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aha moments
So I'm writing pretty well.
interrupted to say: imagine me knocking on wood madly, okay? and find some wood and knock on it a few times yourself. just humor my superstitious Italian self.
And I can feel Queen of Swords becoming, solidifying into a whole. If all goes well I should be finished by the end of the year. In spite of the fact that today I have to spend a half day in the kitchen with the promised cookies, and the tree has to be decorated, and presents wrapped, I am not panicky. Which you know: a good sign.
Here's one of the weird things that happen to me as a writer, the way my mind works. I have a character, a minor character who plays a pivotal role fairly early in the book. I thought, well, enough of you (because I don't like her much), but then she popped in again a few chapters back. Okay, I said to her, I can see the need. Now, be gone.
Then an other character, this one major, said: I'm going to see the woman, and I shrugged and followed him, and okay, he was right. That's what he needed to do.
Where is this story going, you're wondering. Here's the aha moment.
Yesterday I was thinking about this woman, how she keeps insinuating herself back into the story, and the first time she showed up. We meet her when another minor female character, this one really a good and likeable person, goes to the Woman I Don't Like for help.
At the time I didn't think much about it, but then yesterday: aha. The Woman I Don't Like is linked to the Woman I Do Like in a crucial way that is instrumental to the story. It's been there all along, but my subconscious hadn't bothered to inform me until this point. Yesterday, though, the door between my conscious and subconscious mind flew open with a bang, and out came this whole revelation in a flash. I tried to peek in and see what else might be waiting in there, but no luck. The gatekeeper is wily.
I freely admit it: the whole process behind writing this big, complex story is as odd and mysterious as the quantum physics.
December 22, 2005 09:28 AM
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Comments
I have a theory based on your blog, another writing friend of mine, other things I've read, and the journals of L.M. Montgomery (how's that for an authoritative set of sources?) that there's just a touch of psychosis (schizophrenia, maybe?) involved in truly inspired writing. I used to think that when people wrote about having to write, or having the characters tell them what they were going to do, that they were exaggerating a bit. Now I think that maybe the reason I've never been a really good writer is that I'm sane. In that way, at least. ;)
Now the question -- are you a great writer because of that tiny touch of something different about your mind, or do you have that tiny touch of something different about your mind because you're a great writer?
Posted by: Rachel at December 22, 2005 10:22 AM
Rachel, it's okay. You can come right out and call me nuts. Or psychotic, or whatever. It's definitely weird, the whole process, but as far as your chicken-and-egg question goes: not the vaguest idea.
And there may be some element of intensity... I try to write for most of the day. I live and breathe these characters, and I've been doing that for... ten years? Yikes.
You don't have the luxury of spending that much time on your writing. If you did, you'd probably end up just as nuts as L.M., and me, and your unnamed friend.
fwiw.
Posted by: Sara Donati at December 22, 2005 10:37 AM
I certainly didn't mean that in a BAD way, I hope you know that. You do, right?
And honestly I think we all have things about our minds that strike other people as crazy. I know I do. Have we had this discussion here before? I think we have.
Posted by: Rachel at December 22, 2005 11:29 AM
Yes, I knew that. No worries. And we have had the discussion before, from a different angle, I think.
Posted by: Sara Donati at December 22, 2005 12:27 PM
This is a very good sign!
*rubs hands with glee in anticipation*
BTW if you ever want someone to read an advance copy and give you feedback... well, you know where to find me.
Except I really shouldn't until after I defend my thesis in Feb. No fun for me 'til then.
But Hey! if February rolls around and you need someone to give you detailed feedback...
;-)
Posted by: Danielle at December 22, 2005 01:57 PM
I love aha moments. I had one the other night about someone I'm writing. Now I just need about a hundred or so more. Congrats on a pivitol one!
Posted by: Kelley Cathcart at December 28, 2005 10:40 PM