I couldn't agree more about ideas *not* going away until you say they're dead. I wrote my first book INCARNATE in late 2009 -- but my notes for the idea are dated three years before, in 2006. In fact, the original seeds of what later became NIGHTRENDER (which released *this* year) are also dated in 2006. (Other seeds have later dates, but wow was it weird to find that one and realize how long that story had been growing.) And I have another idea I want to work on next that has been growing and changing wildly since 2008!
Sometimes those ideas get put aside because I know they're too much for me right then. Sometimes I'm not in the right space. And sometimes I just don't have enough to get started -- but the ideas don't go away to someone else. They're mine. I'm not in a race with anyone else to write them first. Pretending like I am will only do a disservice to the story, and ultimately, my readers.
AMEN. Yes. I have an idea I'm toying with now that I can trace the original "vibe" back to an interactive novel I tried to code...18 years ago! Sometimes I'll get frustrated because I need to cut something I thought was cool, but it's not serving the story...
Yes to this! My 2023 "want to work on this" project is a revamping of my absolute very first fantasy novel, and that means it's... 13? 15? years in the making. You are so right with the fact that we're not in a race with anyone else in writing.
I always hated that line in Big Magic also. I agree with the idea of your muse ebbing and flowing, and how writing when that spark is there can be the path of least resistance... but it never sat right with me... that idea that if you didn’t write then, the idea would move on to someone else. And anyway, two writers can sit down with the same idea and create vastly different stories. Our unique take is what makes the story OUR story.
Anyway, I loved this post. Thank you for sharing your lessons learned. I’m going to try to apply your mindset (re: interruptions) to my own writing in 2023. My discipline trait seems to HATE disruptions, but maybe I can look at them more positively.
That Big Magic line is responsible for so many under-executed, rushed projects. I work with so many creatives and business owners who have never even read the book but have picked up the idea and spend each second of production terrified they’ll be scooped by someone else. It’s crazy!
I’m also working on listening to my gut in the coming year. Since writing my first book, I’ve had two babies and have moved twice. It’s safe to say that I’ve had trouble getting into the writing zone and finding my groove when I sit down to work on the sequel. It’s like there has been a block in my brain when it comes to this story. Something has been telling me to give it a break and focus on another project I have waiting on the sidelines, but I’ve been (stubbornly) determined to get this sequel finished first before moving on. In 2023 I’m going to be brave enough to follow my gut and hope I can return to this story with a fresh outlook.
Oh yeah, that is so much personal upheaval and change. I obviously had that block big time with the last Witchlands given all my own personal upheaval during Witchshadow. But now, 1.5 years after I finally finished that beast, the words and story are ready again. Sometimes we really NEED a break for our minds and bodies to heal in some way that allows us to go back to a certain story. ❤️
Oh, WOW, this part ("the idea that if you don’t write something now, the idea will move on to someone new") has to be the absolute worst thing I've ever read in terms of writing advice. I cannot believe that was in a book. Simmering is a thing! A wonderful thing!
I'm so glad I've never read Big Magic and that I certainly did not read it as an impressionable* young writer. That would have fed so much into my sense of "you will run out of time to write all the stories you want." (Said sense is now mostly gone because I have acknowledged each story takes its own time and some don't need to be novels at all!)
Love this newsletter!! This post and all of it. <3
*still impressionable, tbh, just more prone to thinking about it now
It’s not a bad book overall! I just hate that one part and think it led a lot of writers astray. Some ideas take a long time and sometimes being patient with the wait is a far better tool than trying to rush it out. As you know!
"Sometimes scaffolding can be limiting, though. Sometimes we get trapped by the knowledge in her brain. Oh, but I’m not offering enough insight into the thematic arc of this character! Oh, but this scene needs more subtext and tension! Oh, but I am telling too much instead of showing…" << YES, THIS!!!!! Perfectionistic scaffolding trapping me in doubt is the number one reason for my snail's pace. And my admittedly imperfect method for dealing with it? I read a few pages of someone's mediocre but best selling novel and try to channel their 'good enough' mindset. Also, I have a post-it stuck to the edge of my screen that just says, "B+".
