I get a lot more writing done when I sign up to publicly read my work at various regular events around town. Having a deadline makes me get something done and usually a topic or theme gives some direction. It really helps with letting go of the preciousness of ideas.

Reading for an audience with a tight time limit forces you to think about why every sentence is on the page and why you structure certain genre stories in certain ways. Writing for horror has improved my love stories and comedic work because like with genres of music there’s an expected pace to these things. When you slot into the audience’s expectations there’s an ease to the process but you also start to see when to twist and veer, how to break expectations to create fear or heartbreak or laughter.

Just like with software development, the iterative feedback loop between writing a piece, performing it, and then incorporating audience response into the process is stronger the tighter you can make the loop. If you try to write one epic novel you get limited feedback. If you start writing a series of connected short stories, each one is a new experiment in what works and what doesn’t. Rewrite the same piece for new audiences and shows in the same way a stand up comic refines an act.