On writing, as eloquently put by two_point

[thrihyrne]

Thanks to heartofoshun sending two_point my way to read some of my Wraeththu stories, I've discovered another kindred spirit! I was reading some of her older posts, and came across this sentiment about the writing process, and with her permission, I'm reposting here. I suspect this will resonate with many of you.

We find an idea, we write the first line and we feel it out on our tongues like the perfect first kiss. And then all the shit happens and the trash is on the floor and someone walks up and says, “The Turk told me that he’s thinking about buying three emaciated racehorses!” So we pull our hair and break into vacant houses and call up strangers in order to be given the perfect second line. And it sucks, the line. The writing is really, really bad. But then one day in the middle of the fourth chapter we realize that the book doesn't start there at all, really. It doesn't start until the middle of the story, when we know the characters, and can hear them and can smell their skin, and they walk up behind us and whisper something secret that makes our face flush.

It’s not the writing, not really, it’s about seeing where the story goes.

Today's a long day for me; I need to get away from the computer and get a shower and then head off to my favorite card shop located near where I used to live. There's another wave of birthdays and Father's Day cards to get. I'll be working and watching the opera tonight (Rigoletto), so all in all, a long day. Still, it should be good. Even though I'm also working a Saturday shift, I do hope to be able to spend some solid time writing since I wasn't able to last weekend while with family. That said, I did get a lot of knitting done last weekend! Blast. I still haven't taken pictures of this project. I'll do that, too.

For the many of you on my flist who engage in such, happy writing!

Comments

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

That is a beautiful description of the writing process. Only it works a little differently for me. I never have a great first line. Often re-write the first line after the story is done. And I usually cannot write a single word until I have the entire story in my head (do add scenes, but never change where it is going and the broad outlines). Part of the reason why I do not take well to the Beta process. For me it is always, "What do you mean dump the first part? That's like ripping my heart out?" The exception to that is when I have tried to write a quickie vignette and a Beta has convinced me it should be a short story. I have a few of those.

[mrsquizzical.livejournal.com]

that is beautifully put.

[liriaen.livejournal.com]

Oh god oh god, dear, I just... umm... had to eat the chocolate. It's a good thing there's more where that came from. While I'm at it, can you think of other flavours you might like? Nothing's too impossible...

[two-point.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this! I'm so happy that Oshun sent me to your perfect stories.

[brumeux77.livejournal.com]

That's a marvelous description. I suppose I should say "evocative" instead, since I can't write anything of any significant length. But best of luck with your efforts this weekend.

(*is totally stonewalled by his current fic assignment*)

[persephone100.livejournal.com]

A wonderful description. I always like to have a first line that I'm happy with, I don't know why. To get the reader interested? Or maybe just for my own satisfaction. My process seems to change with the story. My first one, I got scenes in my head, knew exactly where the story was going on the whole and then strung the scenes together. In the following ones, I had an idea where the story was going but just started writing it and sometimes it took a completely different and unforeseen turn as I wrote it. Sometimes the story seems to have a mind of its own! Whatever the process, writing is always a joy and an adventure!

And I completely agree that good beta'ing is truly an art!