False summits - the uncertainty of writing
Dashed hopes on your writing journey, dealing with uncertainty, ask us anything, links to help you keep going & our Writing RESET Programme.
In our recent ask us anything webinar Grace posed a question that got us thinking. Her question was this:
After coming back from a recent hiking holiday I’ve learnt that the “false summit” is a lot like writing my novel! I’m always working towards mini deadlines, but even when I achieve them, I am still disappointed that another rewrite is on the horizon. How do we balance goal setting, when sometimes novel writing is a game of whack a mole? How do we know when the end is in sight or just a mirage? Thanks (weary hiker/novelist).
And if you were wondering, a false summit is:
…a mountaineering term that describes a trick of the eye where a rocky protrusion such as a minor peak of a hill or mountain appears to be the summit to hikers ascending from below.
The articles we found said how physically exhausting and psychologically discouraging a false summit can be to a hiker, inducing feelings of dashed hopes or even failure. Imagine, you’ve pushed yourself hard towards the summit, finding out that you’ve got miles more to trudge before you reach the actual peak - it’s enough to make you throw your walking boots off the precipice.
The advice given includes to be prepared, know your route beforehand, conserve your energy, don’t use up all your supplies too soon and pace yourself along the way.
When is The End?
As Grace alludes to in her question, there are multiple false summits in writing. Times when you think you’ve reached an end point of some kind, only to find that you’ve got more to do. On a hike, there is a real final submit, which you will know with certainty when you reach it, whereas typing THE END when you complete a draft is often the beginning of whole new set of summits.
As we wrote last week, the writing process isn’t linear but rather more of a zigzag of peaks and troughs that make it hard to know where you are and if the end is in sight.
The only certainty is uncertainty
This month our newsletter will be themed around the sixth chapter of our book Written which is called ‘stopping’. We’ll explore the things that get in the way of our writing - and how to manage our obstacles better.
As human beings we crave certainty but the writing process is the complete antithesis of that. When you’re creating anything new there will be failed attempts, dead ends and false summits. These things are an inherent part of the creative process and causes the kind of disfluency within us that make us want to quit.
The more accepting you can be of this uncertainly, and the better able you are to live with it, the more more resilient you’ll be to the obstacles you’ll experience along your writing journey.
Take a tip from those hiking experts, be prepared, pace yourself and manage your energy and attention. Remember that a false summit is a still a summit to be celebrated, so perhaps pack a Kendal Mint Cake and use it to reward your efforts.
Keep going, Chris and Bec
Ask Us Anything!
Thank you to everyone who attended our first live ‘ask us anything’. We were sent so many brilliant writing dilemmas, including Grace’s false summits.
We rolled up our sleeves and got stuck into problems such as how to start, what to do when you get stuck, why midpoints are so difficult, managing writing while your children are on holiday (but you’re not), when to stop, and how to choose what idea to take forward next. You can rewatch the video on YouTube:
Register for the next one and sign up via Zoom. It’s on Wednesday 16 August at 18:00 BST - if you can’t make it live, you’ll be sent the recording.
How can we help? Send us your writing problems - you can comment below, send us an email or ask live. We’d also like to explore some of the issues that came out of last week’s newsletter: Why writing isn't like following a recipe.
Links we love
How to deal with uncertainty: If you’re struggling with uncertainty, this episode of Best Friend Therapy might help. Hosted by bestselling author and failure enthusiast Elizabeth Day with her therapist best mate Emma Reed Turrell, they explore: Uncertain Times - How can we cope with uncertainty? Serendipitously it ends with a quote from adventurer Bear Grylls who said that summits are the most dangerous place to be - valleys are where true character is built.
George Saunders self-styled ‘chief failer’ offers advice and reassurance for overcoming uncertainty in writing.
Publishing didn't used to be better by Anne Trubeck offers a realistic perspective on the industry. If you are interested in publishing trends and opportunities check out her Substack Notes from a Small Press.
But there is still lots to celebrate in publishing! Our friend, neighbour, and local publisher Kevin Duffy founder of Bluemoose Books was profiled in The Guardian this week. A small press that packs a big punch (and wears excellent slippers) read: ‘What we publish will stay with you’: inside a small but mighty literary hit factory.
Want a Writing RESET this September?
If you’ve fallen into a writing rut or feel you’ve picked up a few bad habits and want a fresh start, join us on our Writing RESET Programme.
Over six weeks we help you take a more intentional approach to writing and following the methodology in our book, support you to become more aware of the things that stop you writing - and the things that keep you going.
Build a writing habit that works for you and your life. Find out more and enrol.
An interesting perspective in false summits, I enjoyed reading it.
This piece of literature allowed me to see how people do strugglein their writing endeavours.
I don't look at writing as a way to be famous or even infamous, but as way to improve skills of reasoning & thinking!... kind regards Mr Worrell Robinson