I’ve decided to be as much like Stephen King as I can over the next few weeks. What do I mean by that? Well I plan to incorporate as many of his suggestions into my day to day writing as possible. See, every night I go to sleep listening to his book On Writing. (I believe I’ve mentioned that I have it in paperback and on audio book.)
The section I’m fond of talks about his writing and reading habits, the muse, and plotting. His take on the latter is that he tries not to plot his books because he believes our lives are basically plotless. I personally think he has a good point, but that’s not what I’m talking about today.
I am actually referring to his writing habits. He believes you should write seven days a week when you’re in the middle of a book so that your characters don’t go stale. He says if you’re trying to get back into the habit of writing that you should start off with six days a week. I plan to do just that. He also suggests a thousand words a day. My goal will remain lower (500), but I do tend to go over it.
The final thing he suggests is to write the truth. What he means by that is don’t construct your writing to please others. I’ve realized that advice is easier said than done. After listening to him every night, I’ve discovered that I haven’t been writing the truth. It was a most painful realization.
Why? Because I’m not absolutely sure that in the future I will write strictly romance. If you would’ve asked me what my writing goals and plans were a year ago, I would have said I wanted to be a NYT Best selling romance author. (Okay, that’s still one of my goals, but it’s not the only one.)
As I’m finding my voice, (What? You thought I’d found it already. Snort.) I’m realizing that some of my stories are barely skirting the genre of romance. Yes, they have HEA’s in them, but I wouldn’t exactly call them romance novels. The stories aren’t about the romance in these new books, although the romance is important.
A friend and I were discussing our choice in movies the other day. We decided our favorites were the big, dumb action flicks. Well that’s the direction my stories are starting to lean in. I admit this revelation scares the daylights out of me. I’ve only ever known romance. And I love it. I can’t imagine ever abandoning it completely, but I see a day in the near future when I’m writing more than just romance.
Which brings me back to Stephen King and writing the truth. I think asking yourself if you’re writing the truth is a pretty interesting exercise. My question is…are you?
April 8th, 2005
How true. Great recommendation on the King book too. It is one of my inspirations. I try to hit at least 1,000 per day. mostly ends up being twice as much. Read, read, and read is as important. And truth is by far the most important. Thanks.
by Pirate April 8th, 2005 at 3:35 pmGreat post Jordan! I was thinking about this last Saturday, but I’m not sure I mean in the way you mean–I guess I mean in writing something the way it needs to be told. Is that right? I have one wip that if I can’t sell it, I’m gonna end up going back and rewriting it the way I should have in the first place =( Such is life. =)
And I’m writing the truth now with the current wip, but it took me 4 months to figure out the way.
Happy writing doll!
by Cece April 8th, 2005 at 8:15 pmPirate, That’s great consistency. Oh man, I’d forgotten about the read, read, read. Thanks for the reminder.
by Jordan April 8th, 2005 at 9:51 pmCece, That’s actually exactly what I mean. Writing the story the way it needs to be written, not how we think it should be written. Sorry it took you four months to figure that out. I’m embarrassed to say it’s taken me far longer. Good luck with your WIP.
by Jordan April 8th, 2005 at 9:54 pmStephen is amazing and so is his advice. I should read his book again. Good luck!
by Teresa April 9th, 2005 at 5:05 amI’ve been doing that. I started doing that after I wrote Vital Signs and realized that I was writing how everyone else thought it should be written, and how I thought everyone would want it.
After that realization, I just started writing what I felt. I write honestly now. I might box my story to fit the parameters of the line/publisher for which I’m writing, but the writing itself is pure me. I’m not caging it in anymore. If an editor needs me to rein it in after I’ve gotten her attention, then that’s fine. But I’m not going to stifle myself from the start.
I admire your courage, Jordan. Write honestly and freely. It’s so much more fun! *g*
by Larissa April 9th, 2005 at 6:57 amAm I writing the truth, that is, what is truth to me?
Yes. That’s why it worries me that nobody’s buying.
by Dreamweaver April 9th, 2005 at 9:18 amJordan, so much of this post could have been plucked right out of my own thoughts. I (finally) realized months ago, that while romance would always be an important component of my stories, they wouldn’t necessarily be romances. And, like you, I love the big action, gritty, horror, suspense whatever ‘guy’ movies. The last ‘chick’ romancey movie I watched, was Bridgit Jones. The first one. lol. And, it took me awhile, but yes to writing the truth. The story’s and the character’s truth. Not what I wanted the book to be–in terms of target audience– or worrying about how cps/readers/judges. Where going to react.
by Jaq April 9th, 2005 at 9:18 ameek! ugly typo in that last line.
That should read: or worrying about how cps/readers/judges were going to react.
by jaq April 9th, 2005 at 9:22 amThanks Teresa!
by Jordan April 9th, 2005 at 12:15 pmThanks Larissa! It’s been an eye-opening experience. I noticed I was starting to sway my writing again in AQ4 and made myself stop. I’m not going to force spice into a story where it’s not needed. Same thing with the books that don’t have romance as the focus. I cannot force a romance into those stories. For one thing, they wouldn’t make sense. For another, I don’t want to. If my story ends up being a horror romance, then so be it. I have to believe I can find an editor who will like it as is.
by Jordan April 9th, 2005 at 12:19 pmJaq, Great minds.
