Phases of Writing
I’m officially working on my next book, so I’ve been thinking a lot about the (wonderful!) time I spent writing Redeeming Church Conflicts with Cap’n Dave.
Towards the end of our work together, I remember one particularly enjoyable call when I spent five hours on the phone listening to my coauthor paint vivid pictures of example after example of “redeeming church conflicts.” It was wonderful—he is profoundly wise; his heart is for the Lord and the Church; and MAN! Can he paint a detailed picture of Christians redeeming conflict (or not redeeming conflict—many of his examples are like diamonds laid against black velvet; insight by the power of antithesis). He describes (sometimes through tears) the colors and backgrounds and people and tones of voice—because he was actually there. It’s not hypothetical. It’s real life; theology applied to real life. It’s amazing!
So, yes, my wrists were swollen and a little numb as I typed my twelve thousandth word (no exaggeration). But I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I LOVE getting to serve in this way; following up with more questions; needling in deeper on a certain point; capturing those solid gold Cap’n Dave Edling nuggets that help me to understand better Scripture and to put my trust in God more fully.
Still. Writing a book is hard. Very, very hard. So I was particularly blessed when Challies.com linked to this article by Adam McHugh:
Oh, friends! If you’ve ever tried to write anything—a blog, a term paper, a note for your 3L writing requirement, or (most certainly), a book, you will enjoy this brief article.
His last “phase” of writing really hit home with me because Fred and I just said pretty much exactly the same thing. (Please bear with my restating and then using the “s-u-c-k” word; I know it’s crass and I am trying to get it out of my vernacular. But this author used it and it really does capture well exactly how I feel.)
According to Mr. McHugh, the five phases of writing are:
1. The “Aha” phase (researching, thinking, and interviewing). This is the fun stuff; interviewing Dave, sitting and reading thick books on the doctrine of the church, looking up Greek words to see what they “really” mean. This is a great phase.
2. The “Pulitzer Prize” phase (conceptualizing, organizing, and outlining). The author said that in this phase, he thinks his ideas are brilliant and his writing is profound—I can’t say that I ever feel that way, but every once in awhile I think to myself, “My high school A.P. teacher, Dr. Charmian Poe, might give me a passing grade on this.” That’s pretty much my highest praise/goal re: writing.
3. The “Total Incompetence” phase (questioning why in the world I ever thought I could write a book). Yup. This is SO my phase. This is pretty much my continual phase. It’s why I’ve never read Peacemaking Women. WAY too painful to see all of the weaknesses. Definitely a C-minus from Dr. Poe.
4. The “Complete Disorientation” phase (from stream of consciousness to head spinning to avoiding writing by cleaning his home). And I thought I was the only one!
5. The “It doesn’t totally suck” phase (no explanation needed). Yes! This is the “just close your eyes and hand it over and pray that somehow God will bless even your C-minus efforts” phase. This is the phase I LIVE in with everything I’ve ever written or taught or blogged or whatever. Fred said to me yesterday (when I was crying and freaking out over how bad everything is and how I should STOP even trying) a phrase he’s said to me a hundred times: “Tara? Are you willing to suck for Jesus?” You know. To really crash and burn and FAIL big time; to be on the receiving end of criticism and judgment and rejection; to never really get it together in any way at all—but still to live for Jesus?
And I said, “Yes.” Then I quit freaking out and got back to work.
Totally made me smile, though. Thanks yet again, Challies.com! You are a blessing.
Back to work now—
Happily and gratefully,
Tara B.