Being Open

Posted on by Mark Stevens

Sixteen months ago, I stopped in the middle of writing a new mystery-thriller.

(I never stop in the middle of a project. I always finish.)

But a friend had suggested an idea.

(I rarely take ideas from friends, but overnight an additional key element popped into my head, out of nowhere.)

I started writing immediately. Like, within days. Sketches, ideas. Possible ways to begin the story.

(It usually takes me months of research and thinking before plunging in.)

I sent a few first chapters to my agent.

(I was lucky to have one—a good one. I had never received feedback on an opening few chapters.)

He told me “no.” To try something else. I did. I sent another version. He said “better.” I tried again. He said “go.”

So I started writing. On a laptop.

(I had always been a “write by hand” guy.)

I started writing 1,000 words or so a day.

(I had always been thrilled with 500.)

I started meeting with the friend, the one who suggested the original idea, every few weeks. He’d shake his head and tell me what wasn’t working. Occasionally, he’d say “good.”

(I had always finished a whole book before getting feedback. This feedback-in-progress thing was intense… and reassuring.)

I re-wrote what needed fixing and then wrote a few more chapters.

Every few weeks, we would meet. More head-shaking, more re-writes. But, progress.

Eleven months ago, I sent the first half of the book to my agent.

(I had never been in such a position—a lucky position—to get such meaningful feedback mid-story. I happened to be in New York. We met for a good face-to-face session, along with my agent’s assistant, who had also read the first half. They had some excellent course-corrections but, in general, said “keep going.”)

I kept going. I suddenly realized something else: I wasn’t writing crime fiction.

(I had never written anything other than crime fiction. It sounds crazy, but it had not really occurred to me until about this point. I was writing a straight-up ‘novel.’ Gulp.)

Five months ago, I finished.

(I had never written anything so fast. Writing 104,000 words in a year is the equivalent, to me of NaNoWriMo. I’d always been a three-year or four-year guy.)

Three months ago, my agent gave me four pages of notes.

Around the same time, several friends chimed in. A few had read the draft of the novel in a day. Or two. Or three. The reaction was positive.

Six weeks ago, my agent gave me another page of final notes.

Last week, that novel went out on submission to a very (to me) impressive list of editors.

Now, of course, it’s wait-and-see.

Whether or not we get a bite, it’s been a ride.  I believe everything I’ve learned was there in my subconscious. Writing felt as natural as walking.

The bottom line? A powerful idea is high-octane fuel.

Another? Always be open to trying new things.

I know I am.

Category: Blog

25 thoughts on “Being Open”

  2. Being open to changing one’s process can be liberating. From what you’ve said here, it looks like you touched on being a pantser, or at least a planster, for this book. Since I don’t know your process for the other books, that might not be a change, but anything that pushes the writing forward with joy is a boon.

  3. Thanks so much, Mark, for more of your invariably excellent advice. You not only offer interesting insights into your own evolving writing processes, but also an important reminder for other writers. Always remain open to new ideas, new directions and new ways of doing things. I can’t wait to read your new novel.

  4. I’m so excited for you! I know this isn’t your first rodeo, but to be doing that well with something so far out of your comfort zone makes me want to write a couple of short stories I just keep pushing to the back. Keep us posted!

  7. This is so exciting, Mark! Best wishes on this new leg in your journey. I have all the confidence in the world in you and your writing. Thanks for sharing with us.

  9. I have to admire how you left us in suspense. What exactly IS this new book if not crime fiction? Way to keep the reader wanting to turn the next page@

    1. Sheesh, thanks, Wendy. That seems a tad high, you know. Just where you used the ‘b’ word and used the plural form and then the ‘and’ …. you know, just a tad high.

  12. Reading this makes me so happy. You go, Mark! If you’re writing faster, it means the world gets more books from you. That’s a win-win. Typing this with fingers crossed that you get good news soon.

  14. Mark, I appreciate knowing that some authors continue learning and experimenting with their craft/gift. Yes, being open to trying new genres as well as a “new” process is a lot to wrap your head around, but great things can happen in the middle of it all that continues to spur you forward. I’m delighted your subconscious accepted the root idea and that you kept an open mind throughout. It’s encouraging for the rest of us that we can work in different genres and, at least, try new processes to mine our imaginations for more stories and that counts big-time. More stories from you brighten my life! Do you have a working title yet? If it is not picked up would you consider self-publishing?

  15. Thank you so much Allyn! Very very kind of you. Yes, have a working title …. but am going to keep that to myself for now. (Sorry.) Yes, will definitely self-pub if my agent doesn’t find a home for it…!

  17. Pingback: The Good Thing – Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers

Comments are closed.