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A dark morning of self doubt

August 13, 2008 by Dave Knadler

They say that when your plot starts to flag, you should kill somebody. In the story, I mean. Fine. But if I did that, pretty soon I wouldn’t have any characters left. Now I’m in the last stretch of this book I started a year ago and about the only thing I can think of is a large meteorite wiping out all my characters except for the protagonist, who is left to wander away contemplating vague epiphanies.

That’s fine too, except it’s not really a meteorite type of book. It’s more of a Fried Green Tomatoes type of book, without the lesbians. And, I’m beginning to understand, without the sales potential. I’m really not sure what I was thinking when I started it. But now it’s acquired a life of its own. A crude sweater has taken shape, missing a hole for the head, and still I keep knitting away.

But such is the glamor of the writing life. You hammer blindly at the keyboard, hoping there’s an invisible muse out there leading you along by the nose, and that she’s not rolling her eyes at the awkward turns of phrase, the particularly egregious cliches. And you pray she takes a more active role in the second draft.

More along these lines:

  • the furious hoursFifty-two books
    and counting
  • For 2013, a few small repairsFor 2013, a few small repairs
  • The blog about nothing much
  • Those guys we call dad
  • breaking bad mike ehrmantraut demiseSo long, Mike. Been good to know you

Filed Under: Writing

Comments

  1. Jessie K says

    August 13, 2008 at 7:54 pm

    “I’m in the last stretch of a book I started a year ago.” THAT is a major major accomplishment! Way to go.

  2. Dave Knadler says

    August 14, 2008 at 2:43 am

    Yeah, well. The only thing I care about now is finishing it, even if it’s one of those sweaters nobody would be caught dead in. I might have a better idea for book No. 2.

  3. Anonymous says

    August 16, 2008 at 1:48 pm

    Hi, David,

    It is clear to me that you need to read McKee’s book: Story.

    Stock

  4. Dave Knadler says

    August 18, 2008 at 2:04 pm

    Finally bought that book. I’m fully expecting it to make all the difference.

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