Break, Anyone?
Posted By admin on August 19, 2010
I meant to take one yesterday. I’d sent the proposal. I was exhausted, and I thought I had no more brainstorming cells left.
However, I met a friend for lunch near an office supply store. (What writer can resist writing implements?) I found a lovely notebook and then, somehow an excellent pen also jumped into my hand. Afterward, I had to use my new purchases.
I love writing longhand. The first book I wrote, I wrote on paper with a series of pens that made that notebook a rainbow of color. But I wrote the story in three months, and then it took me three months to type it in. Some of that is to do with a first book and a learning curve, and massive editing as I typed, but some of it is just the sheer monotony of typing from a handwritten ms. (And possibly not being able to read my own penmanship–no doubt also the bane of Sister Mary Ellen’s teaching career.)
However, I still like to plan on paper or index cards. Index cards force me to stay off the enticing tangent! No space to wander.
So, I’m thinking of a new idea, and I’m planning in my lovely notebook with my excellent pen. Except now, I need to turn to the laptop to work on character worksheets.
So, no break. Which is a good thing. Writing every day keeps the writing muscles in shape. And, yay–a good habit! (I’m a magnet for the bad ones!)
Today, I’m looking at the melding I mentioned yesterday–moving the half a book I’d written pre-revision of the latest version of my proposal into the new version. After a few hours of that work, I’ll start on the characterization worksheets for a new idea.
The brainstorming is for just in case lovely editor is sick to death of current proposal story. See how easily I said that–as if the suggestion isn’t a body blow? That’s because writing is a job, and I have to walk the craziest tightrope–living inside my characters so much that I know what they’ll do if offered a sandwich or blackmail evidence. And yet, I also have to leave them behind if I’m just not writing them well enough to sell.
That’s not necessarily true. The thing about writing is that each new story is a learning experience. If I haven’t done my proposal well, I’ll just keep writing and some day, I’ll find a solution. Maybe knowing that keeps me balanced on the tightrope.
Comments
Leave a Reply
Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there will be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there is no need to re-submit your comment.