the only way out is through | writing diaries #3

Three weeks. I’m in the midst of three weeks which I’ve dedicated to my novella series; the project that I’ve worked on and off for the better part of three years.

It’s sci-fi but worse – it’s absurd sci-fi with science that is a) impossible and b) improbable but I don’t mind as long as it works in-world, you know? That’s what matters. Do I keep creating species of aliens? Yes. Do I forget the species of aliens that I create? Naturally. I’ve had to create a reference guide just to keep it all straight in my head.

I’ve also managed to do just about everything there is to do procrastination-wise including painting a bedroom wall and dabbling in jigsaws. (Like Winston from New Girl, I’m into puzzling. Kinda working out my theme song.)

Anyway, I was struggling with procrastination until these words glided into my mind:

The only way out is through.

It changed my mentality and unlocked the part of my brain that was holding me back. Oh, procrastination isn’t completely gone. But I’m able to concentrate for lengthier periods and am actually seeing things getting done, son.

I’ve managed to complete draft zero of novella three, written the first words of novella four, updated the plot of novella one, am in the midst of doing the same to novella two, and getting ready to edit novella three. (Plotting novella five can wait just a bit longer.)

(I’m doing really well, thank you for asking.)

No, I haven’t become consumed by this series. Nope. I didn’t have an entire conversation about it with myself in an empty car, pfft, why do you ask?

Anyway. The important thing is: writing is happening. Stunning news.

In other writing news …

I have a story published in The Wanderer’s Post, which is very lovely. The first issue is out now and I’ve held it in my own two hands which is quite noice. 100% would recommend and I can’t wait to build up a collection of issues.

I’ve also been thinking of AI and its impact on the writing world. Should we be scared, paranoid that future books have the fingerprints of AI, convinced that there will be no place on the market for human writers, or should we take it as the impetus to write better, to remember that the joy of stories is at least in part, the exploration of what it is to be human? I don’t know what the answers presently are. I only know that I must keep my head down and continue to write ….

happy writing!