Inventing the Novel Writing Process Again

Each time I write a novel, it feels like I’ve never written one before. It’s a bewildering, nerve-wracking situation. I’m supposed to create a 300+ page manuscript that’s interesting and fun to read when I have difficulty writing one clear sentence. I’ve recently finished writing The Rule of Mirrors, so I’m working on Vault 3 now, and the only thing that truly makes sense about it so far is this feeling that I have tentacles reaching into my brain. They’re slick, slimy tentacles with little sucker feet on them, and they coil slowly through my neurons like they belong there.

That’s it. That’s the best I’ve got.

But you know what? We have to know our weaknesses and strengths. I’m not very good at first drafting, but I’m good at revising. I stress if I need to make a quick decision, but I’m a deep thinker when I can take my time. I’m critical of my work, but I can force myself to do the parts that are unpleasant.

So I’m forcing myself. I’m making myself get down 6 or 7 pages a day, and you know what? That’s good enough. That’s the best I can do. Those pages are going to add up. The truth is, I don’t actually have to know how to write this novel yet. I just need to know how to start this novel. That much I can do.