A need for speed?

How about sometimes?

Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.

e. e. cummings

Dear Writers,

Happy Pride! Make sure this month to check out books from the LGBTQ+ community. (I highly recommend the YA novel, An Ugly World for Beautiful Boys, by Rob Costello.)

When we read our world, our world grows safer and stronger. For all of us! We all know that is more important than ever.

This week, still feeling the excitement from the wedding, I set out to finish up some projects. A novel. And two picture books. I ALWAYS underestimate how long this will take me. I always think I’m done….when I am not.

So, this week, I pushed myself to take it slow.

This is something I have had to learn to do.

When I first started writing, I would have pressed SEND two drafts ago. But now I understand my process more fully. The first draft might emerge in a flurry, but it’s never as good or insightful as I think it is. I have learned not to show anyone anything until I have had time to rediscover. And reimagine. Delete. And try again. Story does not come easy. And why should it? Why do we expect to find story quickly? It’s important.

I have never done my best work under pressure. I have always been envious of people who can.

In other words, while I love side writing, writing challenges, and timed prompts, I am not a fast writer. Or a write on proposal writer. Accepting what I need to be creative has made writing more enjoyable and fun. In acknowledging how I work, I validate the work itself. And the pride I get from it!

I was thinking about creativity and speed on Saturday, when I went to the farmer’s market and met César Murillo, a Chicago chef who was recently a contestant on Top Chef. (I am a big fan of the show and his risk taking!)nI asked him what it was like to create under pressure.

He said, “fun.”

Best answer, right?

Injecting the creative process with fun is essential. But I can’t imagine creating playfully, knowing that my raw work was going to be judged. (That’s one of the reasons I love Top Chef!) And if that sounds like fun to you? GREAT! But if it doesn’t, you are not missing something you need to find.

My curiosity might be spontaneous. I might find my stories in brief flashes of inspiration—just like those cooking challenges. But I no longer hope to create a book quickly. I realize that if I take some time to really ponder those epiphanies, they will pay off even more. Now when I have a new idea, I retreat. To figure out what I love about my book and capitalize on that. To fine-tune my threads. To understand my own characters. To both fail and thrive and come out with a story.

And while that might not make me a book a year or even every other year writer, that is okay.

I am okay.

I am forging ahead. My way.

And that’s fun.

Are you ready to stretch? Groan? Write under tension? While creating it?

Let’s try some Top Chef style writing.

Set the clock for five minutes. Pick up your story at a point that feels unfinished and write ten lines of dialogue. Don’t think! Just write!

When the bell rings, read it aloud. Don’t edit yet! Just listen.

Journal: did you discover something?

Then edit. Add some beats.

Maybe this pressurized prompt will reveal something you have been avoiding. Or something you’ve been thinking about.

Whatever happens, make it FUN.

Have a great writing week! Here are some guests from the wedding!

xo Sarah

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