But I can't stop thinking about writing as a journey.
Right now I'm in both the not-ecstatically-fun business phase (industry research, preparing queries etc) for Romeo, Romeo and the loving-it honeymoon phase of a new novel. But I've been surprised that I've also been writing an hour a day on an old project that I didn't toss out. My priority is to complete a first draft of novel #2. But novel #3 wants attention. Just a little. Just an hour. It's not what I'm supposed to be doing, but it's fun and has its own voice and I choose to think that it's not a distracting side trip, but part of the journey.How does novel #3 help #2? I'm not exactly sure. It's just what I'm doing and feels right and if it feeds the engine... then I guess it's okay.
I have faith in the journey... but, still... how do we know things aren't distractions?
(photo by Pacific Northwest photographer Lee Mann)
I think the numbers are wrong. And, I'm getting out my BS detector, because I'm pretty sure that you should be working on number 3 as well. And that it came before number 2. (See--the numbers are wrong). And that an hour a day is plenty to keep a book alive. And that you can work on two projects at the same time (although, for some reason, I don't). Just because the majority of the day is writing for one book, doesn't mean squat. NUMBER THREE NUMBER THREE NUMBER THREE! Although, I so am enjoying number two as well. It sounds like you are doing exactly what you should be doing right now. Go you!
ReplyDeleteIs it completely apparent that I have been talking to kids all day? Staccato sentences, and arguing about semantics? Come to the late unplug tonight in The Practice Room. Unless you're busy (I know this is still a busy time for you!)
Sounds like a rich writing life to me. Enjoy that journey!!
ReplyDeleteYup, you're right. Novel #3 is in fact #2. I've been thinking about the novel currently known as #3 for a long time and had a detailed outline of 3 and a bunch of chapters before starting 2... But, in fact, novel #1 is actually #2. Because my very first completed novel is permanently down w/a "do not resuscitate" order, I count that as novel 0...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement to keep on keeping on!
Thanks, Paul. I hope we all do.
ReplyDeleteI am still revering your swiss cheese post and then you come along with this. Do you ever get anything wrong?
ReplyDeleteI set a deadline for Heather's revisions to be completed by the beginning of August. Back me up?
Jon - you are way too kind. And I back you up for Heather. You're in for a treat. She's doing amazing work.
ReplyDeleteCool, I love the way all your works in progress are so unruly, vying for your attention. I say as long as they are vying, you better listen. It is when they get difficult and quiet that you have to worry about wasting your time. I think you just said it, the writing IS the most important thing! Yay, I second, H, "Go you!"
ReplyDeleteI can back up for Heather too!
Tina - amen for what you say about the quiet ones... if a work isn't vying for our attention, if it's quiet, if it is the writer not the writing forcing attention then it's time to move on.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been really helpful to have heard your wisdom a few years ago...
Jeffrey - Welcome & thanks for following.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you Robert, I'm wanting to work on #2 but I keep pushing it aside. I need to rework #1 and re-query it. I try to tell myself that I'm being disciplined about it, but I'm thinking you may be right. I may need to work on #2 because it's a journey and it may help me with #1. So I'm right there with the same question: What constitutes a distraction?
ReplyDeleteAnsha - Perhaps we should form a distraction support group... I also think Tina is on to something, her idea that if a work is vying for attention, then we should attend to it. So here's to your #2!
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for the welcome. I always enjoy going back to an earlier novel in the series I've written with new eyes. Measuring the growth I've experienced along the way with both the characters and craft makes me proud of how far I've come and eager for where I'm going.
ReplyDeletePaul - right on - I'm all for the power of new eyes.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey - whoops... I said "Paul" when I meant Jeffrey. In addition to the power of new eyes I should be all for the power of proofing.
ReplyDeleteUh, oh. With the three of you on my tail, I guess that deadline is firm--ish. Scary. Okay, I'll get right on it. And I'm going back--did I miss a post of yours?? The horror!!
ReplyDeleteOkay--and that 'amazing work' comment will fuel my fire for DAYS. Thanks.
ReplyDelete