In today’s Journal
* Quotes of the Day
* Every Novel Writes Differently
* It All Depends…
* Of Interest
* The Numbers
Quotes of the Day
“I’ve also been doing a ‘how I wrote these’ history of each [of six short stories and a few novelettes] on my website. Start here. [Scroll down.] It’ll lead you to the others.” Kristine Kathryn Rusch (See Of Interest)
If you’d like to see how Kris came to write some of the stories featured in her current Kickstarter, click the link above.
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’.” Erma Bombeck
Every Novel Writes Differently
Some thoughts on process
Every novel writes differently, and of course every day in your life (the ‘story’ you are personally living) unfolds differently.
Nothing I’ve written illustrates that more vividly than my current novel. Day 1 was a little over 6000 words. Day 2 was fewer than 2000.
For a time, I completed 6 or 8 novels in a row, with no planning ahead or plotting or any of that nonsense, in a flat 10 days each. And the 10 writing days were consecutive, meaning they were also 10 calendar days in a row.
Yet Blackwell Ops 21: John Mercer, which will release on April 1, took 12 non-consecutive writing days that were spread over 19 calendar days.
Also, even after you’ve cleared all myths out of your mind, some novels flash out of the computer as if they’re on fire. Others only trot or walk out. Others are like pulling teeth. And here’s the thing:
It All Depends on the Character’s Overall Mood
In my case, when a novel is difficult or when an opening dies or doesn’t run, that’s never the result of a critical mind incursion. I don’t allow it. If my own critical mind ever tries anything (it still does, though rarely) I disable it. How? I get up and walk away for awhile.
But even without the critical mind slowing things down, everything boils down to how willing and-or eager characters are to share their story. Every character I’ve ever written has his or her own personality.
When it comes to sharing their story, some characters are grumpy or pleasant or giddy or whatever else, but willing. Others are any of those things, but actually eager.
For example, Soleada Garcia was pleasant and eager to tell her story. John Mercer was jaded and willing, but only in a “if I have to” kind of way. (Releasing his book on April Fool’s day is my way of offering him an almost begrudging thank you.)
Note that none of this has anything to do with the quality of the story. That isn’t up to the characters. That’s up to you and your skill at grounding the reader, making the reader feel like a silent participant in the story.
It also has nothing to do with whether the story is “good” or “bad.” (No, that isn’t the same thing as the “quality” of the story.) That’s a personal judgement call, and it’s always up to the reader.
Still other characters, whatever their personality, are crossed-arm reticent. When they come to me in that frame of mind, I don’t bother writing the story. I tell them to come back when they’re willing to share.
But when the characters are willing or even eager to tell their story, the words fly.
So all of that is on the character side of the story. The other side is my side and your side.
The only way to test all this for yourself is to make yourself available to the characters. That is, to sit down, put your fingers on the keyboard, and let them know you’re ready to record their story for them.
Important: Of course, in all of this I’m talking about writing into the dark. Letting the characters tell the story that they, not you, are living. Most characters, when forced in chains into an outlined, pre-planned story will be reticent. Wouldn’t you be?
That’s why those who try to control everything in the story have such a difficult time involving numerous revisions, rewrites, and editing passes.
Talk with you again soon.
Of Interest
Last Full Day on Kickstarter [Ends Thursday at 7 p.m.]
I Almost Said No No politics in this one that I could see.
Our silent war with the androids
How to Sell Books Direct to Readers: The Complete Guide READ THIS. And thanks to Bob B for pointing it out. I even copied and pasted this into a Word document so I would have it handy as a reference.
The Numbers
The Journal……………………………… 780
Writing of TJ Blackwell: The Origin Story
Day 1…… 6139 words. To date…… 6139
Day 2…… 1781 words. To date…… 7920
Fiction for March…………………….…. 40686
Fiction for 2024…………………………. 205278
Fiction since October 1………………… 508334
Nonfiction for March…………………… 21590
Nonfiction for 2024……………………… 120780
2024 consumable words……………… 326058
2024 Novels to Date……………………… 5
2024 Novellas to Date…………………… 0
2024 Short Stories to Date……………… 1
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)…………… 87
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)…………… 9
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)…… 239
Short story collections………………… 31
Disclaimer: I am a prolific professional fiction writer. On this blog I teach Writing Into the Dark and adherence to Heinlein’s Rules. Unreasoning fear and the myths of writing will slow your progress as a writer or stop you cold. I will never teach the myths on this blog.
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