Braindead Dairy #11: Keep Going!

First half of the month is almost done. Dry January’s a piece of cake. If I can stop being an idiot and pass my driving test third time I’d like to hit a remote lodge, near scenery that relates to my story. Even if it’s just for a weekend the technology detox would be good. It is, of course, the classic thing for writers to do – stow yourself away from humanity, smell the air, hug a tree, strike up a relationship with a friendly bear.  

I’ve stuck to my promise of no internet during the morning write. It’s helped. Who would’ve thought? I managed to iron out a big chapter in a single sitting (that’s good).

But something I’ve noticed is this can feel more like work than inspiration. Because I started off writing articles I’m used to the rewards keeping pace with the efforts. With a trilogy, one that’s far from done, you can do a good session only to see loose ends. However, I’m getting better at respecting the nature of a project like this.

Basically – THE BIGGER THE STORY THE MORE FAITH IS NEEDED – in actuality that means remembering that the more you keep working on it the closer it is coming into focus. In a sense it’s a mathematical certainty. There are only so many characters, they only do so much, there’s only so many scenes, etc.

Even if you complete a chapter only to realise it sucks and needs deleting – PROVIDING YOU DON’T STOP – you’re another step closer to completion. And then when that glorious days comes – when the main story arc and its many sub plots connect – that is when you can start to admire what you’ve done as you lovingly polish it.

There are some big changes that need to be made to before the re-edit of book I is done, but I’m ready for the graft!

I did once give up on a 55,000 word book but that was all kinds of dog shit.