I write what I can write, when I can write it

What do you think about the title of this post? It does sound like you, doesn’t it? Well, why should you stress yourself with all that bloody writing when there are millions of amazing things online – movies about witches, horror series with zombies, historical romances to-die-for, political chats, blaming humanity tweets… Who is creating all this stuff? How do they do it? You don’t have a damn minute to make a sandwich, and here it is – voilà! New books/and series are arriving with the speed of a comet.

Ray Bradbury once said he doesn’t know what other writers are doing during the day if they can’t produce at least one story. I know EXACTLY what they are doing. Netflix and Instagram! 😂

I think there’s a method you can use if you wish one day to publish your remarkable story. We can call it writing-on-the-go-OR-in-the-moment, when an idea, all of a sudden, drops on your head. It means you are writing down only that particular piece/or conversation/or scene. It is usually 300-500 words, and it probably takes 10-20 minutes. 300 words multiplied by 365 days = two books. Or one book, but a huge one, like Ulysses.

Of course, as indie authors, we have to edit, format, market, or pay to edit, layout, design, distribute… I believe it takes more time than writing itself!
It doesn’t mean writing is more effortless. But to nail down a conversation or scene in the second it shows up in your head is the best you can do if you don’t have time to write.

Here you can argue and say: ah, all the best ideas are coming to me when I’m running through the forest, or driving my old truck, or jumping over benches-kids-heads to catch the last bus.

Hm. I think you should stop and transform your brilliant thoughts into words! Add that vital piece to your future bestseller!

You’d argue again and say: I don’t think I’ll ever become a bestseller, like ever…

Yeah, I feel the depressing vibe.
 Cheer up!

My answer would be: Do you know who Sherlock Holmes is? You do, right? The first two stories about Sherlock Holmes, written by Arthur Conan Doyle, left the readers cold. It wasn’t a great success. In fact, it wasn’t a success at all.

Or let me remind you about Vladimir Nabokov, who received many contrary and often puzzled reviews in his lifetime. Here are some examples – “it was torture”; “less than compelling”; “unreadable and false.” Did it stop him from becoming the greatest author of American and Russian literature?

You’d argue again… I guess you are the type who just loves to argue? 😉

Let’s embrace something in the writing process that keeps us going or keeps us interested. What do you love the most in a novel? Hero? Plot? Style? Structure? Maybe try to focus on that, your favorite detail; try to find a way to express your story that people will remember and love. Be a storyteller, a teacher, and an enchanter!

Lastly, I’d like to tell you a little secret. Tonight, precisely at 2 am, 😱 I’m going to visit your house and check how many words you’ve added to your belletristic project. Do not hide your laptop… it won’t stop Ray! Ever! 😬

Next post – What makes a great reader