Let it simmer

Blur, my second book is almost done. At this point the end is in sight, on the horizon. Then comes the editing and handing off to my beta readers and then after all that is done and I get all the feedback- nothing. I let it simmer. I don't go back to the book until I actually start to forget parts of it. Why do I do this?  It gives me fresh eyes. It lets me approach the book as a reader not as the writer, which I have discovered has notoriously acute tunnel vision when it comes to my own writing.

I really suggest this as part of the writing process. The best way to let the book simmer is to get on the next book right away. Immerse yourself in your next project while the finished one is simmering. Then when you go back and rewrite and tweak and adjust and tighten the story, guess what is happening to the current project you are working on? It is simmering. So the cycle never ends.

This is what works for me. What works for you?

writers write
Orlando

Making it to the finish line

So I'm on the last few chapters of Blur, my next book. I know when a book is about to end because that's when the procrastination urge hits overdrive. I also make it a point to carry the the unfinished book with me wherever I go. It gives me no excuses to put off writing, no easy outs. For me this is the most challenging part of writing-finishing the book.

Starting is easy, its a new adventure full of possibility. The middle is where the action is, things are happening  its all very exciting. The end? Well have to bring resolution to all that action and oh let me check my email. Wait must bring closure to that scene and  oh so many other non writing things to do!! You get the idea, I'm sure. Bottom line-here is how I did it on my previous book. You get yourself in a chair and just do it. Here you have to be uncompromising, first with yourself and with pretty much everyone else. This comes first. This gets done. Be unwavering. Do not capitulate. Get it done.

How do you make it to the finish line?

See you on the other side.

writers write
Orlando

Inspiration

As I finish my second book, Blur and begin on my third, The Ascendants, I have been asked where do I get my inspiration? I look at my bookshelves and at my kindle and some of the authors there are very prolific,( I have an entire shelf occupied by Terry Pratchett for example) while others not so much. So it got me thinking, where do I get my inspiration?
 I have always been of the mind that as a story teller we don't create new stories, ( is there even such a thing? ) but  that we are the stenographers of space and creative essence. What is commonplace to most, to a storyteller ( insert writer , painter, screenwriter, dancer or any other creative expression) is layered with meaning. We take the commonplace and ask what if? Why do we do this? I couldn't really tell you. Its just the way we are hardwired.

So I get my inspiration from everywhere. From the mundane to the mystical its all ripe for the plucking. The fact that there are so many new books released every day only lends credence to this idea of mine, that we are all tapped into a creative space, but our individuality gives it a unique voice. I believe everyone has access to this, it's just that so few answer its call.

Where do you get your inspiration?

writers write
Orlando

Just write it

On my window sill beside my desk I have no less than ten books on writing your first novel. This is not including the numerous articles I have on my hard drives. Included in this list are  a few must haves - Strunk and White- Elements of Style travels with me everywhere. so does Stephen King-On Writing. The others while good reads- (and think about this, being a writer reading about writing has to be the epitome of procrastination) did not really further my writing or prompt me to write any faster. Now don't misunderstand, I am all for learning and honing our craft of word smithing. Many times that takes reading and learning and studying. However the best way I have found to get better at writing is-writing. So why do I have ten books on writing staring at me everyday?  Well I bought those books before my first book was published and it was really a way to feel like I was progressing in my book without actually having to write. In other words it was busy work, but not real work. Very similar to shifting those papers around from one side of the desk to another but not really doing anything about them.

So here is my advice: Just write it- already.
You want to become better as a writer you have to write, a lot.
You want to become a published writer? It wont happen just thinking about it, only you can write your story.
By all means hone your craft, learn as much as possible. Read the books on writing, get the style guides. Just understand that at the end of the day none of that can replace your voice on a page.

writers write
Orlando

The power of Fear

Fear of success, fear of failure. Fear of rejection, fear of acceptance. Fear of seeming to be a fraud. Fear of not being a "real" writer-whatever that means. Fear of not being creative enough, fear of being stuck. Fear of the dreaded writers block. The all time most surreptitious form of fear -procrastination. I'm sure there are many other fears I haven't touched upon or mentioned in the above list. We all have had some kind of fear associated with our writing.

