Cover of Your Lying Manuscript

Your Lying Manuscript

Your Lying Manuscript

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Walter Mosley said it a month ago on a Zoom for The Center for Black Literature’sSummer Series. And in his MasterClass. I say it all the time. To get your novel finished, you need to have your butt in a chair and write every day. Whom are you going to believe—us or your lying unfinished manuscript?Putting Yourself and Your Words FirstWhen you’ve written a lot of books, people want to know how you do it. They ask about plotting techniques. Are you a pantser? A planster? Do you bounce between scenes or write straight through? What craft books do you recommend? Are you a morning writer or an evening writer?All valid questions. I enjoy talking about the work.But the advice I give that seems to generate the most consternation is this: write every day.“Now, Vanessa. When you say every day, do you mean every day? Don’t you take Sundays off? Don’t you go on vacation? What about Christmas? Surely you take off for Christmas.”Some of you are already looking at your work calendars, making me your HR rep trying to get me to approve your days off.Here’s what I mean by writing every day: take those words as literally as you need to take them to establish, in your own mind and spirit, that your writing matters.You need to believe that writing deserves a respected place in your routine.Your words don’t always have to wait until another month of research. Until you read another craft book. It doesn’t need to wait for a new, different notebook. You shouldn’t have to wait for a weekend when nobody needs anything from you.If you’ve allowed your writing life to build up excuses, forgive yourself. Begin anew. But let’s begin with vigor and consistency.But Write Every Day?Yes, there are days when—clutch the pearls—I don’t work on a manuscript. But I’ve written something, probably an essay for a podcast. Hint, hint. Or a little reflection for social media. Or something in my journal.Does that finish my novel?No. And I have to be honest with myself about that. A beautifully written caption will not resolve the emotional conflict or lack of tension I left my characters in three chapters ago.But every bit of writing keeps my writing muscles taut. Stringing coherent words together are like calisthenics. Arranging sentences are yogo. Any attempt at trying to get what’s in my head onto a page is a useful one. For me, daily writing makes returning to the manuscript easier.I’m telling you that writing is a muscle. And I want mine limber and strong, ready to work when I need it.Have you ever joined a gym or bought exercise equipment?In the beginning, there’s so much excitement. You have plans. You have goals. You have sneakers.Naturally, the sneakers need to be cute.Maybe you buy athletic wear. A matching set. Something that announces you are a person who intends to take this exercise business seriously.Then you do the workout.And the next morning, your legs have questions. Parts of your body angrily ask what are you doing.Eventually, the excitement of buying the equipment and icy heat lotion wear off, and you have to decide whether you’re going to keep at this.Writing asks that question, too.You bought the notebook. You downloaded the software. You found the perfect pen, the best journal. But, will you return to the work when the first burst of excitement wears off? How about when a scene is difficult? What about when you see words on a page and none of it comes out bearing any resemblance to the beautiful ones you imagined?That’s where I believe many stop, when they need their muscles to push through.This past week, I was at the Writing Sisters Summit, hosted by Nina Foxx, in Taos, New Mexico.The air was fresh. The mountains were magnificent. The dirt roads were scary.I want to be clear: I appreciated the scenery. I have lingering questions about the roads.But the sisterhood at the treat was amazing.Wanda Morris, Pamela Samuels Young, Sheila Williams, and I joined the faculty, bringing our experiences to a vibrant group of women writing across genres and at different stages of their careers. Some were working toward their first books. Others had been at this for years.We had time to talk about the writing and industry challenges. To ask questions and stay for the answers. To hear someone describe a struggle and recognize a little of our own.And yes, I got up early. I know. Another revelation.I walked the trails outside, feeling the crisp morning air on my cheeks. There was a slight breeze that smelled of sage. I took pictures, lots of pictures. I want to remember and treasure this experience.Then I switched from my camera to my Notes app and dictated thoughts about the project I’m working on.A phrase. A possibility. Something I was beginning to understand about the next new book.That counts, boys and girls.Was it the most productive writing session of my life? Word count-wise, no.But I was able to work out and articulate the premise of my next book. Something I’d been reaching for ...
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