Demons
Are all writers tortured folks?
I have such a great (most of the time) measure of peace in my life. On a scale of 1 to 10, my optimism runs about a 9 most of the time. I can go a year without a "down" day. I can go that long without crying (Kodak commercials and movies like "It's a Wonderful Life,"
as well as the sight of my kids in some joyous moment don't count!). But I definitely go to some dark places sometimes when I write. Thankfully, most of my demons are now philosophical. I am no longer wrestling with anything deep and dark that keeps me up in the middle of the night. Instead, I wrestle with concepts and philosophies.
I read somewhere that you shouldn't trust a man (or woman) who hasn't struggled for his faith. If faith/God, for instance, comes effortlessly, does it mean you haven't really had that dark night of the soul when the chips are down and you have to decide whether to fold or show your cards? My cobbled together faith took years of intense struggle to get to.
Are demons part of writing? Do you have to go to dark places in order to write about your characters going dark places? I know when I finished The Roofer two years ago, I didn't want to even MOVE for a week, let alone resume my usual life.
And now . . . I am getting ready to write a new book--not sold yet . . . not anything but an idea yet . . . and it's dark. It's darker than anything I've ever even attempted. So where will it take me? I'm not sure. I still have five books under contract, so this is different. This is a journey whose end I can't fathom yet. But hope to keep the demons at bay.
I have such a great (most of the time) measure of peace in my life. On a scale of 1 to 10, my optimism runs about a 9 most of the time. I can go a year without a "down" day. I can go that long without crying (Kodak commercials and movies like "It's a Wonderful Life,"
as well as the sight of my kids in some joyous moment don't count!). But I definitely go to some dark places sometimes when I write. Thankfully, most of my demons are now philosophical. I am no longer wrestling with anything deep and dark that keeps me up in the middle of the night. Instead, I wrestle with concepts and philosophies.
I read somewhere that you shouldn't trust a man (or woman) who hasn't struggled for his faith. If faith/God, for instance, comes effortlessly, does it mean you haven't really had that dark night of the soul when the chips are down and you have to decide whether to fold or show your cards? My cobbled together faith took years of intense struggle to get to.
Are demons part of writing? Do you have to go to dark places in order to write about your characters going dark places? I know when I finished The Roofer two years ago, I didn't want to even MOVE for a week, let alone resume my usual life.
And now . . . I am getting ready to write a new book--not sold yet . . . not anything but an idea yet . . . and it's dark. It's darker than anything I've ever even attempted. So where will it take me? I'm not sure. I still have five books under contract, so this is different. This is a journey whose end I can't fathom yet. But hope to keep the demons at bay.
posted by Erica Orloff at 11:26 AM
9 Comments:
Erica, I WANT to write darker, but as a newbie author, am constrained with the fear of its unsalability. I know, I shouldn't worry about that, but I can't help it!
Hi Karm:
Believe me, that thought lurks. Like WHAT is this book even? I don't have a genre clearly defined. I know I have "something"--but I'm not sure WHAT?!?!?!
I absolutely go to darker places when I write. When I write a troubled love story, I MUST nap after writing/before seeing other people, Or I emerge into the world with the strife my character carries.
Amy:
I imagine some actors and actresses got through the same thing. It's a career hazard, I guess. Kind of like bringing home office troubles . . . only in our case the "office" is visiting troubled minds/characters to write about.
E
I think the dark books are most interesting to read. They explore the part of us we usually hide from the world. We are born in light and dark and struggle on a daily basis to keep the light shining. But our fears can be worse than our demons and facing them can actually make for an easier existence. I think fear is our biggest demon.
Hey Erica, it's blueberri :)
Blueberri:
Absolutely. I am horrifically phobic of flying. I've tried hypnotists, drugs, you name it. Then i realized phobias are really about reinforcing your fears and giving in. So now I just do it . . . and it's a lot less fear-filled.
In terms of writing . . . you know it's that digging deep that's tough sometimes. Like picking at old scabs or wounds.
Erica, actors and actresses DO go through it. My boyfriend is an actor and I see it happen to him all the time.
erica,
i got grystal green's newsletter and she said that i could also enter the contest on your site. the answer i no camille does not save griff.
can you also subscribe me to your newsletter?
Hi Linda:
I'm in a hurricane region . . . so I have had some spotty Internet and electricity as our area recovers from the storm. My contest will start Monday, Internet willing, and for sure you can enter at my site as well. Send me your email to the contact link at my site and I'll get you entered. And thanks so much for writing!
E
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