Which are you?
Do you write by the seat of your pants or do you plot as you go along?
The first time I heard the expression are you a plotter or a panster I thought someone was just being a smart arse because I could have sworn I’d heard…’are you a prodder or hamster?’ I was about to say I don’t think that is any of your bloody business when I realised I’d heard incorrectly. Now, I think it’s possible to have the best of both worlds but I do think I definitely swing more one way…if you know what I mean.
I don’t remember when I started to write, I don’t remember when I found my voice as an artist. I remember hearing other writers talking about when they found their voices like a teenager talks about losing their virginity.
“Gee, you’ll never believe this,” said one writer to the other. “But…I think I just found it! I was in this hardware store looking for a screwdriver and thinkin’ about…shit, well you know…and thought of something that really shits me, that my girl Cheryl said, right. And, I thought then, quickly like…I’m not going to take this shit anymore from her! I’m a bloody writer for Christ sake. I have the power of the WORD behind me.” The writer takes a deep breath and continues…”Then, wham-O! I realised at that very moment, as I sipped a cold fuckin’ latte decafe…Christ, Rodger, ya’just found ya’voice. You’re a bloody writer…an artist.”
Well, I never had a moment like that! Never had a moment of absolute realisation.
In fact I’ve never found anything. I’ve lost a lot of things over the years though! I lost a whole week in Berlin once…
I guess that’s not the same thing, right?
I remember there was a time not so long ago when I felt I had nothing at all to say.
The world was a cold empty place.
How times have changed. Now I can’t shut up.
But, am I or am I not a plotter or a panster?
Well…I don’t know. What do you think?
Andy Warhol’s Fifteen Minutes of Fame
Written & directed by Noel Anderson
Continues at the Jewish Museum of Australia 9th, 16th May
Includes viewing of Warhol’s Geniuses Exhibtion
Booking: http://www.trybooking.com/129490