Plot Monkeys

BIC HOK

I once saw this expression on the old AOL writer’s message boards and asked what it meant.

BUTT IN CHAIR, HANDS ON KEYBOARD.

The only way to write a novel is to sit down and write it. It’s that simple. Or is it?

To date, I have written 23 published books. 24 if you include the book out next summer. If you include the books I wrote prior to being published (but exclude those not subsequently published after this point), I have written 30 full books/manuscripts EXCLUDING revisions and changes. You would think that by now writing would come easy for me. You would think that if I have an entire story idea outlined by myself and the plotmonkeys, I’d be fine. UNFORTUNATELY NOT.

I’ve discovered that as much as I love a story and characters, writing is work. This isn’t a bad thing, it just is. Which means that I can’t afford to wait for the muse to strike. If I have time to write, I have to drill it into myself that I have to sit down and push until the words and the smaller ideas come. Once they do, then I can hopefully look forward to the adrenaline rush of pages accomplished, characters connecting, and feeling good about the work. But it isn’t just going to happen because I put my fingers on the keyboard. (Though I must ask, why the hell not?)

Maybe it never did. Maybe the memory of sitting down to write when it was all new to me, when things flowed, when there wasn’t writers block, … maybe those feelings are magnified by the passage of time. Maybe things were tough then too and I just don’t remember because I was more concerned with “will I ever sell” or “will I sell again?” than with anything else.

But for some reason, I do believe it comes harder now. When I talk to the plotmonkeys and other writers who’ve been in this business a long time, I find that I’m not alone. They feel the exact same way. WHEW. It’s a huge relief to discover that although I’m struggling, other writers I respect are struggling too. And I choose to believe that those who say the writing comes easy, always has, always does - are dirty, rotten, no good, liars. Just don’t tell them I said so.

So that’s my blog today. A rant. A confession. Letting you know that though I’m doing what I love, some days, most days, it’s really bleeping hard. :wallbash:

And I hope that by admitting it’s really bleeping hard, when I upload these thoughts and return to the blank page, the words will finally come.

Still, despite the frustration, I wouldn’t trade my job for anything in the world. Even if right now, I’d rather be on the island of LOST than sitting in front of the computer screen. Of course I’m not stupid. On MY island, there’d be no monster and no OTHERS. Just me and Josh Holloway.

A girl can dream, can’t she? Then she gets back to work …

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 3rd, 2006 at 6:00 am and is filed under Carly. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

23 Comments

I think it’s good that you share this with your readers, that it’s not all about sleeping in late, eating decadent food and drinking mimosas. Writers are some of the hardest-working people I know, between putting in 10+ hours a day writing, then promoting, book signings, conventions, etc. It’s a lot of work. All so that you can create something that gives us so much joy.

Bravo authors, for taking on the challenge. I can’t tell you how many hours, days, months of reading pleasure y’all have given me - thank you!

Comment by Stacy ~ — October 3, 2006 @ 7:00 am
Thank you, Stacy. You know, I think this is what the plotmonkeys blog means to me too. Knowing how readers really feel about our books. It helps when we’re mired in the black hole to know you guys are out there rooting for our next release.

Comment by Carly — October 3, 2006 @ 7:20 am
I can relate to everything you’ve said. I don’t often feel “the muse” but that doesn’t stop me from writing. I have to write. I must. There’s no other way to get published, is there?

Writers are not only some of the hardest working people, they are also some of the most persistant.

I find coffee to be a big help.

Comment by Kristen Painter — October 3, 2006 @ 8:06 am
Wow, Stacy pretty much summed it up but I just wanted to say “thank you” too. On another day I wrote about how much I love your books, depend on them really, to escape my real world. Thank you for perservering and getting through it so that we can all enjoy the final product.

At the skate competition on Sat. my son’s friend tried the same trick over and over and over - 45 minutes of trying the same trick :wallbash: He finally landed it - won $140 - but the best thing was - it was the first time in the history of that park that anyone had “landed” that trick. He’s still floating on air.

Kudos to all of you who have that much determination and perserverance. You are an inspiration to those of us that don’t have that much (or haven’t found it yet!).

Comment by Jodie — October 3, 2006 @ 8:19 am
24 books - what an accomplishment, and that goes to the other plot monkeys and their books.

It’s reassuring that writing never comes easy, since I’m new to it. :wallbash: But we’re thankful you all keep at it, otherwise we would miss out on great stories!

Comment by Yolanda — October 3, 2006 @ 8:45 am
Writing is a bee-yotch. That’s my new motto. I love what I do and I wouldn’t change it, but with every book it does get harder. Because it HAS to be as good as the last. Better, even. We’re scaling a mountain and it’s so daunting at times. Right now as a matter of fact. I just finished a project and am plunging into a new one, but my brain is mush. I can’t think of one single, solitary thing to say. And the stuff I do think of really sucks. Reading usually helps to spark my creativity. Or watching TV. I try both and sometimes it helps. Sometimes it doesn’t. Either way, I make myself sit and write the crappy stuff and take comfort in the fact that I always feel like this at the beginning of a project. And it always passes. That’s one good thing that comes of experience. You know what to expect at every turn and it’s not quite as frightening. Persevere, Carly! I’m with you.

