April 2011 Archives

Yes, I'd argue. Anything can happen - absolutely ANYTHING. So how does a writer know which is the right 'anything' for their manuscript? Should we go down route A or path B? How do we choose age range, word count or theme? When you're mired in the angst of deciding what your manuscript is about, there are some things you should and should not do.

Don't. Just don't. If you feel like banging your head against the desk, it's time to go and annoy yourself with something else.

Scrolling back and forth through a manuscript can be like picking at a scab. 'But what's it all ABOUT!' your mind screams, as panic simmers at the edges of your existence. You don't need to know what the manuscript is about yet - you're not revising for an exam. Don't worry about the big picture. Take your time, get the words on the page, complete a first draft. Themes often emerge of their own free will; you don't have to force the issue. I'd argue that themes are secondary - it's action that counts. You know, people doing stuff, on the page.

She always told you to get a good night's sleep, didn't she? She's right. Everything looks better in the morning, but particularly a manuscript. I find that I often dream myself out of problems. That tricky plot point melts away when your sleeping self makes suggestions. I won't suggest that all the writing ideas from your dreamscape are good ones - some of them will seem woefully inadequate in the morning! - but your brain is being left in peace to sort through the rubble and find you gems. A good night's sleep is crucial.

Trying to put your doubts into words can clarify what your doubts are exactly. An innocent question from someone who loves you is worth its weight in gold. 'Have you written a plot outline?' Ummmm, well, they're always so tedious to do. 'Has anyone read it yet?' No, no, I can't share this yet, it's not good enough. And the best question of all: 'Have you been spending too much time on the Internet?' Just don't kill the person doing the asking!

Exam revision techniques can be unexpectedly useful for the writer crawling towards a goal. When you need to focus on the important matter - getting the damn thing written - divide your time into manageable chunks. 30 solid minutes of writing with no email, Twitter, Facebook or Google. Go on, try it. Many writers swear by the Pomodoro Technique. Yes, even creatives need time management (and there's a great app for your iPhone).

If all else fails, do what the British do best and make yourself a brew. A nice calming cup of camomile or perhaps builders' best. It gives you five minutes to calm down, snack on a biccie and go back to your desk with your head sorted.

My final words of dubious wisdom? Listen to Sylvia Plath. Self doubt really is the enemy of creativity. If we all listened to that writhing worm, no one would get anything done. Take it one step at a time - or 1000 words at a time, as many writers suggest. 1000 words a day over, say, a couple of months and you have yourself a first draft. Two months! Is that all the time it takes to write a novel?! No, I said 'first draft'. Many more drafts will come, but you've done the hard part - you got to THE END. The two most beautiful words in the English language. 

Especially when you once believed you didn't have it in you.

It's the London Marathon today, which made me hesitate about hitting my usual writing venue of the Royal Festival Hall. Would central London be a nightmare of runners and tourists? I decided to risk all and take the plunge. Not so very bad at all. At breaks in my writing, I'd cast a glance across the brown sludge of the Thames and follow the bobbing heads of people slogging their way around 26 miles in the sunshine. Which of us had the harder day - the writer or the runner? Don't answer that question, I already know the answer.

I've done a bit of running myself, though never achieving more than a half marathon. I know my limits! But even so, this has been a massive accomplishment for me. I inhabit a body born to lie on the sofa, eating chocolate eclairs. Exercise doesn't come easy.

Running has taught me things about myself. It's incredibly hard on several levels - dragging myself out of bed at 6am to go for a run, crawling up stairs on my hands and knees after a half marathon, knowing that one good run means nothing if I don't get out the next time and the time after that... But I've also discovered reserves of determination and focus I didn't know I had, I've cherished early-morning moments of solitude and beauty, and I've made friends. Running has taught me things about myself. To get to the finish line and think, 'I did it! I can do it!' That's a great feeling.

Can the same be said about writing? 

Reserves of determination and focus? Well, there's only one person making me write weekend after weekend when I could be out in the sun. Cherished moments? Nothing beats the lightbulb moment of a new idea sparking. And I've definitely made friends through writing retreats, writing groups and the online community.

Yes, yes, but what have you learned about yourself, Karen? 

Perhaps running and writing aren't so similair, after all. 

I could live without running, but I can't imagine life without writing.

I was thrilled to be invited onto the podium to talk for two minutes only about the launch of the third Undiscovered Voices anthology on 5 April. I'm part of the organising committee this year and was there to encourage established authors to spread the UV word to any up-and-coming authors they know or are mentoring. I had flyers to hand out and everything!