For many writers, it seems that the area in which we show the most inventiveness and commitment is finding reasons why we’re not writing.
I’ve got, oh, so many. But I’ve been talking about them, with friends, family, and friendly therapist, and I’m glad I did.
One area where I was stuck was picking an environment for the polyamorous romance series I am plotting, which will be full of people not traditionally represented in romance: LGBTQ, disabled, POC, fat people, and more. I am really happy so many authors are now writing these kinds of characters, as well.
However, my plan was to set the series contemporary. And while it has never been EASY to be a trans person or other marginalized person, a few years ago we weren’t putting small brown children in cages and deporting citizens. Do I set my stories in the world of Obama’s presidency? The burning dumpster fire our country is enjoying right now? Do I envision those in power are going to try to go for the whole Hitler, and set it in that kind of environment? Because I can’t have a trans person tripping along merry and unconcerned and “out” if they are also being rounded up in camps. Political environment will impact everything, from where and how people live, to their thoughts and dialogue.
I talked about this issue with a couple of my friends, and Alaina came up with the best solution. Set it in the near future, and let’s imagine that things did get worse – but that now we are in a period where sane people are rebuilding the government and we are once again reaching for a “more perfect union.”
That means that, even if these stories are released during an evil time (provided books are still being published), they will bring hope. I like it!!
And if I hadn’t shared where I was stuck, I’ll still be spinning my wheels on this issue.
Enter perfectionism. This one I discussed with my therapist. I am heavily invested, emotionally, in this series. It could be a fabulous, ground-breaking series that helps people to totally rethink the way they think about people who are not like them, make the world a slightly better place.
Or it could be a total horrific mess that will manage to piss off every marginalized person I try to write about.
So, no pressure.
I still want to write these stories. I need to find a way to accept the reality that when I put my words and sentences on the screen, they will not be the perfect, gleaming pearls of my imagination. To allow myself to write crap.
Still working on that one. It is a lot easier to accept an idea intellectually than it is to internalize it emotionally.
So what else is getting in my way? Well, I’ve had a fair amount of catching up to do, to get back into the groove of writing, following my European dream vacation trip. Souvenir distribution, dinners and lunch and swimming with friends. And I try to help my friends when and where I can, so… I’ve been doing a fair amount of stuff for other people.
Both out of the goodness of my heart, and because, wow, what a great procrastination excuse! So I was swimming with my friend, author Pamela DuMond (her work is excellent and you should totally go buy some), when she had the solution.
Note: this is not my beautiful pool, lol
So Pam suggested that instead of doing ALL THE THINGS, for my friends, first, that I alternate. Do a nice thing for or with a friend – like our swimming afternoon – and then do a nice thing for my story.
What an idea! And with that, I’ve written several new pages in the last week. They are not perfect and so far, it hasn’t killed me. Yay, me!
One more thing slowing me down. Besides my day job, my dating life, and this blog, I’ve begun writing short pieces on Medium, and have engaged to write short pieces for a soon-to-be-launched e-zine, Queer Majority, whose first issue will be mid-October. I’m really excited to be reaching new readers in unexplored (to me) territory.
And I’ve got a Facebook takeover party to prep for. If you’re on Facebook, I’d love it if you would:
Fan my Page (I’m slowly creeping up to 500 Likes – can you help me hit that goal?)
Join Christine’s Book Love Reader Group, so you can be ready to scoop up the goodies, like gift cards and jokes and pictures of hot book boyfriends I’ll be giving away on October 3.
What good tips have you received after kicking story ideas and problems around with friends instead of hoarding them?
Time and setting are so important, especially when dealing with hot topic issues. Chained to the Devil’s Son was inspired by the race riots that ensued after the murder of Freddie Gray. I knew I wanted to write a story that encompassed raw racism and how love can overcome it but I also had a huge obstacle to overcome…time. So, I discussed it with my friends and ened up dating the book back when tech wasn’t a hindrance to my vision. O like how it played out. Good luck and Happy writing!
Sounds like you have a path. The concept is intriguing. Best of luck!
Very interesting post. I think that just admitting we have a problem is half the battle. (Isn’t that a 12-step idea). Anyway, I wrote a post about my lack of progress during a self-directed writing retreat – and since then have been FAR more productive. Sounds like you have some plans … keep on keepin’ on.
I think writing about the stress of these times is important. We don’t want people to forget. Think of all the great literature that is set in war time. I am reading a novel right now about a man who has a sexual experience with a fellow soldier in WWI, only to return to his southern family where everyone is pushing him into marriage. I’m not finished with the book, but it’s an intriguing story. You can always create a time period that best accentuates your message–the past, now or the future. But please don’t stop writing.
Good advice – the one I struggle with most is one for family and one for me. I do a lot for family and then for me with what’s left – which is usually too exhausted to think straight never mind try to form coherent sentences! Thanks!