It's not that I'm finding it hard to tell the story for South of Nowhere -- to write it all down -- it's that I seem to have lost my motivation to focus on the work. With Nine Days, it was a thrill ride, because there was that dramatic question hanging over my head: can I actually do this? Can I actually write a book? Wanting to get to THE END kept me engaged.
Now I'm having to face the question not of whether I can write a book but of whether I want to. I open up the MS, write a few lines, then find myself thinking, "What's the point?" What am I really trying to do here, with this writing novels thing? I do feel sometimes like I have Something To Say and that writing books is one way to put it out there, but I'm not trying to create Great Literature, I just wanted something to read that didn't actively offend my own sensibilities. I got over the whole Deathless Art thing in my thirties, so Having Something to Say doesn't really carry much salt with me anymore. So why? Why write more than one book?
Now I'm having to face the question not of whether I can write a book but of whether I want to. I open up the MS, write a few lines, then find myself thinking, "What's the point?" What am I really trying to do here, with this writing novels thing? I do feel sometimes like I have Something To Say and that writing books is one way to put it out there, but I'm not trying to create Great Literature, I just wanted something to read that didn't actively offend my own sensibilities. I got over the whole Deathless Art thing in my thirties, so Having Something to Say doesn't really carry much salt with me anymore. So why? Why write more than one book?
Because that's what writers do! They write! They get fidgety if they keep away from the keyboard for too long.
ReplyDeleteI have said the same thing to other writers, Sam. I do get fidgety if I keep away from the keyboard / notebook for too long, but when I sit back down at them, I'm not really producing anything worthwhile, right now. It's really harshing my buzz.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but sometimes it's a good idea to take a break. Your fingers will get horny again soon enough, and you'll probably discover you've worked out a whole bunch of problems subconsciously. The first book was good enough that there should be a second and a third, at the very least, so just, uh, go with the flow here. There's no reason at all you should work when the work's not working.
ReplyDeleteGood advice as always, Ed. Maybe it's time to go to the beach.
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