This Much I Know Is True (About Writing Fiction. And Me.)
MM Finck
I didn’t always know these things. I discovered them like fossils.
Some are elements of craft:
I now know that every protagonist needs a secret that will eventually be discovered or confessed. That secret should evoke deep feelings in her, such as shame, guilt, and the like.
Some are about publishing:
I now know what an imprint is. I now know how to write a query letter and a log line.
And some are about me as writer:
I now know that I cannot write a synopsis by myself. I’m terrible. I need someone else to slash away at it for me. Left to my own devices, my synopses are thirty pages long.
I now know that flowcharting my story arcs helps me with pacing.
I now know that I am “a Creative.”
This may seem obvious, but it wasn’t to me. Creatives are artsy people who keep mementos on their end tables and scarves over their lamps. They are free thinkers who disdain establishment and order. I’m not that. I like bright lights, clean surfaces, and schedules. I live by my to-do list. I keep three to-do lists, if I’m honest. Each item is labeled with the part of the day, sometimes the hour, that it will be handled.
Okay, yes, I sometimes paint and do pastels. But I do it because it’s cheaper than buying art. I’ve given paintings as hostess and birthday gifts. My art performs a function.
Okay, yes, I sometimes sew. I tailor my clothes to make them fit the way I like. I invented a sewing project called “Puffy Cuffs” made of terry cloth and elastic that I decorated with ribbon that are worn around the wrists. I made headbands to match. I invented them because I didn’t like the sensation of water running down my arms when I washed my face. At my friends’ requests and with my extra materials, I made several more sets and gave them as gifts. Function, double down.
But, here’s the truth, I don’t actually enjoy painting or sewing. I’m not happy until my projects are successfully finished.
That’s where writing is different. I love writing. Every step and stage of it. A good writing day is as good as great sex. Both make me euphoric.
So why lately have I been feeling more forelorn than euphoric? I’ve been writing. A lot. It’s practically all I’ve been doing.
Because I’m a Creative.
Creativity needs to flow. When it isn’t allowed to, it becomes a hard thing inside us. It dampens happiness, makes us slow.
I may be a Type A Creative – my family is nodding – which is why I don’t feel joyful or relaxed when I paint or sew until I see that they were fruitful endeavors, but they are creative pursuits, functional or not. Not engaging in these things lately, focusing so fully on writing and writing only, it cost me.
I’ve missed that triumphant feeling when I stare with pride at my projects, when I take photos to send my friends, sisters, and my mom.
I have a writer friend who gardens. I have another who knits. I’ve always questioned how they have time. I now know.
Time for other creative pursuits is a necessity for a writer.
What are yours?
—
MM Finck is a writer, essayist, and book reviewer. She oversees WWWB’s Interviews and Agents’ Corner segments. Her women’s fiction is represented by Katie Shea Boutillier of the Donald Maass Literary Agency. She is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the contest chair for the Women’s Fiction Writers Association 2016 Rising Star writing contest for unpublished authors. Her work has appeared in national and regional publications, including skirt! magazine. When she isn’t editing her novel, #LOVEIN140, you can find her belting out Broadway tunes (off key and with the wrong words), cheering herself hoarse over a soccer match (USWNT! – 2015 WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!), learning to play piano (truly pitifully), building or fixing household things, and trying to squeeze more than twenty-four hours out of every day. She is active on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Li.st (@MMFinck), and Litsy (@MMF). http://www.mmfinck.com
Category: How To and Tips, On Writing
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Such a fun post. And so true. I remember meeting Sheri Reynolds and the first thing she said to me was, “You’ll do well as a writer because you have other passions.” She’s a musician. I was, at the time, a painter and visual artist, but I’m also a sculptor, a photographer, a baker, a tennis player, a Zumba queen, and most recently, a dressmaker. We creative types KILL our creativity if we don’t allow it to flow. Thanks so much for a great article and for your support over the years. We are sisters in all things writerly.
Is there such a thing as a ‘balking creative’ ?
I write (essays, memoir, fiction manuscripts) through my own resistance, I garden with love but also reluctance, I drag my presence to various art forms which then help me lose time and space in a wonderful way, I enjoy my nightly cooking so much yet also dream of ordering out.
I sound like a self-wrestler! on reading my own comment…..
but I am writing it because I so enjoyed this article and the other comments.
I like picturing all of you out there, writing away, too.
Anna
https://medium.com/@justthinkingnow
🙂 “I like picturing all of you out there, writing away, too.” Me too!
I definitely think there is a such thing as a ‘balking Creative!’ Writing through resistance is pretty much the only way I can do it. It’s funny. It didn’t use to be that way. It flowed out of me like water. The trouble is, as far as I can tell, I know too much now. My creativity is censored by my awareness of ‘the writing rules.’ 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed the article and the comments! Thanks for taking the time to comment too. I love reading them.
~MM’
MM Finck
Women’s Fiction
WomenWritersWomen[‘s]Books magazine: Interviews & Agents’ Corner
http://www.mmfinck.com
http://facebook.com/mmfinck
http://twitter.com/mmfinck
http://goodreads.com/mmfinck
Litsy @MMF
WFWA, RWA, JRW
Your words really resonate. I, too, am a creative who finds great joy in playing the cello and gardening. But the “creative” in me needs those words. I have been putting a lot of energy into writing about my 17-year old granddaughter, who was brutally murdered by an Army recruiter, who seduced and then killed her. I am trying with my words to get Congress to act on that so this will never happen to someone else’s child. But mostly, I write deeply meaningful books that very few people actually read because I never get around to promotion. Once I have a book on Amazon, I just write another book. However, when the current book is finished I am going into full scale promotion. (I think) For now, though, I think that it is just as my brother recently summed up my creations: “Your writing is not a profession. It is a calling.”
