The Ebb and Flow of Inspiration

Amazing how quickly deadlines start to loom, isn't it?

My current focus has been to develop and complete a suitable story for an anthology that has a deadline of September first. I have started five stories since receiving this assignment, finishing two. The second one I finished exceeded the word count specification by approximately 3,000 words and I'm not entirely sure I can squeeze it down until it fits (at least and keep the same feeling). The first was so bad, that I printed it out and jumped up and down on it, allowing myself some choice imprecations while doing so. The other three all have promise...just like the first two did, and September keeps marching closer with October right behind.

Funny thing...before I got the invite, I had just written a pair of really cool little stories with hardly any effort. The delight expressed by my usual ring of readers surprised me. Since then, however, I seem to be spinning around a bit.

I mentioned this to Lars last night in AIM, and that pretty much set the stage to speak about the ebb and flow of inspiration here in the blog.

There are times when you can do no wrong. They are extremely rare, but they do occur. I had one soaring season like that when, for my skill level, I was flying extremely well. All the soaring trophies that adorn the wall of my office harken to that season. The same sort of thing can happen with writing, especially when you're trying too hard.

The nature of the beast is one of ebb and flow, surge and regression. Creativity takes time, effort, and focus. So it is only natural to have a "down" slope after finishing a work, no matter how small. I imagine that the more professional one becomes, the more shallow the "dips", but I suspect the roller coaster is still there to some degree.

I can feel the bands loosening. Immediately after the invites I was too wired to think straight then I went into "panic and doubt" mode. Now things are settling into "I can do this." I can finish what I start, which is a fundamental tenet of the Zette School of Writing. Then I can edit.

I can do this. So can you.