I don't know many writers and those that I do know are yet to be published or have their work widely known. However, I do know that we all have different approaches to writing and yet we all feel the unique and consuming pressure that writing brings. Even when you're not a world renowned author or even have the slightest inclination for other people to read your work, I can guarantee that if you enjoy writing you constantly feel pressure over the words you select and the story you choose to tell.
Whilst writing Enkindled I was constantly asking myself if a certain plot was the right way to go or if my character should look a certain way to represent a certain group of people or even if I should go against the grain entirely just for the sake of it. And don't even get me started on choosing characters' names! I have always known that I have had this tendency to question everything I do but when I began writing my latest book, an idea that I'd had for years and seemed unable to escape, I was shocked to learn that I could actually write instinctively. I only had the smallest of ideas to begin with, which is a scary thing in itself as there are so many avenues you can go down when you only have the bare bones of a concept, but as I began to think of characters, settings and plots I found that rather than questioning myself I just wrote what felt right. Of course, I still question plots and characters (especially their bloody names) but what writer with any worth doesn't do that? However, as the plot has grown and threatens to become its own, ever evolving monster, I have thoroughly enjoyed just going with whatever I think suits the story. The problem with fantasy is that it is such an established genre with its own rules and worlds that it's difficult to create a unique story that still appeals to those that like to get lost in that universe. I think the answer to this dilemma is to just forget about the people who might read it and focus on the person who is definitely going to read it: myself. I like the world I'm creating, the characters I'm falling in love with and a story that seems to be taking on its own life without much help from me. I'm excited to see where it goes and, even though I've planned the whole thing, as soon as I start typing away just a single line of dialogue or description can make me think about the entire plot in a new way. Writing instinctively may be risky in that I'm not sticking to a tried and tested formula or even a rigid plan but writing something that I'm not completely happy with (or at least mostly happy with, who is ever completely happy with their work?!) will be a reward in itself. I still like Enkindled but when an idea takes over and demands to be written what else can you do but just go with your gut?
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If any of you have ever Googled writing tips for aspiring authors you will probably read on every list that pops up that you should write, no matter for how short a period of time, every day.
I'm not saying this is bad advice at all, it's brilliant. Athletes, dancers, footballers, bodybuilders and so much more usually train six days a week as minimum in order to perfect their technique and writers can definitely do the same if they want to improve on their command of language. However, does every aspiring author have the time for this? I've been feeling quite guilty lately as I've been doing a lot of shifts in the hotel where I work and a few of them have involved five am starts, which means that by the time I finish at three o'clock I can just about drive home and lie down on the sofa. Therefore, not only am I physically exhausted but after a full day of being nice to customers and catering to their every need my brain just needs to shut down and chill, it's not really in the mood to develop characters and plot lines. I'm sure that there are a lot of would-be writers in the same position as me; we'd love to spend our time writing and writing but we need to earn money or put the washing on or anything else that daily life throws at you. Finding the time to sit down without any distractions and let your imagination run wild can be difficult and when you do find that time it can often feel very contrived and pressurised if you've waited so long for it. Therefore, you're not exactly at your optimum creativity level. That being said, I can see the argument by those people who think that if you're determined to become a writer, like those people who wake up at silly o'clock in the morning to get down to the track or jump in the pool, you should make time to practice your craft and continue to do so until you decide it's no longer for you. Like anything in life, you won't get better at something or achieve your goals if you don't even attempt to make time for it. At the moment I'm very busy with my current job whilst looking for a full time role that uses my degree, which can be a job in itself. I adore writing and treasure whatever time I can spare to do it but I have to be realistic and, right now, I need to build a career until an agent realises that they simply cannot let Enkindled out of their clutches. Finding the balance is hard but I'm not going to stop and if I can fit in ten minutes here and there of writing or even come up with a new idea for a story on my lunch break I'll be more than happy. |
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