Just Along for the Novel-Writing Ride!

Woody, picking me up for a writing session.

Hello, my lovelies!

The sun is shining, peeking through the overcast sky, to be precise. Little pockets of blue sky are visible, but they are shrinking as I write this. More rain is expected and - this makes me giddy! - I’m hoping more thunderstorms, too. In fact, this morning, I was woken by thunderstorms. The lightning lit up my entire room. Made my little storm-happy heart soar. Now the temperature is hovering around 18°C, with a slight breeze. Spring has sprung and summer is peeking over the horizon. Finally. I am so tired of grumbling about the weather. And, if you follow me over on Ream, I’m sure you’re tired of reading it, too.

That’s part of the problem I’m having right now, if I’m honest. A small part, thankfully. I am tired of the same old, same old. Same story, tropes, scenes, characterizations, dialogue. Tired of it in every way. In what I am writing, reading and watching. Hell, the writing on some of the movies and shows being aired right now is trite, at best. If I can predict what is going to happen next, I don’t want to read it or watch it.

Makes it difficult to follow some current trends, too. No, I’m not naming anyone - writer or show/movie - but I am more likely to finish a book that is less than engaging than I am a movie or tv show. Weird, I know, but true. I tend to give authors more of a chance to prove themselves than I do directors because they are merely putting out their version of the writers’ work. The writers create the worlds the readers crave, the directors tour their audience through them. They are not the same.

Funny thing is, falling into those too familiar trends in what I am reading and watching is also fuelling what I am writing. It is showing me how being unpredictable or surprising is better than being familiar.

Huh. After writing that, I realize how to best overcome that problem. You can be familiar in your writing and directing of pieces without being tired and trite. Maybe that is where writers and directors are going wrong, for lack of a better word. They are getting comfortable and not stepping out of their own comfort zone. Complacency is the death knell of creativity.

As a writer, it is important to always engage your readers (duh, right?) but it is equally as important to challenge yourself. In your craft. As a writer. I am doing that, stepping out of my comfort zone, as I write more in a 1st point of view (POV) and more… authentically? I’m not sure how to put it, exactly, but it is more like writing in a stream of consciousness. And I’m liking it. A lot.

The other thing I get asked a lot is how I decide what direction the story will take. Uh-huh. Like I have anything to do with what they do. I rarely know what the hell my characters are going to do. They show me what they want to do and I write it. Sometimes, while I am putting my own spin on their vision, they yell at me and force me to take it in whatever direction they want to go in.

Face it. Characters are assholes. They like to be in charge and speak up - loudly - and have no respect for the direction their creator (writer, whatever) wants to take their story. Their story arcs wherever the hell they want it to and they enjoy making it almost painful for their creator to change their minds or story.

And, no. They do not listen to reason, nor do they even pretend to listen to reason. Characters are like the toddlers of the creative writing process. They wobble their way through a story, leaving a trail of food, drink, and toys behind them. Especially in the spicy fiction world, where the toys are often silicone, usb-rechargeable, and vibrating.

Anyway… back to this over-use of tropes, storylines, scenes, etc… it is forcing me to stretch my writing muscles and write differently. In some cases, to write better than ever.

If I am completely honest - and please, don’t ever tell my characters this shit, I’ll never live it down - I must thank my characters for pushing me to do better and be better. They keep me on my toes and push me to challenge myself. To that end, it’s been an interesting few months as I hit my stride and have embraced a new lilt on my writing voice. I’ve actually enjoyed it. But, again, don’t tell my characters. They need to think I’m a badass and not easily pushed around.

No, really. I’m not easily pushed around. Influenced, yes. You can make suggestions and I may jump on the bandwagon, but you cannot push me around. No matter what they might tell you.

The last book I wrote, but have yet to publish, is sitting here waiting to be let loose on the world. Claiming the Nanny was so much fun to write and my first foray into writing in the 1st POV/stream of consciousness-esque style. The one I am working on now, Kneading her Heart, a fun story taken from a conversation with my RMT has been even easier to write in that style. The characters are still leading the charge in this new book, but they are doing a fantastic job.

It’s definitely a good one, Chiquitas. I cannot wait to send it out into the world. Soon, I hope. 🤞 🤞 🤞 🤞

Until we meet again, I will continue to be your little writrix. I appreciate you all more than you know. Y’all make the writing world go’round, babes. Keep that shit up.

Until next time, my lovelies,

GG