Finally, some writing
Posted by bencooper | Filed under News
I actually sat down and did some writing today. In fact I did two separate sessions. This is the first time I’ve done any fiction writing since starting work at Acoustic. I’ve been doing copy for the magazine when time allows, but just haven’t had the energy to undertake any fiction, which is always a mentally draining task.
I’ve started work on what I hope will turn into a novel. It’s a post-apocalyptic one, set in the distant future and has something of an odyssey/quest nature to it. I’ve always had a thing for apocalyptic or post-apocalytpic material. Mad Max 2 and Z for Zachariah are what sparked it off in me as a wee nipper. Not sure I should’ve watched The Road Warrior at such young age, but it doesn’t seem to have done any lasting damage.
Now, any book with an apocalyptic theme will guarantee a read through. The Genocides by Thomas Disch, Day of the Triffids, Hothouse and Greybeard by Aldiss. There’s just something about it that strikes a chord in me, and other people I think.
I’ve made a decision recently, spurred on by Kate, to write for myself. Write what I want to write, and not worry about whether I can sell it or not. So if the novel ends up being a slim 150 pager that no publishing house will buy, who cares. Kate always tries to drum into me that I should write for the pleasure of writing, and selling or placing my work should be a separate pursuit. Obviously I want to be published and see a book with my name on it – sci-fi or otherwise, but perhaps that shouldn’t be the be all and end all of writing.
I’ve also made a commitment now to write at least two pages a day. If I feel on a role and manage more, great, if not then each day I’ll rack up approx. 500-600 words and it all adds up. Although two pages a day seems like a low target, it’s definitely an achievable one and should spur me on as I manage it each day.
Here’s to the two-a-day plan!