More on defeating the dead men

I’m not sure if my previous post expressed my feelings about writing properly.
In saying that I’m more about trying to be good than great, and that it’s possible to have a career even if you’re not good, I may have given the impression I’m cavalier about the quality of my work. Or that I don’t think there’s any point in aspiring to greatness.
On the second, I think if someone can sit down and consciously think how to be great—however you define that—that’s cool. It’s just that I’ve no clue how that would work.
For me the creative process is primarily story-centered. I get an idea. I write a (usually horrible) first draft. I rework into a decent story. And then I make it as good as possible.
Only it’s not so much a conscious process of “make it good”—for me it feels more like I’m unearthing a shape that’s already in my mind; my unconscious knows where I’m going before I do. Rewriting obviously makes it better, but my conscious thoughts are more about how I can make it the story it’s supposed to be.
Making it better doesn’t come into play until I get editorial feedback. If the editor points out a flaw, I’ll start thinking how to fix it, assuming I agree (regrettably, I usually do. Damn editors. Always so smart.).
Possibly I’m parsing hairs rather finely here, but what the heck, it’s my blog, right?
Okay, moving on to this week in writing …
•My editor at Raleigh Public Record loved my story, but suggested breaking into two parts, so I rewrote it. We’re now waiting on getting photographs.
•I did some replotting on Brain From Outer Space and I think i finally have a character arc for Dani. I’m very pleased with myself; hopefully I still be pleased after I start writing it. And I’ll really have to talk to someone from the National Guard about their operations sometime. Even though this is an alt.1950s Guard that battles monsters on a regular basis, details on procedural stuff need to be accurate.
•I reworked Leave the World to Darkness, and I think it’s much stronger, but I find myself baffled about the ending. Given the supernatural/superscientific principles I’m playing with, I don’t see how to end the story smoothly—right now, it’s either a cakewalk, or it’s impossible. Neither of which work, obviously.
•My Jew and Khazar story (why yes, it is a working title, how could you tell?) is taking shape, though I’m feeling a little dubious about working in the period details, the kabbalistic and sufi elements. But there’s definitely a story there.
•And He Bought a Crooked Cat looks incredibly improved (hmm. For someone who says he doesn’t think about “making it better” I do use the word “improved”—am I just fooling myself about how I work?). I switched the setting to the fifties and it really seemed to click; I also turned the leads into two guys, which is really unusual for me. I’m much more comfortable writing male/female best friends, probably because most of my close friends are women. Hopefully I’ll be able to wrap it up for this draft on Monday.
•And on the practical side, I did the first draft of my taxes today. I have to get it off Monday because I owe estimated taxes from last year; those were due Jan. 15, but if I get my 1040 done by the end of the month, I can skip the 1040-ES for estimated. So since I skipped, I’d better get it done, right?
Happily, my taxes are coming up short of what I took out of my paycheck It usually happens that way—I’m very cautious in my withholding.
And here’s the latest eHows. Heavy on tax stuff, as you’ll see.
• How to Change a Deed When You Inherit Property
•Is There a Limit on How Many Times a Private Individual Can File for Bankruptcy?
•Careers for Field Biologists
•Is Texas Auto Insurance No Fault or Comparative Negligence?
•Medical Equipment Careers
•Informal Partnership Agreement
•How You Can Protect Your Joint Bank Account
•What Debt Is Not Included in Consumer Debt?
•The Debt Safety Ratio
• How to Stop Paying Taxes
•Limited Liability Partnerships in the United States
•How Are Planned Payments Determined by the Debtor’s Income for the Requirements of Chapter 13?
•Employer’s Responsibilities on Confidentiality
•How to Understand the Home Affordable Mortgage Program
•How to Start a Small Business in Rochester, New York
•Landlord Rights to Enter a Tenant’s Apartment
•Is My Spouse Liable for My IRS Debt?
•FHA Residence Guidelines
•Foreclosures & Deeds
•What Income Do I Need for an FHA Loan?
•Do You Need Earned Income to Get a Roth IRA?
•Homeowners Needing Foreclosure Relief
•Tenant’s Rights to Prevent Eviction in Florida
•How to Conduct an Ethical Analysis
•How Much Does it Cost to Write a Book?
•Do You Have to Pay Withholding Tax on a Roth IRA?
•How Much Cash Out Can You Get With an FHA Loan?
•What Does No Redemption Mean in Foreclosures?
•401(k) Roll Over Rules
•Chapter 13 and the $600 Rule Limit
•What Is the Length of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
•Types of Liens on Personal Property
•Rent Control Rules
•When Is a Capital Expenditure Negative
•Definition of Capital Gain and Equity in Regard to Real Estate
•How to Organize Your Taxes
•Breach of Warranty Vs. Breach of Contract
•Tax Forms & Instructions Online
•Grants for the Care of Feral Cats
•Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Laws in New York
•How to Claim Tips on Your Tax Return