Wednesday, July 02, 2008

writing struggles

Today Corey and I tried working on one of our older stories. A story that we just haven't been able to get right.

Well, nothing's changed. Not much anyway. I don't know why, but I can't seem to get into this story. I like it well enough, but it's not like Over the Top or What About Moose, both of which I felt invested in and I had a lot of fun working on.

I suggested we set it aside (again) and come back to it. What's the point of forcing it? If we're not having fun with it then it won't be any good.

Maybe one of these days I'll be vacuuming my family room and an "Ah-ha!" moment will strike (don't laugh--ideas often come to me while vacuuming). Or maybe it will all fall together the next time I dare to open that file.

I don't mind the struggle. Anything worth accomplishing is worth striving for. But writing a story isn't like scrubbing the burn stains off a stove. You can't just force it and expect it to sparkle when you're done.

So we wait. And I hope we'll soon start something new.

In the mean time, I have that novel in verse I've mentioned before. And I should go work on it because I left one of my characters bleeding and I need to get him patched up before he faints from blood loss.

Good night. :-)

6 comments:

  1. Ok - so writing a great story is not like scrubbing the stove but can be achieved by an inspirational run of the vacuum. ;-) You are too funny. For some reason this reminded me of the scene in the new movie Enchanted where she awakes to the messy house and begins to sing! Maybe that is what writing is like for you - you look around at all the housework and instead of being inspired to sing you are inspired to write. :-)

    Thanks for the suggestion for the name of my 'updates' posts. You are a great friend.

    And I totally forgive you about my birthday. No worries. :-)

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  2. Wow, vacuuming and stove scrubbing. I guess my inner homemaker was showing last night. That's okay. That's what I always wanted to be when I grew up--a wife and mommy.

    Thanks, Angie!

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  3. That’s so funny about leaving one of your character's bleeding. When I used to try writing screenplays - I had this one, that I really loved and still think has the possibilities of a viable idea - anyway, sometimes my friends will ask about my MC and I'll say, sadly he's still stranded in a JC Penny's dressing room. It's a long story, but it's so funny. In my head I feel like I can see all the characters just sitting there waiting for me to write them into another scene. At least mine aren't bleeding! Hahahahaha. BTW, I totally agree with you about not forcing it. I call this time the percolation time - time you need to simmer. Inside, your subconscious is working things out and it will work its way to the surface soon enough.

    Oh and if I got my ideas while vacuuming, I'd vacuum more often! I get my ideas while walking on the River bank, or sleeping, or driving, oh and sometimes while showering...

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  4. That is what I wanted to be when I grew up too!

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  5. Vacuuming, eh? Maybe I should try that more often. Ha ha!

    I agree that ideas come when you're doing something else entirely. For me it's usually when I'm driving, because of course it's near impossible to write them down--or write them down clearly enough so that you can actually read them later--while negotiating country backroads.

    I admire anyone who can even consider writing a novel in verse. You go!

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  6. Ideas don't strike often while I'm driving, but then, I only drive if I have to.

    Ideas strike often at church, and sometimes in the shower. Usually when something hits me during housework, it's a revelation for something I've been stuck on.

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