Manuscript seven, the one I had discussed in a previous post, will now become manuscript eight. This change happened because of my process. When I finish a manuscript, I tend to focus my energy on short fiction while I’m outlining the newest novel. While researching, I hit a few snags in my timeline because interviews with experts were being pushed further and further back. At the time, I was slightly perturbed about having to postpone the project because of other people’s schedules, but I am happy I did because the insight I gleamed will lead to a much better novel.
While I was waiting, I began work on a short story. This was supposed to be a 2,300 word short story so it could be submitted to a specific magazine, but I chose an idea with such a large scope that I ended up blowing past the threshold. By the time I noticed, I was at eight thousand words. Now the piece is at sixteen thousand and I know it will end up somewhere between 24,000 and 30,000 words – which makes it a novella.
Looking back on my notes, I realize that this idea was already too large based on my original outlines. I was over confident and tried to smoosh (that’s the technical term) the piece into a box it would overfill. So I did what I do when I write, I let it breath… and boy did it take in a giant breath.
My philosophy towards writing has always been the same. A story has a mind of its own, to a certain degree, and it will tell you what is important as you work on it. As the writer, I have the difficult job of forcing the piece into a box or letting it grow under careful guidance like a master gardener; I shape it but let it grow at its own pace. If I had stopped the piece, I would have something that was half baked, and I don’t believe in limiting my work if it will impact the final product.
So, now I have a new manuscript. And to be honest, when I realized how long it was going to be, I groaned and let out: “Fuck… it’s going to be a novella”. Why the cursing? Simple, novellas don’t sell, no one wants to represent them as a first publication, and they tend to just sit on your computer and grow dusty (Ashley Pepin’s Mistake) is a great example of this phenomenon. But, I like this story and I will bring it into the world, because I write for me and the story. Who knows, I may end up posting it as a serialized piece on this website so you all can read some of my long form work. Until then, I need to finish it. I predict that will happen in the next two weeks if my middle finger heals, and the carpel tunnel and tendentious decides to calm down for a weekend or two.