LIFE IS A ONE-WAY STREET. NO MATTER HOW MANY
DETOURS YOU TAKE, NONE OF THEM LEADS BACK.
ONCE YOU KNOW AND ACCEPT THIS,
LIFE BECOMES MUCH SIMPLER.
(Isabel Moore)
I like this quote both on a personal level and a writing level. One of my problems with novel writing is seeing all the ways a story could go. So many choices, so many decisions. All those options often freeze me up. What if I pick the "wrong" one? And yes, in writing we can often go back and revise, but if we don't make a decision in the first place, if we don't move forward, there will be nothing to go back and revise. By not making a choice, I think I'm keeping all my options open but what I'm really doing is...nothing. I'm learning that it's the same thing in life. If you don't pick something and do it, you will have done nothing. And I don't want that to be the case with with my writing or my life.
Not choosing is a choice, too. Sometimes I have to bite the bullet and let a story take me in whatever direction it wants. I might not like it, but I don't feel like it's wasted time even if I end up deleting it. I've still learned something about my characters and my story. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI think there's a difference between actively deciding not to make a choice and just flailing around because you're anxious or afraid to go one way or another. I agree that letting the story/character lead the way even if you have to go back and change it is the way to go. All writing work is never wasted work or wasted time.
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