Date Posted:14:43:17 08/05/10 Thu Author: susiej Subject: Hey! Sorry I've been out of touch. My new Yahoo browser messed up all my bookmarks. Anyway, inside>>> In reply to:
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's message, "Decisions...Decisions -- Help>>>" on 21:29:55 08/02/10 Mon
I recently read an agent blog (kidlit-very informative, even for adult lit) where a reader had written in saying she wondered if she should give up being a writer, she could never come up with any ideas of what to write, she was burned out, blah, blah. I didn't comment because I thought it would be snarky, but I was thinking- huh? No one says you gotta write. I never said "I am a writer." I just sat down and typed so the dang characters would SHUT UP and I could get on with my life. Now,I a got a whole new crew talking.
It seems you got the same problem. I'm not sure what to do about it. I'd love to go to a mountain retreat and do nothing but put it all down on paper. I guess its a nice problem/dream to have. Anyway, if you're crazy, I am too. And I'm pretty glad to in a group with you : )
I will say this. A few times, I've sat down and typed out an awesome first chapter, but then the story died out. (partly because I needed to do research, but once I got the opening down, I sort of lost interest) So you may just give the new idea an hour or two and see if it goes anywhere.
I believe writing is a partnership between the author and the characters, both working together to tell the best story possible. The voices your hear are yours, and while they might all by vying for your attention, they have to trust that you'll get back to them when it's their turn. Just as you have to trust that when you're ready for them, they'll be waiting. And really, if they aren't, what kind of story do you think you missed? IMHO fickle, wish-washy characters are a waste of time when there are other characters out there that want their story to be told and have the patience to see that its done right.
So how do you choose where to go? Well...not necessarily to the one that is the loudest. You go to the one where you need to be. And the funny thing is, as writers, we all know where that is. It's that sixth sense that allows us to practice our craft.
Myxtress, 19:45:45 08/09/10 Mon