Monday, November 22, 2010

Fuel Efficiency

My developing young adult story jerks like a crotchety old car that doesn’t want to go for a ride on a cold New Hampshire morning. Stop and start, rev and stall. What will I call it? Why am I writing a sequel when the first book hasn’t found a home yet? Will I have a page or two ready for my writing partners in time for our next meeting?

I don’t worry too much, as I’ve done it all before. The story will soon leave rubber. Yet so many ideas churn in my mind, I don’t know what to write. My muddled  thoughts confuse and distract me. It’s a familiar feeling. It makes me crazy.

I love it.

Treasure
I am running on high test. Not only have I visited several web sites (some of which will surely have me on the “radical watch” list of those who track such things), I have read a variety of books obtained both in Ireland and in my aunts’ amazing library. But did all that reading about bardic poems, magical herbs, fairies and archaeology start this quandary in the first place?

No. As one of my favorite old Irish sayings goes, “Seeking one thing often finds another.” Research inspires. I doubt I'll ever write about dendrochronological data or the River Lagan’s Water Monster. These interesting tidbits might clog the fuel line, but they swirl with the fairy wind and the leg irons found beneath old forts. Fine, but how do I sort all these tidbits for better fuel combustion?

I procrastinate by insisting I must finish other writing projects. Between loads of laundry, grocery runs, and social visits, I wonder if I should escape to a writing retreat. I launch a new cooking blog and begin reading L.A. Meyer's wonderfully addictive Bloody Jack books. Creating a new Windows Media playlist inspires me. I zoom in the left lane for a bit, then stop to clean bird droppings from the windshield. I manage to write the first chapter.

The pit crew is ready. Soon, the story will rip down the track like a well-tuned sports racer. I might be driving the vehicle, but I will have no power to stop it.

I can’t wait.

14 comments:

  1. Brilliant post, and a perfect metaphor for any creative process. I'm sure you'll arrive at your destination, but the important thing is to enjoy the scenery and discoveries during the ride. :)

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  2. Oh, I SO feel your pain on this! I've decided to title my current WIP one of two titles: "The Elusive Story" or "The Book with No End". But you're right, Pat - I wouldn't have it any other way.

    :-)

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  3. What a creative post, Pat! That's why you are such a great writer, as "it" is really inside of you. I'm glad you are having fun, and am proud of the success you've had. Just don't forget to put some dry gas into that "car", 'cause it's almost wintah, dontcha know :)

    -Dave

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  4. Very creative and insightful post, Pat! Sometimes I feel the same way! But as you said, you've done it before and you know you can do it again... (write a book, that is.) :) I'm sure your fingers will be flying over the keyboard soon, once all the elements fall into place.

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  5. Maeve, I wish you the very best with your current WIP. As Rick said, "Enjoy the scenery and discoveries during the ride!"

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  6. LOL, Dave! Maybe that's the trouble. I need dry gas! Or dry wine :-) So good to "see" you. Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. Nicole, thanks so much for taking time from your marathon posting party at TRS. Hugs to you!

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  8. Personally, I always arrive at the "can I do this one more time?" point. No matter how often I do it, I still question whether I can do it again. Ten books later, I'm still asking. I'm glad you've found a way to work past that and I'll just try to think of myself as a race car!

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  9. Love the post, Pat. I so understand. My mind has flown in several directions today rather than provide me with the next scene I need for my WIP, but I'm sure in my subconscious the creative juices are percolating ideas, getting ready to provide me with something bloody brilliant. Good luck with your story.

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  10. VVVVRRRROOOOOMMM, Miriam! I suspect someone with your wonderful imagination would need a twelve-step program to stop writing. You go, girl!

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  11. Dawn, that is such an optimistic outlook. The percolating idea certainly works for you: your stories are bloody brilliant!

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  12. Loved your post. Hope your story is running smooth soon. I tend to get caught up in research. I happens all of the time that I look for one simple thing and I end up spending hours and hours as I discover more interesting facts and before I know it, I've left the highway and on some country road somewhere, with an entire day of writing lost.

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  13. Amy, I don't think the time you spend on that country road is ever lost. That distracting research might inspire a future story or impact your present story by adding a slant you hadn't considered. That's how it works for me, anyway. Good luck with it, and thanks so much for stopping by!

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