We were lucky to catch up with David Boito recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi David , 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?
I think the best way to overcome writers block is to allow oneself the freedom to write without an internal censor or any kind of self-judgement. If one can simply write a draft without listening to that little voice in one’s head you can stay ahead of the game. Some writers call it a “vomit draft” or simply a “rough draft,” these are terms meant to signify that one is doing a draft without any fear of what one is putting on the page. It means one will go back and shape the clay later on, one is currently just putting down something to “find” the story.
This does not mean that one does not plan out a story or outline its beats (events of the beginning/middle/end). Stories do have a “grammatical “structure and one should be aware of one’s road map to a certain extent. This will help get one through. Although some writers, such as the late, great Paddy Chayefsky, did not deign to outline their work. Chayefsky was known for putting one sentence that had some meaning to his story down on a strip of paper . That was his outline. He would paste it to the wall above his typewriter and just begin writing.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a screenwriter and author. My first novel, “Valley Fliers,” was given an Honorable Mention in the young adult thriller category by the 2023 Readers Favorite Book Awards. My latest book, “Bee Conspiracy,” is an eco-thriller about an LAPD cop and a Special Agent for US Fish and Wildlife who team to investigate a sociopath kindling mass hysteria to profit from the extermination of biological bees.
I studied film and creative writing at UCLA. My short stories have been featured in publications including Westwind, the UCLA literary journal. My stage play, “Captive Muse” was staged by three theater companies in California including The Long Beach Playhouse. My screenplays have been optioned by Revolution Studios and Solipsist Films. I have won accolades from the Austin Film Festival, Fade In magazine and Scriptshadow among others.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Certainly the quality of persistence was key. One has to continue despite overwhelming odds of failure.
I have been lucky to have a few people who have championed my work over the years. It helps to have an advocate and trusted someone who is eager to read your work even when it’s not quite polished yet.
I also think it’s helpful for people to pick an artist that inspires them — who may be further along in their career — and aspire to their level of success. One always runs faster when there is a leader of the pack that one is trying to catch.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When one feels overwhelmed it helps to pick out one thing or task that one can confront and complete that task. When one has done that you will feel inspired to move on and tackle the next thing. Do not try to resolve everything at once. Take it one step at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beeconspiracy.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/idea_feast
- Other: https://valleyfliers.davidboito.com/ https://books2read.com/b/bOzKgN https://books2read.com/b/b5wkV7
