Love all of these observations and realizations. You are so generous with these posts (and I’m sure in life, generally!) What resonated so deeply for me was your validation of how difficult it is to work on certain kinds of material during the academic year. My father, may he rest in peace, and I were very close, and I loved him so much, but he used to chide me, saying even though I was working full-time, if I were really disciplined, I would be producing more pages. I believed him! Then, two years ago I retired and guess who has a full novel manuscript about to be read by an editor (whom I respect and pay) and writing group? THIS girl! I know my dad only meant to spur me on, but this post helped put so much in perspective. As clear a vista as Jeffrey Archer’s! Thank you.
I too love what you write about process. I admire most of all your patience with it, to let it lead you. I have learned so much from this sub stack and from your interviews. Like most of us here, I also have a full time (academic) job and what I’ve learned from you about not pushing, not being in such a hurry, has been life changing. You gave me permission to write less during the school year, when I was pushing myself so hard I was totally burnt out. Thank you. Thank you.
Stephanie, all of what you characterize as my patience has been hard won. But I really have learned that I can’t give a novel what it needs during the semesters, and so to pare down my goals. I have also learned that when I can’t see ahead all I have to do is wait and then the answer will come. It’s there; it just has to surface. Pushing doesn’t help.
Ditto to Nancy, there is so much here that I love: not bossing around your poems, doing a process that is simple and obvious and it producing real progress!!, your explaining that working and reworking the first 50 pages was all your working life could produce (yes, yes, yes), but my favorite was that your process you followed at Yaddo was a main line to your imagination, as opposed to the Muse, capital M. Also, love your title for this piece.
Do you have a deadline for this novel? Wondering if you will be with this novel for a second year as a worker bee? Excited to keep reading about your writing process and the novel, when it arrives in the world.
Yes, I have a draft due in September, which means that beyond those first 50 pages I am drafting the whole book this summer. I have thought about it for longer, though, so it’s not completely new. The writing is new. I already have some ideas for revision, mainly cranking the sentences up a notch. We’ll see what others tell me.
So much here that I love (how moving forward, writing every day 3 + pages, really does muscle out the voice of doubt!) but extra credit love goes to the book group’s question! That sounds like it would be such great fun to write and even more fun to read! 💖
The writing problem of perfectionism 🙌
Love all of these observations and realizations. You are so generous with these posts (and I’m sure in life, generally!) What resonated so deeply for me was your validation of how difficult it is to work on certain kinds of material during the academic year. My father, may he rest in peace, and I were very close, and I loved him so much, but he used to chide me, saying even though I was working full-time, if I were really disciplined, I would be producing more pages. I believed him! Then, two years ago I retired and guess who has a full novel manuscript about to be read by an editor (whom I respect and pay) and writing group? THIS girl! I know my dad only meant to spur me on, but this post helped put so much in perspective. As clear a vista as Jeffrey Archer’s! Thank you.
Thanks, Erica, and congratulations. I think I will expand on this idea for my post this Sunday.
Lovely! Looking forward to it.
Love the idea of the Franklin Square book series.
Jeffrey Archer’s writing room!!!!! Hold the mayonnaise!
No kidding
I love this, thanks, Alice.
I too love what you write about process. I admire most of all your patience with it, to let it lead you. I have learned so much from this sub stack and from your interviews. Like most of us here, I also have a full time (academic) job and what I’ve learned from you about not pushing, not being in such a hurry, has been life changing. You gave me permission to write less during the school year, when I was pushing myself so hard I was totally burnt out. Thank you. Thank you.
Stephanie, all of what you characterize as my patience has been hard won. But I really have learned that I can’t give a novel what it needs during the semesters, and so to pare down my goals. I have also learned that when I can’t see ahead all I have to do is wait and then the answer will come. It’s there; it just has to surface. Pushing doesn’t help.
I am learning this, slowly, as well, in part from your example, which has been so freeing for me.
May have to write this down in my notebook. :)
Your awareness of your own process is inspirational and the clarity you're having now with this novel is giving us all hope! Thanks Alice !
Ditto to Nancy, there is so much here that I love: not bossing around your poems, doing a process that is simple and obvious and it producing real progress!!, your explaining that working and reworking the first 50 pages was all your working life could produce (yes, yes, yes), but my favorite was that your process you followed at Yaddo was a main line to your imagination, as opposed to the Muse, capital M. Also, love your title for this piece.
Do you have a deadline for this novel? Wondering if you will be with this novel for a second year as a worker bee? Excited to keep reading about your writing process and the novel, when it arrives in the world.
Yes, I have a draft due in September, which means that beyond those first 50 pages I am drafting the whole book this summer. I have thought about it for longer, though, so it’s not completely new. The writing is new. I already have some ideas for revision, mainly cranking the sentences up a notch. We’ll see what others tell me.
So much here that I love (how moving forward, writing every day 3 + pages, really does muscle out the voice of doubt!) but extra credit love goes to the book group’s question! That sounds like it would be such great fun to write and even more fun to read! 💖
I love how you explain your process