“I do not over-intellectualize the production process. I try to keep it simple: Tell the damned story.”
—Tom Clancy

You may (or may not) recall I wrote an article not long ago on letting the story come to you. As I said then, I have no editors or publishers breathing down my neck. I have the freedom of writing it at my own pace. That, in a strange way, is its own sort of valuable resource.

Well, here I am, glad to say the Chapter in question that befuddled me is complete. And in doing so, the novel I’ve worked on for nearly three years is too.

Somehow, I thought it’d be more of a relief, more exultant, this time around. It probably isn’t because I know the arduous editorial process that now proceeds me. But regardless, I am proud of one thing; I waited, I didn’t write a word for nearly two weeks rather than force it, and in time, the story I wanted popped into my head.

And that is what feels exultant. I didn’t force it, writing the chapter I had outlined, because it just didn’t feel like it did the character justice. I was willing to throw out the guidelines I had put in place for myself when I saw fit. That was worth the wait. Often fellow writers will tell you just to write no matter what; I think most of the time, that is the best option. But don’t be afraid to slow down. Don’t hate on yourself for not writing. Sometimes you have to let it come to you, the way only time can allow.

“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.”
—George Orwell

So, the thinly veiled brag in all of this: I finished my book. It took nearly 3 years to write 253 pages. And it’s quite possible it’s total crap. Hopefully it’s great. If enough people read it you’re pretty likely to hear both sentiments from your readers. But regardless of what becomes of this novel, or your novel, take pride in doing it your way– I started the book august 23rd of 2011, and managed only about 83 pages a year, and I couldn’t care less. It’s done, the way I wanted it.