Writing is like...

[neadods]

Aside from the whole "writing is like prostitution" joke that I've been telling rather a lot lately, you know what writing has always been like for me?

Running a maze. You go tootling along for a while, smack into a wall, realize that you have to back up, hit another wall, back up more, take a whole different approach, and another one after that and hope that this one will get you where you're going.

Hopefully posting this won't jinx me, because I think I've finally flailed and whined my way onto the right path...

(Biggest irony? Next to *none* of the research I've done is going to make it in, because the exposition would drag the plot. ETA: in response to comments - I hope some research shines through, but it turns out I've been researching the wrong things...)

Comments

[tchwrtr.livejournal.com]

*laugh* Good analogy. And congrats!

Also, while the research iteself won't make it in, that you have done the research will shine through in your writing. Your knowing it will make a difference. I think.

[queenmaggie.livejournal.com]

She said it: even though the research itself isn't in the story, the fact that you know that stuff shines through, and makes everything else glow with reflected light: there's a solidity that comes from knowing your background inside out.

[shawan-7.livejournal.com]

And you may end up using the research somewhere else.

I don't find the maze analogy in writing. I find when I run out of steam, I go do a little more research, and generally an answer pops up.

Different strokes for different folks.

[karenmiller.livejournal.com]

You got it exactly!!!!

Yee haw on working your way out of the maze.