|
Post by rachelcaine on Feb 28, 2007 15:21:46 GMT
Hi Rachel. I was wondering (because I am attempting to write some stuff myself), how do you get going when you are writing? I mean do you just force yourself to write, even when you don't feel like it? or do you wait untill you feel creative enough to put something decent down? I feel for you, I really do, because I've definitely had times when it was difficult for me to be creative. But I honestly believe that discipline is the only defense against getting blocked. If you're *sick,* fine, but look at the writing as an appointment you have to keep, otherwise: just go, whether you feel like it or not. Sometimes just showing up is a victory! The problem with waiting for creativity to strike is that it makes you way too vulnerable. If you discipline yourself to continue -- set yourself a goal that you know you can meet, even if it's only a page or two a day -- it will pay off for you. Sometimes it will be like breaking rocks in July. Sometimes you will breeze through and make giant leaps -- but nevertheless, the clock resets the next day. Even if you did 20 pages the day before, do your quota the next day. Really, it's something that will help you when you begin to get deadlines, and the deadlines get tighter and tighter. If you form the discipline early, you won't end up stranded and panicked when the pressure is on! I wish you the best ... I hope this helps. -- Rachel
|
|
|
Post by JM on Feb 28, 2007 16:10:17 GMT
Thanks heaps, that's good advice. Sometimes I think it would just be easier to take the William Blake attitude and wait for the angels to talk to me or the Edgar Allen Poe way of things and drink absinthe till even the walls are talking to me.
|
|
|
Post by Chirugal on Feb 28, 2007 16:31:56 GMT
Good advice. When you start out writing a new series, do you mean it to be a series or do they start off as one-off books that just evolve? Also, just wondering (and you don't have to be specific if you don't want to!), do you have any writing skeletons in your closet, things that you look back on now and go 'I can't BELIEVE I wrote that!'?
|
|
|
Post by rachelcaine on Mar 1, 2007 0:23:06 GMT
Thanks heaps, that's good advice. Sometimes I think it would just be easier to take the William Blake attitude and wait for the angels to talk to me or the Edgar Allen Poe way of things and drink absinthe till even the walls are talking to me. Well ... easier in some ways, but harder on the psyche.
|
|
|
Post by rachelcaine on Mar 1, 2007 0:31:04 GMT
Good advice. When you start out writing a new series, do you mean it to be a series or do they start off as one-off books that just evolve? Also, just wondering (and you don't have to be specific if you don't want to!), do you have any writing skeletons in your closet, things that you look back on now and go 'I can't BELIEVE I wrote that!'? I'm always surprised anybody likes *anything* I write. I wrote the proposal for ILL WIND with a note that if the publisher liked it, there could be more in the series, but I considered it complete in itself. I've only proposed an entire three-book series once, and it didn't sell. Writing skeletons: lordy, yes. I made an enormous error of fact in THE UNDEAD that I wince about every time I look at the cover of the book -- it's glaringly obvious, and yet somehow, we all missed it at the time. And honestly, there are things I don't like about FIRESTORM -- but it was the best I could manage at the time, since I was operating at a severe disadvantage after cancer treatments. I'm hoping that THIN AIR makes people happy -- I had a lot of fun writing it, at least. Okay, I'm going to tell a funny, horrifically embarrassing story on myself. This never made it to print, thank God, but it could have ... In my book BRIDGE OF SHADOWS, the main character's name was Peter Ross. At one point, his ex-wife is angry at having to deal with him, and she needs to "wash the taste of Peter out of her mouth." Needless to say, I changed it before it came out, and was so paranoid that I did a global change of his name, from Peter to "Pete." Heh. -- R.
|
|
|
Post by Chirugal on Mar 1, 2007 16:13:15 GMT
*lol* Excellent! You should have left it in. Do you think that being a writer makes you more critical of other books you read?
|
|
|
Post by marianne on Mar 1, 2007 23:25:40 GMT
Hi Rachel,
do you think the paranormal chick lit phenomenom is here to stay?
MDP
|
|
|
Post by rachelcaine on Mar 2, 2007 17:34:34 GMT
*lol* Excellent! You should have left it in. Do you think that being a writer makes you more critical of other books you read? That really depends on the book. If the book's got pacing problems or isn't engaging, then yes, my editorial circuit engages and makes me nuts. But for books that just sweep me along -- facehuggers -- I'm just as awestruck as ever!
|
|
|
Post by rachelcaine on Mar 2, 2007 17:37:45 GMT
Hi Rachel, do you think the paranormal chick lit phenomenom is here to stay? MDP Everything goes in and out of fashion ... I think paranormal will go out of fashion at some point, although there will always be a core that will remain. Remember the horror boom of the late 80's and early 90's? You can hardly find a horror section in the store these days, but horror still remains as a genre -- sometimes shelved with other things, though. And sub-genres are a bit like hemlines -- up, down, always in motion. I think it will continue strongly, but at a certain point you'll see people start to look for different content. What that will be is always a mystery, though! -- R.
|
|
|
Post by rachelcaine on Mar 2, 2007 17:39:47 GMT
Technically, I guess my turn in the barrel is up, but I'll keep checking back with you guys ... this is fun, you have a wonderful board! Rock on!
-- R.
|
|
|
Post by Chirugal on Mar 2, 2007 19:57:06 GMT
Thanks for coming on, Rachel - it's been great to pick your brain! You're welcome here any time. I hope your arm heals quickly!
|
|
|
Post by Sheyana on Mar 3, 2007 0:09:23 GMT
Thanks for the visit despite your arm Rachel! We'd love to have you visit every now and then - even if it's only to post your reply to one of the pointless fun posts!
|
|