This thread over at Nancy Pickard's blog got me thinking about all the little things about my writing process that drive me around the bend. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, but sometimes how I do it crazy-making. Here's the one I mentioned over there:
The fact that the first third of a book takes me four times as long to write as the last third drives me crazy. Likewise the fact that I can write like a demon for three weeks and then have to sit still and do nothing for a month followed be three more weeks of demon but only a week break after that one and no idea what will be which this morning.
I'm not going to complain too much because my process got a whole lot faster about three years ago, but it still drives me to distraction that I don't have more control over it.
So, what about you, dear reader? What part of your process makes you want to tear your hair?
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6 comments:
I wish that I could write during Caitlin emergencies. I just can't concentrate after she has a big seizure.
I also wish that I could remember how much I enjoy writing when I’m getting ready to do it.
Ooh, I really like that second point, Michael. I have the same dratted issue.
The first is a major bummer but not at all atypical. Big emotional stress is a stopper for most writers. I'm pretty much a freak on that one in that I find writing a refuge even from the worst stressors because it gives me one place in my life where I can exert real control no matter what else is happening.
I hate the slowness and the self-doubt.
I'm really enjoying the story I'm writing right now. But I think Patrick is right. It's unsellable.
What bugs me about my process my habit of visualizing the ending shortly after I come up with the idea and not deviating from that light that I put at the end of the tunnel. Whatever I write has to work toward THAT ending and I just seem unwilling to try find a different path to a different goal, if that makes any sense.
My short stories tend to end on what I call an 'Oh Sh*t' moment. Once I find that moment, it seems to be locked in and I get tunnel vision.
I hate it because I'm sure I've missed out on other more creative, effective, and (maybe) better possibilities.
^JR^
There should be an 'is' in that first sentence :(
^JR^
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