Where Does It Come From?
Today was one of those wondrous writing days.
I was really not feeling well, tired (even coffee wasn't helping). My house had a pipe burst last night, so it was flooded and nightmarish. In other words, nothing that pointed to having a constructive writing day. In fact, my home is in such a disarray (carpets getting cleaned, closets emptied out thanks to the "flood") , that I assumed I'd get nothing done because my usual tranquil, spiritual creative place was . . . a friggin' shambles.
But there came a time today when three of my four kids were out . . . and I fired up my laptop, and started writing. It was a chapter in my paranormal--which I have a fairly clear idea of where I'm going with. But somehow it was languishing between "okay" or "acceptable" and something really goose-bumpy.
And then it happened. Out of nowhere, a dream sequence for my heroine. And then a thought . . . there somewhere . . . yes . . . she is afraid of insanity . . . and suddenly, her back story fell into place. Her brother's back story fell into place. Her fears, her motivations. I nailed the chapter.
And like every time this happens, I am amazed. Where does it come from? I remember in Knockout, my character, Sovo, was not supposed to be anything more than a boxer in the gym. I mentioned in passing in chapter two or somewhere that he was from Kosovo. Jump ahead 10 chapters and he was front and center as a former sniper. I hadn't planned it, but it all fell into place.
Serendipity. The muse. Luck. Too much wine. Whatever it is . . . I was yet again reminded that sometimes it all just falls into place. You're gifted with a cool twist, with something that makes even you wonder where it came from.
Anyone else?
I was really not feeling well, tired (even coffee wasn't helping). My house had a pipe burst last night, so it was flooded and nightmarish. In other words, nothing that pointed to having a constructive writing day. In fact, my home is in such a disarray (carpets getting cleaned, closets emptied out thanks to the "flood") , that I assumed I'd get nothing done because my usual tranquil, spiritual creative place was . . . a friggin' shambles.
But there came a time today when three of my four kids were out . . . and I fired up my laptop, and started writing. It was a chapter in my paranormal--which I have a fairly clear idea of where I'm going with. But somehow it was languishing between "okay" or "acceptable" and something really goose-bumpy.
And then it happened. Out of nowhere, a dream sequence for my heroine. And then a thought . . . there somewhere . . . yes . . . she is afraid of insanity . . . and suddenly, her back story fell into place. Her brother's back story fell into place. Her fears, her motivations. I nailed the chapter.
And like every time this happens, I am amazed. Where does it come from? I remember in Knockout, my character, Sovo, was not supposed to be anything more than a boxer in the gym. I mentioned in passing in chapter two or somewhere that he was from Kosovo. Jump ahead 10 chapters and he was front and center as a former sniper. I hadn't planned it, but it all fell into place.
Serendipity. The muse. Luck. Too much wine. Whatever it is . . . I was yet again reminded that sometimes it all just falls into place. You're gifted with a cool twist, with something that makes even you wonder where it came from.
Anyone else?
posted by Erica Orloff at 7:39 PM
10 Comments:
I'd give an arm and a lega for another of those wonderous writing days. On a good one I can spit out 10,000 words.
Last night it took me 3 hours to come up with 400.
It was hard. And it hurt.
Buffy:
I hear you. For a week or two, it just wasn't "there." I'd open the file and stare at the chapter. I'd add a word here, delete a word there. But nothin'. Then, this magical backstory came . . . and it was like a floodgate opening. Can't wait to get back to it later!
E
I'm in the "hand-wringing" stage of this new story. I know what needs to happen and I feel so awful for doing that to these characters that I'm temporarily paralyzed. It's like Uma Thurman in Kill Bill volume one when she's in the backseat of the Pussy Wagon and saying to her foot, "wiggle your big toe."
Eventually I'll wiggle my big toe and then the story will have its legs.
Hey Mary . . .
Every time I kill off a character, I hand-wring.
I also, sometimes, with a new book just seem to flouder for a bit until I get my "sea legs" or something. If I don't nail the voice right off the bat, I'm screwed. I swear I wander around like I have some serious psychiatric issues trying to "find" this other voice, half-muttering to myself. Calling out, "Voice . . . where are you?!?!"
What a wacky profession!
E
Me too. I've learned not to do too much "thinking" about it and just let my sub-conscious do the work. Anywhere from an hour to two weeks later, out pops the answer.
I have no idea where it comes from. I just feel so stinkin' lucky it's there.
:) d
PS I hope you're feeling better. That goes for the house too. :)
Hi Dana:
I often find if I take a drive or just don't try so hard, that yeah, the subconscious comes out to play.
House is much better, thanks.
Me? I'm tired as hell. (Can hell be tired?) But I've just got a lot of deadlines and a teething baby. :-)
E
I am so sorry about the busted pipe. Last year, my absent upstairs neighbor's toilet leaked through my closet onto my clothes, electric guitar, amp - and the super refused to do anything. I feel your pain!
I will bring a special chocolate reinforcement for you Tuesday. You need it.
As for my divine inspirations, they come when I'm driving. Which is not safe. For other drivers.
Hey Miss T:
That's why I don't drive much. I KNOW I sometimes go off into my imagination.
Chocolate will be gratefully accepted.
xo
There's something about being in the zone that is so humbling.
Time slips away, and you feel like merely a conduit.
But to have that happen in the midst of what should have been a hair pulling day...amazing.
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