I haven’t written much about writing and I don’t think I will. Every once in a while, though, I get a glimmer of insight into how and why I do what I do.
I have a book to write, I am pretty sure of that right now. And so there is writing to do.
And there is research to do, a ton of research. There are places to go and … activities to observe.
There are also many conversations to have. Interviews are part of research, but I differentiate. Research prepares me to have good conversations.
But it occurs to me, in the end, that when I go to actually write my next book, I won’t be ready until …
until I can sort of remember the whole book, even though it hasn’t been written. It will get written when, in some way, I can remember the words to it and how they sound.
It’s a strange plan, but I think it works for me.
For those who want less esoteric advice, I recommend Stephen King’s “On Writing.” Even if you don’t like Stephen King’s bestsellers (I mostly don’t) and even if you think he’s a hack writer (he’s not) … if you care about writing, read his book about it. I think I need to read it again, in fact.
There’s been this pile next to the bedside table for more than a month now. It’s great to have new things to read.
