Hole in the Writer’s Soul
November 17th, 2009 by Edie Ramer
On Saturday I was at Murder and Mayhem in Muskego, a fantastic all-day event at a local library. I’m writing this on Sunday, and I think Liz is blogging about it for her Monday post (which would be yesterday — this is confusing!). So all I’ll say is that at least 30 mystery writers were there, and we listened to many of them.
Here are a few notes I took that I thought were interesting:
When F. Paul Wilson started writing, he figured he could write at least three pages a day, and in half a year he would have 546 pages. He said, “Move grains of sand and pretty soon you have a scene.”
I’m not sure who said this, but I now know what to call my way of plotting: “Loosey goosey plotting.”
Brent Ghelfi said he writes about “life at the margins — desperate people doing desperate things.” (That gave me a chill.)
Sam Reaves said he finds inspirations for characters from real life. He said, “Writers need to be a sponge. Steal from other people.” (Not plagiarize. He was talking about what people do and say in life.) He compared writers to children with imaginary playmates.
I steal from people. Some of my best characters, the ones who spring to life, bristling with energy, are based on people I know. When I read something clever in an email or a friend says something that would fit my character, I’ll tell them I might use it.
As for imaginary playmates, oh yes. That’s the fun part of writing. The ability to be childlike. And sometimes those characters don’t seem so imaginary. How many of you have said that your characters refused to do what you wanted them to do? That they said and did things YOU would never plotted?
My favorite insight is from Laura Lippman, who said, “Every writer has a hole in the soul, and writing fills it.”
This resonated with me. I use the words “hole in the soul” often in my writing. I use it talking. My characters come to me with holes in their souls. They are broken. Damaged. I fix them with my words. Despite this, until Laura said that, I never realized I was filling a hole in my soul, too.
But the problem with writing fiction is the story ends. It’s like an hour glass. Each word is like one of the grains of sand that F. Paul Wilson mentioned. You fill the bottom half with the sand. Then when you finish it, you turn it upside down, and the sands run out.
You need to start putting in more grains.
After I’m done with a book, I usually take a few days off to clean and read books and catch up with my life. But it’s not long before I get itchy again. I have to write again. That hole has emptied and needs words to fill it.
Lippman called writing “A mental illness that’s like heroin addiction.”
What’s writing to you? Addiction? Hole in the soul? Child’s play? What resonates with you?
26 Responses to “Hole in the Writer’s Soul”
To me, writing is like scratching an itch that’s in a hard to reach place. Once you accomplish something – whether its a scene, a chapter or the entire book – there’s that “ahhhh” feeling. Sure there are times when you can’t reach that itch and you get cranky and frustrated, but in the end, you find a way.
Like you, I give myself a little time off before that itch starts up again.
I like your quotes. Every one of them resonates.
Edie, I can’t wait to return to fiction writing, as opposed to academic writing, the hell I’m in presently.
Like you, my characters are fractured. If they were normal, who’d want to read about them?
Great blog piece, Edie. You give great blog.
Hi Edie,
Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday! Writing is still pretty new for me but it started from a love of reading and a way to fill my creative juice glass. Singing was a HUGE part of my life and when I could no longer do it (professionally) I was at a loss. Then one day I decided to give writing a try and the high I got from that was equal to if not bigger than the high of stage life! I write because it’s a very needed escape. I write because I like to create. I write for those “AHA” moments. I write because I have to.
Liz, I love everything you said! The itch, the “ahhhh” feeling, the crankiness and frustration. I experience all of that.
Edie, love your blog!
I discovered long ago that writing is the place I’m totally connected on all levels, and yes it fills my soul like nothing else can. I think everyone’s creations are like that; they sing to us in specific ways.
Kath, I know how you feel about academic writing. It doesn’t satisfy the itch. Doesn’t give the soul-deep satisfaction. We’re not telling a story, and maybe that’s why.
Elle, it sounds like you are hooked! I’d think that one advantage of being a writer over a singer is you can do it in your sloppy clothes with no make-up. One of my favorite parts of writing.
I think everyone’s creations are like that; they sing to us in specific ways.
LaD, so true! I knew when I wrote this on Sunday that I would have a different take than Liz. If we wrote the same premise, all of ours would be different because we hear it differently.
Edie,
I learned from Liz’ post and also from your. The posts are like our characters. Each one perceives a scene in a different way.
Your quotes were fantastic, especially the “hole in the soul” one.
I believe when I write my h/h the events in the book perhaps heal a hole but always reshape them into something better than when they started.
when I write my h/h the events in the book perhaps heal a hole but always reshape them into something better than when they started.
Mary Jo, I LOVE that. Love the way you worded it, too. I am so eager to read your book!
Loosey goosey plotting is totally me! lol. I’m going to have to start using that.
So many things were great; desperate people doing desperate things and the idea of writers being sponges. Great post!
Lori, we could form a “loosey goosey plotting” support group.
LOL, sounds right up my alley too!
Loosey Goosey plotting! LOL!! Omigosh that is so me. That’s hillarious. Great blog Edie it brightened my day!
Beth
LaD, you can be vice-president of the group.
Beth, I’m sorry you weren’t there. You would’ve enjoyed it. Ann Voss Peterson was there, too, as usual. She was hanging around with the mystery writers.
Love the quotes Edie, and boy, I really wish I’d been there. I would have been in heaven. lol
Theresa, I wish you could’ve been there, too. It was great!
At the end of the day, writing for me is a job. It pays my bills. I’ve had jobs that have paid a lot more for a lot less work. But none of them come close to my writing gig. It is my dream job. If it wasn’t my actual job, I’d still write, just not to deadlines.
It sounds like a fantastic event, Edie. I’d have liked to go just to hang out with you and Liz again
. I think I must generate writing endorphins in my blood when I write. Just like exercising, I get antsy if I don’t get in enough writing.
I qualify as “hole in the soul”–and I love that line.
Karin, that’s a great attitude!
Michelle, I would’ve loved it if you’d been there, too. That “antsy” thing is the same as the itch that I get. A writing itch.
Cindy, Laura Lippman’s comments — including that one — resonated with me. I was at the library today and checked out her newest single title. I read a bit at the library, and it’s looking good.
I wish I could be disciplined enough to make writing my job! Edie and Karin always amaze me!
Mary, I wish I were more disciplined. This week has been hectic. Haven’t gotten near enough done.