Cathy C. Hall Writes

Technically, it’s still summer for a month or so. But I spent this week at the beach, and there’s just something about that last day, walking through the sand, that makes me think of that song, “Sealed with a Kiss.”

And yes, I know it’s not “goodbye TO the summer, but rather “FOR the summer.” But work with me here, people. I’m going with poetic license to make a writing point.

Yes, you were wondering when I’d quit whining and get to the writing. Ahem.

Have you ever considered the seasons of your writing? I work year round, almost every day, writing. But the work is not always that productive.

There are dry spells when the words and thoughts swirl by like dust motes and try as I might to catch them…swoosh, they blow right past.

Sometimes, a cold wind seeps into my writing, freezing a story in its tracks. I have to wait, then, for a crack of a bright idea to melt the sticking plot points.

And writing in the summer…well, there are days when a sudden squall pops up and the words flow, rushing from my neurons to the page. But there are more days when it’s just too hot to think up brilliant stuff, and I sit at my chair, thoughts languishing.

Then that first day of school looms on the horizon, and though I’m no longer school age, I say goodbye to the last Junior Hall, packing up and driving off for college, and I, too, am filled with promise.

I’m energized once again! So I suppose I will say goodbye for the summer after all. I just felt a couple of drops…I think a writing monsoon’s on the way!

Here’s the thing I love about Twitter: I find all kinds of excellent writerly stuff. The other day, I came across Marcus Sakey’s post, How To Knock Yourself Out of the Game. He included six ways to make sure you don’t mess up your publishing chances.

Now, I’m sure along the way, I’ve heard most of this advice before. None were earth-shattering, mind-blowing tips to success. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t forget the basics, the simple stuff, as I go merrily writing along.

The first tip, the VERY FIRST tip, slapped me upside the head: Start at the Beginning and Write to the End. Basically, Mr. Sakey made the following point. Don’t get derailed right in the middle of the book you’re writing and start another book. Finish what you start.

So easy. But oh, my. Writers (like me) like to think we’re different. Writers (like me) like to follow our own rules and make it work. And I was this close (I’m holding up my hand, squeezing a smidgen of space between two fingers) to setting the book I’m working on aside and starting the one I’ve been daydreaming about for the last few weeks. Because it seems like such a good idea!

But maybe it seems like such a good idea because it’s new and sparkly, not the old idea that makes me gnash and grind my teeth, trying to get it right. But anything worth doing, is worth doing right. And finishing.

So thanks, Marcus Sakey, I needed that reminder. I apologize for not recognizing your name. But now that I know who you are, I promise to read one of your books. Because you had some fine advice there, over on your website. Something tells me you’re a very fine writer.