I think it’s hard to reach these conclusions when you have your heart and mind set on something. I have fought hard against myself, against the market, and against my stories for a while now. It wasn’t until dh and I brainstormed these latest stories that I realized I was losing the battle. Out of the three stories we brainstormed, only one is technically a romance. Well, actually, that’s not true. One of the others is a romance wrapped in a nice neat sci-fi package. LOL! :-O None of the books, with the exception of the contemporary are going to be easy to sell. I’m not even sure where they’d put them on a bookshelf. I am happy that the lines seem to be blurring, thanks to Tor. Hopefully they will continue to, so that those of us who write books that aren’t quite one specific thing can find a home.
by Jordan April 9th, 2005 at 12:35 pm*running around in panic* I can’t find my copy of ON WRITING!
I loved that book, and reading your post brigns it all back. I thinkI’ll start with the 500 words a day again too, to get back inthe bait.
Follow your heart, and your voice, to where ever it leads you!
by Sasha April 9th, 2005 at 3:58 pmI totally agree with your admiration for Stephen King. Not only do I love his characterization but his writing habits are very admirable.
by Nancy Henderson April 9th, 2005 at 4:50 pmNancy
http://www.nancyhenderson.htmlplanet.com
http://www.nancyhendersonauthor.blogspot.com
Jordan, I WANT that audio tape! I have Stephen King’s On Writing but I just haven’t sat down to read it. Maybe I’d do better with an audio tape? :o) I’ve really pushed myself with this last book and it seems to be flowing 8K yesterday, 10K the day before…remember I said..I felt the need to ‘get it done’? Well, I’m one scene away and I’m almost there! LOL!
As to your comment about always writing romance…it’s what’s on my mind lately but like you, I don’t know that my books will always be strictly that. I’ve considered I’d write something entirely different one day, but I guess I’ll let me muse tell me when she’s ready. :o)
by Patrice Michelle April 9th, 2005 at 6:08 pmI’ve so many good things about that book by Stephen King that I’ve added it to my TBB list. *g* Meanwhile, I think I’ll have to go on a internet diet, lowering the number of websites I visit, and increase my intake of writing time.
by Silma Pagan April 9th, 2005 at 6:55 pmLOL! Sasha, Relax…breathe…the book is there. I find 500 words put a little less pressure on you. I don’t know why. I’ve gone over that amount every day this week, but I still tell myself that all I need is my 500. It works for me. Fingers crossed it works for you too.
by Jordan April 9th, 2005 at 7:27 pmNancy, Thanks for stopping by and good luck with your historical books.
Mr. King has definitely helped me more than he’ll EVER know.
by Jordan April 9th, 2005 at 7:32 pmPatrice, I love the audio book version of On Writing, but I also love the book. I think anyway you can fit this book into your life is acceptable and you should go for it. I cannot recommend it enough.
I do seem to remember you mentioning the need to finish that book. 8K and 10K…&$#%…I’m happy for you, really. (Force smile here.) LOL! I’m glad that book is almost finished. I want to read it and I’m sure your fans are waiting in anticipation too. Jordan, who is ready to kick her measly 5+K to the curb…
by Jordan April 9th, 2005 at 7:39 pmSilma, I love the idea of going on an internet diet. I definitely go back and forth with the same thoughts at times. I treat myself to surfing after I’ve met my word count goals. Happy writing.
by Jordan April 9th, 2005 at 7:41 pmA wonderful post Jordan. I LOVE SK’s On Writing. I identify so much with his writing style. I like to think I’m writing the truth. I have written some books as an experiment, and found that I DID NOT like writing those genres (futuristic and vampire) even though I enjoy reading them. I write what I enjoy and let loose. So I like to think I’m writing the truth! Even though I’m writing crazy out of this world things!
by Cheyenne McCray April 10th, 2005 at 9:03 amJordan,
LOL at the “…&$#%….”! I said the samething when I uploaded what I’d written from my Dana because that many words is NOT normal for me. I think it’s really awesome if I get 1-3K done per day. I personally can’t wait to see what kind of book you’re writing next.
by Patrice Michelle April 10th, 2005 at 9:20 amChey, I feel the same way. On Writing, more than any other writing book, has felt as if it were written just for me.
He makes sense when a lot of the instructional books don’t.
by Jordan April 10th, 2005 at 1:47 pmPatrice, I’m not sure when my next project will see the light of day. I should be finished with AQ4 by the end of May at the latest. After that, I think it’ll be back to work on a paranormal I’ve been kicking around for a couple of years. I have to somehow manage to get a couple of single titles completed before the end of the year. Once those are complete, I’m finishing the book I’m crazy about.
In the meantime, I’m waiting for you to finish that vamp story. 
by Jordan April 10th, 2005 at 1:53 pmAhh…this has been the root of my past and semi-recent problems: not being true to myself. Writing what I think others expect to see, or want to read,etc,etc until I finally realized: how the hell am I supposed to be able to predict the likes and dislikes of an editor, an agent, millions of readers? Geez, it’s like ordering a pizza and asking everyone what kind of toppings they prefer. If you try to please everyone, the pizza is going to be pretty nasty. I have yet to pick up Stephen King’s book, but I’ve heard great things about it. (I’d have to hide it from my mom though, who’s mad at SK for “Storm of the Century” LOL)
by Evangeline April 11th, 2005 at 1:49 amLOL Evangeline! It’s well worth the deception.;) The pizza analogy is perfect.
by Jordan April 11th, 2005 at 11:41 am