There’s an ancient Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times.” The global COVID Pandemic seems to meet this criteria. First, deep condolences to anyone who has lost friends or loved ones to this virus. We will beat Corona, it’s a test of our discipline until our best and brightest minds develop a vaccine.
There’s a silver lining to every cloud, and as rough as lockdown can get, it does seem to lend itself to reading and writing. Hemingway, Barbara Tuchman, Cormac McCarthy, Don Winslow, and Orhan Pamuk are writers, as are Voltaire, and any of the Russian greats. I’m just a guy who finally finished his first young adult novel after decades of excuses and procrastination.
The initial inspiration was our little boy’s excitement over all things Prehistoric, so much so, we had a Stone Age themed birthday party for him. The highlight here was a gaggle of rambunctious toddlers gleefully smacking me silly with plastic clubs. Maybe it knocked some inspiration my way? I started what became The Eagle Feather that day, but as so often happens life just got in the way and a few years passed with glacial progress. This is a nice way to say I made up excuses and procrastinated.
The cliché is write the book you want to read. I finished writing a book I hope my toddler reads as a teen or young man. Author Steven Pressfield, has this concept of “Resistance” or internal excuses/dialogue we need to overcome to finish a project like a book. I knew this was true, and I knew writing is a habit. Knowing and doing are two different things as are “simple” and “easy”.
Two things got me over the hump, into the daily writing habit. People and frankly the Pandemic.
First, it’s so obvious in hindsight, as social creatures we evolve the characteristics of those we surround ourselves with. I’ve always been a voracious reader with the goal of publishing a book someday. There are a dozen stories I want to write that just never got done. As it turns out, though not by design, the expat friends I’ve made recently all love to read and are working on their own books. It’s quite possible the excellent coffee in European cafes was also a hidden catalyst.
One of these friends turned me on to The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne. He’s an editor, and the book broke down the characteristics of good stories. There was something so familiar about him, then I was excited to realize he works with Steven Pressfield. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting either gentleman, their approach particularly the “Foolscap Method” just clicked with me.
Second. the Farnham Street podcast episode with Hugh Howey was very helpful. He comes across as bright, down to earth, and an expert on the self publishing path.
The Pandemic lockdowns were frankly a big part of the process as well. We were all stuck at home trying to stay safe and sane. This environment reinforced the things that mattered, family and work, and a lot of other distractions just fell by the wayside. In addition, no matter what our obligations we all need some personal time to recharge and reflect. The only time I had to myself was the early mornings, and jogging and writing became my stress relief, and then cathartic. I set a goal of either writing or jogging every morning for a week.
I learned writing is like a muscle, just like running it gets easier with practice. This may be obvious, but I was initially spending many an O’dark thirty gawking at a blank white page like a hog staring at a wristwatch. I wanted to accomplish something positive during The Pandemic, something I could control. Finishing, The Eagle Feather is the result.
We are creatures of habit, and forming a new one is easier if there is a reward. It was coffee for me. I wrote this down on a piece of paper.
“For one week, I’m going to wake up, brush my teeth, and then write for 30 minutes. Then my reward is coffee. Big Boy rules, no writing no java.”
This started the habit. One week led to two, 30 minutes a day led to longer writing, and while I’m not running as much as I like, the writing habit is catching on well.
So, it’s fair to say caffeine addiction and a once in a lifetime (hopefully) Pandemic are largely responsible for finishing my first book. This was the process that helped me.