6.24.2013

Lessons Yoda Has Taught Me About Writing




Yoda is my hero. He's wise, not afraid to show his age, and tough. Or maybe it's his green color…after all, I like Kermit too.

I'm especially enamored by his syntax. It resonates with me, since sometimes backwards I speak. Alone I am not. Understand me you will. Or maybe not.

Anyway, I've gathered together a few of Yoda's quotes which help me with my writing and I'd like to share them with you here.

"Do or do not. There is no try."

One of the hardest things for a writer to conquer is the dreaded blank page.

What this quote says to me – just fill it. You can fix it later.

"Named must your fear be before banish it you can."

Writers have phobias and fears in abundance, nebulous worries about our stories swirl in our heads, unidentifiable problems we can't control.

What this quote says to me – try to pinpoint what's bothering you instead of spinning your wheels.

"You must unlearn what you have learned."

What this says to me – know the rules before you break them.

"In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way."

What this says to me – learn something new each day.

"When you look at the dark side, careful you must be. For the dark side looks back."

What this says to me – don't wallow in negative emotions. If you're stuck in a rut, do something different to brighten your outlook.

"Ready are you? What know you of ready?"

What this says to me – have humility. There's always room for improvement.

"Always pass on what you have learned."

What this says to me – pay it forward. Help others along the way.

"PATIENCE YOU MUST HAVE."

What is this "patience" you speak of? I don't think I've learned this one yet!

"On many long journeys have I gone. And waited, too, for others to return from journeys of their own. Some return; some are broken; some come back so different only their names remain."

I try to keep this quote in mind for my characters while I'm writing. Everyone's experience in life is different and a story should reflect that same variance in the journey.

Can you apply any of these to your life in general? I know I can. That's why I love a nine-hundred-year-old, wrinkly, green dude so much. Yoda is my hero.

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Laura Eno. Speculative Fiction wordsmith. The author of fifteen novels and novellas ranging from fantasy to romance to horror, she also has stories included in nineteen published anthologies.

The secret to her stories? Spread lies, blend in truths, add a pinch of snark and a dash of tears. Escape into her world. She left the porch light on so you can find your way down the rabbit hole.

 
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27 comments:

  1. Such great advice! Love how you were able to make this apply to writing. Also, patience...? I have no idea what that is, either! ;)

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  2. Heather - Patience is a foreign word to me...in any language! :)

    Elephant's Child - Exactly! Liking this you have. :)

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  3. Pass on what you know and pay it forward - very wise way to live.

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  4. I have no clue what patience is either. I love Yoda too and love how you applied his quotes to writing. Great post, Laura. :)

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  5. Alex - it's the best way to live and you're a perfect example of paying it forward with all you do!

    Julie - Another Yoda fan! Yeah, that patience thing is a sticking point, isn't it?

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  6. Fantastic advice from Yoda! And we could all learn to have a little more patience, even though it's hard. :)

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  7. Wise, so Yoda is. Lessons listen to we must.

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  8. Cherie - The lessons which hurt the most are the best for us...bah humbug! :)

    Mary - Hear you I do!

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  9. Wow, so wise I didn't know he was. Loved your interpretation, Laura!

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  10. Stephen - I'd forgotten Matthew uses the same avatar. :)

    Gwen - Wise will we be if follow what he says. ;)

    Susan - You I thank for stopping by!

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  11. Loving this I am. :)
    I really liked how you took Yoda's quotes and applied them to writing.

    Did you know Yoda speaks with nearly perfect Latin syntax? This is a strange tidbit I picked up from my oldest daughter's online Latin teacher. My daughter may forget how to do all the declensions and conjugations right, but now whenever she sees Yoda, she's reminded of Latin grammar.

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  12. Tyrean - Fun fact this is! Standard Galactic must be Yoda's second language and Latin his first. ;)

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  13. Love this post! Yoda is very wise indeed. 900 years I need to be as wise and green as he.

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  14. Christine - Thanks! A dilemma you now have...wise and green will you be or zombie queen with wrinkled small pores? ;)

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  15. Excellent lessons every one. I try and apply all of them to my life and my writing. :-)

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  16. Funny! No wonder I love STAR WARS. It applies to everything. Thanks for your thoughts, especially on defining the fear of writing before conquering it. I've always wondered why the blank page intimidates me.

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  17. "When you look at the dark side, careful you must be. For the dark side looks back."

    "What this says to me – don't wallow in negative emotions. If you're stuck in a rut, do something different to brighten your outlook."

    This is my favorite, and so, so true!

    The blank page is your friend!

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  18. Misha - Who knew a little green guy could be so full of wisdom? :)

    Kim - Star Wars does apply to everything! I think pinpointing the problem unlocks a door.

    Yolanda - It's like staring into an abyss. If you do it long enough, eventually you'll fall in!

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  19. Excellent advice, glad I stopped by today! (:

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  20. YOU have further brightened my Sunday morning, sunshine Laura. Now I'll hug the dark side out of you so you have an extraordinary spectacular week!! :D

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  21. Elise - Thanks for dropping in!:)

    Al - The dark side is fully integrated into me but I'll take a hug from you any time!

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  22. Oh, so many wise Yoda quotes. This was great!

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  23. Yoda is my hero too. Loved this post!

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