Focus
The Art of Letting Go
I didn’t accomplish my goal of finishing book two while I was away on my writing retreat. But let’s be real, it was a stretch goal for certain. I went into the five days with a writing deficit already. I failed to achieve the 5,000-word goal I had set at the beginning of the week, and I did no writing on the Friday that I drove to South Wales.
I did not let these facts deter me from my optimism for the week ahead. What I accomplished was clarity, some much-needed sleep recovery, and most importantly, focus time. For five days I could focus on my characters and their world.
I dived deep into some backstories to get clarity on the ‘why’ a character may respond in a particular way. I expanded my vision of the world of Vrellum. Conducted archaeological expeditions into the history and evolution of the society. I interviewed my characters to better understand their motivations, hopes and fears.
After 30,548 words over 20 chapters across five days, I feel like I’ve broken the back of book two. While I didn’t finish it, the story is so much richer for the time I spent focussed on it. I let go of everything else and dived in headfirst.
I could have done this at home. However, it would have taken me so much longer and I somehow doubt I would have gone as deep. There is always something to distract me at home. Swapping laundry, watering tomatoes, dinner with friends, a chat with my husband. All these things take me out of the world and away from my characters. When I go on a writing retreat, I might eat nothing until late morning and then skip dinner or have a light snack in the early evening. I let go of the concept of three meals a day.
Walking is great for releasing energy and creating space to think. My dog, Sage, accompanied me and was a great excuse to get up, move around, get out in nature, and clear my head. While in the woods, I imagined what Bex would have experienced when she first walked into the world of Grenbor. The smells, the textures, the dampness in the air. I let go of the need to be stuck at my desk to be creative.
Movement included walking around the room or on the patio, conversing with my characters. Working out dialogue strings. Examining my hands in movement to capture what and how to describe them. I felt like an actor rehearsing for a play. I let go of the fear of being considered crazy for talking to my characters (i.e.. Myself).
Focussing is about diving deep, but it is also about letting go. Letting go of preconceived notions of must, could, and should allowed me to focus on what is important to the story. No, I didn’t finish writing book two, but I’ve had an incredible time exploring all the nuances that will enrich and enliven its pages.
What are some things that you let go of when you need to focus?
If you haven’t picked up book one yet, The Edge of Oblivion, you can get your copy now, before book two is released in November.