My last post concerned the idea that where you write can affect how you write. This post voices my overwrought opinion that what you know can affect how you write. In other words, sometimes knowledge can hogtie you, where ignorance lets you run free.
I wrote my first novel in six months. Certainly, it needs a deeper edit and, since I’m the only one who’s read it, there’s a good chance some revision is in its future. But still, it’s a whole novel. By contrast my second novel is taking more than twice as long. Why?
Probably the main reason for me, is that I know more about writing now. NO! I know more writing RULES now. When I wrote that first novel, I was just a Reader. I could spell and had a geekish grasp on grammar, but I hadn’t read any how-to-write manuals, or taken any classes or seminars. I just loved reading fiction and making up stories of my own. I usually kept these stories in my head, but occasionally I’d start writing them down. I’d even started a few novels, but never finished one. Then, a chance meeting sparked an idea that I couldn’t shake, and before I knew it, I had started writing another novel. This time the writing was different; the story flowed.
I had a wonderful time writing that book because I didn’t know it was supposed to be hard.
Back then, I wasn’t a Writer. I didn’t know all the rules that now cause me to second guess myself a thousand times a day. I didn’t know only well-published authors are allowed to use adverbs and adjectives and dialogue tags other than said. I didn’t know you should never start a book with a prologue, or with the weather, or that certain things had to happen at page 100, or 200, or whenever. I just wrote the story the way it made sense to me. Oh, how I wish I could write unencumbered like that again.
Now, under the burden of all these rules, I have a hard time letting the story flow. I’ve read some writing tips—underage rules—and tried some of them, but they didn’t work for me. I even tried typing blindfolded, but claustrophobic panic put an end to that.
And if I let myself think about writing the life-or-death query letter, or the number of other writers vying for “my” slot on the release list, or the state of the publishing industry—well, I start to wonder if I shouldn’t do myself a favor by deleting everything in my Writing file and taking up Reading again.
I know it would take awhile to quit editing as I read, but I think I could do it.
Really.
Except, well, there’s this one story idea …
I can state -- almost unequivocally -- that the title of this blog does not refer to my mental state. It refers to my writing, which does, of course, flow out of my mind. Sometimes the process of writing is messy, sometimes weird, sometimes beautiful -- and always harder than I wish, but I love it. As I wander back into the real world from time to time, I hope to entertain you with my musings.
I have just finished writing a novel titled The Brevity of Roses.
20 Comments
11 July, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Hi there
I know exactly what you mean. I had the same issues with writing. When I wrote my first and even second novel I wrote with abandon. It was easy and so enjoyable. These days I’m so much more emotionally invested in what I write that it’s getting tricky. There is a new voice in my mind that wasn’t there when I first started – the voice of an editor and a critic.
11 July, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I wish I had a switch to turn off that editor and critic while I write the first draft unfettered.
12 July, 2009 at 6:38 am
So true, Linda. I don’t know what to do to shut that off. It’s great now that I’m in rewrites, but it’s the new stuff that my inner critic has trouble letting come through.
12 July, 2009 at 7:38 am
I’m trying to decide whether this is something you fight or make friends with. I think I even dreamed about it last night.
12 July, 2009 at 8:26 am
A)Buddha said never edit yourself while writing.
B)Creativity dies in a box.
C)There is also the quote “the person who says it can’t be done should get out of the way of the person who is doing it.”
D)And finally, quoting Nike (not Nietzsche )
“Just do it.”
Karen :0)
12 July, 2009 at 10:40 am
I agree with Karen. Everything I’ve read says ignore the editor on your first draft – don’t let her in the room. She can sit at the desk for the second stage.
I understand about the stifling that happens as you become aware of the rules. I noticed that I lost my personal voice for awhile. But after getting through that awkward stage, I got it back and could apply the rules loosely with little trouble.
Now go back to D).
12 July, 2009 at 10:47 am
I’m trying, I really am. I’m writing, but back there in the corner she’s whispering that maybe my true calling is to be an editor.
12 July, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I truly wish more people would realize what you have so early in your writing career. What you have are two very valuable mind frames–if you can figure out how to harness them.
When you’re writing, forget all the rules. Begin your story with a prologue. Make the prologue a flashback about the weather if you like. Write it the way you want to, and just let it flow. If your internal editor squeals, lock him in your closet with a handful of adverbs to cry over. It really doesn’t matter how you write the first draft because it’s just a draft. It’s like correcting the grammar and spelling on the first go. You’re going to change so much of it anyway, why bother?
When you have your first draft, put it away and go on to something else. Wait a month or two, forget all about your novel. When you’re ready to go back to it you can let the internal editor out.
Besides. As pirates of the Caribbean put it so accurately, “They’re more like guidelines anyway.”
12 July, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Thank you, Uninvoked. It’s the harnessing part I’m still working on. Sigh. Okay, guidelines, got it.
12 July, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I know exactly what you are feeling, Linda. It is what is keeping me from even starting that novel–and I have only been recently been made aware of a few of the “rules.” I’m sure once I know all of them I’ll be downright petrified.
Good advice from your friends here, that I’ll try to follow as well. In the meantime, I’m going to try not to educate myself so much on the rules of writing–until it’s time to edit.
Stuff that editor in a box and just write:)
12 July, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Editor in a box … hmmm. Write outside the box; edit inside the box.
Danielle, quick, start writing that novel before you learn anything more.
12 July, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Very well said, Uninvoked.
12 July, 2009 at 6:33 pm
ok, Linda – I have so far only read the first few lines of this post – this has to stop –
we are definitely on the same wave!
I will keep reading and see where it goes…
12 July, 2009 at 6:40 pm
ok ok…we’re on a different thread
I can’t play the devil’s advocate here, sorry. I won’t even try.
I think Karen and Uninvoked say it all, but like you say, it’s letting go of that editor to get the story out. For myself, some days are easier than not, and on the not days I have somehow trained myself to find that spot inside myself where I have faith. I am blowing it to you – with the time zone difference, it should be there within minutes.
12 July, 2009 at 9:12 pm
I found the answer for me, Jennifer. It takes a gun!
(See tomorrow’s blog post.)
13 July, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Fomulas and rules have ruined it for me, too. The how-to books weren’t around when the famous writers were writing bestsellers. Why do we have to have rules now?
If we all followed the same advice, we’ll all sound the same.
13 July, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Yes Tricia!
How awful that would be!!!!!
13 July, 2009 at 5:17 pm
So, you propose anarchy while writing the first draft or do you dare it all the way to query?
13 July, 2009 at 2:53 pm
This post helped me. Thank you!
I started reading this post yesterday after struggling for hours (yes, pathetic) to write a single page of rough story draft. I couldn’t relate to everything in your post, because I’ve always (okay, since I was about five) thought story writing is hard.
The post simply reminded me that I hadn’t kept my promise to focus on “writing down the bones” (in Natalie Goldberg’s words). I was supposed to let myself be free! I’m still writing a rough draft for my current novel; it’s rewriting, but still, rough. I don’t need to think about all the writing “rules” yet.
A quick trick gave me access to my flow for a brief moment. I considered every nitpicky remark I’d heard from my inner editor that day, rolled the remarks into an imaginary ball, shoved in negative comments I might hear, then threw the ball away. Then I sat down to finish the troublesome page and write about 1,000 more words (4 pages).
Again, thank you. May your gun paralyze knowledge long enough for creativity to guide you to your next goal.
13 July, 2009 at 5:12 pm
I’m glad to know this helped you a bit, Ann. And thank you for encouraging me.