Victim of Inspiration

The part-time writer has a limited supply of time. Although I try to be consistent with the piece of my day dedicated to writing, I also find myself the victim of inspiration. I mentioned in an earlier post that I’d finished four novels. I’ve begun far many more than that.

The works I abandon, like children I love, are never intended to be neglected. I write by inspiration. Writing is like having a favorite food; if you eat it every day it soon loses its intensity. Most of what I write reflects my current Muse. Apart from days when I just have to force myself, my writing is based on that charmed idea at present in my head, beguiling me with possibilities.

I’m currently working on a new novel. I began it about two weeks ago. At the time I was in the middle of another novel. Well, “middle” is a bit generous. I’d actually written the first chapter and a half, and I’m still in love with the idea. Like a wanton man, I’ll find my way back eventually and hope she’s still waiting for me.

That novel I began in the midst of a flurry of short story writing that took place in the midst of another novel that was some thirty chapters along. I can’t help but believe each of these works has promise and I can’t write fast enough to get all the words recorded for each of them.

In my fantasy world the professional writer has the luxury of taming her or his Muse. I am too indulgent to say “no” to inspiration. The only solution in sight is to write a best seller so that someone will give me the time to finish that next damned night with my current favorite Muse.

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Pacing

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Creativity

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There’s a pattern I’m noticing. For fiction publishers. Even if you aim low you’ll find it a struggle. Part of the reason is the pattern. Lots of websites list publishers. The smaller, hungrier presses either eventually close or get to a place where they require an agent to get in. That’s the kiss of death. Although my stories have won prizes, and been nominated for prizes, I can’t get an agent interested. I’ve queried well over a hundred, so the agent route is one of diminishing returns. This too is a pattern. Back to the smaller presses. I check many lists. What I write, you see, is highly idiosyncratic. It’s literary but it’s weird. Publishers don’t know what to do with it. If a smaller press published stuff like this, I’d find it. The pattern includes writers who never get discovered. Ironically, a number of editors of fiction literary magazines (mostly online) tell me they enjoy my wor...

K. Marvin Bruce

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