Who Needs a Process, Anyway?

Long time no yap!!

Currently Reading: The Obelisk Gate (Broken Earth Series #2) By NK Jemisin (I’m almost done and then I’ll have a review for y’all I SWEAR)

Currently Watching: Nashville

Current Obsessions: Birthdays, live music, solo dates, sitting on the same side of the booth

Okay, let’s chat.

Obviously, I was MIA last week — nothing to be alarmed by. To be super honest, I was not in a great headspace, and while I do want this to be a place where we can be vulnerable and honest about the good times and the bad, I do not want it to become simply an outlet for my own complaining. As much as I love complaining (which I do, and if you say you don’t I don’t believe you), that feels self indulgent and anti productive.

The point is, I am so back baby.

I think this week there is only one thing I can talk about, and it seems to be the only thing anyone in the BookTok, fantasy, reading girly pop sphere can talk about — SJM’s appearance on Call Her Daddy.

For those of you who have no clue what I am talking about, Sarah J. Maas is the author of three fantasy series — A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City — which all come together to form what has colloquially been deemed The Maas-iverse. She recently appeared on the podcast Call Her Daddy and revealed to Alex Cooper, and the rest of the world, that after many years the next TWO books in the ACOTAR series will be released at the end of this year/beginning of next.

ho. ly. crap. What a drop.

While I am absolutely elated about the announcement, and will definitely be committing to the re-read this year, I actually found this reveal to be the least interesting part of the interview. What I found myself on the edge of my seat for was her description of some of her writing process. She discussed how her mental health journey has informed her characters and story lines, specifically Nesta’s arc in A Court of Silver Flames and Feyre’s pregnancy. She also discussed how she pretty much breaks every rule in the book when it comes to her process.

Where many writers tell you to find a space to write that has the same feeling as going to work, she says she writes best in her bedroom.

Where other writers discuss the importance of outlining and planning, she tells us she wrote ACOTAR as it came to her, letting the story go where it wanted.

I found this both inspiring and validating.

I suppose this is as good a time as any to officially announce that I have been writing a novel. This is a passion project that has been exciting and exhausting. Don’t get me wrong, I love it — it is the most creative I have felt in years — but boy, oh boy is it hard. This is the longest, most intimidating thing I have ever written, creative or otherwise. The hardest challenge I have had to face, however, has been a severe case of imposter syndrome.

For those who don’t know, I live in Los Angeles. This means I am surrounded by a sea of writers, actors, directors, content creators, and artists. This also means that most of my friends are writers, actors, directors, content creators, and artists. Because they are amazing, caring friends, they often ask me about my project — how it’s going, where I am in the process, what direction I’m taking it, etc. The problem is, I don’t really have answers. To put it simply, as an artist I am about as Type B as it gets. Even in school outlining and planning was my least favorite part of the writing process. I could never visualize where I wanted a piece to go until I sat down and started writing it. I had to let the words flow out of me before I could figure out what I wanted to do with them. Don’t get me wrong, this meant my first draft was usually a rough draft, in the truest sense of the word. I’m talking word vomit on a page. It’s not exactly the process that authors write about.

But then I hear this woman who is not only a published author but is a published author of three of the most talked about fantasy series today, with an insane cult following to match, say that she did the same thing?? It finally made me realize that no one cares what your process is, or if it is super professional, or if it is what you are supposed to do, as long as you produce a product that you are proud of. No one gives you a “You’re an Artist!” metal for having the “right” process. You are an artist because you create art. Point. Blank. Period. No matter how you get there, no matter the perceived worth or value that anyone places on your creation. Once I accepted that, I felt so free and writing became fun again. Now, not only am I no longer ashamed to say “No, I don’t have an outline. No, I don’t know where this thing is going,” I am excited to add “Yes, it’s going where it wants to, and it’s going to be great, and I would love to chat about it.”

There is nothing wrong with holding your art close to your chest, so long as it is not out of any feelings of shame or unworthiness. If you’re ready, talk about it. Brag about it. Yap about it. People want to hear it!! At least I do :)

Well, that’s about all I got for this week.

I love you, and until next post xoxo