Incubating ideas.

As I'm reading through and fine-tuning my current WIP (the final in my Samsara trilogy), my subconscious keeps throwing ideas at me for my next project - Book Two in the Adept Solutions Series. I have the main plot, but still need one or two sub-plots. So as I continue with my daily routine (moving future storylines to the back burner), and September comes to a close, I've updated a post from 2014, and hope other writers find it relevant.

Incubating Ideas

We notice new ideas when they float to the surface of our consciousness. Sometimes these arrive fully mapped out in the form of a distinct character, a particular conflict or plot. J. K. Rowling said the concept for Harry Potter fell into her head during a train journey.

Some writers formulate their plans as they write but often those seeds need to be nurtured and given space to grow. One practice many novelists use as a catalyst for maturing concepts is to do something unconnected with writing, and often choose a recreational activity. For example, Martin Amis played darts, while Kurt Vonnegut played patience.

Frank Smith in Writing and the Writer said 'Composition is not enhanced by grim determination'. By giving yourself freedom from pressure you allow your subconscious to process important ideas. Scheduling time out, and doing something different doesn't mean your brain has stopped working, and you might choose to catch up on any of the innumerable jobs that pile up while you’re absorbed in your work, but picking something you enjoy works best.

During this period, thoughts may arrive at odd moments, and change, alter or expand your original concept. Write them down and let go of any attachment you have to older plans as they are superseded by newer ones. When the incubation period ends, you’re likely to be flooded with inspiration as the gates to creativity open.

The way this nurturing process operates for me is I tell myself what I want, hand it over to my subconscious, and then get on with life without unduly worrying about it. I call it the sleep-on-it method. How long does it take for an idea to incubate and come to fruition? The Roman poet, Horace, thought writers should wait for nine years—a tad longer than most of us can spare these days. But like everything else in writing fiction, the incubation period varies from one individual to another. And there is no right or wrong, there is only what works.

Today’s Haiku

When you achieve one
target the goal posts reveal
a new horizon

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Thank you for visiting my blog, and please do leave a comment.
To all story lovers out there, good reading, and to those of you who write, good writing.

Rubbing Shoulders with Val McDermid

Although I’ve always been an avid reader, I admit this was my first book festival. Previously, time, opportunity, and desire hadn’t combined to facilitate such an endeavour, but, as a New Year’s resolution, I promised myself this year would be different. So at the beginning of May, after six hours of bus travel that included a quick trip across the North West Highlands, I sat in Ullapool village hall, surreptitiously observing other participants and waiting for the speaker.

After a lively talk, I stood outside stretching my legs and enjoying the long northern evening. Even though it was eight o’clock, the sun still shone on the cherry blossom trees lining the street.

‘Do you write?’ I asked the sprightly man standing next to me.

‘Oh, yes, poetry and such. I like playing with words.’

And so the conversation continued as I talked about my efforts at self-publishing. It wasn’t till I saw his picture in the brochure I realized I’d been talking to Ian Stephen, whose first book was a 2014 book of the year in the Guardian and Herald newspapers. Declaring your ignorance of someone’s work to their face is embarrassing, but I did gain an important insight as to how the Ullapool Book Festival works.

Ullapool is a tiny coastal village on the west of Scotland with a picturesque backdrop of snow tipped mountains on one side and cobalt blue sea on the other. It's on the tourist route for cyclists, walkers, climbers etc., and caters well for visitors. Many book festival attendees are regulars, and have attended for years. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and the volunteers, who are the backbone of the festival, are enthusiastic, and do their best to oblige whatever request you make of them.

Over the next two days, I listened to writers from South Africa, Malaysia, Ireland, and Canada. Scottish writers, novelists and poets, writing in Gallic and English were also well represented. All the speakers had received critical acclaim, and many were recipients of prestigious awards either from the UK or from their respective countries. I admit I hadn’t read any of their novels or heard of them - except Val McDermid, who has appeared on television. However, as I don’t read crime fiction, I hadn’t read any of her books either. Despite my non-existent relationship to the writers or their books, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to them talk about their novels.

Most speakers attended every session and stood in queues with the rest of us, which was how I got chatting, along with others, to Val McDermid. Val came across as a frank, open, and a what you see is what you get kind of person despite the large number of awards she has won, and we shared jokes of various experiences queuing in other parts of the world. I found her talk the most relevant as she spoke more about her writing processes than the other writers, and is a prolific series writer.

In conclusion, as a PR exercise for authors, and a chance to rub shoulders dusted with glamorous praise by the critics, I think book festivals are a good thing. When writers discuss their books, they reveal the love they put into their writing. I came away thinking about how hard these writers work to tell their stories, which, in turn, increased my determination to tell mine.