I love that approach, haha!! That is such a great solution, and I love that you've managed to find something that works for you. I think it's all to easy to just feel trapped and give up, so good for you for find a way to move onward.
1) I totally agree that some ideas are better if you don't write them when they first appear. I've got a lot marinating in the back of my brain and I think when I'm finally ready to write them they'll be better for having hung out for a bit.
2) I cannot express how much I relate to the sick kid saga and losing precious work time. My preschooler and I have both been sick every single month since April and I've felt so frustrated. I see you and the struggle is so real.
3) Good on you for embracing your process. I'm still trying to figure mine out, but it is elusive and chaotic...but maybe that's the point!
I *do* think that's the point, Kiersten! Some of us really do operate best with chaos...and some of us do not. But it's always possible you're a more chaotic person like I am. I have worked on for different novels in the last 2 months, shifting gears pretty much every two weeks. My best author friends are like 😱 nooooo! But I've been loving it. It works for my brain. And each book has required something different in that time.
Basically, trust your gut! And if your gut isn't at a point yet where you can trust it, well...you're doing the right thing by being here and learning more about craft and process and writing life!! 😘
It's funny because in the rest of my life I'm super organized and able to just do the things. But for some reason my creativity just doesn't operate under the same rules. Each of my projects has requested something different of me, and I think I've grown a lot each time!
Thank you for generously sharing your experience and experiences all these years — it’s a pleasure to be able to support you in a tiny way between book purchases. Happy new year to you and the fam, Sooz!
I really appreciate your newsletter, Susan, and all the writing advice you've dispensed over the years dating all the way back to Pub Crawl! Every book truly is different and no matter how many times I remind myself of that, I still find myself getting frustrated when whatever used to work for me isn't working for me anymore. Excited to explore and play and learn in 2023!
Such a great post, thank you, Susan! I think my top learning in 2022 was just that things are going to take how long they take (and also that I'm really bad at estimating time). For the first half of the year, I tried again and again to give myself ambitious writing schedules, and guess what... I got nothing done, aaand felt bad about it and myself. During the second half of the year, I tried to give myself drastically less ambitious goals (to the point where I had to constantly fight my brain, which was saying "that's not enough, this is going to take too long"), and yes, it's been slower, but I have gotten a *lot* done, on a more consistent cadence, and even more importantly, I'm much more excited about the project again. Good luck with your 2023 goals, everyone!!
Thank you for sharing your experience and insights to help fellow writers!
I relate to Adriana’s question about the challenge of getting back into a project after it’s been a while and you have to rebuild momentum.
I recently wrote a newsletter post about how diving back into a project is a lot like diving back into a pool; it’s usually challenging to get into a swimming pool, whether you choose to wade in slowly (and control the pace but really feel the cold) or to dive in (which is not as cold but very sudden).
Either way, we wade or dive into the pool anyway because it’s so much fun after we get in.
The main message here is that it’s challenging to dive back into a project but it’s also worth diving back in because it’s enjoyable to write!
In my recent newsletter I shared what I learned in 2022, and I wanted to share one thing here to hopefully help fellow writers: I learned that it’s so important to be gentle with yourself, similar to Susan’s comment about grace. It took me several weeks to slowly but consistently work back to a regular writing schedule after taking a break to focus on work. Being patient and gentle and having faith helped with that.
Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences, Susan! I’m sure it helps so many. Happy New Year!
Oh yes! I did a newsletters on that same subject with the same metaphor a few years ago! 😊 I love that it’s a common theme among writers. And I absolutely agree we all need to give ourselves some grace!
I had no idea it was a common analogy! Haha. It was so fitting when it came to my mind because the main characters in my book IN YOUR DREAMS do competitive swimming.
I couldn't agree more about ideas *not* going away until you say they're dead. I wrote my first book INCARNATE in late 2009 -- but my notes for the idea are dated three years before, in 2006. In fact, the original seeds of what later became NIGHTRENDER (which released *this* year) are also dated in 2006. (Other seeds have later dates, but wow was it weird to find that one and realize how long that story had been growing.) And I have another idea I want to work on next that has been growing and changing wildly since 2008!