Whatever guise it comes under, fear is very real and if allowed, will stop us from writing.  So how do we combat this ? First of all lets admit that it exists. Secondly you must discipline yourself to act in spite of the fear. I sat on my first manuscript for a year because of fear, fear of actually being accepted and  consequently having to followup that first novel with another. Really? Yes really. I overcame this by asking myself if this was a path I really wanted to pursue. Did I really want to write?  Would I write even if no one read my books? Would I write if everyone read my books? Would I write if everyone read my books and hated them?

After giving it much thought (and answering yes to all the questions) I plunged into my writing despite the fear I may have felt. For  me that was the key, taking the action. Putting the words on the page day after day. I think writers as a rule are a hardy lot, we learn early on to deal with rejection ( especially if we seek the traditional route of agent-publisher). We are thick skinned out of necessity.  Yet beneath it all we are artists, honing our craft, constantly polishing.

At our core we are storytellers and that requires a type of sensitivity and vulnerability. That is the side of ourselves we must protect and nurture. Not by building impenetrable fortresses that stifle our creative voice, and keep others at bay. It doesn't work anyway. We cant isolate ourselves and expect to have a vibrant life. Isolation only serves to truncate our voice and is another manifestation of fear. No, the only way to deal with the spectre of fear(which never entirely disappears), the paralyzing, breath stealing effect of it- is to dive headfirst into life. Experience life to its fullest, face fear and write anyway. Your writing will be better for it, I promise.  Id be curious to hear how you face your fear, let me know.

writers write
Orlando

Physical Exercise as a Creative Tool

I am a third degree black belt. I have been training for close to three decades. I recently published my first book The Spiritual Warriors: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008T8MMQ0 this year. So as I think about these two facets of who I am I begin to wonder- what role does my training play in my writing?

I found that it affects my writing to a large degree. If I am feeling tired or lackluster, a good training session revs me up. When I am revved up the ideas start to flow. I'm sure there is some brain chemistry involved around the endorphins released during rigorous physical activity. What I have found is that my brain enters a very interesting state when I train that is not easily accessible when I haven't. I have had some very profound, crazy (by my definition) funny and bizarre (again my definition) ideas and scenarios play out during and after my training sessions. They have all been useful and most of the times I can use all or part of the idea that surfaces from these moments.

What are your thoughts? Do you think there is a direct correlation between physical activity and your writing? 

writers write

Orlando

Creating the safe haven

Recently (as in the last year or so) I took to writing in a starbux as I have mentioned in earlier posts. I have discovered however that I would like to have a space to write. Not because starbux is prohibitive. I really enjoy writing there and they don't harass you
(for what they charge for a grande white mocha they better not). It has more to do with creating a place that allows you to enter a creative space easily. Now initially I thought this should be an actual physical space-you know the scenario closed door, do not disturb sign on said door, two handmaidens standing behind you as you write, with palm leaves slowly creating a soft breeze while a third is on standby to give you a neck massage  at a moments notice. In the background there is perfect ambient music stimulating creativity with every note. Just me? Possibly, but I digress. So after the idea of a physical space passed I thought how does this idea fit in with my concept of a Guerilla Writing(I know there is a book there somewhere)? If I want to be able to write anywhere how do I create this space that allows me to be creative anywhere? How do I establish a creative oasis that I can enter whenever and wherever?

And so this is the challenge. My first attempts have been just to sit in meditation for 15 minutes a day. I find it clears my brain of stray thoughts that are potential roadblocks to writing freely. I also write with music playing(usually headphones) and this creates a kind of sound bubble when I write. It also engages my brain to such a degree that I am writing and my brain thinks its listening to music. I find the music helps because my writing process is very visual and so the music becomes a type of soundtrack to my writing. Can I write without music? Yes, but its not as fun or free for me. Sometimes there is no choice (some words demand to be written NOW), but usually I always have my Ipod at the ready.

So how do you do it ? I would like to hear from fellow writers how you enter the creative space. Are you always there? Do you have rituals? Is it easy or torture? Do the planets have to align or is it just sitting in front of your computer or notebook?

writers write,
Orlando