I don’t know what to write.Â
I take that back. I know exactly what I want to write, I’m just not sure how to begin.
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There’s a basic law of the universe: writers typically write. Except for this one. At least lately. 😉
It’s been a while since I actually sat down with my laptop and typed out a chapter. Not for the last month and a half to be exact.
But oh, the stories are there. They are in my head and in my heart and on scraps of papers sprawled across my desk. Snippets of love and life filling up word documents on my computer and waking me up late at night, grasping for a pen and something to write on. Anything. A receipt, an old piece of wrapping paper, it will do. It doesn’t matter that I can scarcely read the words come morning. Some I carefully transcribe, other’s I leave. There’s something wholly satisfying about seeing a piece of a character’s life etched rapidly across the corner of a cereal box all the while wondering if someday it might be more. Greater. If a reader could some day hold that story in their hands. And if it might bless them.
I don’t know the answer to any of these ponderings, but I’m ever so thankful for these days of quiet and all the while, wonder with great curiosity what may lay on the horizon. I’m not sure which story I’m going to pick up first, but right now, the wonder of it is half the fun.Â
What do you like to do during seasons of quiet?
I love the phrase you used “seasons of quiet”. Just the words themselves bring a deep breath – a sigh – and reflection. Seasons of quiet – the only way we can get ready for the next season of ______(insert all words opposite of quiet rest). I must add that I can’t wait to read the story that is built off that scrap of paper, the receipt or cereal box lid. Your readers await! So that in a season of quiet we can enjoy another book by Joanne Bischof 🙂
These times really are so important. Life can be so busy with so many things needing to be done and these seasons have been rare around her lately, so I am enjoying every moment of it. 🙂 I’m so glad you’re looking forward to the next stories!! I am excited about them. Love and hugs!!
HI Joanne, I have been in a quiet in between season for a few weeks too. I had to do some editing, but not creating new scenes. I find I need a break, and then in a few weeks I am ready to jump back in as the new ideas start to flow. : )
Carrie, I’ts been so great watching our books parallel one another. Our seasons lately have been pretty identical! First with revisions and covers and pretty son, releases. It really is a nice time of having a little break isn’t it? And YES! It allows those ideas to flow!
I love this post, and I’m so glad you’re savoring the quiet season while catching those flyaway ideas and harnessing them to paper for someday. Beautiful pieces of story, they are! Seasons of quiet… I like to meander in every way. On my bike, on foot, in my house, puttering about and finding a project or two to transform. I love to re-visit old favorite books like Grace Livingston Hill, or the Glenbrooke Series I grew up reading by Robin Jones Gunn. Or catch up on newer releases, of course! Maybe pull out my dusty guitar or take my camera out for a spin. Pen a letter. Knit a hat. Soak in sunshine or rain and, no matter what, drink tea. 😉 I think I just took a virtual vacation here in the comments– thanks for the opportunity to do that!
Oh, Amanda– I love that “flyaway ideas” that really is what it can feel like, isn’t it? Having to catch them before they vanish. It’s so fun to get them down and revisit them, expanding on the idea and watching it grow. I can just see you meandering in your beautiful neighborhood and reading those good books. I know you enjoy the seasons of quiet to the fullest and I am so glad because I just know that you are going to have seasons of business with your stories, my friend <3
Hmmm….during the quiet season, I choose to read all those wonderful stories that authors like you pen. Who am I kidding, I read them no matter what ‘season’ it is…very therapeutic. I can’t wait to see what stories you come up with next! God bless.
Yes, reading is such a way to spend a season of quiet and you are SO right, it’s a way to sort of slow down during times of business. Sometimes settling down and taking a little adventure through a story is just the way to get through! I’m glad you’re looking forward to more stories. I”m excited to write them 🙂
Joanne, Amanda is right. Savor the moments of quiet, the calm before the storm… because once your characters grab hold of you, you’ll be back in that roller coaster seat.
Seasons of calm before the writing storm just help you realize what a broad number of stories are out there, waiting in the ether. You just need to reach up and drag one down. Toss your characters together. Ask them why they do what they do. Think the way they do. And know your audience waits with baited breath to see who chose you to write their story. 😉
You know who I’m rooting for.
xo
Ashley
Yes, absolutely, these times before the storm are so worth savoring. I’m enjoying it to the fullest. My garden is getting planted and I even canned rhubarb the other day. Woohoo!
I love the picture you paint of writing. I can just see you in your writing world working on your characters and your stories. So fun!
Thank you for your sweet words <3 Hugs!
Please. Please. Please tell me you’ll teach me to can someday.
I even have a pressure cooker and everything. 🙂
You got it! You get some of your yummy Temecula fruit and we will make jam or pie filling. Fun!!
Ahhhhhh, quiet. I’ve read about it. And when I have some quiet time? I read. But with 3 out of our 4 kids still at home? I only have quiet when the moon is blue.
OR when my mom steals me for 2 weeks. Starting Friday. But since this is my first EVER real, go-somewhere-posh vacation? I seriously do NOT know how to sit still. But God knows I need this trip, more than anyone needs to hear.
I’m looking forward to ocean breezes and a whole lot of ahhhhhhhh.
LOL, Jennifer, me too! You have one more than me, so I tip my hat to you because I know how crazy it can be!
I hope you have a lovely vacation. It sounds heavenly!!
I want to apply for the position of Caretaker of Snippets small or large. I’ll clean your desk, maybe even your house, and I promise not to read any of your stories. hahaha, is that considered a little white lie or a big fat one?
Melody, even my whole house?? You are hired!! 😀 I’d even throw in story-reading privileges to your hearts content! Thanks for the smile and I hope you have a great day!
Hi Joanne!
During seasons of quiet (eloquently put, my friend!), I like to either research the details of one of my stories or read someone else’s stories. Going on a vacation isn’t too bad, either. 🙂
Enjoy your season of quiet. I have a feeling another busy season is coming up! (Or maybe that’s just me itching to read another Bischof book…)
Hugs,
Andrea
Hi Andrea!
It’s so true. Those times of quiet really are a great time to research and READ!! I’m reading so many books now and loving it. Sort of like a batter recharge 🙂
I’m so glad you are looking forward to another book… that means a ton! <3
Well, you’ve got me hooked. What can I say? *shrugging*
I hope my novels hook readers as well as yours do. 🙂
I’m in a season of quiet right now. Just passed off my WIP and am taking it slow for summer. Stories bubble and I jot notes. And I read. I read a lot. Fiction. Non-fiction. And I day dream often. 🙂 Can’t wait to read whatever you write, Joanne!
Jessica, I know just what you mean. I bet it feels so good to have passed of your WIP. Hooray! And yay for getting to take it slow this summer as those stories bubble inside you. Each season seems do have it’s own important purpose, doesn’t it?