Summer is not my creative season. Too many of my children around and too much to do in the garden,not too mention a full caseload and no time off. I find that I get anxious and tense when the days pass by and nothing gets written. So, I'm trying to find ways to utilize my *off* season by working out plot problems in the sequel I'm writing to Cleah.
My writing style is to simply write each word and scene in sequence - and then re-write the following day (or month) and add more. I start with knowing the main characters and the over all plot - but I don't do the outline or lay out the chapters - my mind just doesn't work that way. I wrote my thesis and my dissertation the same way. I know, too, how the book will end, but my goodness, that leaves a whole lot in between.
Right now I'm trying to figure out what the evil doer in my Cleah sequel looks like. I know it's something black and not fully solid - but my mind goes blank after that. I also don't know how I'm going to kill it - I guess that will come after I determine what it's made of and what it looks like. So, I drive my car or fill in my insomniac nights with thoughts of evil black things. No wonder I don't sleep!
Well, I hope your writing days are flowing smoothly - have your best day possible.
I thought I was the only one that wrote like that. It's good to know I'm not alone in the world.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie - I know what you mean - it seems like those of us who write one word at a time are not so common. Oh well, unique is good, right?!
ReplyDeleteOur writing processes sound very similar! It's true, summer is hard for all the reasons you mention. (I'm planning on beginning my next novel when the school year starts--my little one is off to kindergarten this year, gulp).
ReplyDeleteI think we might share experience in psych, too? Only I copped out before doing the dissertation!
Thanks for the post.
Brenda - I do see your followers at the top of this entry, however, you had 4 comments, and I'm writing to you after the 3rd. Why? I don't know. Anyway, I once thought I did the same thing. So I shut down my computer and let it reboot. When I signed back in, my followers were following again. Hope this helps . . .
ReplyDeleteNancy @http://blogofavetswife.blogspot.com/