Lawrence’s answer to “How do you deal with writer’s block?” > Likes and Comments
1 like · Like
I actually have an answer to this one that works for me. I know where I am in the story and I have an idea where I want to go so I just start writing whatever pops into my mind. Eventually it gets into the action that should be happening. Sometimes the free-thought part works and I leave it in and sometimes I edit it out, but it gets me back into the story either way. Another thing I do now: I think maybe it was Hemingway who said he always stopped writing for the day in the middle of the action rather than finishing a chapter. Sometimes he even stopped in the middle of a sentence. I try to do that now too. If you do, you don't have to think at all. You just continue the action.
Good to know, Richard. Now when can I expect your next great book? I'm getting a tad impatient up here. :)
It's over 70,000 excruciating words now. It goes so slow because there are more elements of my own life in it than I've ever attempted. When I'm writing a book, I don't have any idea if it's good or awful. It encourages me that people like yourself think I can write. I once went to a writer's conference and submitted a manuscript to be judged. At the conference, I went into a little room where a guy was sitting holding my manuscript. His hair was long and going every whichaway and he looked about 17. Oh shit, they've given my book to a graduate student, I thought. He must have seen the look on my face because his first words were, "I'm a senior editor at Simon and Schuster." He then proceeded to tell me that I was the best writer he'd encountered in some time and "You have all the chops" and he wanted to take my book with him to New York. He took me with him to the wildest party I've ever been to in River Oaks where he introduced me to the high society of Houston as "the next Ludlum or Forsythe." It turned out that he was one of the hottest things in New York at the time. It was nice. It was encouraging, but it was just words. He returned the book and said he wanted to see what I wrote in the future. Google him. He's pretty famous. I never sent him anything else though.
I guess I ought to tell you the editor's name. It was Morgan Entrekin.
That's a really weird story! I wonder what more he expected from you? My closest experience to that was receiving a gushing review from an editor at AVON. The guy was later fired. Go figure. :)
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Richard
(new)
Oct 21, 2016 10:36AM
I actually have an answer to this one that works for me. I know where I am in the story and I have an idea where I want to go so I just start writing whatever pops into my mind. Eventually it gets into the action that should be happening. Sometimes the free-thought part works and I leave it in and sometimes I edit it out, but it gets me back into the story either way. Another thing I do now: I think maybe it was Hemingway who said he always stopped writing for the day in the middle of the action rather than finishing a chapter. Sometimes he even stopped in the middle of a sentence. I try to do that now too. If you do, you don't have to think at all. You just continue the action.
reply
|
flag
Good to know, Richard. Now when can I expect your next great book? I'm getting a tad impatient up here. :)
It's over 70,000 excruciating words now. It goes so slow because there are more elements of my own life in it than I've ever attempted. When I'm writing a book, I don't have any idea if it's good or awful. It encourages me that people like yourself think I can write. I once went to a writer's conference and submitted a manuscript to be judged. At the conference, I went into a little room where a guy was sitting holding my manuscript. His hair was long and going every whichaway and he looked about 17. Oh shit, they've given my book to a graduate student, I thought. He must have seen the look on my face because his first words were, "I'm a senior editor at Simon and Schuster." He then proceeded to tell me that I was the best writer he'd encountered in some time and "You have all the chops" and he wanted to take my book with him to New York. He took me with him to the wildest party I've ever been to in River Oaks where he introduced me to the high society of Houston as "the next Ludlum or Forsythe." It turned out that he was one of the hottest things in New York at the time. It was nice. It was encouraging, but it was just words. He returned the book and said he wanted to see what I wrote in the future. Google him. He's pretty famous. I never sent him anything else though.
I guess I ought to tell you the editor's name. It was Morgan Entrekin.
That's a really weird story! I wonder what more he expected from you? My closest experience to that was receiving a gushing review from an editor at AVON. The guy was later fired. Go figure. :)
