It’s April Fools Day, but my blog today in no joke. Ha ha! I had to do it–so sorry.
Moving on…
What I was trying to tell you was that I’d like to hug the universe right now. Why? Because, even though writing brings me great joy–producing good stuff is HARD! Really hard. I always laugh at the analogy of a friend of mine. She likened writing to pushing a cow through a colander in order to make hamburger meat. *snort* Yeah–that sounds about right. Although, not the least bit appetizing. Or fun for the cow
But there are some days–some projects that just feel organic and easy. The ideas and the words seem to fall from the sky. Nothing about the process is forced.
I’m working on just that sort of project right now. Ironically it started as a kind of a lark. I was sitting at my desk feeling the emotional heaviness of the YA project I was working on and I had the urge to write something humorous and light. Something that would crack my kids up. And then this character got up in my face, kind of like that cow in the picture above. And I couldn’t help it, I stared right back at him and laughed. And it felt mighty good, so I put down what I was working on and wrote down whatever this new voice was whispering in my ear.
What a character.
Unfortunately, then I moved and I was inundated with all the time sucking drama that comes with the process. But a cool thing happened while RHF (my MC’s initials) was on hiatus–my kids kept asking me to write more of his story. And I knew I wanted to. So last week I dusted off RHF and now I’ve fallen even more in love with this quirky MC. And it’s so cool, because it’s so not the cow through the colander. With my current YA–I’m working really hard to pull back the layers and discover the voices of the characters. Not with RHF–this kid came fully formed and he talks my ear off all the time. It’s such a blast writing down his story and I kinda love the hell out of him for being easy. It’s a rare gift to be cherished.
Off to write some more.
Have you ever had a super smooth and easy writing project? What about one that required a cow and a colander? Has your easy project resulted in publication? Did you learn anything from the writing that came easy? Tell me about those projects.
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I’m so glad/happy for you that you’re working on something good/easy! I am editing, so good! But not easy. Sad to say, I am the cow right now. LOL. And if I could just figure out how to squeeze more hours into the da, I’m fairly certain I could be a happy-pasture-eating cow instead of he colander one 🙂
LOL! We’ve got to take it when we can get it because it sure doesn’t last LOL! Miss your face. <3
I do love this, Kimberly! That visual of putting a cow through a colander ~ priceless. Um, when can I read your newest and the latest (and greatest)…about the character your kids yearn to hear more of?
Actually–I’ll be looking for some people to critique for me in the hopefully near future. Gonna hit you up!!!!
I’m already in love with your new character…and I haven’t even met him yet! Yay for inspiration that rains down upon all of us…it makes the times with the colander bearable! 🙂
I know you are going to LOVE him. Imagine a boy who builds a sandcastle and thinks a Dragon might move in and then he gets a little older and…
Good for you, Kim! This is funny but ah, I’m so jealous. All my writing projects have been cow-through-the-colander types. Although it does seem to get just a smidge easier with each book. And some days the writing really flows.
I know how you feel. I’m usually pushing and shoving those words around with force. This was a pleasant surprise. :o)
Yay! I’m so glad you’re having fun. Ciel is that way for me — she keeps me entertained, and seems to do most of the writing for me. Sure, I have to polish up after her, but that’s okay. It’s definitely easier than pushing that cow through the colander. 😉
She would be a blast to write! Love her!!!