We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emre Korkmaz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emre below.
Hi Emre, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?
When I face writer’s block, it’s usually because I’m staring at a blank page with no clear idea where to start. The longer I struggle to begin, the more anxious I become. To overcome this, I find it essential to have a strong opening sentence that I’m passionate about before sitting down to write. A good opening sentence gives me hope and fuel to press forward, as well as a standard to uphold.
Recently, I’ve discovered the joy of writing longhand with a fountain pen. The sensory experiences – the smell of ink, the feel of paper, and the ritual of refilling my pen – make writing a physical and enjoyable process. When I’m stuck, I write about my struggles, and soon ideas start flowing more freely. Writing longhand helps me slow down, consider the next word I’m about to write, and write more concisely. Transferring my work to the computer becomes the first rewrite, and the text already reads more polished.
Beyond these small tricks, it’s about maintaining creativity. Ultimately, it’s about keeping that inner child alive. Traveling to new places always helps, as it disrupts my routine and fuels my imagination. Also, writing all night when everyone sleeps makes me feel more “writerly,” given that I can nap the next day. Taking showers, walking, and driving helps me change my perspective and think more simply.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a media production professional. While the definition of “media” continually evolves, my role remains the same: conveying emotions, feelings, messages, and information through images, sound, or both. I am particularly drawn to projects and assignments that incorporate a cross-media storytelling approach, where key elements of the same content engage audiences across multiple media channels, interacting and playing off each other in an innovative, “post-modern” way.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1-focus a hundred percent on the person in front of me and listen.
2-be fair.
3-take my audience seriously and trust them.
I think the first two qualities – focus and fairness – are essential for everyone, regardless of their profession or level of experience.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
As my latest project incorporates cross-media elements into its narrative, I am eager to collaborate with storytellers specializing in mediums beyond moving images. Podcasters, graphic novelists, and innovative storytellers in the social media space—I am excited to co-create stories with fellow creators.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emrekorkmaz.com
Image Credits
Los Angeles Asian Film Festival, IDFA Amsterdam
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
