Welcome to That Rebel with a Blog. This week, instead of mining an old post as I typically do on Wednesdays, this one is shiny and new. It was prompted by an answer I wrote to Abbey Wade’s fabulous note about slowing down and savoring life.
This was/is my answer.
Thank you for this, Abbey. I highly recommend doing this when writing, too. Take time to savor those special moments when a character is kind out of nowhere, meets that one who might eventually become a lover, or at least, a friend or ally, discovers something new about themselves, or picks at an old wound.
This past weekend, as I edited the previous scene I had written (I typically do this each time I sit down to write), I found myself lingering in the prose. In what my character was doing, how she was responding to a new and foreign situation, plus her reaction to an out-of-the-blue walk-on character.
My heart burst open. I had visited that scene several times, adding more layers and depth in each. So on that pass, I was able to see beyond my part in the story to the heart of the character.
And it hit me. In today’s world, where we’re told to write fast and furiously and pump out as many books as we can in the shortest time possible, we’re missing something. We’re missing the joy of genuinely getting to know our characters, laughing with them, crying with them, and just sitting with them and being.
So, lesson learned. I’m not a fast writer anyway. But I’m hoping this new awareness will give me the (much-needed) permission to write as slowly as I need while enjoying the process rather than forcing it.
And guess what. It appears that, due to the enormous number of AI books being churned out every day, Amazon is revising its algorithm once again to reward quality over quantity.* The pendulum is swinging back to focus on the slower, steadier launches. Take that, AI biotches and rapid-release gurus.
So, yes, it’s time to slow down. To enjoy the journey and the process. Not only in life, but in writing as well.
Just a little more about my newest AHA. I don’t usually edit a scene more than once during the writing stage. But this weekend, I kept going back to this same one and couldn’t keep going. “Why?” I wondered. Now, looking back, I think it was a lesson.
I couldn’t move on until the beauty finally registered, then burrowed into my psyche.
Then it happened again with the next scene, and a different character. As she met and interacted with what may end up being an enemies-to-lovers character, I couldn’t help but marvel at each intimate little detail of their interaction, both working it to their own advantage, both befuddled by the other, but each mesmerized despite themselves.
So, what is the lesson for us, not only as writers but as human beings doings?
Return to the joy. Return to the beauty. To the kindness. To the wow moments of our (or our character’s) stories and journeys. And instead of flying through the first pass as many experts espouse, maybe slow down and savor those interactions. Slow down, dear writers, and enjoy the journey.
Because if you’re not experiencing the wows—the joy, the heartache, the indecision, the sheer humanness, or is-ness of a character—how can your reader? And on a broader scale, how can we, as humans, be alive to all the nuances of life if we’re stuck in go-go-go, next-next-next?
You guessed it. We can’t.
Reflection time: What do you do to slow down and smell the flowers, coffee, tequila, insert your favorite noun? Do you luxuriate over your manuscript (and life)? Or do you fly like lightning, barely remembering what you’ve written (done)? Is it the same in your day-to-day life?
That Rebel, O.J. Barré
*Here’s Golden Angel talking about Amazon’s new algorithm on TikTok. And, I just realized she’s on Substack, too.
P.S. Now that I’ve made my little “announcement” about this new algorithm thingy, I’ll bet you a year’s subscription to my stack that I will see articles pop up all over Substack. Not because of me, mind you. But because that’s how it works.
From my heart to yours, Olivia/O. J.❤️
Subscribe to receive these posts in your inbox. Or upgrade to a paid membership to also read my serial, Crossed, Cursed, & Nearly Dead*, receive the eBook of Awen Rising, and a character list/bio for Awen Rising. (*preview below)
If you want to support my work but can’t (or don’t want to) commit to a monthly subscription, you can leave a tip or buy me a tea. $3 buys almost three tins of food for Rambo. $5 buys me a green tea. Or an eBook. Oh, and I work for comments, too. Thanks a trillion!
⭐Now here’s that preview I promised. Enjoy!✨
Awww Olivia!!! This is fantastic. So important. And you’re so kind for including me in it. I’m so honored, sweet friend❤️
This was well timed for me! I woke up this morning very much feeling like I need to slow down, so I’ve been listening to folk music and meditating 🫶🏻