In today’s Journal
* Quote of the Day
* Topic: Fact or Fiction Indeed
* The Numbers
Quote of the Day
“The words are maps, and the map is not the territory. The map is static; the territory constantly flows. Words are always about the past or the unborn future, never about the living present. The present is ever to quick for them; by the time words are out, it is gone.” Polish scholar named Alfred Habdank Skarbek Korzybski (via The Passive Guy)
Topic: Fact or Fiction Indeed
In today’s “Of Interest” there’s a link to an article titled “Fact or Fiction: ‘Flow’ Improves the Writing Life.”
First of all, yes, the title itself is fact. Duh. As I read through the excerpt, I wasn’t going to click through and read the OP, but I decided to do so. Primarily because I disagree with (or if you wish, my experience diverges from) the points in the excerpt.
To her credit, maybe, the author of the OP didn’t even invoke the clichéd “every writer is different” mantra. I urge you to read the article as an exercise in learning what not to do. Here are my responses to the points:
1. For me, writer’s block does not exist. Probably because it’s a function of the critical mind and when it’s time to write I don’t allow the critical mind in. The excerpt basically says the same thing.
2. This is a statement loaded with misdirection. I do not need a “perfect” writing space, though a penthouse overlooking New York City’s Central Park would be nice.
But yes, I do need a dedicated writing space because it cues my subconscious that it’s time to play. My friend Alison Holt, on the other hand, does not, though I’d bet she has a favorite laptop on which to write. (I’m guessing.) So again, your experience might vary.
Probably no surprise that I also disagree with their list of external things the article says writers should have on hand “to optimize their chances of getting into the flow.” There’s no “chance” involved. If you want to get into the flow, sit down, put your fingers on the keyboard, and write whatever comes. The characters and story will draw you in.
3. Pure bovine excrement. I’ve written both commercial genre fiction and literary fiction, and if there’s any “heavy decision making” involved (there isn’t, ever), I stop and find something fun to do. And I suggest “assistant professor of Psychology, Baptiste Bardot” never tells Stephen King (especially) or Anne Rice that they “have limited choices as to themes, setting, and plot.” In fact, Stephen King is about the most unlimited writer since Ray Bradbury.
4. Duh.
Final analysis? The author of the OP, Kris Maze, really needs to read my nonfiction book Writing the Character-Driven Story and DWS’ Writing Into the Dark. They would help her immensely. But she’s young. She has time.
Talk with you again soon.
Of Interest
See “Is Blogging Worthwhile for Thriller and Mystery Writers?” at https://killzoneblog.com/2021/02/is-blogging-worthwhile-for-thriller-and-mystery-writers.html.
See “How Real Do You Want Your World to Be?” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/how-real-do-you-want-your-world-to-be/.
See “Fact or Fiction: ‘Flow’ Improves the Writing Life” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/fact-or-fiction-flow-improves-the-writing-life/. I personally disagree with almost every item here, but that’s just me. Your experience may vary.
See “Reading My Way Through a Pandemic…” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/reading-my-way-through-a-pandemic-with-post-apocalyptic-literature/. See PG’s take.
The Numbers
The Journal…………………………………… 550 words
Writing of The Journey Home: Part 6 (novel)
Day 10… 3615 words. Total words to date…… 41146
Day 11… 3621 words. Total words to date…… 44767
Total fiction words for February……… 10393
Total fiction words for the year………… 107870
Total nonfiction words for February… 3340
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 28670
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 136540
Calendar Year 2021 Novels to Date…………………… 1
Calendar Year 2021 Novellas to Date……………… X
Calendar Year 2021 Short Stories to Date… 1
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)…………………………………… 55
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)………………………………… 8
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)………………… 215
Short story collections……………………………………………… 31
Hi, Harvey,
I think it doesn’t help to say writer’s block doesn’t exist. That becomes very frustrating to someone who actually has trouble coming up with ideas. We freely come up with them as children, but as we grow up, school and adults discourage us from it. It’s such a huge problem that there are hundreds of books on the business side on how to come up with ideas. I struggled with ideas so much that I stayed stuck on one novel for a long time because I didn’t have any other ideas and didn’t produce many short stories. “Ideas to Story” was the first workshop I took, and it made a difference in reconnecting to those skills.
On the second, there’s a book by Sheila Chandra (https://www.sheilachandra.com/sheila-chandra-books/sheila-chandra-organising-your-creative-career/), and she does focus on getting the perfect space. But it’s not the way writers talk about having a certain view or a type of snack. It’s more about making sure things you use every day are in reach, that you put your coffee in exactly the same place every time (so you don’t knock it over accidentally). Given I’ve knocked over my glass more than once, that actually has made a difference!
Thanks, Linda. Because I think many might benefit from my response, I’ll do that in a topic in today’s edition of the Journal.