The brain is a funny thing – and I’d dare say that writers’ brains are stranger than most. Usually I’m very good at keeping my projects separated. Currently, I’m finishing up one and planning on quickly moving on to the next. Right now, I’m finishing up edits. My brain is supposed to be in a very analytical place. Are all the loose threads tied up? Can I add some foreshadowing here or there? It’s like finishing up a puzzle, and my brain has been performing well.
Except when it starts to have a mind of its own.
I know what my next book’s about, and I have a very high level story arc in mind. I’ve tried for several weeks to start breaking down the plot into more definable pieces, but it wouldn’t break. I’ve written up some character bios. They’re fine, but I didn’t really feel like I knew the hero or heroine.
Until the past few days.
Suddenly my analytical brain is jumping into the creative phase, which is good. I stopped pushing and it finally started going there on its own. It’s been polite and hasn’t interfered with the clean up work for the current work-in-progress. What’s rude is that it’s doing this at 4:00 in the morning!
Agg! The past three days in a row, I’ve woken up with scenes in my head. Don’t ask me why or how. I don’t know. But the characters have suddenly found their voices. The story is starting to flesh out. It’s awesome. It’s organic.
And it’s 4:00 AM!
I need to jump into this new project soon so the story will feel free to come to me at more convenient times of the day. I promise you, book, you will be my main focus very, very soon.
But right now, please. I need some sleep.