Humor sections in bookstores fascinate me. Humor is subjective, but in the indie bookstores I’ve worked at your book has to be hands down LMFAO for the manager to shelve your auto-bio in Humor. That’s what it takes for the book to bypass Biography (the one section organized alpha by subject opposed to alpha by author) Travel Adventure, and Self-Help.
I labor to infuse humor in my dialogue. An ode to the snarky one-offs of Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade’s fast ball retorts.
“You were impossible. Drunk and depressed. Pushing yourself too hard.”
“You’d think you’d be used to women drunk and depressed around you.”
It’s time for Alex J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post. Every month, we announce a question to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story.
June 1 question – When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end?
Margaret Atwood stopped writing The Handmaid’s Tale multiple times because she felt the story was too implausible. It would never be popular. Yes, she’s quoted on that.
90% of writing is powering through obstacles. There are mornings I stare at my computer and write copy, edit copy, review anthology submissions, or keep a problematic chapter going by thinking a played out 90’s Nike slogan. Really.
We all have dark energy. Dark energy is energy we can’t see. We just know it’s there. It’s there and we can’t let it get sucked into a black hole. Black holes are the crap piles on your desk. The ghosts of projects uncompleted whispering, “You sure you want to do this again?”
Black holes suck away energy. I once threw a black hole (stack of crap) into the bin next to my desk without even bothering with what was on the top. If I hadn’t looked at it in a week, it wasn’t important. I still have only a vague idea of what it consisted of.
Helpful quotes like, “One sentence creates an avalanche.” become a mantra. While clawing, scratching, and pulling crap out of the ether to spin into relatable thought provoking platforms of inquiry and discovery I have to accept this will not be enjoyable.
I can think of 100 other things I’d rather be doing. Cleaning toilets. Holding an open pillowcase as far away from my person as possible while my friend thrusts her angry snakes towards me with a handler stick. (This really happened.) Cleaning barnacles off a boat with a rusty scraper wearing leaky snorkel gear in questionable Bay Area water. Chores like that. I’ve put my head in my hands thinking, “I’d rather be drilling screws through my toes.”
Despite all this nothing feels as good as the hit of dopamine received upon completion. My name’s on it. I feel fulfilled. Feedback rereleases the initial hit. The memory of the feeling keeps me going back.
What keeps you writing? I will return comments promptly as long as my robots let me!
May 4 question – What are your writer highs? What are your writer lows?
The highs are when I’m getting work done. It’s not that mystical.
A week ago I was interviewed by writer Nancy Christie for her podcast, Living The Writing Life. We talked about my personal versus professional life. Nancy brought up a one-piece I wrote awhile back for Authors Publish https://authorspublish.com/its-okay-to-be-selfish-with-your-writing/. She wanted to know why I used the term ‘selfish’.
We wear multiple hats. Artists have families and have to keep the lights on. As a communications specialist I write for various sites. As a novelist and anthology contributor my mornings are sacred. Nancy asked me why I used the term ‘selfish’ for my writing time. My “selfish time” is right before the sun rises and no one’s blowing up my phone, or walking into my office asking where the laundry detergent is. I keep the door shut. I have no problem delivering a sharp stern, “What?” if that door creaks open.
I don’t really feel I’m selfish, but I used the term selfish in my article to beat judgmental non-creatives to the punch. Yes. If that’s how you see it, I am being selfish with my writing time. I’m cool with that. Just like I’m selfish when I need a hot bath at the end of the day instead of a bottle of wine. Selfish when I need to destress with a workout. The highs are when I’m getting work done. My writing highs are when I’m writing. It’s not that mystical.
I could have said, “Your writing time is sacrosanct.” or “It’s okay to be protective of your writing.” instead of, “It’s okay to be selfish.” in my article. But selfish is what I hear, so that’s what I’ll respond to. Like with self care, some people see writing everyday as pampered. These people feel spending time on something with potentially little to no monetary gain is selfish. Fine. I’m selfish.
The lows are terrible. They don’t come when my queries and pitches are getting rejected by agents and editors. I’m getting responses. I know I’m trying. I’m working. The lows are when I’m stuck. When I’ve fallen off track because life got in the way, and I’m no longer consistent.
What are your writing highs and lows? I always return comments. Happy IWSG day!
Overanalyzing – The anxiety! When you put yourself out there overthinking comes with the territory. We all do/say dumb things. I have enough road behind me now to sift through criticism, collect what’s helpful and discard what’s not. If I could say anything to my old writer self it’s, “Trust your gut.” and “Learn to let stuff go.”
Publishing too soon – In the world of instant digital gratification we’re hasty to share our creativity, then learn the hard way once work is out there attached to our name it follows us forever. Thankfully it’s a big world and I am one little person. I’m not important. Life is short. Etc.
