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jon_chaissonMore on Joshua Foer's Moonwalking with Einstein...
One of the things he talks about is the 'OK Plateau', in which, after we've learned a task such as typing, we go from the beginner level (slow two-fingered tapping) to a somewhat higher one (the Qwerty or Dvorak system), until our brain goes to autopilot. Once we're reasonably comfortable with doing the task without having to think about it, we don't focus on the actual performance, we just do it.
Sometime ago I had this niggling feeling that I'd hit that plateau with my writing, that I was afraid I'd hit my limit, and I was just going to have to make do with being a reasonably adequate writer and not a great one. Not great as in Pulitzer prize-winning--I mean this in terms of writing something I'm especially proud of that I think is my best work, and something that would be professional and publishable. This is on a personal level too--I consider myself "reasonably good" at a number of things, but not really "exceptional" at any of them. There's nothing wrong with that at all, of course, as that's pretty much normal for a lot of people...
...except if it's in your field of expertise. Mike Holmes is exceptional in his work because he's an expert in home building and inspection, and who wouldn't want to have him on your side if you're having house problems? And would you trust someone who's "merely adequate"?
Of course, that's an extreme example, but it kind of states my point here, in regards to writing. I've been working on my Eden Cycle trilogy for close to ten years, and though I've made significant strides, I still have that niggling feeling that it's just not a great piece of work. It's a damn sight better than the original stories, but it could be so much better, and I'm vividly aware that it could be. At this point I'm at that OK Plateau, where I know I can do better, yet I'm not exactly sure what needs to be done to break that barrier.
This is often where beta-readers and critiquers usually come in handy, and this is why it's terribly important to have the right beta-readers and critiquers on hand. This of course can be tricky when all you have is close friends and family who will enjoy the story, but may not have the ability to go over it with a fine-toothed comb and find plotholes and weak language. This is why I'm thankful that writers like![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dancinghorse have offered their services as readers...I've learned quite a few things from her, and while I'm still not quite there yet, I can see where more work is needed, thanks to people like her.
But how do I overcome the OK Plateau on my own? What is it that I need to do to write the best damn novels that I can, instead of writing half-assed and calling it good enough? Do I need to start challenging my own vocabulary? Do I need to be less emotionally involved with my stories and become more clinical? Do I need to force myself to write not just a little every day but a lot every day? Do I need to find a job that doesn't demand nearly as much clinical thinking, but perhaps more creative thinking? In all honesty, it's a little of everything here. It's not just one thing, that's for sure.
This is partly why I've given myself such a full plate this new year. I'm trying to force myself out of passive mode by getting out of my comfort zone. I suppose for some, that would be doing something crazy like mountain climbing or bungee jumping or something silly like that, but for me, it would need to be something that's more than a one-time event. I'm 'reasonably good' at music, art, and writing--things I've loved to do since I was a kid--and I'm in a good position where I can actually do such things in my spare time. If I can turn it into a paying gig, all the better.
As long as I'll be doing something I love doing, and getting better at it as I go along, I'll be happy. And I'll have finally gotten past the OK Plateau.
One of the things he talks about is the 'OK Plateau', in which, after we've learned a task such as typing, we go from the beginner level (slow two-fingered tapping) to a somewhat higher one (the Qwerty or Dvorak system), until our brain goes to autopilot. Once we're reasonably comfortable with doing the task without having to think about it, we don't focus on the actual performance, we just do it.
Sometime ago I had this niggling feeling that I'd hit that plateau with my writing, that I was afraid I'd hit my limit, and I was just going to have to make do with being a reasonably adequate writer and not a great one. Not great as in Pulitzer prize-winning--I mean this in terms of writing something I'm especially proud of that I think is my best work, and something that would be professional and publishable. This is on a personal level too--I consider myself "reasonably good" at a number of things, but not really "exceptional" at any of them. There's nothing wrong with that at all, of course, as that's pretty much normal for a lot of people...
...except if it's in your field of expertise. Mike Holmes is exceptional in his work because he's an expert in home building and inspection, and who wouldn't want to have him on your side if you're having house problems? And would you trust someone who's "merely adequate"?
Of course, that's an extreme example, but it kind of states my point here, in regards to writing. I've been working on my Eden Cycle trilogy for close to ten years, and though I've made significant strides, I still have that niggling feeling that it's just not a great piece of work. It's a damn sight better than the original stories, but it could be so much better, and I'm vividly aware that it could be. At this point I'm at that OK Plateau, where I know I can do better, yet I'm not exactly sure what needs to be done to break that barrier.
