The Creative Gap (#06): Freeing the Angel and Finding the Spark in Writing
Most writers/artists have heard the saying about Michelangelo seeing the "angel" in the stone and then setting it free. Now I'm not saying I'm Michelangelo, hah! But I do understand the sentiment.
I'm always struggling with the idea of the story I want to tell, as it lives in my mind and heart, and then transforming that into words on a page. How do I take the perfection of an idea, such a pure, sparkly, beautiful thing and bring it into this life, constrained by reality, linguistics, math and all that junk?
I was listening to a podcast the other day, and they played an excerpt of someone talking about creating music. Their theology was that an artist needs to long for that special something; they need to feel the absence of the thing, the absence of the angel inside them so deeply that it then drives them to create that thing, and thus art is born.
Easier said than done. How does one do the thing? How can I free my own angel when what I write pales in comparison to the beautiful ideas in my mind? I want to write in vivid reds, blacks and electric blues, but all that comes out is washed-out greys. I go to carve out a beautiful nose in the marble, and my chisel takes out a mighty chunk of the guy's face. Whoops. He’s Davoid now.
Of course, there's always editing. But did Michelangelo have the delete button?
I'm not sure if the struggle to create is something only newer writers experience. I really hope so. Could it be a form of imposter syndrome? I've often thought I have way too much self-esteem to experience imposter syndrome, but I've been known to be wrong once or twice in the past.
I know what you're going to say. It's all part of the journey, Irada. The struggle is the beauty of creating something that is truly yours. Yes, yes. I believe you. But can I just say, for the record, trusting yourself time and time again, returning to pick up your pen to write when it's been no angels for days, maybe months, that is the hard stuff right there. Someone give me a medal.
Onto something more smooth-brained (I recently heard that delightful term in the discourse around the new Wuthering Heights adaptation, don't you love language?). Where am I with my current book, Project Hollow? (to read a blurb about the book, see here). I've just finished scene 14, in which our two leads decide to finally work together after trying to kill each other earlier in the book. This was my moment to get some of the sparks flying, finally, will they or won't they kiss vibes, this is a fantasy romance after all!
Now, did I land it? I think so. I kicked my feet, giggling while writing it out. Plus, I’ve been really enjoying rereading the scene over and over. It does need a bit more oomph, which I can bring in during editing once I have some distance from the first draft. The skeleton is there for the bitchy snappy rising fever of their relationship. These are two people who can push each other to the edge of sanity and enjoy it.
In scene 15, we have Cin and Ward actually sitting down at a table, weapons stowed and trying to have a conversation that doesn't end in bloodshed. Eeeep! I'm so excited to sink my teeth into that. I'm finally feeling like all the groundwork I've laid down in the first quarter of the book, and the worldbuilding I've done, is paying off, and I've got my two leads exactly where I want them. Now, if only I can pull this thing off, get an agent and then a seven-figure book deal with a major publishing house, I’ll be happy.
Argh. Don't like how real I got about my aspirations there. What's the ETA on acts of shame fading from long term memory? Asking for a friend.
Me, post $$$ book deal. Watch out.
Also, speaking of worldbuilding, I had a smooth-brained moment when trying to come up with cool food ideas for Langore (my setting for Project Hollow). What would be a suitable interesting food item that one could find in a city in space? I came up with a beverage that shrinks as you drink it and called it a Booble. I thought it was a good idea for a page or so until common sense graced me again. Booble is now Wooble. Not sure if I'm sold on that, but I love making stuff up!
I've got more to say about Wuthering Heights and the obsession with constant adaptations and the lack of original media, but I'll save that for another blog post.
Until next time, happy writing!
- MM Irada.
Project Hollow Progress Update
Draft one: 36.5%
Current Scene: 15
