Kate Warren

fiction with humor and heart

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Excerpt

Insomnia and Creativity

2/26/2011

2 Comments

 
I don't know if you have this problem, but I have an annoying tendency to start thinking when I'm supposed to be falling asleep.  Sometimes it's about the events of the day, the anticipated events of the next day, books I've read, or movies I've watched.  Lately (like tonight for example, or at this hour perhaps I should say this morning) I'm being kept awake by a pantheon of creative thoughts that refuse to quit playing Tilt-A-Whirl in my mind.

The current topic of note is my first novel.  I've been considering re-writing it as I believe I can do a better job with the story now than I did six years ago.  I think it's a good story and it deserves a better and more thorough treatment, which I am now capable of writing (though six years ago I may not have been).  It's also the first in a trilogy, so it would be an excellent idea to make it as good as possible so that people who don't know me personally might actually be interested in reading the series.

Why didn't I think of this five years ago when I self-published it?  I think it's because didn't know any better.  I was riding the high of having written a novel, knew no one else who had done so, and was pulled in by the ease of the POD world.  I also have a tendency to edit continuously as I write, so even a first draft isn't exactly a first draft for me.  It could be said that my interest in rewriting the book stems from the fact that now I do, in fact," know better."

I've also had some thoughts about the second draft of my new novel Bridging The Gaps.  Things I could add to give the story and setting more depth.  I've been getting very constructive feedback from first readers, and I'm encouraged that this is my best work yet.

Having gotten those thoughts out, I will proceed to playing mindless computer games until I'm too tired to keep awake.  Should take about twenty minutes.  Goodnight, or good morning, whichever you prefer.

Kate
2 Comments
Caitlin link
2/26/2011 03:18:44 am

Oh man - insomnia sucks! (not that i've ever really had it, mind you). But I guess for us writers, it's not all that bad - as like you say, you can think about your story! I would possibly prefer not being able to get to sleep to waking up early on the weekend! (8am this morning, usually its around 7 or even 6:30). Either way, it's a good time for creative thinking about writing! :)

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Faith link
3/8/2011 12:17:44 am

I got up at 3:42 the other night to write something short that just wouldn't let me go. Not a good idea for novel writing, but a quick 400 words and I was back in bed...too excited about what I had written to go back to sleep. Damn! Anyway thanks for adding me to your blog roll, I'll be sure to reciprocate. And best of luck with your rewrite!

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