the craft. the problem solving of writing.
Recently, I was supporting my friend Gabrielle Korn for the release of her book The Shutouts when she said something important about reveal. Though the direct quote is currently escaping me, it was essentially around not revealing too much too soon in your story. “Eureka!” At that moment, I realized, I may have mentioned that my character was married previously too early. Or maybe it works to be alluded to early, but not really explained until later. A slow drip if you will. Either way, all of a sudden, it was like how do I race home to fix this point in my own story? Thanks, Gabrielle!
There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to where your solutions may come. But you learn to be ready for them and to make your way back to your work in progress as quickly as possible.
This is the problem solving involved in writing books. They are a constant puzzle in my world. Maybe it’s not the same for you. Maybe you write your books down from top to bottom with all the right pieces in place and if so God bless you. But for the rest of us mere mortals, we are solving problem after problem to make our story make any kind of sense.
In the same world of reveal, I also noticed after reading something that I should take out a small detail about my love interest’s story. When he’s explaining to the main character how he met his wife, he kind of lets it all out. But I thought to myself, oh, what if there is this important detail that he doesn’t know until much later in the book? Suspense people! I always mention that no matter what genre you’re writing, books need suspense. Not as much as Cross because lord knows I was yelling at Aldis Hodge through the screen, but it does need those little breadcrumbs that lead to bigger revelations much later.
The exact problems we solve for as authors will certainly vary. In How We Do It: Black Writers on Craft, Practice, and Skill, Tayari Jones breaks down interesting problems she was trying to solve in her novel American Marriage.
Both email and cell phones threatened my plot in An American Marriage. A good chuck of the novel is correspondence between our separated lovers. In real life, they probably would have used email. But the problem, plot-wise, is that email is so off-the-cuff, and there is so little time between messages. I needed to use old-fashioned letters. Their messages needed to be deep and thoughtful and I wanted them to have some time to stew between missives. But who in their right mind (besides me) uses paper and pen when email is so much faster and easier?
The fix was that Roy uses his allocated computer time in prison to write email for other inmates, for pay.
As writers, we constantly have problems to solve to ensure a smooth journey through the course of a novel. The top, and often most important, problem is figuring out what exactly your book is about. We often have some ideas, a cool character or scenario, but we don’t actually have the story. We lack real motivation for the protagonist and we have to figure out what they really want. That’s problem solving from the beginning. How do we take an inkling of a thing and turn it into a full blown, intriguing story that people will want to read?
This shouldn’t deter you though. Or, if it does, you may want to consider if writing is truly the profession for you. But I want to let you know that this is the reality of the work we do when we decide to become writers. I find joy in it. When I have no idea what an interview feature is about but as I listen back to the tapes it comes together. When something clicks, like that plot point in the middle of a book launch event and I can’t wait to scramble home to make an update. When I wake up in the morning having worked out a sticking point in my subconscious while sleeping. Those are some of the best moments of the writing experience.
What problems need solving in your work in progress?
There are so many in my current project. But I’m giving myself all the pep talks, writing what feels good to me even if it’s not in chronological order, and exploring with these two characters. I’m building the weave between internal and external motivations. And it is both the part of writing that inspires and keeps me invigorated and also the part of writing that makes me want to throw up my hands and quit at times.
But this is the work. Is it what you thought you signed up for?
Electric Lit is accepting submissions for their Commuter series.The Commuter is their home for poetry, flash, graphic, and experimental narratives. It publishes weekly on Wednesday morning, and has showcased the likes of Caroline Hadilaksono, Aleksandar Hemon, Jonathan Lethem, Lindsay Hunter, Tahirah Alexander Green, and Julia Wertz. (Closes Dec. 10th or at capacity).
Emerson College is hiring an Editor-In-Chief for Ploughshares. The Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing invites applications for an Editor-in-Chief for the literary journal Ploughshares / open-rank (term or tenure-line) faculty at Emerson College. Tenure transfer at the associate or full professor rank is possible if the candidate has already earned tenure and is at that rank at a comparable institution.
Ploughshares welcomes unsolicited submissions of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction during their regular reading period, open from June 1 to January 15 at noon EST. The literary journal is published four times a year: blended poetry and prose issues in the Winter and Spring, a prose issue in the Summer, and a special longform prose issue in the Fall. Spring and Summer issues are guest-edited by different writers of prominence.
Hearst Magazines is seeking an experienced Director of Email Marketing who will oversee strategic planning, operational management, and execution of all marketing email communications. This role is essential in driving revenue growth through optimized email campaigns across all our iconic brands including Good Housekeeping, Esquire, and Oprah Daily. ($130-$150k, New York, Hybrid Work).
Phoenix New Times has an immediate opening for a full-time Music Editor. This editor will manage and lead our coverage of Phoenix’s vibrant music scene. We're looking for a visionary. An experienced editor with a passion for music who can bring their fresh ideas to life and transform our music section to reflect our city's interests, covering everything from what's happening locally to what touring artists are stopping through town. (Phoenix based, hybrid. $55-60k).
Wired is hiring a Senior Writer, Climate. You’ll cover the compounding impacts of higher temperatures, rising sea levels, sinking cities, and other environmental changes that affect the way we live. You’ll break news about clean energy companies, regulatory wins and misses, and Big Tech’s attempts at net zero. Your focus will be on the people profiting from and most affected by climate change. You’ll engage with academic research, but always through the lens of real-world consequences. ($95-127k).
Early career journalists— apply for the 2025 Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS) Health Journalism Fellowship! This unique opportunity includes a $4,000 stipend, workshops, mentoring and more! The fellowship is open to women and individuals who identify as women with 2-7 years’ professional journalism experience.