Your brother nailed it exactly. It is my opinion that his words are true for most of us. I read once that it is something like 5% of fiction writers who can support themselves purely on their income from writing. I’m assuming your current book is inspired by your granddaughter? Please accept my whole hearted sympathy and prayers for her, you, and your family. I wish you the best of luck on your work with Congress and with your novels.
Some of the most beautiful and important works arose from tragedy. I am touched that my words resonated with you. Thank you so much for taking the time to say so.
Warmly,
MM
MM Finck
Women’s Fiction
WomenWritersWomen[‘s]Books magazine: Interviews & Agents’ Corner
http://www.mmfinck.com
http://facebook.com/mmfinck
http://twitter.com/mmfinck
http://goodreads.com/mmfinck
Litsy @MMF
WFWA, RWA, JRW
Birds gotta fly, creatives gotta write. And shoot pictures. And paint. And design. And blog. But that’s just me! I can relate to how you feel about all of it, and though you’d never catch me sewing or knitting, I once gardened, I like to cook creatively and I get it how others express themselves in so many lovely creative ways. (And let’s not forget music!) Thanks for identifying it for us on a Sunday when I could be doing anything at all–yet here I sit at my Mac, being creative. 😀
I love this reply! Thank you for writing it. 🙂
~MM
MM Finck
Women’s Fiction
WomenWritersWomen[‘s]Books magazine: Interviews & Agents’ Corner
http://www.mmfinck.com
http://facebook.com/mmfinck
http://twitter.com/mmfinck
http://goodreads.com/mmfinck
Litsy @MMF
WFWA, RWA, JRW
We were chatting about making time for knitting and crocheting, much beloved crafts, taught to us by wonderful grandmas, who injected their instruction with love and gentleness. My friend asked if I ever took an hour in the afternoon to knit, to clear my head, and I had to admit that I didn’t do that. When I write, I write, and take only time for a quick cup or tea as a break. However, I tried what my friend suggested. My breathing became more relaxed, my thoughts calmed down, and after a short rest, I had new energy. I returned to the computer with a burst of loving gratitude. Mary Latela
That is so interesting. And it shouldn’t surprise me, but I do what you do. When I’m writing, I’m writing. Perhaps I should insert breaks? Nice to hear from you!
~MM
MM Finck
Women’s Fiction
WomenWritersWomen[‘s]Books magazine: Interviews & Agents’ Corner
http://www.mmfinck.com
http://facebook.com/mmfinck
http://twitter.com/mmfinck
http://goodreads.com/mmfinck
Litsy @MMF
WFWA, RWA, JRW
I enjoyed reading this so much. I found out a lot about myself through your blog. Thank you.
http://www.judycar.com
That is so interesting. And it shouldn’t surprise me, but I do what you do. When I’m writing, I’m writing. Perhaps I should insert breaks? Nice to hear from you!
~MM
MM Finck
Women’s Fiction
WomenWritersWomen[‘s]Books magazine: Interviews & Agents’ Corner
http://www.mmfinck.com
http://facebook.com/mmfinck
http://twitter.com/mmfinck
http://goodreads.com/mmfinck
Litsy @MMF
WFWA, RWA, JRW
Ack! That comment was for Mary. Sorry.
For you! 🙂 –
I am so pleased that you liked the essay!! I have learned a lot about myself as well through WWWB. My heart is here. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
~MM
MM Finck
Women’s Fiction
WomenWritersWomen[‘s]Books magazine: Interviews & Agents’ Corner
http://www.mmfinck.com
http://facebook.com/mmfinck
http://twitter.com/mmfinck
http://goodreads.com/mmfinck
Litsy @MMF
WFWA, RWA, JRW
Yes, yes, YES. I am a Type A creative. I love this article–wonderfully honest and informative. Thanks for sharing!
Shocker! We have something in common. 😉 I’m completely chuffed that you liked it.
~Peg
Great article Peggy! I know what you mean – we writers HAVE TO WRITE! Period. That’s just the way it is. But novel writing is a lengthy lonely endeavor, with rewards sometimes years away. We have to see some accomplishment “in-between.” I’ve tried to get this “mid-term” accomplishment through submitting essays for publication. And it seems to me that writing this article, writing-up interviews, and doing everything you do for this site and the Women’s Fiction Writers’ Association are your interim accomplishments! I don’t know how you do all you do. (oh yeah – the lists – but still!!)
To say you made my day isn’t grand enough. You made my week, my month! Thank you so much for your very kind words. And, yes, the lists. The lists are key. 🙂 But you are exactly right with everything you said. Those things are mid-term accomplishments. Pay it forward is a closely held tenet. And pieces like this, they save my sanity. Comments like this, they touch my heart. Thank you so much. <3
~Peggy
MM Finck
Women's Fiction
WomenWritersWomen['s]Books magazine: Interviews & Agents' Corner
http://www.mmfinck.com
http://facebook.com/mmfinck
http://twitter.com/mmfinck
http://goodreads.com/mmfinck
Litsy @MMF
WFWA, RWA, JRW