Isolating – Writing is solitary, but only to a point. It’s seductive to go into this misanthropic state when we’re angry, sad or simply feeling unsure of ourselves. The romance of insanity. I don’t know who originally said it, but the statement, “Art isn’t created in a vacuum.” is great to keep in mind. Know your audience. Learn from mentors. Collaborate for growth and renewal.
OMG. Regret itself.
A friend mentioned to me how interesting it is wood burns in many ways. It heats us in many ways. I assumed they were eluding to some complex concept, and couldn’t follow what they were saying. Then I remembered my cabin in the woods in Albion, CA. The wood burning stove in the living room was small. I would go down under the tarp where we kept the wood dry near the pigmy forrest and lug a piece up the hill to the splitting stump where a large tree once stood. Once I was done splitting the damn thing to fit the little stove I would be warm enough to not want a fire for another hour or so.
We chop wood down, haul wood, store wood, split wood and light wood. It burns calories. Time. Energy. Writing also burns in many ways. When I question myself as to whether what I’m working on is “right” or “productive” I remember my muscles grow each time I create something new. Having no regrets is still a work in progress.
What do you regret most? Were you able to overcome it? I will always return comments with the exception of a zombie apocalypse.
3 Ways To Turn Stress Into Delight (kinda, sorta), or What Works For Me Sometimes (IDK).
1. When collaborating with other artists –
Whether we’re at odds with our editors, working with graphic artists or other writers – collaborating with artists we admire and respect should be a positive growing experience. Art isn’t created in a vacuum, but there are pros and cons to each stage of the process when working with others. Managing multiple stubborn personalities is stressful. Dovetailing together when it finally gains traction makes it worth the required patience and time.
Tip – Don’t try to put your process on top of theirs. Learn, listen and expand your process with them.
2.Subplots – Avoiding dross.
Joseph Campbell’s, The Hero’s Journey is a fantastic source of multiple perspectives. I’ve been told you can judge the depth and perspective of work by its subplots. Am I in trouble? This made me analyze a few of my recent subplots. They tend to develop organically as the story grows. Love triangles. Secrets. The inevitable letting go of vice to achieve character building. The basic ‘human condition’ vs inevitable growth stuff.
Tip – Use tools that direct your creative energy. Table sized sheets of graph paper, dollar store notebooks and Moleskins are my thing. No, I don’t always tie up every loose end, but it helps to shift from a micro-perspective and pull back to a bird’s eye view when fleshing out details.
3. Deadlines & Deadlock –
We all miss our deadlines. No? Maybe not all of us, but I do. Writer’s block is stressful. Sitting still is death. I self sooth with familiar things like walks and Moleskin notebooks. Moleskins can take a beating and fit in the pockets of my larger jackets. On a walk of procrastination I can carry a Moleskin with me through sleet and hail and get back to how I fell in love with writing. By hand and with the hope I grow new muscles and have a breakthrough.
Tip – Gift a young creative something that helped you gather your thoughts. Example:
Books Inc. San Francisco
Me: “It’s a Moleskin notebook. For centuries artists have used these to direct their thoughts.”
Little girl: “Oh.” -tight smile-
Me: “Ok. Major yawn… but inside it has a history. See? It’s been used by Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and Bruce Chatwin. Not one woman? Seriously?”
Little girl: -frowns-
Me: -shuts book and hands over Moleskin- “It’s very durable.”
Wishing everyone a safe and pleasant holiday season. What delights and/or distracts you about your writing? Happy IWSG Day!
Blurbs are your hook, but the title dictates a lot.
While the working title of any given piece is ever morphing; I have a basic idea of the blurb as I’m finishing the book. I’ve let go of fantasizing about cover options. I’ve accepted it’s the publisher’s decision and I have no say in the matter. But, the title…
For me the title is the heartbeat of the piece. If I give it the wrong name during the, “Let there be light!” moment all my efforts will have been in vane. When the lightening strikes I’ll have missed my moment and failed my creation. The blurb is the ever important 25 second pitch to say, “Read. Me.” Still. I’ve found the title influences the cover choice the graphic designer will execute. This makes it hard for me to choose. I have commitment issues when it comes to titles.
Blurb or title? It’s a difficult question. Which is harder? I lean towards title. Which one do you find most difficult to write?
October 6 question – In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?
Fantastic question. I’m excited to read other’s posts!
I find myself cringing when euphemisms are used in place of unsavory hard truths. Candor is divine. This is how I write. I’m also not into shock value and gratuitous details unless it moves the plot forward. The most depraved things one can imagine have already been committed to the page. While working with friends as booksellers in indie stores with access to every book both in and out of print we would challenge each other to find the most depraved, the most cursed, the most outlandish books ever written. It’s a popular conversation when shelving and placing orders to warehouses all over the world.
