What Candy Crush has taught me about writing...

I recently traded in my old mobile phone and discovered the brave new world of interconnectivity which the rest of you have inhabited for ages.  The new phone sits in my pocket, with more computing power than the Apollo Space Mission needed to get to the moon.  Naturally, one of the main uses I have found for such an awesome machine is to download apps and waste many hours on it playing childish games.

One of my new discoveries is the ‘Candy Crush’ series.  I am now in a position to state authoritatively that, of the three I’ve tried, ‘Candy Crush Soda’ is by far my favourite.  Mainly because it allows me to ‘Save the bears’ on a regular basis, something which leaves me feeling absurdly pleased with myself.  But regular sessions of ‘Candy Crush’ between writing stints has revealed a deeper truth.  Playing ‘Candy Crush’ and writing have a lot in common.

One of the main requirements to progress through the levels of ‘Candy Crush’ and similar games is persistence.  Some days, no matter what I do, I simply cannot complete the level.  Time and time again I try and fail to flush those pesky bears from beneath their sugar frosting.  But, and this is the key, I keep trying.  And, eventually, through a combination of good luck and skill, I succeed.  This is a lesson that any writer should take to heart.

Writing requires persistence.  There will be days when you turn up to the keyboard and try to write but nothing gels and writing seems like the hardest thing in the world.  Don’t despair!  Accept that there will be days like that and keep on trying.  One day, the writing will flow and the struggle will seem worthwhile.  The only way for this to happen is if you keep on turning up and giving it a go.  Day after day.  There are no shortcuts to success.

Another thing I discovered when playing ‘Candy Crush’ is that I slowly (sometimes laboriously) learn ways to improve my chance of completing the level by maximising the impact of special candies.  Not much help with writing, you might think but I’m not so sure.
Good writing needs a combination of factors to take flight.  Interesting characters become lame without sparkling dialogue.  A gripping plot loses intensity if the stakes are too low.  Dull exposition can bury the most fascinating story.  The writer, like the game player, must learn to employ these special ingredients in his/her story to maximum advantage.  Only then will the words set light to the reader’s imagination.

The final element of success at ‘Candy Crush’ has to be luck.  Some days, the candies just won’t fall right, no matter what I try.  Then, a lucky combination of actions unlocks the level.  This holds true for writing, too.  Some days are just plain uninspired.  The writing has no spark.  Then, a random event, a newspaper article, a throwaway line in a conversation can trigger a new train of thought and propel your story in an unexpected direction.  Grasp those opportunities and run with them.
​
And, remember, if the writing doesn’t work out, there’s always another level of ‘Candy Crush’...

---