Surviving the Dark Night
The “Dark Night of the Soul” comes every single time I write. It is ALWAYS there, usually popping up between 1/2 and 2/3 of the way through the book. I can no longer connect with the passion that started me, and I’m too close to see the broad shape of the project. Everything is clunky and obvious and amateurish, and it is easy to associate with the fatigue and doubt.
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER OF THE COUNTLESS REASONS TO START WITH SHORT STORIES.
Whatever inertia a short work has, a novel has at least 10X as much. In the time it takes you to write 100k words of novel, you can write TWENTY short stories, and in that process you will confront the “Dark Night” TWENTY times, and learn to conquer it a little at a time.
What is the way through? Faith. I remember that, frankly, “I’ve been here before.” I’ve experienced this fear before. Had these doubts before. Heard these voices in my head before. Felt these doom sensations before.
THEY ARE ALL SIMPLY PART OF THE PROCESS.
The power of the MAGIC Formula is really unlocked when you cross-reference it with another pattern. The Lifewriting Hero’s Journey was modified from Campbell’s original (from THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES) to be applicable to the STRUCTURE of a story, the WRITING PROCESS, and life in general. Once you’ve memorized the ten steps of the HJ, and also the five positions of MAGIC, you could write one hell of an analysis of the process of creating ANY story on four pieces of paper: On one, write the HJ as it applies to the STRUCTURE of the story. Then on a second sheet apply it to your process of writing it. Then on a third sheet, apply the MAGIC formula to the CHARACTER in the story. Then apply it to your own PROCESS of writing the story.
If you will spend a single hour doing this, you will open the door to understanding your story, your story process, and your own heart and mind deeply. THIS IS LIFEWRITING: the adaptation of life to story, and story to life.
Whatever skills you bring to your writing and life, they will connect internally and catapult you to a new level. It takes courage and clarity…but THIS WORKS.
Write with Passion!
Steve