We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
DEVELOPING THE PLOT 81 You can think as well in another part of the room, on the street, wherever you may go. You will most probably do better work if you do not approach the machine until you are really ready to begin work. You may find that it is better to write the synopsis or sketch the action in on a slip of paper, suggesting with a word or two the entire scene, but most writers are able to keep the plot vivid in their mind without the aid of memoranda. Experiment until you find what system suits you best. No one can tell but yourself. The important thing in this first draft is not to let the tech- nique of form get the better of the technique of development. The man who perpetually stops to argue with himself whether this is an "on screen" or a bust or stops to figure whenever he should write "same as" or "back to," will never get very far as a creative writer. He burdens his mind so much with the details that he cramps it for the broader work. The artist who worries whether there ought to be seven or nine hairs in his smallest brush will never paint a masterpiece. Your first draft should be made in the first glow of enthusiasm. Now, if ever, you are inspired. Catch the inspiration before it dies. There is plenty of time later for revision and editing. Occupy your mind only with the details of the plot, with making the story real, and you can get the rest with revision if it is needed. If you have waited long enough you have a pretty good idea of your characters and about how they would act. Now try and see them actually act. Let them go through with the action just as you want it played and note down the leading actions as they play it. This is what has been called the "picture eye," the ability to visualize words or thoughts into actions. Unless you can see the action with your mental vision you cannot write it and your picture will be flat and unconvincing. You do not have to write all the action you see, but only the action that helps to tell the story. You do not, for example, say: Jim flicks the ashes from his cigarette, shoots down his cuffs, straightens his tie, throws away his cigarette, and with a confident air approaches Edith. Sitting on the sofa "beside her, he takes her hand and in his rich, musical voice tells her the old, old story. That would all be very well if you were writing a novel and getting so much for each thousand words, but in photoplay you