Thursday, August 14, 2008

Like a Cyclone

I wish my characters' words and personalities would hit me like a cyclone sometimes. See, I'm the kind of writer that agonizes about every phrase selection. Did I use 'that' too often? Is this mental image what I'm going for? Does the reader understand my character? I like to have the most perfect finished product possible. I like it when words just flow from my brain to my fingertips and onto the page. When I take the time to reread what I've written and say to myself Damn, girl, you're a good writer. Does that happen often? Sadly, no.

Which doesn't make me a very prolific -- or fast -- writer.

So while my characters are swirling around inside my mind like, yep, you guessed it, a cyclone, I'm struggling to carve out time to write then sweating about the choices they're making once they appear on screen.

Anyone else need more hours in the day?

12 comments:

Karen H said...

Nope, don't need extra hours in the day anymore. Retirement has a lot going for it. As long as I have enough time to read, I'm happy. Of course, as an avid reader, I am never satisfied...always need more books. That's when we readers wish there was less time between favorite authors' books and put pressure on said authors to 'write faster'! LOL

Devon Gray said...

I need another whole day in my day! It's a juggling act, isn't it? I write very quickly once a story comes to me. My issue is the constant fear I experience when a project begins to wind down. Since I am a pantser, I rely on characters to introduce themselves to me and the concept of the book grows from there. I am always afraid no characters will come. So far, that hasn't been an issue. But I believe most writers fear the loss of their muse. Just even imagining it sends cold shivers down my spine. Thanks for the great post!

Lyn said...

I definitely need more hours in the day. I work full time, review for a web site and I have three WIPs.

For me the characters are always fighting with me about who to write first, so I end up writing several stories simultaneously.

My fear is that I'll carve out enough time to write, put it on paper (computer screen) and it will be horrible. I am constantly pulling it apart, especially after I review a really good book - then I think I'll never be that good.

Do any of you who are published doubt yourselves at all? Or is that a pre-publish behavior?

Lyn

Kaye Manro said...

Oh yeah, I always wish for more time-- or where did those hours go? As for writing, I've often been called the cut queen by other writers. I like to skinny the story down. Yes, I too want each word and phrase to be perfect. I think it may be because of my background in journalism. But when is it ever perfect? Probably never in my eyes. I am so open to change suggestions too. Because I look at my work from a distance after I write the first draft, I just let it go and edit the heck out of it.
Doubting? yeah, for me it's a constant friend (or foe!).

TamiC said...

LOL yes I need more time in the day. I don't get to make it to all the blogs and sites that I would like to. I miss out on lots of authors because life gets in the way lol. How am I to read the books I want and visit all these fantastic sites while my 8 year old son has all these things going on??

Helen Hardt said...

I'm with Devon; I need another whole day in my day! And Lyn, I don't think doubts ever go away. My story will release 8/22, and now I have a whole new set of worries. Will the reviewers be kind? Will anyone buy it? And I can't tell you how many times I've read a page of my work and loved it, then looked the next day and thought it was the worst tripe ever written. So for me, at least, doubts are a part of life, unfortunately!

Helen
www.helenhardt.com

Eva S said...

Yes, a whole day once a week would be wonderful! Only for me...

Linda LaRoque said...

I'm retired so have plenty of time, but seems the hardest thing for me is getting that cyclone organized so I can put those ideas on paper. Then, about the time I get started and things are flowing, something interrupts and keeps me from writing. However, I think I'm my own worst enemy at letting things interfere.

Cherie J said...

With two kids, one 22 month old girl and a 5 year old boy, I never have enough hours in the day. Seems like I am behind all the time. Believe me, I can certainly sympathize with you.

Laura K said...

I think WE all need more hours in the day. Isn't being a woman the most time-consuming thing? I could use a couple of extra hours just to read, too.

Anonymous said...

I need so many more hours it isnt even funny.. so many balls to juggle i feel like a circus clown lately... im learning that its ok to drop a few though...

Tarah Scott said...

A few hours won't be enough for me. I need a clone to work alongside me full time. How sad is that?