Sometimes those ideas get put aside because I know they're too much for me right then. Sometimes I'm not in the right space. And sometimes I just don't have enough to get started -- but the ideas don't go away to someone else. They're mine. I'm not in a race with anyone else to write them first. Pretending like I am will only do a disservice to the story, and ultimately, my readers.
/preaching to the choir
AMEN. Yes. I have an idea I'm toying with now that I can trace the original "vibe" back to an interactive novel I tried to code...18 years ago! Sometimes I'll get frustrated because I need to cut something I thought was cool, but it's not serving the story...
Then I remember I'll use it somewhere eventually!
Yes to this! My 2023 "want to work on this" project is a revamping of my absolute very first fantasy novel, and that means it's... 13? 15? years in the making. You are so right with the fact that we're not in a race with anyone else in writing.
I always hated that line in Big Magic also. I agree with the idea of your muse ebbing and flowing, and how writing when that spark is there can be the path of least resistance... but it never sat right with me... that idea that if you didn’t write then, the idea would move on to someone else. And anyway, two writers can sit down with the same idea and create vastly different stories. Our unique take is what makes the story OUR story.
Anyway, I loved this post. Thank you for sharing your lessons learned. I’m going to try to apply your mindset (re: interruptions) to my own writing in 2023. My discipline trait seems to HATE disruptions, but maybe I can look at them more positively.
Here’s to a great 2023, friend! 💗
Yes, the book overall is really interesting and has some helpful insights. But that one part.......😵💫
That Big Magic line is responsible for so many under-executed, rushed projects. I work with so many creatives and business owners who have never even read the book but have picked up the idea and spend each second of production terrified they’ll be scooped by someone else. It’s crazy!
This is truly horrifying!!!
I’m also working on listening to my gut in the coming year. Since writing my first book, I’ve had two babies and have moved twice. It’s safe to say that I’ve had trouble getting into the writing zone and finding my groove when I sit down to work on the sequel. It’s like there has been a block in my brain when it comes to this story. Something has been telling me to give it a break and focus on another project I have waiting on the sidelines, but I’ve been (stubbornly) determined to get this sequel finished first before moving on. In 2023 I’m going to be brave enough to follow my gut and hope I can return to this story with a fresh outlook.
Oh yeah, that is so much personal upheaval and change. I obviously had that block big time with the last Witchlands given all my own personal upheaval during Witchshadow. But now, 1.5 years after I finally finished that beast, the words and story are ready again. Sometimes we really NEED a break for our minds and bodies to heal in some way that allows us to go back to a certain story. ❤️
Oh, WOW, this part ("the idea that if you don’t write something now, the idea will move on to someone new") has to be the absolute worst thing I've ever read in terms of writing advice. I cannot believe that was in a book. Simmering is a thing! A wonderful thing!
I'm so glad I've never read Big Magic and that I certainly did not read it as an impressionable* young writer. That would have fed so much into my sense of "you will run out of time to write all the stories you want." (Said sense is now mostly gone because I have acknowledged each story takes its own time and some don't need to be novels at all!)
Love this newsletter!! This post and all of it. <3
*still impressionable, tbh, just more prone to thinking about it now
It’s not a bad book overall! I just hate that one part and think it led a lot of writers astray. Some ideas take a long time and sometimes being patient with the wait is a far better tool than trying to rush it out. As you know!
I may check it out! And black out that one line, lol.
"Sometimes scaffolding can be limiting, though. Sometimes we get trapped by the knowledge in her brain. Oh, but I’m not offering enough insight into the thematic arc of this character! Oh, but this scene needs more subtext and tension! Oh, but I am telling too much instead of showing…" << YES, THIS!!!!! Perfectionistic scaffolding trapping me in doubt is the number one reason for my snail's pace. And my admittedly imperfect method for dealing with it? I read a few pages of someone's mediocre but best selling novel and try to channel their 'good enough' mindset. Also, I have a post-it stuck to the edge of my screen that just says, "B+".