Will I go again? Possibly - it’ll depend on which writer is appearing. Will I attend any others, such as the Edinburgh Book Festival, which is easier to get to though situated in a less scenic setting? Same answer. Will I visit Ullapool again? Most definitely. I enjoyed hearing these writers speak, but I fell in love with Ullapool, and will most certainly visit again.

But one thing is sure; if I ever attend another book festival, I’ll never, ever, ask anyone if they write.

Writing Update

I’m slowly digesting the fact that I’ve finished the first draft of Book Two in my Samsara Trilogy, but before I put it to sleep, I’m bugged by the urge to adjust the inciting incident. Should I do that now, as it could open a Pandora’s box that may take more than just a bit of tweaking to fix, or leave it till I return refreshed to embark on the odyssey of editing?  Or am I just experiencing a certain reluctance to leave an internal landscape I’ve inhabited for the last so many hours, days and months?

Other projects sitting on the back burner are two nano novels; I could make a start on a screenplay I want to turn into a novel; update the website; and there’s always the marketing and PR activities that accompany an indie writer.

Lurking in the shadows are my de-cluttering goals.  I’d stopped talking about my spare room, but it’s back on the agenda as I can’t claim the more pressing need to write as an excuse anymore. I want to paint the living room etc., etc. Then there’s the garden where a machete might be more practical than a hoe.

So there’s plenty of work to do. First, though, I have to firm up my will, grit my teeth, and say goodbye to Tatya, Vanse and Angelus, reassuring them, and myself, it’s only temporary, and I’ll be back soon. In the meantime there’s the cover to consider ... though the thought of doing absolutely nothing for a few days is increasingly attractive.

Today’s Haiku

BAD KARMA

writer envy strikes

a small stabbing pinch - cripples

creativity

Useful Links:

www.ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk

Join me on Twitter at: teagankearney@modhaiku

Thanks for visiting my blog, and please do leave a comment.

To all story lovers out there, good reading, and to those of you who write, good writing.

REFLECTIONS ON WRITING

This is going to be a short post, and not just because I've shopping to do, a house to clean, and food to start preparing, but because those of you who are celebrating festivals probably don’t have writing advice high on their list of priorities for Christmas Eve. So, today, just a few thoughts on writing fiction. 

To start with there's no rule that says you can’t just sit down and write a novel. After all, we use language every day, and most of us have been doing so for a number of years, so using words is a skill we mastered as children. Nonetheless, you can find innumerable courses, books, retreats and groups where you can practice and hone your writing skills, as well as getting (hopefully) constructive feedback.

However, creative endeavours have several aspects. First there is the preliminary phase of incubation/rumination; next the absorbing active productive period; finally the contemplative/reflective stage. A good question is what do we get out of these enterprises, other than the activity itself? Producing work, whether art, music or literature (or even finger puppets) that you view as successful is a challenge. And it may be that wider  public acknowledgement or reciprocation never comes. 

So why do people rack up, for example, eight nano novels? It must be because the enjoyment in doing the activity outweighs anything else, including the effort involved in transcribing and expanding something which can, in the beginning, be no more than a glimpse of an idea. A certain amount of self-belief, which may or may not be justified, investment of your time and a determination to improve are definitely needed. Yet none of these criteria act as a deterrent when a story begins to live in a writer’s imagination and the urge to share it with others takes precedence.

I think we undertake these pursuits because, ultimately, we find them deeply satisfying. For me writing is about emotion, with the character, plot and setting aimed at eliciting a particular response from the reader. Each writer starts and ends their writing journey in a separate place, and although we share certain commonalities, each journey, just like each individual, is unique.

Today’s Haiku

WINTER

snow lies on the ground

one red apple left hanging –

blackbird finds a feast

Useful links:

If you’re looking for a gift for someone who has a kindle, check out these two links:

http://amzn.to/197yrbN   Roads Taken (5 great short stories) by M. Joaquim

http://amzn.to/18SbSaG  Gold Dragon Haiku  - my first attempt at publishing poetry!       

Check out these two links if you’re feeling down – laughter’s a great medicine.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=37b_1378633407

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57dzaMaouXA

I would like to wish everyone, especially the six people who clicked the follow button on this page, my friends on Twitter and in the Google + communities, and anyone who reads this blog, a great Christmas - may you all be merry and bright -  and a brilliant 2014!

Join me on Twitter at: teagankearney@modhaiku

To all story lovers out there, good reading, and to those of you who write, good writing.