Thursday, March 15, 2012

Spring is in the Air (and Update)


Do you recognize the view?

Yes, it’s the East River down there in a pigeon’s-eye view from the 86th floor of the Empire State Building.

Can you tell that I’ve just got a fresh dose of Manhattan? I’m heartsick now that I’m back in Montreal, but also exhilarated and very eager to write (again). Maybe, hopefully, some of that frenzy that is New York City has rubbed off on me.

I must say that the outlining hasn’t gone that well. (Outlining’s a bitch!) I knew it, but I didn’t want to jinx it. I’ve (re)discovered that the moment I try to put on paper more than the sketchiest of ideas, I become totally blocked. The ideas chase each other around the back of my head and refuse to be chained down on paper in an orderly manner. The story is all in my head and has to be written the way it comes to me. What my brain cannot hold is quite likely to get lost.


However, I did a lot of thinking and re-thinking, and I got some direction from my dilemmas, and my confidence in being able to finish what I’ve started feels a bit timid yet also resilient, like a snowdrop at the end of winter.

These beauties are in my kitchen, not in my garden, but still… spring is in the air.


Last but not least, I wish to thank all of my friends who wrote comments on the previous post. May your kind wishes and thoughts return to you thousandfold. I feel ashamed for answering this late -it's not at all in my nature to be this rude- and I really, truly, deeply apologize. I have you, all of you, in my heart.

8 comments:

the walking man said...

Vesper in NYC seems a pretty good fit if you already weren't in one of the best places in North America.

I don't have any advice for your writing dilemma except for this; instead of mapping everything out, all the interactions and places and relationships. Why not try breaking the rules and just start with the first word and write. don't even look for the ending because you really don't know what it is that way.

You have the skill and definitely the talent, confidence I don't think is the problem but rules can become walls. I have 7 novel length works i wrote before I ever even knew what a story arc was or that there were rules.

I don't shop them but they have been read, critiqued and edited I just have no interest in putting any of them out for submission. I don't like those rules either.

I guess in short just try something different than the way you wrote the last one.

I hope all is going well with you, I am on the mend again but *shrug8 i have been on the mend since before I started blogging, so you could say I am doing OK and I KNOW you to will get around whatever wall is holding you back Even the great one in China has an end you can walk around.

It is good to see you move upp on my blogroll and to read your words again.

Be Well

mark

BernardL said...

We don't take attendance, so relax. :) I'm glad you had a great time in Manhattan. I always thought Canada's Spring starts in July. :)

Geraldine said...

so nice to see a post from you in my reader today!

I'm glad NY was a good experience, wow..such a view! And the flowers in your kitchen, nice too.

I hope you work through your writing issues. I just finished my first novel and I'm fearing the editing now LOL.

Hugs, G

www.myreallifereviews.com

strugglingwriter said...

I think we are outlining kindred souls. I feel exactly that you. "the moment I try to put on paper more than the sketchiest of ideas, I become totally blocked." <- this is me

Still, I know I have to do it. What I think I'm going to try is to number a sheet from 1 to 30 (or whatever) which represent the number of chapters in the book and write one sentence about what happens in each chapter. I'll let you know how this goes.

Paul

PS That is awesome you enjoyed NYC so much. I only live 4 hours away but have only been there once. I'd like to take my daughter to a Broadway show when she's a bit older

Vesper said...

Mark, I've been writing all this time, and I have the whole "skeleton" of the novel in my head - I was trying to outline just to figure out where and how to best put the flesh. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, they are always very sought after and very welcome. I remember reading a fragment of one of your novels (I think it was from a novel) on your blog - and the feeling of wonder I had, and how I thought, "This is perfect..."
I'm glad you're okay, I don't like that "again" in "I am on the mend again", but the important thing is to be on the mend... I'm okay too and I wish you all the best, my friend.

Bernard, you're right, maybe the weather's just playing mind tricks with us, but it feels good for now... :-)


And so nice to see you, Geraldine! I've been several times to Manhattan and I love it. Good luck with your novel! It's so great that you've finished it... and scary, and sad...
xoxoxo

Paul, your idea is good. I think I might "borrow" it. :-) Let me know how it works for you.
outlining kindred souls - I like that! :-)
I could say it's one of my dreams to sometime live in Manhattan. It's not that far from me either, but crossing the border might take a while if there are long lines. You should go there more often. :-)

SzélsőFa said...

i'm glad that you are back.
is this the sci-fi based story you wrote some time earlier on about, or another one? or a third, fourth novel of yours?
please let us know :)

kitchen or yard, your hyacinths are beautiful anyway. i love them for their expressive parfume.

Caryn Caldwell said...

What a cool view! Love all the layers - the bird, the tiles, the river, the buildings.

As for outlining, I think we can try to hone our processes, but I think different people's brains work differently. Some people simply can't outline, for the reasons you mentioned. Some can't proceed unless they know exactly where they're going. Once the book is finished, no one can tell how it was written anyway. And there are tons and tons of successful pantsers, so you're hardly alone and doomed. Good luck!

Vesper said...

SzélsőFa, yes, it is the same story. I've started several novels in the past, but never finished one.
This one I will finish! ;-)

Caryn, thanks for the words of encouragement!!! :-)