About Pace of Play

Post 1861:

Ever play golf? Ridiculous sport, ridiculous waste of time. Practiced by ridiculous people hitting ridiculous balls with ridiculous clubs.

Anyway, I’ve played quite a lot over the years… The truth is, when I’m not throwing my clubs into a lake, it can be very satisfying.

One thing I’ve learned over the years about golf. More than practice or feel or ability, it’s about pace. When I’m in a solid rhythm, I’m usually okay. Everyone has an ideal amount of time to think, to get ready, to swing.

Writing a story is like this. In my opinion, there’s a certain pace that produces the best stuff, one where originality and creativity are at max and dullness drudgery and dryness have no place.

Time off is important, but I struggle if I take too much. Losing the thread is easy to do, especially in a novel. Lots of moving parts. If you’re away from the characters too long you might forget who they are. This is bad. you invented them and they shouldn’t be neglected.

There are awesome psychos that can punch out drafts in two weeks and they are solid. Par for the course. I’m shooting for something better. Whether or not I get there is down to keeping my head and a good pace. Even then, it’s possible I’ll end up in the trees and subsequently hospitalized for severe poison ivy. I have sensitive skin.

I think we’re done here. It’s time. Write on. Cheers and see you after.