So over at Flash Fiction Friday, where I have previously (but not lately, to my chagrin) been an enthusiastic if not terribly consistent participant, we've been asked to share our writing process. This prompt is timely. It is also painful. Because I don't have one...but I really do need one. I have a lot of ideas in my head. That's great, right? Sure, but it would be even better if I could move them from the riotous circus that is my imagination to the screen of my computer. I have so many half-written short stories, bits of character detail and chunks of dialogue drafted that I could easily jumble them together and make the world's least comprehensible novel. Or at least a novella.
But I have a great writing opportunity that has presented itself over the summer, and I'm finding myself in need of a motivational kick-in-the-ass. I'm so used to being a less than serious writer - for so many reasons that hardly need to be rehashed, because they're the same as everyone else's I'm sure - that I've let myself lose focus to the point of the ridiculous. I have a plan, and an outline, but again I'm stuck in that rut of keeping it all locked up in my head. When I sit down to actually write it, it all slides away and there is so much shiny internet to explore, I just get lost in research and planning. The execution never quite happens.
This is when I make the time to write, which in itself is rare. I've allowed it to no longer be a priority for me - there are so many things that need to be done and of course, as we all know, only so many hours in the day. What do I sacrifice in order to do this thing that I think would be a fulfilling part of my life if I could just set it in motion? Probably all that time I spend frittering away, including my reading time. And my napping time. And my very limited tv time.
Of course, when I am writing, or at least thinking about writing, it is usually very genre-specific. I love science fiction, fantasy, and some of the new fun sub-genres, especially Steampunk. I notice definite themes when I'm outlining, and when I'm brainstorming. I tried to write a love story once, and I think I ended up shooting the hunky hero into space, just because it was more fun than having the characters have some other done-to-death romantic conflict.
My writing reflects what I prefer to read. As I get older I find myself becoming more picky. When I was younger I wanted to read anything and everything and I really tried. But I had a lot more free time then, and I could stay up all night to finish a novel. Now I can only really read in spurts, or in those stolen moments when I should probably be doing something else...like writing.
I know I have it in me. I've done it before. And it's not for lack of inspiration. Maybe it's because of a surplus of ideas that I love too much, but might not work or aren't that great, and a lack of being able to edit myself, that I'm having trouble. Instead of picking the best plot or the most interesting character premise, I might want to preserve them all and end up overwhelmed with too many elements. I need to focus, put the time in, do the work. Just write. Is it really just that simple? "Just write." I guess I'll never know if I don't just follow that little mantra, will I?
And tonight, I owe someone an email outlining my plan and I need to get started on the draft outline. Of course first I have to take the dog for a walk. BUT THEN I swear I'm going to come back and write that email.
3 comments:
I do understand the need to identify your unhappiness with not writing. but you're black and blue, beating yourself up. rediscover your love for writing, don't squeeze it in. when you're ready!
I'm always beating myself up. It's a thing I do. Of course, worrying at a thing won't take me anywhere towards accomplishing that thing if there's all the fretting and none of the actual work behind it. And that's in all things, not just writing.
I know exactly what you're saying. So many ideas, such great dialogue, all swimming around in your head, and then when you sit at the keyboard, the fingers freeze.
You've made a good point about writing what you like to read. Once I reached that realization, the fingers began cooperating more. The words flowed easier, and the ideas began to come together.
You do have to relax about it though. There are times however, when deadlines must be met, but relaxing at those times is still possible and very advisable. Putting yourself under tons of pressure seems only to lock things up tighter.
Wise words also come to mind: Try not. Do. When it's time to write, write. Don't agonize over it. Write. Write what you think and write what you feel and most importantly, write what you would enjoy reading, however full of sunshine or oppressed with darkness the piece may be.
It won't be perfect the first time, or maybe even the twelfth, but again, don't worry about it. Just write it.
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