I tend to write very 'stream of consciousness' when I'm in the mood to write. I kind of zone out and let my fingers fly like I just let fly a rock from a slingshot. It's an incredible feeling when it works... And incredibly frustrating when it doesn't.
I like to be as forthcoming as possible when I discuss my capacity as a writer. I'm by no means a Steinbeck, but I do think I have talent with words and I can develop a strong story. But in the spirit of self-depreciating humor I want to share this little gem with you:
Several cars came erupted in the smoke of their burning brakes as they screeched to a halt.
Holy freakin' god, what the hell was that? I've been reading this 'sentence' over and over for the past ten minutes moving between laughing hysterically and shaking my head in shame. It's a silly, stupid little screw up of grammar but wow-oh-wow is it bad! I continued to read this section I last wrote and it only gets slightly better. So, with a few quick clicks and strokes I nuke the whole section into oblivion, stopping only to save a backup copy just in case my ego ever gets too big that I need to knock myself down a peg or two by re-reading it.
I don't feel bad or shame really. I'm amused more than anything else. It's a little frustrating have to re-write something, especially before the book is done. But I find working progressively rather than retroactively works better for me. It's all about method. I know some brilliant writers like Orson Scott Card write from outline and are very structured. I can't do that. I need to be surprised. I need to have a discovering experience when I create something. It's one of the most enriching aspects of writing.
I had this plan today. I was going to write ALL DAY and put in work on the 'Dead Dream Wakes' sequel. But I know what the problem is. I know why I feel so brain-congested. I haven't had the time to read, let alone write my own material. So before this little agent of chaos gets producing again, I'm going to go sit down with a novel and feed my head.
Happy reading.
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