>In some cases—I’m thinking of George R.R. Martin and Game of Thrones—it’s a marriage.
Ha! Gave me a good laugh. When I think of George and GoT I think “divorce” more than marriage. If the ideal of marriage is till death, it’s not looking good if George hasn’t talked to his wife in 16 years.
The whole Westeros umbrella of source material and IPs feels more like a harem he deeply loves, since George talks about the world of Westeros much more fondly than Game of Thrones these days. He goes from one Westeros story to another when he gets the pull and I feel that.
Reminded me of this George Lucas quote.
“Making these movies...it's like a marriage. You have to be in love with it for at least 3 or 4 years.”
I laughed my ass off when Lucas described a marriage as only 4 years. But maybe that’s more similar to Martin’s view on the original book series too. A marriage that lasted X amount of good years. Anyways, if Martin is married to anything it feels like he’s married to the world of Westeros more than any one IP in it these days. I’m glad he’s still having fun with Westeros when he can.
You're right about George RR, 16 years of no-contact feels like legal separation ... or being unable to decide who gets the sofa. Thanks for reading, Will.
Ha! I agree, but feels more like a William and Millicent Hearst situation where George can’t legally divorce so he parties with Marion Davies on the opposite side of the world. And no problem, great write-up.
Thanks Martine a compelling glimpse into another writer's process. Personally I need someone asking for work in order to write. I mean, to put it in your terms, why get all duded up if there's no date? : )
It's nice to be asked, and I am, sometimes, but I like to find new places to have a drink and a meal too. So I polish my shoes and go. Thanks for playing!
Great analogies- I used to think I could handle multiple writing projects simultaneously but truthfully, I just can't do it (or at least do any of them well).I might scratch out a few notes here or there on a short story idea while working on a book (or vice-versa), but that feels like cheating.
BTW-I also go into a totally absorbed state of mind when thinking about stories or plots or characters and ignoring conversations that might be going on around me (you'd think my wife would be used to that by now). Seriously, who really focuses on doing the dishes or vaccuming when you can come up with creative dialogue between two characters or maybe kill one of them off in gruesome style....
I'm definitely a serial monogamist. I work on one project at a time until it is finished. And, yes, I go to sleep with that project on my mind, and I wake up thinking about it. Sometimes I have to rush to my computer at two in the morning to enter new idea into my "notes" page. I absolutely LOVE writing, but when I'm done with a project, I need a vacation. It's like giving up dating for a spell after the end of a relationship. Followed, of course, by a burning desire to start up another one.
That's it ... exactly. With maybe one difference: when I finish a draft , I let it rest. In the case of a book, it might be a two-months break, or more. In that interim, I write shorter stuff.
The "book as relationship" thing, definitely, I live with them for months, sometimes years at a time, and I'm happy to be polygamous on that score too. But no more than two stories at the same time, perhaps three for a very short period, plus there are always a couple of others I'm "flirting" with but not ready to make a move on just yet. I've fallen in love with some of my characters too. I read a quote from Thomas Hardy years back and he essentially said he loved Tess Durbeyfield as much as if she were a real person. I get that.
"People with such remarkably organized minds that they can set a book or story aside and switch to another in a matter of hours without losing their concentration." I often have at least two stories going at the same time, ideally I'd have one story with a weekly chapter released on a Sunday, and the other story released on a Thursday, but I'm not organised (as you might have noticed, I accidentally published an unfinished draft this afternoon, and only realised as I sat in the barbers getting my haircut). My missus would tell you I'm the most disorganised person she's ever knows, and yet, somehow, it works for me.
I wasn't thinking of you when I wrote this piece, but your serials amaze me. I don't know how you do it. I think I'd get motion sickness, switching between chapters of different series like you do. Bravo, it's impressive!
I've tried working on multiple things. Doesn't work for me. I can't find he groove. (Stupid word, but I can't think of a better one.) For the record, I can't read more than one book at a time, either.
Yes, I also need to get some momentum going, and if I interrupt, I'm afraid I might never catch it again. Reading is a bit different, but lately I've been more "exclusive" in that too.
I think momentum/groove is so important. Once you establish a regular writing routine, the muse will know where you are and she/he will visit you. If you don't have regular routine, the muse will get bored and might not be there when you're ready to go.
Perfect analogies. Perfect. And, I'm not a very good story juggler either, haha. I used to be a gigolo, but not anymore...I can't keep my stories straight. - Jim
I am also very jealous of the polygamists authors! How do they do it?! I can’t keep it straight. I’d call Jane, Emma and Emma, Jane! … so to speak haha
I was wondering, reading this interesting post, if your husband shares the same interest for quickies and affairs?
I'll know after he reads this post .... he hasn't yet, ahahah!
Love this! 💕
Thans Laura.
>In some cases—I’m thinking of George R.R. Martin and Game of Thrones—it’s a marriage.
Ha! Gave me a good laugh. When I think of George and GoT I think “divorce” more than marriage. If the ideal of marriage is till death, it’s not looking good if George hasn’t talked to his wife in 16 years.
The whole Westeros umbrella of source material and IPs feels more like a harem he deeply loves, since George talks about the world of Westeros much more fondly than Game of Thrones these days. He goes from one Westeros story to another when he gets the pull and I feel that.
