I wasn’t going to write another post about writing but then I realized I had a bit more to say. Mostly about why I don’t share information about what I’m writing. Once I have a book written I can share snippets and things online but when I’m working on that first draft I can’t talk about it at all. Not to my husband or best friend or anyone. Me talking about a book or a character before I’ve finished that book is the kiss of death for me. It’s the fastest way to ensure that book never gets written.

As an organic writer I see the story in my head like a movie on the screen. I’m watching events take place and listening to the characters tell their stories and then I just write it down. I laugh and I cry and I’m often just as surprised by what happens in the story as the reader will be. That’s what makes it fun for me. But I can only tell each story once. I prefer to do so by putting it on the page as opposed to verbally telling someone else. Once I tell someone else the story, then that’s it, my brain is like, “Okay, well we’ve told that story now let’s move on to the next one.” Doesn’t matter how well the writing was going up to that point, odds are I’ll never finish that story. Or if I do the ending will feel forced, because it is.

In the book, On Writing, by Stephen King he talks about writing the first draft with a closed door. I don’t remember the exact quote but the point is that it’s important when you sit down to write to write that first draft as if no one other that you will ever read it. You write that story for yourself and no one else. Once it’s done then you can let the rest of the world in, you can open the door, but until you’ve gotten to the end that story is all yours. That’s not the case for every writer. If you’ve read my previous blog posts then you know I’m big on finding your own way, doing what works for you. Some people work better when they have others to brainstorm or collaborate with. Just like some people love using writing sprints or writing to music. For me, I need a quiet room with no distractions and I need to keep my story to myself until it’s told.