The Art Of Finishing

There's a saying famous among writers: "You can't edit a blank page." I've heard it attributed to Nora Roberts, Stephen King, and J.R.R. Tolkein. Having met Nora, it sounds like her, but who knows. The point is, you can't edit words until you've written them; the implication is, you can't publish a book you don't write, so get writing.

This has been particularly convicting to me lately because I've been struggling with my muse. Struggling? How about engaged in an open war. I recently sold my first novel to Pelican, and ever since then, I've been trying to finish the sequel.

Trying.

As Yoda said, "Try not. Do or do not, there is no try." This is my whole problem. I am trying instead of doing or do notting. At least when I do-not, I know I'm doing not. But trying is exhausting. Trying involves a lot of talking, erasing, plotting, diagramming, making spreadsheets, vacuuming, walking, shopping, cleaning... it does  not involve writing. Writing involves writing. Granted, sometimes you have to try in order to do, but for the most part, my trying looks a lot like procrastinating.

So here's what I'm going to try now. I'm going to write. Or not write. I'm not going to prepare anymore. I'm not going to procrastinate. If I feel like writing, even a little bit, I'm going to WRITE like a proverbial bat. And if I don't, then I'm not going to. I'm going to stop sitting in front of my computer waiting for inspiration to strike. I need to follow the advice of seasoned writers... and little green creatures who sound very wise.

Do or do not. There is no try. Write, or write not. Here I go...