It’s not a race at all
Writing has felt like a slog lately. Anyone else struggling?
Maybe it has something to do with my current process. I swore I’d never do that thing some novelists do where they shelf what they’ve written, then start from scratch for the second draft without referring to the first, but somehow that’s what I’m doing. It seems to be exactly what this novel needs.
But oh it’s achingly slow. I want to move faster, get into a flow state. Writing quickly feels a bit like magic. That’s what feels missing right now— a spark. A touch of enchantment.
I loved Amy’s wonderful post about intentions. 2023 was a weird year, very rough around the edges. I like thinking 2024 will be kinder. Softer. I like believing we’ll find ourselves getting better in it.
I’ll admit I slightly panicked when I read her mention of 5 Days of Beginnings. I’d planned to do it before I was back to novel writing. I’d said January and I needed to stick to my word, but the timing felt wrong with where I’m at with this draft. Was I supposed to abandon it to work on five openings? Wouldn’t that throw off my groove with the novel? (Not that I’m actually in a groove with writing this novel, but I’m good at telling myself what I want to hear.)
It’s funny how Amy’s posts and our author interviews always give me precisely what I need to hear. Last week that was Sara Lippmann’s answer about how to stay motivated: “shift gears. Stir things up.” Shannon Sanders said something similar: “Be creatively non-monogamous!”
Writing a handful of openings, even if that’s just five sentences unrelated to my novel, will be a way to flex my creative muscles. A way to jumpstart my imagination, which has been dragging lately. And giving myself the freedom to bounce into something new sounds like fun. I don’t know about you, but oh how I need to add more fun into my writing process. Maybe some creative polyamory will help keep the slog at bay.
I really hope you’ll join me! Here are the details:
5 Days of Beginnings will run from January 27 through the 31st. I hesitate to think of it as a challenge; instead more like a game. There is no word count goal, no amount of time to spend doing it. (But if you want to set one for yourself, go for it!) The idea is simply to generate an opening, even just a single sentence or line of a poem.
This is meant to be a resource for you, at home, to jump start your creativity and take whatever direction you choose. But for those who want a little accountability, I’ve created this spreadsheet. Totally optional, but you can add your name and chart your progress. (There are columns for each day to mark off when you’ve written your new beginning.)
Each morning you’ll receive a mini post with some thoughts on openings by a writer I love, along with a photo of that day’s roll of Metaphor Dice for those who want a loose prompt or starting off point.
To kick things off, I’m hosting a writing session on Saturday, January 27th at 9am CST, open to all. It’s one of those hop on, say hi (or don’t, whatever!), and everyone mutes and turns off their cameras (or join with your camera off, whatever!) to write together. I don’t have a paid Zoom account, so our time will run out 40 minutes in, but that’s long enough to get started. You can sign up for that here.
If you know anyone who also is creatively dragging and needs a reminder that writing isn’t a race, that it can be fun, please share. I’m a big believer in the power of community and love the thought of a bunch of creative energy bouncing and buzzing around us all for five days. A little reminder that we’re all in this together, that we’re not alone.
Reading Recommendations:
Online: Any Britney fans out there? Heck, even if you don’t like Britney Spears, Delia Bennett’s deeply felt essay, “It’s Just My Memoir, B*tch!” has the kind of raw, beautiful vulnerability that I so admire in memoir.
Books: I recently read Shayla Lawson’s forthcoming How to Live Free in A Dangerous World, which is truly brilliant. I then immediately picked up their poetry collection, I Think I’m Ready to See Frank Ocean. Gosh, I love their writing style so much.
I recently rediscovered this song just in time to realize a lyric made the perfect title for this post:
Next week we’re running an interview with National Book Award-finalist Aaliyah Bilal that I’m excited to share. Until then, wishing you a fantastic week with zero slog and lots of fun! <3