Preparation: Writing and Life Crises

I've been gone for quite some time, ill, and haven't added any new posts. I know a lot of writers who have had to take off for a while--for family crisis, illness, natural disasters, and just plain writer's blahs. I think I'm back now, and ready to get back to work.

But let's address this subject of time off first. Stuff happens. Writers are subject to all the failings and life experiences of the general population. I've known many a person who had to quit their jobs to take care of some unforseen problem. Now, with the Family Leave Act, many can take months off while their jobs wait for them. With successful writing, that can be a problem.

Fans are wonderful people. They love our little babies. They buy them, read them, share them, promote them, and stand in lines to get them autographed. And when they love the writer, the characters, the stories, they expect more of the same. I once started reading a series of books. There were four when I started. Waiting for the fifth one was filled with curiosity, and sometimes annoyance. I found other writers while I waited. Mind you, as years passed, I never gave up on book five. And finally, it came out! And it really sucked. It was longer than the others, and ran on and on with pages of description about the setting. The actual story was scant and not up to par. This writer lost me. She could write another hundred books and I wouldn't buy one. I forgive her for making me wait. I even forgive her for feeling so full of her research that she decided it must be shared with all readers. But I won't fall for that again. I'm a reader. And I'm a fan. And I'm just as fickle as the rest of you.

I'm hoping that I don't make the same mistake with this blog that the writer made with her book. Maybe you have been anticipating my return. Hoping I would share something you could actually use. I plan to do that.

Let's start with this: Since we know that stuff happens, we need to be prepared for the worst. Whether its cheap spiral notebooks or computer files, use something to keep track of ideas for books, articles, short stories, etc. There will be days when you just don't feel like you can write. If you sit in front of the computer for two hours and nothing happens, if you've found every excuse you can to avoid bichak (Butt In Chair--Hands On Keys), stop wasting your time. There will be times when you feel like you just can't write. Some call it writer's block. Some call it writer's blah. Pull out your notebook and daydream about different stories you might write some day; about characters you'd love to write about; about places you'd like to visit, or write a scene on. These are things you can use later. And they may stimulate your brain right now.

Don't do this just when you feel blocked, tired, sick, lazy, stressed, etc. Try to work this in regularly. Have a story idea? Can you stretch it into a trilogy? Love a character who's floating around in your head? Can you place him in a crisis? If you intend to sell your work, you need to be prepared to go on--to write another book, and another. You can't do that without ideas.

When you've sold your first book, another will be expected. Sometimes another is expected before the editor agrees to buy the first one. Editors aren't looking for a one book wonder. Prepare yourself for the day you may have to take some time away from writing, for whatever reason. When you're sitting around watching tv, put a notebook in your lap. Absorb the stories and characters, the descriptions and details. Keep a pen and paper/index card/SOMETHING to write on, where ever you go. And prepare for the lean days, when you have emergencies and can't take time to put in hours writing.

I once developed a whole novel from the last name of a casting director I saw scrolling on the screen at the end of a tv show. I haven't written the book, but if things get bad and someone is waiting for another book, I have a skeleton to work with. I have dozens of character sheets filled with fully developed characters to be used where I need them.

I know there isn't a lot of meat in this first post for the year. But it's a start. Please be patient and return for more and I'll try to make sure you learn something new with every visit.