I turned in book 7 to my editor a couple weeks ago and I’ve been playing with ideas for the next book in the series. No matter how many books I write, I struggle with this part of the whole book writing process. It usually begins with my brain asking, “Omg, again? Are we really doing this again? Don’t you remember the last time? You had to let me wander for a full week before I came up with a way to get out of the corner you painted us into.”
I’m pretty sure that’s the left side of my brain, the practical, logical, and sometimes dramatic side that just wants to play the next game of Wordle, or better yet, Murdle. Answers like, “Yes! Isn’t that exciting?” carry no weight with that side of my brain. Fortunately, it does understand contractual obligations, so I can shut down those objections pretty quickly.
The right side of my brain never objects. It’s always ready for anything even if I’m not. The right brain thinks anything is possible—I can lift those weights, I can speak French, I can get into those jeans! The truth is—no, I can’t, barely, and you gotta be kidding me!
I need both the creative side and the logical side to write, but getting them on the same page (haha) can be a struggle. Never is it more so than when I’m just starting a book—or rather an outline. I usually start by plotting a crime, which usually involves my right brain. While she was in the recesses of my mind, practicing French or something, left brain pitched ideas at me that were actually pretty good, and somehow, sounded familiar. Too familiar.
Me: Wait a minute. You didn’t make up this crime. It really happened. I read about it last year.
Where was my creative side when I needed it?
Still me: Besides, that crime was horrible and brutal. It’s too dark for a Countess of Harleigh mystery. It’s too dark for me. Nice try, but we’ll have to drop it.
Right brain: Non!
Thank goodness, my right brain finally showed up.
Right brain: Cette idee voulez bonne!
Me: Stop speaking French!
Left Brain: That’s not French, it’s French gibberish.
Right brain: Fine. What if you take Lefty’s crime and turn it on its head?
Left brain: I’m not turning anything. She’s exhausting. I’m going back to bed!
Me: No wait, you need to work on this. Maybe the characters think that crime took place, but that isn’t what happened. I like that idea.
Left brain: Hmm, I could work with that.
Me: I love it when we’re all working together! And so begins another adventure!
This post on left/right brain and writing pulled me in and then snuck down into the deepest parts of me with recognition. THIS, is exactly what it’s like. And although it feels like this the whole time I’m writing a story, I’ll admit it may be a bit more dramatic at the very beginning. I love origin stories for books, and I love the Countess of Harleigh series too. Now, I can’t wait for book #8. I dare say, well done.
I’m glad you can relate! Sometimes it feels like it takes a whole team.