Naming The Right Demons

"...leaves like an alien sun, a watery olive tone behind the darker green of the holly. When Jay doesn't say anything, Allie says, 'It's a work in progress.'" - Kim Fu, "Do You Remember Candy"

Let’s get the most important part out of the way: I like living in a place with four seasons. Yes, technically 12, but let’s just pretend we’re not on the internet for a moment and be normie. Matty Ygslicious was wrong to say Chicago’s weather is trash most of the time—we have the best summer in the country, a really great fall, and can reasonably expect snow at Christmas without our pipes freezing. It’s January-April that’s tough. Partially because of expected travesties like Polar Vortexes and One Last Snow, but mostly because the unexpected twists and turns can wear on you.

(credit: Wikimedia Commons, Skadelik)

Let’s get the most important part out of the way: I love writing. Yes, I complain about it all the time, but only because that’s what writers do. My works-in-progress list is ever-increasing because I can be doing something as simple as listening to a podcast while unloading the dishwasher and get an idea for a novel or poem. The problem, though, is having an idea in fiction is nothing. Beginnings are great—writing a couple intro paragraphs, sketching out a character arc, and choosing a nice setting ripe with lush details is maybe my favorite part. It’s finishing things that’s tough. Partially because you have to iron out stubborn folds that seem determined to become creases, but mostly because after months and months and probably years of work, the finishing touches feel like the heaviest lifting.

(credit: Wikimedia Commons, Tim36272)

Let’s get the most important part out of the way: I want to finish my books and see them in print. Yes, you are a writer if you haven’t published or don’t publish, but one normie thing about me is I want that traditional sort of validation (tradvalidash, if you like). To see my name on a book spine. To see what some genius comes up with for a cover design (one of my great joys at Cracked was seeing the photo/caption choices made on articles I’d spent so much time on the words looked like jelly to me). It’s a lot of steps from “finished typing into this Word doc” to “sitting on the shelf while whomever bought the book is working through their reading list.” Part of those steps include showing other people your work (terrifying), editing and re-writing your work (scarier than the Gordy scene in Nope), and even sending your work to total strangers in hopes of getting their approval/convincing them to give you money for your work (YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT DEATH IS).

(Credit: Wikimedia Commons, “Jellyfish” by David Li)

Let’s get the most important part out of the way: manuscripts/projects are finishable. Yes, we need to tie this back to the weather in order to justify that opening paragraph. I was wrong—or at least only partially right—when I was blaming stress or bad moods on weather or taxes the last few months. And I’ve been doing that! Exaggerating allergies, whining about needing a jacket, but now that the good weather is here?

(Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Curt Teich postcards)

Let’s get the most important part out of the way: I’ve still got two manuscripts that are like 80% there, two things I’ve been working on for years and can finally see a finish line. Like said tho: it’s finishing that last 20% that’s tough. Partially because writing is hard, partially because “I’m working on something” feels safer sometimes than “I made a thing, wanna check it out?”

Sorry you got an email,

Chris