What I thought would be cool to read was in reality a terrible idea. I’ve since learned to look around the sun instead of staring directly at it. If I’m interested in a read that isn’t in my bandwidth, and I’m not talking about Marquis de Sade’s 120 Days of Sodom or Henry Miller’s Under The Roofs of Paris, I go to their reviewers. While the books just mentioned aren’t digestible for me either, the ones I’m referencing here are much more depraved. I’ve discovered I can learn just as much reading other people’s writings on the uneasy pieces. There’s no back space delete button in our brains. The scholars have already suffered through it so I don’t have to.
That being said, I absolutely hate euphemisms. They scream shame and disgust at whatever act the writer is describing. Writing the sex scene is difficult. But when it’s necessary I find less is more, and direct and to the point is better than the flowery side-stepping of what is actually taking place. If his telescope erects from his submarine in search of her sandy shores, delete that shit.
Looking forward to reading everyone’s hard lines when it comes to writing. What’s yours? Happy IWSG Day!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. The Insecure Writer’s Support Group was started by writer, Alex J. Cavanaugh aka The Blog Father. Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
We all have different ideas on what defines success. As a writer, these are my Top 4 –
1. Permission
Writing is about exposure. Giving ourselves permission to express ourselves and command an audience can be crazy-making. It’s different for everyone. I keep my eye out for what it means to each artist. For some it’s about getting traditionally published. Others, it’s receiving public feedback from readers. Like the dead beauty queen DMV-styled receptionist in Beetlejuice said, “It’s all very personal.”
Permission gives us the deep inner strength to persevere through the inevitable pitfalls. Sleeplessness. Time away from more lucrative endeavors. Guilt free demands for isolation to meet a deadline while others around you protest. The list goes on. And on. And on.
2. Finding Your Voice
It takes a lot of bad writing to get to the good stuff. We tend to imitate our favorite writers, until their voices slowly fade away as our own unique sound and expressions emerge. You know it when you got it. The eureka! moment exists.
3. Collaboration
Nothing sends a shiver up my spine like another artist reaching out to support my podcast, shorts and novel endeavors. I’ve collaborated with directors, writers, musicians and visual artists. I’ve been working on a graphic novel with an artist I respect and admire, spoken with a screenwriter and director overseas and gotten comments on articles I’ve written from authors who concur. This might seem small to others, but makes me want to pinch myself every time.
4. Vision
Getting labor out to an audience you’re confident represents your strengths and vision is no small feat. I have bad work I wish to bury forever. I’m set on throwing piles of better work on top of it. It’s a struggle. Having a path cleared and a steady pace to run it defines success for me.
It’s the first Wednesday of the month. Time for Alex J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group posts! We support each other by releasing insecurities offering and asking for advice. Join us by clicking https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
June 2 question – For how long do you shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt? The awesome co-hosts for the June 2 posting of the IWSG are J Lenni Dorner,Sarah Foster,Natalie Aguirre,Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria!
My writing style changes depending on the project, but here are my Go To 3 Steps.
Step 1 – Pencil & Ink
I write everything by hand and have the calluses to prove it. Writing longhand allows the story to create its own neural pathways. I’m a lefty. Pencil and ink coats the side of my pinky and palm daily. It spreads, but studies have purported pencil/pen helps to better absorb and retain information versus typing. I don’t know if that’s true for everyone. It works for me. When I pause on a project to work on a new one (which is often) it’s easier to circle back around and jump back in. I’m a scheduler/outliner in theory, and a pantser in denial.
Step 2 – Every. 10. Pages.
My first edit is typing my long and short hand out. Typing is a different delivery system and allows me to flesh out my characters and refine dialogue, adding and subtracting as I go. How often do I spell check? Every. 10. Pages. King jokes in Room 1408 about the banality of evil and the boring monotonous hotel room being the 7th Circle of Hell. No. Spell checking an entire novel from beginning to end is the 7th Circle.
Step 3 – Seek and Destroy
I go through a plethora of pages multiple times with red ink and kill my babies. Scenarios I thought were great, but now find cliche. Sarcasm I swore was hilarious somehow fell lame. I seek and destroy. Once it’s tidied up enough I pass it onto beta readers. Bless you all! After I get feed back I’m scanning through their red ink. Some suggestions I take. Some I ignore. Filled with crippling self-doubt, second guessing the entire plot and character arc I send out the manuscript to be rejected over and over until (if I’m lucky) it finds a home. If it doesn’t I shelve it, contemplate on how to fix it while hoping in vain the answer will come to me in a dream.
What does your editing/re-drafting process look like? I hope everyone had a fantastic Memorial Day weekend, and Happy IWSG Day!
Somewhere in California… "Life itself is a quotation." – Borges
