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.