Novel # 2 – Where do I begin?
If you’re a writer who has a devil of a time starting things, you’re probably familiar with what I call the “begin it now” quote:
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man [or woman] could have dreamed would have come his [or her] way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” (Brackets mine)
This passage – a combined quote by Scottish mountaineer William Hutchison Murray and Goethe translator John Anster – used to be taped to my office wall as a reminder not to dawdle.
I tend to procrastinate when it comes to writing, particularly if I’m starting something new or big, like a novel. I procrastinate because I know there’s a steep learning curve ahead, and I’m a perfectionist. I’m a perfectionist because of a deep-seated fear of failure.
I think it goes back to second grade. I had to repeat it.
In the ’60s, repeating a grade wasn’t couched it in gentle, ego-protecting language. They didn’t explain that children develop at different rates and that maybe I needed more time to catch up because of my late summer birthday. No, they used F words – “flunk” and “fail” – and that shame stayed with me for years.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to go off on that. I’m over it. Really I am. My second-grade redo isn’t the reason I’m having trouble starting my second novel.
My procrastination this time around probably has more to do with family stuff and the barrage of disheartening national and world news we’ve seen this summer. (For more insight on the relationship between bad news and writer’s block, read Marisa Goudy’s blog post, “The 5 Traps that Silence Writers In Troubled Times (And How to Escape Them).”
Plus, there’s no denying that beginnings are really hard for me, much harder than endings or even murky middles. I don’t know where in the story to begin, and the journey ahead looks impossibly long and dark, with obstacles and steep climbs and dead-ends.
naked mole rat
Writing is a process, and I know I should embrace it like a happy naked mole rat, but I hate tunneling blind.
Okay, I’m not totally blind. I do have what I think is a pretty good idea for Novel 2. I even have a vague plot line. What I don’t have is a starting point, and I’m not the kind of writer who can write out of order. I just can’t.
So I’ve been doing research – another way to procrastinate! – except I really do need to get inside my subject – crows — for this story to be at all convincing. I’ve already spent hours online and read two very detailed books on corvids, including the excellent “In the Company of Crows and Ravens” by John M. Marzluff and Tony Angell. But I still have so many questions, so many decisions to make.
About the story: Do I have a narrator? What will be the point of view, first-person or third? One protagonist or three? What do my characters want? What stands in their way? Where should my book be set? In what time period?
About the process: Should I write with an outline? Or bump along by the seat of my pants like last time?
You see, I’m still learning how to write novels. My first took me five years, give or take. I was horribly inefficient with my time and effort. With my second, I’m determined to make things easier on myself. That’s why I spent a half day trying to learn the Scrivener writing software, and another afternoon exploring something called FreeMind.
I wasn’t procrastinating. I’d like to think I was committing myself, just like the quote says. Maybe beginnings are a process, too.
What about you? What’s your biggest writing challenge and how do you overcome it? Please comment below!
Pam, I am currently writing Catherine Boo’s novel about the slums in India (I”m horrible at remembering titles!). It’s rather disturbing at times, but I persist in finishing it. I now have an ipad and an iphone so I’ve joined the rest of the people who are joined at the hip by technology! I love texting and can reach all my kids and grandkids so much easier and quicker now. Re your doubts about starting a new novel (where is your first one, and can I read it?), I must say that when starting new and difficult music I always go slowly, one hand at a time, then together, then increase the tempo, until, voila! I’ve got it! I doubt this process could be applied to starting a new novel….but then, maybe it does! All I can say is good luck, and know that you’ve done it once successfully, why not again? Love, Johanna
Thanks, Johanna! The first novel is in the hands of a couple of agents who expressed interest. Still haven’t heard back, but hopefully soon.
I’d say my biggest struggle writing anything, long or short, is pushing through those times when I’m not all that motivated or inspired. The drive never slows for long. I’ve learned to be patient with the quieter moments.
Thanks, Anne!
I suggest you start your novel by clarifying what is the difference between a crow and a raven, and then why you chose to write about crows when arguably ravens are the much classier bird. As proof, I present the classy old English folk song (a novel in itself), “The Three Ravens”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KsNCLjMgTM
HA, I choose to write about crows because I can watch them out my windows. I’ve only seen one raven in my life, in Arizona’s Painted Desert. Magnificent bird. And, who knows, a raven or two might make its way into my novel. Love the folk song. It amazes me how much corvids have influenced art and culture. Marzluff addresses this in his book, along with many other fascinating facts.