I begged. I pleaded. I threatened. I promised toys and cookies.
Nothing worked.
We drive up to the sitter's house and then it is total melt-down: I-cannot-live-without-mommy-so-I-must-scream-and-make-her-feel-as-guilty-as-possible.
I was forced to leave him, hysterical, in the sitter's arms and dash out the door.
Boy do I feel like slime.
Then the wheels started turning in my head. Don't manuscripts do exactly the same thing? I think they do. I've seen them referred to as "teenagers" before. In my humble opinion, I must disagree. They're more like rotten three-year-olds who don't want you to ever leave them alone so you can work or sleep or eat.
Your characters bug you in the shower, in the car, at the table -- taunting you. Then they won't just behave and have all these wild ideas about where a scene should go.
Eventually you get so fed up you don't know what to do with them. So you thrust them into the hands of a trusted Beta and drive away to the sounds of their cries, with tears stinging your eyelids.
But when you go back to get them, that manuscript is all smiles and cheer. It runs to greet you and characters fling their arms around you with reckless abandon.
And you remember again why you do it all.
So, in a way, my manuscript is like having another toddler in the house. Now that's a scary thought.
2 comments:
LOL, great analogy. I don't have kids yet, but I do have nephews around that age--so I have a small inkling of what you go through. :)
Wow, i hate mornings like that. My daughter is two, and I teach Middle Schoolers, her tears aren't nearly as effective on me as she thinks they are.
Yesterday I had my first- "You're being a brat, time for bed" moment- I put her to bed at 5:45--- she slept for 13 hours.
Anyway, you're totally right about writing. My characters seek into my brain all the time, throw little fits and I have to deal with it.
Awesome post, I completely relate to it.
Post a Comment