37. Starting A New Novel & Hoping To F*ck I Don’t Crash Into Anything
I’ve done it twice now — written a novel from start to finish. Today I start on the third book.
But I’m flinching.
Just as I did with book one and two.
What’s happening here? Why am I stalling?
“The warrior and the artist live by the code of necessity, which dictates that the battle must be fought anew every day,” Stephen Pressfield.
At first, I likened it to climbing into a cold swimming pool. You’re standing on the side in your trunks looking on as your mates wantonly jump in.
I’m ready. I’m in my swimming trunks and my goggles are on. I mean I’ve got my outline. I’ve been plotting away for a while. Creating the twists and turns, the heroes and villains, their rise and fall, the emotional crux of the story, and I’m still wondering if I’m actually ready.
Am I ready to jump in? Am I ready to get started? To get to the real work?
I suppose I am.
But as I’m about to jump I realise it’s not like stepping into a cold pool at all. It’s more like stepping onto a rocket ship.
Because I know that once I climb on, strap myself in, push the launch button, and type the first word, there’s no turning back. I know my own mind. I know that my life will become the novel I’m writing … and the extra bits.
All of the extra work — the side projects, the holiday plans — it will all have to be jettisoned so I can reach higher, faster.
The novel will become the focus and that will be that. Ain’t no stopping a rocket ship.
So I’m sitting in the cockpit and my finger is dancing above the launch button and I’m thinking … I sure hope I don’t crash this thing.
It’s all probably just resistance anyway.
Deep breath in.
Mission is a go.
***
Are you writing a book? How’s it going? Hit anything yet?
