This is Just Terrible! – An Important Part of the Writing Process
Posted on | July 26, 2010 | 6 Comments
When Steve and I write together, at least once during every project Steve will lament, “There’s no story, there’s nothing going on, there’s no conflict, it’s not funny!” He’s only partly joking when he does it. No matter how much thought, imagination, preparation and care we’ve put into the project, there is often a point where one or both of us think it’s just not good and just not repairable. Thankfully, we’re both aware of this and one of us will remind the other that it’s all just part of the process, so just shut up and get on with it. The moment usually passes fairly quickly.
It’s easier to believe in and get caught up in that thought process when you’re writing on your own, however. I know. I went through it this morning while working on Old Magic. I have been working a lot on the characters, especially the main fellow, whose name is Samuel. I’ve been building him from the ground up, spending time with him, getting to know him. He’s a little more irascible now than I imagined he would be but in spite of that, I like him. This morning I sat down to type out some notes of things that had occurred to me in the last day or so that I hadn’t yet gotten down and started getting a little ahead of myself. (Yes, I often do what I teach my students to look out for. I know these things because I’ve experienced them.) I started worrying how a I was going to logically build to a specific plot point that was large, necessary and important to the point of the whole story. And I thought, “This story won’t work.”
I sat back, disgruntled. (Have you ever been gruntled?)
Then I remembered that I wasn’t there, yet, that it was too soon to worry about that and by the time I was there I will have done sufficient work living in the world that the thrust of the story will simply unfold before me. I got over myself and went back to the keyboard.
I wonder, though, how many writers get to that point and really think it means something other than that they’ve gotten to that point in the process, the point where they’re questioning their sanity for pursuing the project, and let it stop them. I wonder how many very worthwhile projects are simply abandoned before they’ve had the opportunity to breathe with a vibrant life of their own because the writer had never been told to simply thank those thoughts of self-doubt, declare them a crucial part of the process and get back to work.
That little moment of drama in my writing session today, that doubt that I’ll be able to connect the dots, will likely seep down into my subconscious like nitrogen-rich water and fertilize a whole garden of rich fruit for me to encounter after turning a corner one day while strolling through my modern day fictionalized Los Angeles in my mind. I won’t try to dictate now what I’ll discover there. But I’m very excited to discover it.
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July 27th, 2010 @ 4:18 pm
Yeah…what YOU said. OMG…I din’t realize every writer goes through this stage. Thankfully, I had a writing partner who smacked me in the back of the head and said..’shaddup. We’re writin’ this story whether you want to or not.’ GGgrin! Glad to know it happens to others.
July 27th, 2010 @ 4:43 pm
It happens to almost everyone. I remember back when I taught acting and an actor had that “I’ll never be able to do this moment” (the one of many) and I had to assure them also it was just part of the process.
Ain’t art fun?
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:21 am
I wonder how many first chapters are done. I know I have four writing projects that I have started, fully outline plots, but somehow I don’t get a round tuit. The finishing part, that is… I think Igot discouraged when there was no interest in my first book from publishers, and then I unfortunately hooked up with a print on demand which offered no support, but owns my book rights (for now) I think found that stores don’t carry POD books and papers don’t do stories on POD authors unless there is a human interest hook that catches their eye.
I guess what I’m saying is the reward of completion of my first book didn’t inspire me to complete another project (yet)
(thanks for allowing me to vent. I’ll dry my tears now and get to work)
Rob Britt´s last [type] ..Waffles – They’re Not Just For Breakfast Anymore
July 28th, 2010 @ 9:03 am
Rob – the POD place owns the book???? That’s an awful POD place. We used AuthorHouse (If you want to check them out, our affiliate link is: http://www.authorhouse.com/AboutUs/AffiliateLP.aspx?banner=AffBan7&refid=273363 – you pay the same and we get a commission) and it is listed in all the indexes, on-line stores and can be carried in brick and mortar stores.
We’ve been in a few. We also got some press. You have to do lots of PR work, but then, you have to do that yourself even with the majors, now. And we created our own “human interest” angle to our book so we could get press.
They also hold NO rights to any part of your book.
July 28th, 2010 @ 10:26 am
yeah, unfortunately I had to sign a 7 year contract with Publish America. Funny thing (not funny) they just sent me an e-mail that I could “buy out” my contract. I’ve been with them about 4 years, so I don’t know whether I’ll hand them more money or not..
Rob Britt´s last [type] ..Waffles – They’re Not Just For Breakfast Anymore
July 28th, 2010 @ 10:33 am
Sheesh! That’s just terrible. It depends on how much the “buy out” would cost, I imagine. If you could make the money back selling your book, or by having the book to sell as a piece of promo for your other ventures, it might be worth it. However, I truly understand not wanting to just on philosophical grounds.
Is the book done and sell-able from them? How much is your commission on each copy? If it is, there’s lots you can do with a published book – it’s not really about making money, it’s about gathering legitimacy. (Making money is nice, too, of course, don’t get me wrong.) People take you much more seriously when you can say, “I’m a published author.”
And think how much fun I have being able to say, “I’m a best-selling author”? It thrills me all the way to the kishkas!