“Which
writing project are you the most proud of?”
This
question was posed as a creative exercise. Once I got over it ending with a
proposition, I thought it was a bit like asking a parent which child she loves
best. I also realized that I have a more extensive catalogue than one might
assume, given my constant whining about writer’s block and lack of
time/inspiration/talent. Picking one was suddenly a daunting prospect.
My initial
thought was “Fixed Fire”. Writing five novels in four years and self-publishing
two of them was no mean feat. What started as a one-off about a disillusioned
warrior in denial of his magical powers quickly evolved into a saga set in a
world beyond the mountains. The landscape was rich, the romance was blistering,
the characters were vivid, and the family dynamic was utterly—sometimes
hilariously—dysfunctional. It was a blast to write ... until it was not.
Stalled at volume 7 since 2011, I’ve written novellas about some of the lesser
players in the greater tale and each of them is captivating in its own way. But
to pick the one that does me most proud? Errrr ... Next!
How
about the vampires? I am secretly impressed with myself for writing three
different versions of the genre starring three different incarnations of the iconic
immortal: the romantic Julian Scott-Tyler, the power-hungry Darius Wolfe, and
the outlaw Ariel Black. Perhaps I love my vampires a little more than I do the “Fixed
Fire” crew (it truly depends on the day), but which of the trio does me the most
proud? It’s really too close to call.
Then
I considered the list of short stories spanning a decade from “Four Legs and a
Tale” to “Ruby Red”. I’ve written about centaurs and witches and princes and
waiters and angels; how can one stand out above the others when they’re
literary apples and oranges?
Oh,
and let’s not forget the blog. I’ve posted some dandy diatribes and yes, I have
favourites among them, mostly among the fictional pieces but including a few of
the philosophical. Winnowing out a singular post for personal pride is
impossible.
Finally,
I realized something that maybe should have been obvious from the get-go. I
love them all, every one of them, and always will. However, given the folder of
half-started stories on my hard drive, and the difficulties I encounter in
actually completing something, I’ve decided that the project I am most proud of
will always be the one I’ve just finished.
It IS like choosing between your children. I couldn't choose between any of your projects because they are ALL favorites. You, the only writer to convince me to spend time with vampires, explore genres I otherwise widely avoid. It's a testament to your talent. To your imagination.
ReplyDelete'Sillyheart' even though nothing will ever come of it, is the project I'm most proud of. The re-write has gone off the rails but I still love that I did it. That I created something out of nothing and committed to it every single day for a whole year. That's big for me. Huge.
"Sillyheart" was a huge accomplishment, Bean - you should be proud of it, and of yourself for completing the exercise in discipline. It's a huge read, too; I'm a bit - okay, way far - behind in it, but I appreciate the time and talent it took you to get 'er done. The rewrite will happen sometime. What matters most if the first write ... right?
DeleteThank you for appreciating my work, especially the "out of your genre" work. That you read and enjoy it means the most to me because it's out of your preference.