These signs always amuse me so much. Although, in New
Mexico, the lakes are often somewhat hidden from view, and one can come upon
them precipitously, from flat mesa to deep canyon filled with water. Still...
the warning signs make me smile.
Our topic this week at the SFF Seven is the Novelist's Refractory
Period: How you handle that time between "just finished the novel"
and when you “have” to start the next.
I’ll be interested to hear what everyone else has to say. I
suspect that, for some of us, this is driven by the “have” to of deadlines. It
sure it for me – both of the self-imposed and external variety.
But I do have this little fantasy I nurse. It’s on the same
shelf with the one about the villa overlooking the Mediterranean, a lovely
house of vine-draped balconies and sweet cabana boys who bring me balanced
meals and vodka cocktails. In this fantasy, I take a month or two off between
novels. I see myself as this glamorous writer who plans exotic vacations during
her “down time.”
I would use this down time to take a Mediterranean cruise,
or hike along Hadrian’s Wall. I might stay in a little house in Bali and spend
the mornings meditating and the afternoons snorkeling. (And the nights in
wine-drinking.) No matter what I did or where I went, people would (of course)
recognize me and say how they loved my last novel and what will the next be
about?
This is when I toss my long, fringed silk scarf over my
shoulder and say, “I’m mulling it. No doubt this [hike along Hadrian’s
Wall/cruise of the Mediterranean/month in Bali] will provide inspiration.”
I love this fantasy.
But who am I kidding? If it ever happens, that’s pretty far
down the road. That time between finishing one novel and starting the next? It’s
usually a weekend. Sometimes three days. I’m actually trying to plan my writing
schedule better so that I finish drafts right before planned weekend or
week-long vacations, to give myself a little rebound time.
At this point, the most of a break I feel I can give myself
is to switch to editing instead of drafting, or to draft in a different genre
than I just finished writing.
One day, when I can afford to take that time off in between,
though, I totally will.
*Note to self: must buy long, fringed silk scarf.