Comment by Kimberly Raye — October 3, 2006 @ 9:06 am
All I can say is ……………………..

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!! :love2: :love2: :love2:

Your hard work is appreciated!!!!!

Comment by TRICIA — October 3, 2006 @ 9:30 am
Morning! Thank you for being persistent and sitting there working through the rough patches. I am sure it would be just as easy to get up and go to a movie or go shopping.

I really do appreciate all the hard work that goes into a good book. And if you only knew a small piece of the happiness it brings people. To be able to make someone laugh out loud, or get giddy with anticipation when reading a book is amazing. For me personally, I can remember going through fertility treatments and stuck in bed for a week. Having your books to read helped keep me sane. Thank you!

Comment by Kelly — October 3, 2006 @ 9:35 am
All I can say is “THANK YOU!”. I am sure it is hard work. We certainly appreciate all of your effort and hard work in writing the books. I know I have said this before, my life is WAY too serious and I need a mental break. Thanks for all of your books!!! P.S.What about Dr. McSteamy, though, don’t count him out!

Comment by katie — October 3, 2006 @ 9:57 am
I’d take McDreamy over McSteamy

Comment by Carly — October 3, 2006 @ 10:05 am
Rant away. We appreciate your hard work, honesty, and entertainment. It helps us pre-pubs not give up.

Comment by Heather Harper — October 3, 2006 @ 10:25 am
Oh, sistah, do i agree 100%. On every word you said.

Including Josh Holloway.

Comment by Leslie — October 3, 2006 @ 11:08 am
Rant on…and on and on especially if it helps the writing. Not only do I want to say thank you for doing it even when it’s hard but thank you for telling people. It helps to know that published authors (many times over) still struggle. The reason I say that is for us unpublished who do want to do this it gives us hope that yes we can do it even when the words do not want to come. Again, I say Thank You!!!

Comment by Vicki — October 3, 2006 @ 11:30 am
I agree all I can say is THANK YOU :love2::love2::love2:

I enjoy reading your books and PLOTMONKEYS RULE

Comment by Cherylann Natale — October 3, 2006 @ 11:37 am
Rant as much as you need to. We’re all here for you…just keep the books coming!

Comment by Susan — October 3, 2006 @ 12:01 pm
McDreamy and McSteamy are both so NICE to look at, I must confess……LOL! I must also confess, that I don’t watch “Lost’, but Josh is pretty hot. Hopefully, all three of them give you inspiration!

Comment by katie — October 3, 2006 @ 12:33 pm
I appreciate the hard work all of you do. 35 years ago, I had a mentally-retarded daughter and an asthmatic son, received no child support & worked full-time. I was never able to find time to get to the end of a book, so, stopped reading books. I decided to concentrate on trying to raise responsible & healthy children, & surviving financially. Seven years ago I finally retired, with great plans to paint & repair the house, only to decide that performing those duties wasn’t worth a fractured hip. Accidentally, I discovered a Romance list at the local library, checked out a few of its books, & became addicted. Because it didn’t have many PBs, I started hunting at UB stores & library sales, discovering favorite writers, including all four of you. Now, in seven years, I’ve read over 850 books & loved every minute of it. During the day, while my daughter is at school, I buy my fave’s new releases from a list I create from the “upcoming” links, search for new writers & run down backlists, & during the evening I read.

Thank you all for writing books that lift my spirts & renew my faith in love and human nature.

Patricia A.

Comment by Patricia — October 3, 2006 @ 12:40 pm
Thank you so much for writing all the wonderful stories that you all write, I really appreciate all the hard work and time that you put into each and every book that you put out there for us as readers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart………

Comment by Cryna — October 3, 2006 @ 2:02 pm
Thanks for all your hard work!!!!

Comment by Estella — October 3, 2006 @ 2:30 pm
:love2: Cheers for sticking with the writing. All 4 of you have given me such pleasure when reading your books. Please keep up the good work. We are here to cheer you on.
I happen to be reading Leslie’s Here Comes Trouble now. I’ve only got to read a few pages but I’m sure it is going to be enjoyable. :thumbsup2:

Comment by Donna M — October 3, 2006 @ 2:40 pm
I love this post! I needed it. I am a new writer. Only been writing for 4 months and am half way through my 3rd story. Nearly everytime I sit down to write I can whip out 5 pages like it’s nobody’s business but then I say OK what next. Many days I ask myself if I can’t come up with a good storyline then what makes me think I can be a writer.

But more than anything it’s what I want to do and reading through a completed story gives me a real sense of satisfaction in what I have done. Last week I released one of my stories for the 1st time by sending it to an editor. I felt sick for two days. Now I am back to writing and ready to do it all over again. LOL

Comment by Julie — October 3, 2006 @ 4:13 pm
Dream away, Carly! I agree completely with everything you said!

Comment by Melissa Mc — October 3, 2006 @ 11:46 pm
Hi Carly,
I believe that writing like every other job you can sorta burn out. You just have to make yourself keep at it. I know that for a fact.

You do a wonderful job. From reading your books one would never know the you put your self through.

Authors we the readers commend you.

Comment by Gigi — October 5, 2006 @ 9:35 am