Writing with my gut…

(Disclaimer: No, my gut is not that big. No, it doesn’t type. No, it’s not because – It’s a metaphor, you cretins!)

As both of my readers may know, I’ve been working on a book on ethics now for five solid months… and I’m only halfway through. Five solid months. Nearly half a year. I haven’t devoted this much time to one project since… Actually, I’ve never devoted this much time to one project!

As a rule, I try to keep things fluid, go with the flow, write what my body is telling me to write. In this case, however, I’ve been making a point of not listening to my body. If I get the urge to work on something – anything – new, I strongly ignore it and keep working.

That is, until yesterday morning.

Backing up a bit, I’ve been have a lot of insomnia lately… and it’s pretty damned annoying. Tuesday night, as I was trying to sleep… well, I wasn’t. Nothing would put me under. So, I got up as I usually do and went to my desk to see about doing some late-night work. As I looked through my research, though, my brain wouldn’t have any of it. It all looked like gibberish. This happens when you’re sleepy. Your rational mind says, “Nope. Not until you sleep.”

So, I couldn’t work.

Sitting there, as my mind began to wander, I heard a voice. The closest I could put it was Anthony Hopkins; I was hearing Anthony Hopkins’ voice. This happens sometimes. When a story wants to come out, I’ll hear the story’s voice – like an audiobook – speaking lines to me.

He was talking about the death of his dominatrix and how his son just didn’t understand.

I was hooked!

The story became so clear and concise; I knew that if I put myself to it, I could write it in just a few days. I knew it would be a play. At about 12,000 words (the length of a full-length play), hammering it out would be no problem.

But there was the issue of the book!

This is why I say I write with my gut and I encourage every writer to do this. I knew my progress with the book was slow. My brain needed refreshing, something to wake it up. Spending a few days writing a new play might help give me the energy to keep on with the book better than sticking with the book itself.

So, I switched gears and began what I am calling Lost and Found. (It’s a working title, though. I don’t really care for it.) Yesterday, I hammered out the first half – 6,000 words in one day!

Writing is not just a cerebral activity. You need to listen to your emotions and your boredom and other things your body is telling you. You’re not a machine. You’re an artist.

Give yourself the freedom to be one!