"Never, ever, write in a vacuum."- Dave Thomas
I decided this afternoon to stop dicking around and start writing my novel in earnest. (I think it started with the gift of a wooden antique book cover.) So I copied and pasted a few excerpts penned in previous creative possessions into one document and started plodding along.
Chapter One. I might as well have typed: Intimidate Thyself.
Two hours later, I have a page and 600 words I'll probably discard for all my troubles. I paused between the flow—if you can call it that—to look up a road map, the weather in April, the make of a 1989 car. And talk to my mother. (She called.)
And realized I was spending too much time trying to get it perfect the first time around. (Sort of like a journalist on deadline?) I also realized that my writing at work is buttressed by interviews and an ordered storyline already in mind. The storyline, I have. Direction? Barely any.
Aha.
So here's a few things I learned today (other than writing is a powerful form of procrastinating from writing):
- It's OK to say I started writing my first novel. Instinctively, I'd rather keep that to myself, but it's also something I'd like to document and, to a certain extent, share. Talking out the process and getting feedback won't be a bad thing.
- Don't expect The Zone to kick in at any given moment just because I started writing. It happens, but it didn't today, maybe because I was over-thinking.
- I might need to slow my roll and start working on plot and character synopses as well as conflicts and resolutions before plunging headfirst into 60,000 words with no goggles.
- I plan to write every day on evenings (and in between CSI episodes) if I can. Discipline of a ninja, folks.
Photo of boys writing on chalkboard in segregated classroom, 1966 Prairie Mission, Ala., by Bob Adelman from Corbis
6 comments:
Good for you. That is excellent. Good luck. My friends keep telling me in all seriousness to put pen to paper (finger to key board) but I hardly ever feel inspired. You're my hero.
yaye! congrats on acknowledgement. i'm excited.
Started working on a short story that had been cooking. Three hours of plodding pencil on page, and then I get hit with something and fifteen minutes later I'm staring at my own 600 words, and they actually feel like working.
Congrats, and good luck!
trinidarlin: Thank you. You're a strong lady w/a great writing voice. You'll find you have fodder from what you've previously written. ;)
GMJ: It's time.
Sean: Isn't that funny? Wish I had inspiration on call. I've learned to write w/out it, but it's so much more magical w/it.
March forth. You inspire me beyond compare.
Woot! Woot!
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