Earlier this week, I got to type my two favorite words: “the” and “end.” Truthfully, neither of the words does much for me individually, but taken in context (and in order) at bottom of a 415-page manuscript, they bear a sweet message. It means that Damage Control, the fourth book in the Jonathan Grave series, is finally finished–at least until such time as my editor sends me the Dreaded Letter. In the meantime, I need to submit an outline and first chapter for my next book, which I’m currently calling Untitled Grave Five. Yeah, I know, the title needs work, but I need to deliver that finished manuscript to my publisher next September 15, after which I will need to deliver an outline and first chapter for Untitled Grave Six by next October 15.
Somehow, between now and November 15, I also need to write a short story for an anthology while traveling pretty much nonstop for my Big Boy job. It will all get done. I’m not entirely sure how, but it will all get done. I know this because somehow it always gets done.
Here’s the thing, though: Unlike the consensus reached after Nancy Cohen’s post the other day that most of my Killzone colleagues think continually about their writing, I find not-writing to be the easiest thing in the world to do. I consider myself to be an observer of people and something of a dialogue sponge when folks say interesting things, but it’s rare that I think that something in life would make a good story, or that fascinating surroundings would make a good scene. At least I never think it real-time.
Generally, I think about writing when I sit down to write. Take this blog post, for example–take most of my blog posts, in fact. It’s Thursday night, which means it’s time to write something. This is what occurred to me. Next week, I’m pretty sure that’s how it will happen again.
The short story I owe will be based on a photograph. I chose the photo because it’s strange, and as of this moment, I have no idea what narrative I’m going to tie to it. Next weekend, though–which is the start date I’ve assigned to myself for the short story–I have every confidence that when I sit down to write, the story will be there waiting for me. I’ll employ no tricks or gimmicks or exercises; I’ll just start to write. Three, four, or ten drafts later, it will be done. I just don’t know how.
The lack of predictability in my creative process scares the bejeebers out of me. Unlike so many other authors I speak to, I don’t have a file of potential ideas, or biographical sketches of future characters. I wish I did, and I admire those who do. Nine books into my career, with #11 and #12 under contract, none of this ever gets easier for me, even though I tell myself that I’m getting better at it.
One thing that has changed, though, is that I’ve learned to accept my process for what it is. It’s my way, it works for me. I think that my ability to turn the fiction spigot on and off is what allows be to have both a book deadline and a stressful Big Boy job. Certainly, it helps. One thing I know for sure, though, is that the more I try to make it easier on myself, the harder it all becomes.
So what about you? Are you content with your creative process, or are you fighting to change things?
Some of my best creative sparks come when I’m walking our dogs. Some of the best bits of my current WiP have come that way. So I normally make sure I have something to make a note with on me, or rush home before I forget!
What I have a problem with is finding the time to actually write, there’s the day job (that’s the one that pays the bills), and all those other things; house, garden, reading all those good books out there, that get in the way!
I have an idea file, but I’ve never used it. What the idea file does for me it that it gives me permission to forget that great idea while I’m busy on something else. Someday, I may pull that file out and go through it, but it always seems there is a more current idea for me to use.
Hey, it works for you and that’s what matters.
I’m still trying to find my rhythm. I definitely wish I could write faster, but poky is my natural speed. And now I’ve got distractions with learning how to create a website so I’m not writing at all at present.
But I’m finding that learning to create a website is a fun mix of creativity and logic and actually think it will re-fuel me for my writing when I get back to it.
As to the process of ideas, I get them largely by research, and I like it that way.
BK Jackson
http://www.bkjackson.blogspot.com
The creative process for me is always a work in progress. Even more so than whatever I’m working on…which today will be tomorrow’s blog!
It is what it is. I try to write every day, and generally succeed. I take the summer off, except for random blog posts. Ideas come to me in strange places, and sometimes don’t come to me when I need them.
I’ve come to accept this is how my mind works. I can discipline myself to take best advantage, but I can’t change it any more than I can alter the fact that I’m 6’1″ or have grown eyes.
What has really helped me is taking one day off a week from writing. I write six days a week, and aim for 6,000 words. I may ratchet that up at various times, but I always try to rest on Sunday. My battery really recharges and Monday becomes very productive.
I love to write and have more ideas than I’ll ever get to. But that’s one of the nice things about digital publishing. I can bring out more content. I’m busier than ever with projects and editing, which makes that one day off a week all the more important.
I can sometimes take a week long vacation, but usually my wife knows I’m both “here” and “there” at the same time, and dang if I don’t take just “a few minutes, honey” to tap a note or two or three. My wife is a saint.
As Peter De Vries once said, “I write when I’m inspired, and I see to it that I’m inspired at nine o’clock every morning.” I think if you’re a professional writer or want to be one, you need to have an outlook similar to that one.
Congrats, John on “the-ending” your new one. Can’t wait to read it.
I am definitely fighting, hoping, and wishing really hard to change things. My primary problem is too many things too few minutes. It was hard to write with a day, kids, and other activities to begin with, but now that my recording studio is taking off its getting even harder.
A few more narration clients, and perhaps chunk of advance or movie option money may be just the ticket to help my narration take to the big leagues, until then writing time comes when it comes.