I have spent ten years toiling over a setting for a novel: topographic maps, language changes, writing systems, staple food crops. Only in the past year have I finally come up with a plot.
I am reminded somehow of that old story about NASA spending an incredible amount of time and money to develop a pen that would write in space, while the Russians, facing the same problem, used a pencil.
But I think it's human nature to seek out puzzles. Maybe our minds complicate simple puzzles just for the joy of figuring 'em out.
Hey, don't feel bad. How else is one supposed to deal with interminable hiatus that is the post-NaNo period?
ReplyDeleteBut, if it is your insistence, I shall rain on your parade should I see your distraction levels reach levels of excessive intensity.
As for me? I have been waiting for the next Clickthing video. I see you as a pioneer. I wanted to be that pioneer, until I saw myself on video.
ReplyDeleteWord verification: Impescul: an impetuous imbecile. "That clickthing is such an impescul, what with his wacky retrotech inventions!"
I have spent ten years toiling over a setting for a novel: topographic maps, language changes, writing systems, staple food crops. Only in the past year have I finally come up with a plot.
ReplyDelete@Speegle: I appreciate it. Don't be afraid to crank that knob up to 11 at the first sign of mental infirmity.
ReplyDelete@Strikethru: I'd need a subject matter that will not feature my face, of course. Maybe an exciting HOWTO on respooling ribbon.
@CStanford: and I have the opposite problem: gobs of plot, occurring in pristine, barely-there settings. We should team-write someday.
I am reminded somehow of that old story about NASA spending an incredible amount of time and money to develop a pen that would write in space, while the Russians, facing the same problem, used a pencil.
ReplyDeleteBut I think it's human nature to seek out puzzles. Maybe our minds complicate simple puzzles just for the joy of figuring 'em out.