Taking my own Advice

 

If you're going to have a post based on giving advice, then you need to have some faith that what you are saying at least comes close to the truth.

And if you can be comfortable with that, then you can be confident that you are taking advice from someone who knows a thing or two.

I mentioned in my last post that I had two stories on the go, and that one was just about completed, but the other was rather difficult to get along with.

I did finish the first one, made some changes and was happy to put it in the bank.

Then I went back to the other one. I added some lines, changed a couple of angles, shaved off some words, but no matter what, it wasn't going anywhere. 

So I just put it on the shelf and wished it well.

Without all that fuss going on in my head, I was feeling open to new ideas. It didn't take long before something flashed in the back of my mind. I picked up my faithful sticky notes and wrote a few ideas. Right away I knew this was headed somewhere. Without the agro of trying to nurture my stunted story, I was able to move on to my new baby and give it all the attention it needed.

Not finished yet, but it's growing up big and strong. 

The point being, which I have mentioned a few times, is if you are sure something is not going anywhere, don't fret or fuss. Put it aside, don't abandon it, just let it be and move on.

When you are not struggling with a worn out, tired, idea, then your mind is clear to chart new territory. That's how good things happen.

The Pearl In The Oyster

 

Not often I return to the scene of the crime this quickly, but I had a writer's itch that needed to be scratched. You may or may not recall that my post from the previous week mentioned I had two stories on the go. The good news is that within the following two days, the first was completed, renovated, and edited. I was a man on a mission.

On the other hand the second is still very much in the construction stage. 

The thing is, it is a great idea which I like very much. I know it will end up being a favourite story. So what's the problem? I just happen to have run into a few speed humps. Now if I wasn't so excited about the concept I might have put it in the files and come back some rainy day. But this one is begging me to keep going and not put it on the back burner and the ideas I keep getting are needed to complete this rather twisted tale. So there's nothing for it than do forge onward. 

Now that I done that, how about a moving analogy? Suppose you need to be out of one place and into another in short order.

There's no time to sift through things, and organize them for your new digs. The moving truck is at the door, you've hired Hank, Vera and Oscar to help you. A case of beer and a bucket of chicken are already waiting in new kitchen.

From here the only choice is to take everything and pile it into the truck. Oh and did I mention the truck needs to be back to the rental in two hours? So upon arrival, there is nothing for it but to dump everything in the ample sized living room.

After the apres move party you will spend the next few days ferreting through all the debris and separating the wheat from the chaff.

Now if this isn't the longest, laboured metaphor this side of the Biblical Parables, I don't know what is. But I am confident you know what I am getting at. As I have preached throughout the blog. Just Write Already!!!

I have have taken every idea that might be a good segue, lead, or follow up to everything else I have written, and piled it onto my script. Note the word good, there are things I discarded before the thought was cold. But I know once I go in and start letting these ideas percolate their way into my story, and I have sent the others packing, I am going to have the plot all mapped out, ready for the usual makeover and maniacal editing. And I hope, nay, I know that my next post will have me celebrating the conclusion of this rather fractious manuscript

The message being, (bet you wondered if I would ever get there), if you know it's a winner, then don't sweat the details. Put everything down which you know will help make for a happy ending, for you anyway. 

In the words of an author I know. 

Just Write Already!!!

Just Write Already: Porter, Stephen F C: 9780995960343: Books - Amazon.ca

Just Writing Already

There's nothing like starting a long overdue post with a commercial. BTW I discounted it for Christmas and didn't change it back.

Just Write Already: Porter, Stephen F C: 9780995960343: Books - Amazon.ca

Since my new book is entirely based on my blog, that would seem to make sense. Yes?

So now we have that out of way, let's get on with it.

A lot of people ask me what I am writing at present. I really can't come up with a bombshell announcement in that regard. I have no new book currently in the works. No articles. Certainly no periodicals. But having said that, when I am not writing with an end in site, I am still writing. 

I think once you get into a writer's state of mind, the ideas don't stop. You may think you have gone dry, but if you stop thinking that you have to have a goal and just write whatever ideas come into your head, then it's all good. Everything doesn't have to have an endgame, and I think that's what many writer's misunderstand. You do not have to have the next Giller Prize novel in the works. On the other hand, I do believe you need to keep in the game and keep sharp all the time.

Since my last entry here, I've had two stories on the go. I just completed the second draft of the first two days ago. It clocks in at about 30 pages. The second one is about half done I reckon, and likely will be a similar length. So when someone asks me what I am writing, I won't say nothing (pardon the double negative ). I AM WRITING and that's enough.

As I had the storyline for both at around the same time, I switched back and forth as new notions came to me for each. There was no agenda, or schedule. I had some ideas, and the more I wrote the more they came together. And contrary to what one might think there was no confusion about story lines and characters. Each has it's own identity and genre. 

I'm pretty happy with the first one. The second needs some direction but it will come. In the meantime if I come up with another plot, I'll start that and see where it goes. And yes I do have many unfinished tales in my files. Maybe they never will be. But to use a corny metaphor, not every seed becomes a rose bush.

In addition to that, each story will likely be edited five or six times before I consider it ready for prime time. So I will be a busy boy.

Back to the first question. Yes, I am always writing. Where it leads is a mystery, but that's half the fun and reward of the trade. And if I really like what I have created, I will definitely pursue it.

More bulletins as events warrant.