January is Over

General Musings

Every year, January seems like one of those months that shouldn’t really count. I would love to share exciting adventures, news, updates, and shenanigans, but I’ve only got one update. I had an annoying cold for most of the month. End of adventure list. 

January is the month equivalent of a beadhead ridden bear waking from hibernation and deciding that no. No, thank you. It’ll try again in February. 

There was one event I left the cave for. This January, apart from being ill, I had the privilege of speaking to a group of young writers in Megan McGinnis’s (a beautiful writer herself) high school creative writing class, and lucky for me, (and you if you’re reading this) they gave me a lot to think about in terms of my writing process, ideas, and what it takes to create a character or a world. I’m excited to explore their questions more deeply to see if I can answer the “hows” in a more satisfying and tangible way. 

One question they asked though, I can answer with certainty. 

Why do you write?

I write to explore and to play. I write to meander around a cool new world, to meet interesting characters. To wander throughout my thoughts, questions, experiences, fears, hopes, joys. And now that February has nearly arrived, I’m excited to leave the hibernation cave, brush out the bedhead, and start exploring again. Take two.  

Craft Concern

My mom, a woman who first inspired me to read poetry, and is devastatingly wise, has been telling me since I was an aspiring 10-year-old author that “writers write.” And it’s true, isn’t it? Of course, writers write, but writers also struggle to write. Whether we call it writer’s block, other priorities, or the Word Doc scaries, sometimes it is hard to get words on the page. So how do we, as writers, write?

First things first, who am I to give anyone advice about how to get words on a page? No one really, but I have been known to write some words down when inspiration hits, and probably more importantly, when it doesn’t. Second things second, everyone has different processes, different preferences, and different experiences. This is my process, my preference, and my experience. If it doesn’t resonate, that’s all good. There are some other lovely articles and features in the newsletter that might hit closer to home–better yet, tell us about your process, preferences, and experiences, because they will likely resonate with someone else who is looking for struggling-writer company.

The blank page. Whether it is in a notebook, on the computer, or the back of a crumpled receipt within arm’s reach, the blank page is waiting for you. When it comes to getting words on the page, I struggle with first steps. When I’m at my computer, finding the motivation to open the document is the most difficult step. Especially when it’s winter gray and when the sun goes down at 4:00 pm, the motivation to get started is my biggest challenge when it comes to being a writer. There are many things that people find helpful to get words on the page, like setting bite-sized goals, establishing a steady routine, creating a conducive atmosphere, or finding an acountabilibuddy. In addition to many of these, I have found it helpful to remember that writers write, but writing is not just typing words onto a page. When the words are just not making it onto the page, I find that leaving the page to simmer is what will get them flowing again. Reading a book or watching a movie, staring into space and exploring your made-up world for a while, getting some exercise, or chatting with a friend, walking around the neighborhood a bit–it all helps me step away and keep those words on a low heat until fragrant. It’ll thicken up nicely then when I sit down at the computer, I’m ready to be a writer who writes.

But what if I have a deadline and the words are still way too thin, and there are ingredients missing from my pantry, and good lord, is it on fire? If one part of the writing isn’t ready yet, but there’s a deadline or a goal that seems to have come out of nowhere, I open my computer anyway. And I explore. Writing is creating, so maybe if the words don’t flow in one place, I can warm up my creativity in another. Maybe I explore a character or wander around one of the settings I haven’t been to for a while. Maybe I’ll put one of my characters in a different location, or introduce them to someone new, just to see what they will do.

For me, writing is exploration and questioning, and taking a minute to listen–to really listen–to kneel down to, make some direct eye contact with, and listen to that little part of my brain that says, “Hey, I know you want the words to go this way, but what’s behind that door over there?” Does it fit into my plans? No. Will I use it in my story? Maybe. Is it words on the page? Yes, and oh hey, that thought over there just finished cooking.