I titled this entry in this way because it’s how I think new writing and editing are related. Analagous, if you will. I have been editing away on this book I’m writing for months and months now and honestly not getting much gratification out of it, even to the point of wondering if this is what I want to do at all. Granted it doesn’t take too much to question myself to this extent where writing is concerened.
Still, the point I’m trying to make is I’ve learned the new writing is what’s fun for me, that’s the part of writing that gives me that zing of energy, that sort of frisson of creative anxiety that starts all kinds of things percolating away in me. It’s what makes this all worthwhile for me, the joy of the enterprise you could say. What brought this all to a head recently was finding I needed to add a new half-chapter to increase and remind the reader of my main character’s motivational state of mind–in short I had to write some new stuff. And I had so much fun with it!
All of which goes to say, I believe I have to find a new way of writing a novel, so that I can enjoy some of the new writing alongside the grueling hours and hours of editing. Not sure how to put this into practice exactly except by perhaps starting to write a new one while editing the old one??
I was invited to a new writing group that I went to last Friday night, here in Charlotte, Concord rather, but it’s much closer than the one I’ve been attending in Augusta. Nice group–I experienced some warm enveloping vibes from them that I was feeling pretty good about by the time I got home. And there are some good writers among them. But they meet every Friday night. I’m thinking since I’ve already gotten through most of my novel with my writing group in Augusta I’ll stay with them until it’s concluded which I’m thinking will be in October. And then perhaps I’ll take up full-time residence with the new group. Until then it will probably be hit and miss, but they were very open to my just showing up when I could and not even bringing material, but just being there to offer comments. So, I’ll probably do that. Writing groups are so good for writers.
I read a great book recently I’d recommend–The Book of Air and Shadows by Michael Grubar. Very entertaining, funny, erudite and wonderful character development.