The muse has inspired me to write this week. Every spare moment, I’ve been at my laptop writing. If all goes well, it will become my fourth novel.
There’s only one downside. It’s hard to get inspired to write about anything else. Like a blog entry, for example.
The Muse Wants What the Muse Wants
When you’re immersed in a made-up world you’ve designed, it consumes you. I have scribbled bits of notes all over the house as reminders to deal with stuff in the story. I wrote a few chapters around a plot device that I later decided didn’t make sense. So, I went back and removed it all. Then I needed to make what was left of those chapters make sense. And this is how it goes.
And I LOVE it.
This story is nothing like the Felicity and Mitzi series. Who knows where ideas come from? In fact, the novel I’m currently reading is about people going back in time through a wormhole. As long as the story is grounded in reality, I can go along with it. I’m hoping there are many other readers like me for what I’m working on.
I Am My Own Publisher
The beautiful thing about self-publishing is that, if I wanted to, I could put out anything I chose. However, I have beta readers and editors I trust. If they tell me it’s awful, it will never see daylight. That hasn’t happened yet but I’m aware of the possibility and still carry on, undaunted.
In the meantime, I’ve come to understand that I’m a “pantser.” You see, there are writers who fly by the seat of their pants. And then there are plotters who map out their story. Pantsers don’t automatically go ahead with every idea they have. But they’re not interested in creating a story outline. I know plotters who are very successful. It’s to-may-to, to-mah-to as far as writing style goes.
I still think about Felicity and Mitzi and sometimes imagine where they would be today. But it was time for something new and different. After all, the first rule of writing is for the writer to amuse or entertain themselves. And I must say, I’m being wildly entertained! 😂
I am that you’re continuing to write novels. I’m currently finishing Book 3 in the Felicity and Mitzi series and I’m truly trying to savour every page. I’m already looking forward to whatever comes next!
I am so happy….
Funny you mentioned pantsers and plotters.
Just last night as I was reading my book, I had an “aha” moment. I saw how the author mapped out her story. I saw the pieces fall into place. It made me wonder how the mind of a writer works.
If your name is on the cover of a book, I know it will be a good read. You have a gift, Lisa, thanks for sharing it with us.
Interesting! Now, that’s never supposed to be transparent to a reader. But some people scrutinize as they read, or after, so that’s kind of cool. Thanks, Claire!
You’re right, Lisa, I often find myself dissecting some paragraphs when I read. Then I stare at the wall pondering the situation. (That’s probably why it takes me forever to finish a book.)
Also, after proof reading my initial comment, I still managed a spelling error with the word “pantser,” lol.
Not anymore! 🙂
Can you get inspired on purpose? Or does inspiration strike, when it’s gonna strike, and not any other time? I always wonder about that.
For me, it strikes when it strikes. I know other people who can just sit at their laptop and go!