A blank slate

My blog name was stolen from the Hemingway quote I have at the top of the page. And I've adopted that quote because I think, ultimately, it's true for most writers. It's much easier, I think, to write when there's already something started on the page in front of you.

I forced myself to take a couple days off from writing after I wrapped up the Twins draft. But the whole time I just wanted to sit down and start writing this story that's been in my head for the last few weeks, beating me with whatever blunt objects it could get its little hands on.

I'm a few thousand words in but it's still, really, a new story. A blank slate, so to speak, even though it's got a few things scribbled on it. I'm getting to play with new friends, get a feel for who they are; only one of my major characters has been introduced so I'm looking forward to the opportunity to bring the next one center stage.

I haven't written myself into any corners yet; everything is going as planned (which, you know, means it's only a matter of time before something blows up in a big way). But I don't have a lot to work with anymore. Writing is about creating, that's true, but there's a big difference between being halfway through a story, having the characters and the groundwork and all that laid out before you, and being close to the beginning with everything still to unfold. It's intimidating, to start over with the new and unfamiliar.

But it's so much fun.