The Shadowed Margin.
Enough humming and hawing.
Footnotes to the Fiction:
I have been on and off Substack, decidedly committing myself and then being rather uncommitted. Too afraid of sounding wrong, or of sounding unlike a writer. Maybe giving the wrong impression. To be frank, I didn’t want to sound stupid.
I kept worrying about not being good enough, not writing ‘writerly’ enough. Of people sitting in front of their screens thinking, ‘Oh, do shut up.’
But I have decided, enough with the humming and hawing, regardless of fear, anxiety, or sounding like an idiot. If anything, I want to document the journey, and if others want to read, or find something of value, then colour me delighted. Also, if I want to publish a book, then there is no place for worrying about critics.
Besides, I have ten subscribers, ten wonderful people who have chosen to at least glance at my journey while they scroll.
Onwards and upwards. Less humming, zero hawing, and far less worrying.
Somewhere Between Hope and Hesitation:
The beta-reading process is almost complete. Real-life people have been reading the words I have strung together to create a story. This section of the journey began with much hesitation, very little hope, and sheer mind-numbing dread. But people (the real-life people) seem to enjoy it. Constructive criticism exists, but for the majority, it has been going rather well.
Since I had a slight issue with motivation, someone from my online writers’ group encouraged me to make chapters available to readers in blocks of five, so people could read while I worked on the next block. This was the best advice I followed, although trying to edit, reply to comments in Google Docs, work a full-time job, and parent two toddlers, it was a tad more on the stressful side than I’d hoped. But I got through it.
Now, these amazing people are finishing the final chapters, while I make amendments based on their comments in the first blocks of chapters. Part of me still can’t believe I am at this stage of the journey, or that people are reading my work. Did I mention they were real-life people?
Writing as Alchemy:
Have I got a process? I thought I did, but then it changed. Then changed again. I would open the laptop, gather my notes, and have three tabs open: thesaurus (for the words that eluded me), YouTube (because ambience is key), and Pinterest (and mood boards, which I suppose is ambience, and a serious procrastination tool).
Now, I open the laptop, open the document, light a candle… maybe some incense, or sage, or whatever will call forth the writing gods to help me. Usually, as I mentioned, I join my writers’ group on Zoom. We all catch up, chat, check in, and then get to work. For a long time, I believed this was a solo mission, a journey to Mordor without Sam, or travels around Ankh-Morpork without the Luggage. If you do anything, introvert or not, find a group of supportive writers and work alongside them. The bond and commitment are invaluable, particularly in moments of doubt.
Quote of the Moment:
“Writing is a lonely job, but having someone who understands the madness makes it bearable.” -Not sure who said this, but it rings true.
Until next time.
M
Happy to have you here!
I also recommend that writers try to find groups and communities to be a part of! And if they can’t find one to their liking, to consider setting one up! I created a women’s writing group in my town that meets twice a month at local, indie cafes and nothing can compare to that face to face time!