Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Writing is like Angry Birds

Writing and publishing a novel is a lot like playing Angry Birds. Seriously. (And if you don't know what Angry Birds is, you are missing out!!)

photo source: http://technorati.com/technology/article/angry-birds-vs-angry-birds/

Sometimes with a new level on Angry Birds, I get lucky and nail all of the pigs with my first shot - - using one bird only. Sometimes ... I can use all of my birds and still not clear the level, and then those stinky little pigs laugh at me. Arrrgg. So, I try again. Sometimes it takes me a while to clear a level.

Then I was eating lunch with friends one day, and the wife explained how she only plays Angry Birds for fun. She doesn't care about her score or how many stars she earns. I realized I was a novice, because I didn't realize the star rating mattered. (I've only been playing the game for a few weeks.) My friend went on to explain that her husband not only plays for the high score, but he also won't move on to the next level until he's earned a three star rating.

Huh.

I went home and replayed all of my previously cleared levels to make sure I had a three star rating on each one.

Funny. Right?

But then I got to thinking ... this is a lot like writing. Some writers get pretty lucky with their first manuscript, their first query letter, and their first editor. Some writers have to work hard and figure out the right path, overcome the obstacles, and keep trying to achieve their goals.  Some writers are happy with just clearing the level and moving on. Other writers want a three star rating on each level.

What kind of writer are you? Does everything come easily on your first try? Are you happy just to finish? Or do you feel like you have to work harder at everything and earn the high score?

14 comments:

  1. That's why I stopped playing most video games. It gets too annoying to keep trying and trying until you finally get lucky. There's enough frustration in real life without video games adding to it.

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  2. PT - I totally understand not playing video games. I don't usually play any, but I did give AB a try. It's fun.

    But in regards to writing ... would you stop because the process can be annoying and frustrating at times? Sometimes writing is about trying and trying until you finally get lucky.

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  3. I've never played Angry Birds, but I'd want a decent score before moving on. It doesn't have to be perfect. Sometimes perfection isn't good or interesting - it can be boring or even frustrating. Who needs that?

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  4. As a novice writer, I'm definitely trying to clear the first level. I'm still not sure I'm making any real progress with it, but high scores and 3-star ratings don't concern me yet. Maybe after clearing a few 'levels' (editing passes?) I'll go back and make sure I didn't miss anything.

    Interesting comparison. I'll have to take your word for it since I've never played 'Angry Birds'. My two little birdies are challenging enough :)

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  5. I don't know why I didn't make the connection before? It IS like Angry Birds! I'm so good, and then I get stuck on some level forever. Sniff.

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  6. In my online text-base RPG I played a mage and each level you gain you are able to increase your skills in many different schools which teach you powerful magic spells. With each level, I would upgrade my skills, because upgrading skills supposedly makes your magic a lot more powerful when you have to fight big, bad monsters. However, upgrading your skills costs money and time. Impressed yet? :)

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  7. You don't know it's easy until things get hard I guess. And esp with Angry Birds, some levels trick some people up and not others. Which is how we can have some writers who can't plot to save their life and others who can make a muddy puddle a metaphor for the meaning of life... Great post!

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  8. Definitely the hard way. I get good ideas, but have to sweat the rest. Pure hard slog. D

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  9. Great analogy. I agree, its hard work.

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  10. High scores all the way. My perfectionistic tendencies often drive me (and my husband!) crazy!

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  11. A friend (so-called) plopped her laptop on me with Angry Birds loaded up and I proceeded to play it during a party at my own house, ignoring everyone else. That's another way it's like being a writer.

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  12. Never played it, but I understand your comparison. I wouldn't like to just scrape by and I want to be the best I can be. I think the rating we give ourself is the most important. Lol, does that sound deep?!

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  13. My hubby plays Angry Birds in bed, just before he reads, and while I'm already trying to sleep. Grrrr....

    To answer your question: I'm definitely a three-star writer - I have to do the very best I can, and can't ever move on until I consider it perfect. This is probably why I haven't succumbed to Angry Birds yet!

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  14. I love comparing writing to things like videogames, which I did in my blog post Still Leveling. I started it out with platformers and ended with RPGs, but they both remind me of the journey to publication.

    Angry Birds is an excellent game for comparison. It always frustrates me to see how easily some writers achieve things I still struggle with (like getting an agent or landing a book deal). But, like I said in my own post, we're all playing the same game - and we can give each other little tips to help beat the levels!

    ...I think I'm going to have to play Angry Birds again.

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