Strange what’s happening. Or maybe not so strange. I started a short story last week and I noticed this week that my mind keeps making dips like: maybe this can become a novel. Why couldn’t this be the YA that my agent is always trying to get me to write? Or, I can write connecting stories and……….
The reason I say it may not be strange is because at heart I’m a novelist. I thought that writing ss would free me. It did at first…by that I mean the first six pages or so. But as the story kept growing, taking side trips, one thing reminding me of another, the long fingers of the novel snagged me. And what’s really odd (for me) is that my family keeps creeping into this thing.
Writing ss I know there’s not a chance in hell that I’d sell one and that’s where the freedom comes in. But with a novel there’s always that hope in me even though I know it’s one of the worst periods in publishing.
I don’t want to think about writing a novel. But I also want to keep writing. I’ll have to press on and let my mind do its tricks and try not to pay attention. I don’t hold out much hope for that.
9 comments:
Let your mind take you where it wants to go. It may all be there, waiting for you to tap into it.
I agree with Patti. Just write, forget about publishing. It's unnecessary pressure you're putting on yourself.
I know my post sounds like my dilemma is about publishing or not, but that's only because I've published novels. I've made my living that way. So it's hard for me to not think that if I slip into thinking I might be writing a novel instead of a short story. I don't think I'm explaining this very well. But I don't feel pressured. Just confused. More about my family popping into my stuff than anything. I've never written about myself with my family. It's all very odd.
Writing for its own sake is a great exercise, but it must be hard to be able to turn off the "where can this sell" part of your brain, when you're used to thinking that way. Would a complete departure from genre (not just format) help?
Keep going. Just keep writing and see where it takes you.
The funny thing, Gabrielle, is that this isn't a genre piece. I will keep going everybody. I didn't mean to give the impression that I was going to quit.
I don't think you gave that impression, Sandra. I, for one, am feeling anxious for you. I want it to feel like a brand new experience. I want you to buzz along and not question or worry or analyze or even think about where you're going. Maybe I want too much for you and should just mind my own business ... but I sincerely want another book on the shelves with your name on it and I really don't care if it's a mystery or a YA. You have so many people watching, waiting and cheering you on. Friends and fans. That's what we are. :)
And yeah, I was a cheerleader in my younger days. Annoying, huh?
Ciao Sandra,
E' sempre un piacere ritrovarti e rileggerti. Spero che tu stia bene!
Baci,
Iva
Thanks for the cheer leading. I appreciate it. I just don't want to think BOOK. I want to write it and not think of anything but what I'm doing. It's hard for me not to think about publishing, but I can't or it will put pressure on me. For now it is what it is.
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