Time to Begin Again...

Paul Jameson
4 days ago
2 min read

I've had a good twelve months of not writing. A hiatus that turned out longer than expected. But having finished Baldur's Gate 3 last night I am going to kickstart the old spluttering brain, renew the daily routine of writing at least a sentence, and embark on a new literary adventure that is simply stardust in the mind at this point. Sitting here now, in the shed at the PC, the words of a rambling post on t' screen, it suddenly feels daunting.

What if I've forgotten how to write?

Is that even possible.

I imagine so.

Oh dear.

And what to write about?

That's dark magic.

Truly.

For me I have to wait for an insistent character and scene to come upon me - usually in a dream, day-dreaming, or on a walk - and grab me. I sometimes know the beginning and end (oftentimes not the end) and then the character and places they take me dictate the story. I am simply a scribe. Or what I believe is described as a pantster in the writing community (i.e. flying by the seat of my pants). It's the best of fun. And if I ever try to wrest control off a character, and force the story in a direction of my choosing, it fails. Then I have to go back to the juncture of my digression, eat some humble pie with the character and voices in my head, and return to the path they originally pointed out. That's how I write, if it can even be called me.

And so here I sit in the shed, more than a sentence written with this self-indulgent post, and the seasons seemingly showing a change with a coolness to the air after an incredibly long, hot summer. And on the radio - Classic FM. I would normally listen to Pink Floyd, the Small Faces, Deep Purple or Fleetwood Mac, but in a failed search for the football last weekend - my stereo only has FM, hence the failure - I left it on classical radio and it's really quite therapeutic and enjoyable. Another change in my technique and style perhaps. Regardless, it's fun to be back with words. Wish me luck...

So how do you write?

Plotter or pantster? A book of notes or voices in the head? Music? No? A special corner, a shed like me, or simply wherever your laptop finds space? Let people know in the comments or as a post on Threads.

If there's a topic you'd like me to consider in a blog, a book you think I really need to read and review, or a TV Series you think I'd enjoy (and you'd like me to include it in my blog) drop me a line and let me know.

Finally.

If you do buy my books.

Thank you.

And let me know what you think. Get in touch on Threads.

I'm always there; a writer, you see...