This is often where beta-readers and critiquers usually come in handy, and this is why it's terribly important to have the right beta-readers and critiquers on hand. This of course can be tricky when all you have is close friends and family who will enjoy the story, but may not have the ability to go over it with a fine-toothed comb and find plotholes and weak language. This is why I'm thankful that writers like
dancinghorse have offered their services as readers...I've learned quite a few things from her, and while I'm still not quite there yet, I can see where more work is needed, thanks to people like her.But how do I overcome the OK Plateau on my own? What is it that I need to do to write the best damn novels that I can, instead of writing half-assed and calling it good enough? Do I need to start challenging my own vocabulary? Do I need to be less emotionally involved with my stories and become more clinical? Do I need to force myself to write not just a little every day but a lot every day? Do I need to find a job that doesn't demand nearly as much clinical thinking, but perhaps more creative thinking? In all honesty, it's a little of everything here. It's not just one thing, that's for sure.
This is partly why I've given myself such a full plate this new year. I'm trying to force myself out of passive mode by getting out of my comfort zone. I suppose for some, that would be doing something crazy like mountain climbing or bungee jumping or something silly like that, but for me, it would need to be something that's more than a one-time event. I'm 'reasonably good' at music, art, and writing--things I've loved to do since I was a kid--and I'm in a good position where I can actually do such things in my spare time. If I can turn it into a paying gig, all the better.
As long as I'll be doing something I love doing, and getting better at it as I go along, I'll be happy. And I'll have finally gotten past the OK Plateau.
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no subject
Date: 2012-01-14 05:20 am (UTC)For me, one of the best ways of challeging myself to learn was comparing my novel drafts to what I wanted them to be. I usually had a pretty good idea, but until recently (past few months), I didn't know how to get there.
More than quantity of writing or increasing vocabulary, I think it's understanding story mechanics and how to develop stories that have depth--enough depth to make them real to the reader, to generate sympathetic and empathetic reaction in the reader, to make the reader CARE what happens to the characters and want to follow them into the world and get lost in it.
no subject
Date: 2012-01-14 03:33 pm (UTC)So yeah, I think that's the next step for me--it's time to challenge myself to hit that next level. The extraneous things I'd listed are part and parcel of pumping myself up to get there--not that they're the answer, but I have a terrible habit of whining, and they're my way of just saying STFU and do it already. :)
no subject
Date: 2012-01-14 04:56 pm (UTC)Understanding your process can make a huge difference to how well you cope with the mehs and the "might as well just throw myself off the mesa" moments.
no subject
Date: 2012-01-14 05:32 pm (UTC)The internal part--the learning and developing of the writing craft itself--is a much harder and more frustrating step, and I think what I need to do is figure out the level I really want (and need) to be at in that respect. Right now, all I have is a vague idea ("I want to be a professional writer!" aaaaand...um...*crickets*) and no real roadmap other than "write better". It's definitely something to seriously think about.
As for coping? Heh. I'm a stubborn New Englander with French Canadian blood in me--after I get all the whining out of my system, I go at it and stay at it to ridiculous extremes until I'm happy. Hopefully I can use that to my advantage. ;)
no subject
Date: 2012-01-14 06:04 pm (UTC)I will offer two pieces of advice from books that I enjoyed. I think about these two ideas a lot when I think about trying to write myself.
1. Malcolm Gladwell writes in Outliers that it takes 10,000 hours to become a master of your craft. For perspective, that's 416 days.
2. Virginia Woolf writes in A Room of One's Own that a person needs 500 pounds a year and a room of one's own to become a writer.
Put together, you have two different thinkers who, taken together, know the solution to becoming a great writer: the freedom (Woolf) to spend the time (Gladwell) to work at your art.
Short of winning the lotto, this is a challenge for those of us who have to work for a living; to maintain a house; to maintain a healthy engaged relationship with our partner, family, friends; to have time relax and refresh - because writing, while enjoyable, is still hard work.
The best advice I have for you - keeping in mind that I'm crap about following this advice myself - is to do what you can to arrange the rest of your life such that you have the time to write and the mental and emotional energy to be present during that time.
PS - I'm looking forward to reading The Eden Cycle. I will definitely send feedback!
no subject
Date: 2012-01-14 06:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 03:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-21 01:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-21 02:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-21 03:05 am (UTC)PS - I hope that you aren't taking to heart any feedback you've recieved from the other people who didn't have access!!!