Author of literary thrillers,” Lisa Unger, was my guest on Saturday’s broadcast (September 26, 2009) of Book Talk, Creativity and Family Matters.
“Die for You,” her latest release, and the other books she has penned (8 total), were among the many things we discussed, along with working to find balance between her work as a career author, mother and wife.
In describing her process for writing, Lisa says, “Creativity is an organic force. There is an ebb and flow about it. There is something about the process you don’t control. There’s two parts to making your living as an artist. The creative magic part, and the part that is craft. Some days the force is with you. The creative magic carries you. For the days that it wanes, you turn to craft.”
This is such a powerful explanation of the challenge facing any artist who, as Lisa says, “...seeks to earn a living practicing their craft.”
We all know, and have experienced that element of magic that puts us in the zone when we are either painting, or playing music that we have striven to learn, and then practiced to refine. The same occurs with writers, and other artists of the word.
We toil at getting down that first draft of our stories then persevere to revise the novel through several more drafts. We do this by writing every, or at least every other, day. We pray, each time we write, for the gods to visit us with their magic.
We do this knowing that the results of the magic can only be rendered through the discipline we bring to learning our craft, and then honoring the vow we have made to apply what we have learned each time we sit and write.
We receive the gifts of the gods and their blessings only if and when we are writing. Every instance that we avoid our writing, we forfeit the opportunity to experience, and undergo the transformation infused by the benevolence of the gods as manifested in the magic of our words.
How often do you write?
When do you experience magic in writing?
I love that quote by Lisa Unger, I’m going to have to post it up, so I can see it everyday.
For about 2 months, I would get up each day at 5 am and write for one hour, then get ready for my day at work. I found that 2 month stretch to be the most productive in my short writing career. When school started, I stopped my 5 am writing sessions, but I’ve recently started them back up as my creativity and production suffered greatly when I stopped.
So I must say, 5 am is my magic writing hour, even if I dont get much done, in terms of word count, I find that spending an hour with my characters and my story first thing in the morning, helps me stay motivated an in the creative process all day. So when I finally get the opportunity to write later on at night, I tend to be much more productive.
.-= LaTessa´s last blog ..African American Romance, Your Thoughts?? =-.
This is a great discovery for you.
I;m told that Toni Morrison says that 5am is her most productive time.
So you’re in good company.
Thanks so much. I love all your comments and sheer honesty.
Have a great day.