Reminded me of this George Lucas quote.
“Making these movies...it's like a marriage. You have to be in love with it for at least 3 or 4 years.”
I laughed my ass off when Lucas described a marriage as only 4 years. But maybe that’s more similar to Martin’s view on the original book series too. A marriage that lasted X amount of good years. Anyways, if Martin is married to anything it feels like he’s married to the world of Westeros more than any one IP in it these days. I’m glad he’s still having fun with Westeros when he can.
You're right about George RR, 16 years of no-contact feels like legal separation ... or being unable to decide who gets the sofa. Thanks for reading, Will.
Ha! I agree, but feels more like a William and Millicent Hearst situation where George can’t legally divorce so he parties with Marion Davies on the opposite side of the world. And no problem, great write-up.
Thanks Martine a compelling glimpse into another writer's process. Personally I need someone asking for work in order to write. I mean, to put it in your terms, why get all duded up if there's no date? : )
It's nice to be asked, and I am, sometimes, but I like to find new places to have a drink and a meal too. So I polish my shoes and go. Thanks for playing!
I'm sure what ever come out of that head of yours will be wonderful and perfect. Can't wait.
Oh, thank you!
Great analogies- I used to think I could handle multiple writing projects simultaneously but truthfully, I just can't do it (or at least do any of them well).I might scratch out a few notes here or there on a short story idea while working on a book (or vice-versa), but that feels like cheating.
And yeah, bring on more Declan Shaw!
BTW-I also go into a totally absorbed state of mind when thinking about stories or plots or characters and ignoring conversations that might be going on around me (you'd think my wife would be used to that by now). Seriously, who really focuses on doing the dishes or vaccuming when you can come up with creative dialogue between two characters or maybe kill one of them off in gruesome style....
Some household chores are conducive to creative woolgathering: emptying the dishwasher, chopping veggies, stirring the soup ...
I'm definitely a serial monogamist. I work on one project at a time until it is finished. And, yes, I go to sleep with that project on my mind, and I wake up thinking about it. Sometimes I have to rush to my computer at two in the morning to enter new idea into my "notes" page. I absolutely LOVE writing, but when I'm done with a project, I need a vacation. It's like giving up dating for a spell after the end of a relationship. Followed, of course, by a burning desire to start up another one.
That's it ... exactly. With maybe one difference: when I finish a draft , I let it rest. In the case of a book, it might be a two-months break, or more. In that interim, I write shorter stuff.
The "book as relationship" thing, definitely, I live with them for months, sometimes years at a time, and I'm happy to be polygamous on that score too. But no more than two stories at the same time, perhaps three for a very short period, plus there are always a couple of others I'm "flirting" with but not ready to make a move on just yet. I've fallen in love with some of my characters too. I read a quote from Thomas Hardy years back and he essentially said he loved Tess Durbeyfield as much as if she were a real person. I get that.
Yes, me too. I have to like/love my characters, even the nasty ones. I can't understand them otherwise ...
"People with such remarkably organized minds that they can set a book or story aside and switch to another in a matter of hours without losing their concentration." I often have at least two stories going at the same time, ideally I'd have one story with a weekly chapter released on a Sunday, and the other story released on a Thursday, but I'm not organised (as you might have noticed, I accidentally published an unfinished draft this afternoon, and only realised as I sat in the barbers getting my haircut). My missus would tell you I'm the most disorganised person she's ever knows, and yet, somehow, it works for me.
I wasn't thinking of you when I wrote this piece, but your serials amaze me. I don't know how you do it. I think I'd get motion sickness, switching between chapters of different series like you do. Bravo, it's impressive!
Thankyou. I am eternally grateful for your comments and input.
I've tried working on multiple things. Doesn't work for me. I can't find he groove. (Stupid word, but I can't think of a better one.) For the record, I can't read more than one book at a time, either.
Yes, I also need to get some momentum going, and if I interrupt, I'm afraid I might never catch it again. Reading is a bit different, but lately I've been more "exclusive" in that too.
I think momentum/groove is so important. Once you establish a regular writing routine, the muse will know where you are and she/he will visit you. If you don't have regular routine, the muse will get bored and might not be there when you're ready to go.
very well said.
Perfect analogies. Perfect. And, I'm not a very good story juggler either, haha. I used to be a gigolo, but not anymore...I can't keep my stories straight. - Jim
Now I'm hearing Louis Prima ... and David Lee Roth!
Haha. I’m hearing Blondie singing Call Me.
sexy song ... stylish film!
By your standards, I’m a story whore lol. Currently working on my novel and several short stories at the moment.
My head spins, lol!
I only have quickies and trysts. But they're always monogamous! My attention span is too short for major affairs these days.
They can be exhausting ...
I am also very jealous of the polygamists authors! How do they do it?! I can’t keep it straight. I’d call Jane, Emma and Emma, Jane! … so to speak haha
That's how you get caught, ahaha ... by the keen-eyed editor!
Love the analogy.
Hey, thanks!
By your standards, I’m a story whore lol. Currently working on my novel and several short stories at the moment.