I love that approach, haha!! That is such a great solution, and I love that you've managed to find something that works for you. I think it's all to easy to just feel trapped and give up, so good for you for find a way to move onward.
Cheers to being B+!!!
Whew this whole thing resonated with me so much!
1) I totally agree that some ideas are better if you don't write them when they first appear. I've got a lot marinating in the back of my brain and I think when I'm finally ready to write them they'll be better for having hung out for a bit.
2) I cannot express how much I relate to the sick kid saga and losing precious work time. My preschooler and I have both been sick every single month since April and I've felt so frustrated. I see you and the struggle is so real.
3) Good on you for embracing your process. I'm still trying to figure mine out, but it is elusive and chaotic...but maybe that's the point!
I *do* think that's the point, Kiersten! Some of us really do operate best with chaos...and some of us do not. But it's always possible you're a more chaotic person like I am. I have worked on for different novels in the last 2 months, shifting gears pretty much every two weeks. My best author friends are like 😱 nooooo! But I've been loving it. It works for my brain. And each book has required something different in that time.
Basically, trust your gut! And if your gut isn't at a point yet where you can trust it, well...you're doing the right thing by being here and learning more about craft and process and writing life!! 😘
It's funny because in the rest of my life I'm super organized and able to just do the things. But for some reason my creativity just doesn't operate under the same rules. Each of my projects has requested something different of me, and I think I've grown a lot each time!
This all resonated so much for me! Thank you.
Thank YOU for reading and supporting me!
Thank you for generously sharing your experience and experiences all these years — it’s a pleasure to be able to support you in a tiny way between book purchases. Happy new year to you and the fam, Sooz!
Thank YOU for supporting me for so many years, Sorcha!! I love that I have known you this long!
I really appreciate your newsletter, Susan, and all the writing advice you've dispensed over the years dating all the way back to Pub Crawl! Every book truly is different and no matter how many times I remind myself of that, I still find myself getting frustrated when whatever used to work for me isn't working for me anymore. Excited to explore and play and learn in 2023!
Such a great post, thank you, Susan! I think my top learning in 2022 was just that things are going to take how long they take (and also that I'm really bad at estimating time). For the first half of the year, I tried again and again to give myself ambitious writing schedules, and guess what... I got nothing done, aaand felt bad about it and myself. During the second half of the year, I tried to give myself drastically less ambitious goals (to the point where I had to constantly fight my brain, which was saying "that's not enough, this is going to take too long"), and yes, it's been slower, but I have gotten a *lot* done, on a more consistent cadence, and even more importantly, I'm much more excited about the project again. Good luck with your 2023 goals, everyone!!
Thank you for sharing your experience and insights to help fellow writers!
I relate to Adriana’s question about the challenge of getting back into a project after it’s been a while and you have to rebuild momentum.
I recently wrote a newsletter post about how diving back into a project is a lot like diving back into a pool; it’s usually challenging to get into a swimming pool, whether you choose to wade in slowly (and control the pace but really feel the cold) or to dive in (which is not as cold but very sudden).
Either way, we wade or dive into the pool anyway because it’s so much fun after we get in.
The main message here is that it’s challenging to dive back into a project but it’s also worth diving back in because it’s enjoyable to write!
In my recent newsletter I shared what I learned in 2022, and I wanted to share one thing here to hopefully help fellow writers: I learned that it’s so important to be gentle with yourself, similar to Susan’s comment about grace. It took me several weeks to slowly but consistently work back to a regular writing schedule after taking a break to focus on work. Being patient and gentle and having faith helped with that.
Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences, Susan! I’m sure it helps so many. Happy New Year!
Oh yes! I did a newsletters on that same subject with the same metaphor a few years ago! 😊 I love that it’s a common theme among writers. And I absolutely agree we all need to give ourselves some grace!
Hi, Susan! Thank you for your reply.
I had no idea it was a common analogy! Haha. It was so fitting when it came to my mind because the main characters in my book IN YOUR DREAMS do competitive swimming.
Giving ourselves grace is so important 💛