On my creative process…

A young man wearing a gray hoodie and a baseball cap, writing in a notebook while standing.

I’m sure there’s techniques and methodology to increasing book sales, or writing so that others look favorably on my work. I’ll give them consideration–maybe implement them if it feels right or appropriate–but not if it compromises my enjoyment of writing.

Financially speaking, writing is a terrible way to make money, compared to other more reliable activities. And in terms of personal validation, craving praise from others’ reviews is extremely unhealthy–that’s giving control of my fulfillment to the whims of the masses.

So first and foremost, I enjoy it for myself. As far as the rest, let the chips fall where they may.

Explore the Worlds Behind the Stories

Kent Wayne’s ideas about storytelling, power, and human nature appear throughout his fiction.

If you’re curious how those ideas appear inside the stories, start with the Unbound Realm.

If you’re still exploring, follow the ideas:


Comments

14 responses to “On my creative process…”

  1. Great philosophy, Kent. Those who write for fame, well, they are working too hard (and probably not succeeding). As my husband, who happens to have quite a few novels published, says, “The punishment for writing a book is having to sell it.” He writes because he needs to write (and always has). He doesn’t worry about sales, but he wanted his kids and grandkids to know he didn’t sit around doing nothing (and to get them off his hard drive). ~Nan

    1. Sounds like he’s got it figured out! That’s a great quote about the punishment!

  2. Sounds like a great philosophy.

  3. I love this approach

  4. I find myself most interested in your metacognition meta-commentary, and direct self observation and criticism.

    Problems at this level are shared. It is as if when you actually create, you create an object or a commodity. No matter how perfect, it is not shared.

  5. And writing poetry is even worse for making money … 🙂

  6. Yes the enjoyment of writing is the main thing!!!

  7. If you’re taking people on a ride with your stories, your readers are going to want a gift shop. This would be a great way to turn a joy into a producer.

  8. Exactly. Writing teaches me so much about myself, about life, about writing itself…and if it goes on to resonate elsewhere, that’s a bonus.

  9. You will travel far with that philosophy. What am I saying? Clearly, you already have. 🙏

    1. Thank you!

  10. Hear! Hear! I’ve come to the same conclusions as you, Kent! I write because I enjoy it and have to (otherwise I go insane!) Validation comes from ourselves, not others…!

    1. Absolutely!

  11. “The beauty of writing is that you can edit your manuscript to your heart’s content. I’ve edited chapters down to a single page, turned run-on paragraphs into a single line, expanded a single scene into an entire book. You can subtract or add words until you express yourself as best as you can. There’s no need to show anyone what you’ve written, unless you decide it’s ready to be shown.

    That said, a bad first draft isn’t a factor. You can rewrite it and edit it until it satisfies you.”

    This leaves open the solipsism problem.

    You can edit your manuscript to your heart’s content, but if the content is to no one else’s, you’re at a dead standstill, without a single option in the world.

    What does connect?

    You remind me of pentimento…

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_(1977_film)

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