 Emotionally draining scenes let readers empathize with characters facing challenges
- 😀 Encourages young writers to keep the tradition of reading and writing alive
- 🙂 Writing itself is an act of optimism about the future
- 📝 Top tips for young writers: get a notebook, read critically, watch your posture, take breaks, and don't be afraid to throw stuff out
- 😎 Enjoyed consulting on The Handmaid's Tale TV adaptation but doesn't have full creative control
- 🔍 The show team rigorously researches details to maintain plausibility based on real historical precedents
Q & A
At what age did Margaret Atwood decide she wanted to be a writer?
-Margaret Atwood decided she wanted to be a writer when she was 16 years old, while she was in high school.
What initially sparked Margaret Atwood's interest in writing?
-Margaret Atwood didn't have any plans to become a writer. It was a teacher she had in high school who inspired her to start writing creatively, even though creative writing was not offered as a subject in her school at that time.
Why does Margaret Atwood avoid choosing a favorite among her own books?
-Margaret Atwood avoids picking a favorite book because she doesn't want her other books to feel dismissed or less appreciated. She put a lot of time and interest into all of her books.
What is Margaret Atwood's writing process like?
-Margaret Atwood says writing involves 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. She works diligently to develop her initial ideas, often throwing out material that isn't working. Her writing process involves a lot of revision and refinement.
How does Margaret Atwood create emotionally intense scenes in her books?
-Margaret Atwood says emotionally draining scenes allow readers to empathize with characters and consider how they would handle difficult situations themselves. These scenes also add surprise and narrative momentum.
Why is The Handmaid's Tale being studied by high school students?
-The Handmaid's Tale resonates today because many of its dystopian elements no longer seem unrealistic. Its themes around women's rights and authoritarianism are highly relevant in current times.
What gives Margaret Atwood optimism about the future?
-Despite dystopian themes in her work, Margaret Atwood feels optimistic because the act of writing presumes future readers. Recording words means believing someone in the future will read them.
How is the TV adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale written?
-The TV series has a team of around 10 writers who work together to extend the story from Margaret Atwood's novel. She reads scripts but doesn't have veto power over the content.
How much attention is given to visual details in the show?
-Great care is taken with visual details like color shades and set design to ensure continuity and convey information about this disturbing world.
What is Margaret Atwood's advice to young aspiring writers?
-Margaret Atwood advises young writers to record ideas, read critically, watch their posture, take walks when stuck, and not be afraid to throw out writing that isn't working.
Outlines
😊 Early Interest in Writing and Influential Teachers
Paragraph 1 discusses when Margaret Atwood first decided to become a writer at age 16 after an unimpressed teacher was followed by one who inspired her. She explains how writing in 1950s Canada was not really an option, but she pursued it anyway against recommendations. She switched from science to writing despite others thinking it was mad.
😲 Emotionally Draining Scenes and Maintaining Reader Interest
Paragraph 2 covers Atwood's perspective on including emotionally draining scenes being necessary to make the reader wonder how they would handle the situation and connect with the character. She relates this to the need for a story to have surprises and unexpected events to maintain the reader's interest.
📝 Tips for Aspiring Young Writers
Paragraph 3 gives Atwood's top 5 tips for aspiring young writers aged 11-18: 1) Get a notebook to write down ideas 2) Read a lot and critically 3) Pay attention to posture 4) Take walks or naps to overcome writer's block 5) Don't be afraid to throw things out while drafting.
😎 Handmaid's Tale TV Collaboration Process
Paragraph 4 describes Atwood's collaborative process with the TV series team for The Handmaid's Tale, where she reads scripts and consults but does not have full control. She details how it is a group effort with many stakeholders making decisions to ensure faithfulness to the book's ideas.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡writer
💡novelist
💡dystopian
💡optimism
💡prediction
💡adaptation
💡writing process
💡advice
💡legacy
💡details
Highlights
I decided I wanted to be a writer when I was 16 years old, in high school, because writing was more fun than anything else
To be a writer, you need 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration - the rest is hard work and constantly developing new ideas
To write a good murder mystery, put one dead body quite close to the front - otherwise people will wonder where the murder is
Emotionally draining scenes in books allow readers to empathize with characters and wonder how they would deal with difficult situations
The mere act of writing is an act of optimism - you believe someone will want to read what you write in the future
Tip #1 for young writers: Get a notebook and write down ideas
Tip #2: Read a lot and critically analyze what you like/dislike about books
Tip #3: Pay attention to posture when writing to avoid pain
Tip #4: Take walks and get sleep to overcome writer's block
Tip #5: Don't be afraid to throw out writing that isn't working
Adaptations like The Handmaid's Tale TV series involve big creative teams, not just the original book author
Every visual detail in The Handmaid's Tale adaptation was carefully planned and based on real historical precedent
Writers learn from reading and analyzing other writers' techniques
Let your unconscious mind work on story problems by sleeping and taking walks
Feel free to throw out writing that isn't working - you have complete freedom while drafting
Transcripts
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