A new book is making the rounds of popularity in the circles where I hang out (Twitter and Substack) as writer after writer proclaims the book’s awesomeness. It’s Slow Productivity by Cal Newport, and I’m never going to read it.
It’s not that I think the book is a bunch of hooey. On the contrary, it matches exactly with my thinking. When it comes to writing, slow and steady has been the closest thing to a superpower that I have.
I’ve written five full-length novels and two three novellas the past few years. I’m reasonably productive with my creativity. I don’t need some fancy academic’s book to tell me I’m doing it right.
I could have used that book forty years ago, because it didn’t start out that way.
High Expectations
At first, I thought I was some kind of a genius waiting to be discovered. It was just a matter of putting a few words down on the page and editors, publishers, and reviewers would sing my praises in a chorus of literary excellence.
It took quite a few years for me to realize I needed help, and then a few more years after that to find the right help. Then it was like I could begin again once I had the right attitude.
Despite the lack of encouragement, I stuck with writing because I love it that much.
There were other signs about my ability to take things slowly, but I didn’t recognize them for what they were.
Hints of the Superpower
In a JV baseball game, I shot a line drive over the second baseman’s head. I was slow getting out of the batter’s box—maybe I was admiring the nice hit, I don’t know—but the right fielder threw me out at first base. It wasn’t even close.
I was nicknamed “Mick the Quick.”
At an awards banquet for the hockey team, I was called to the front of the room to receive an award. I took my sweet-ass time getting there, to the point where my teammates snickered. Someone called out, “What’s the rush?”
Afterwards, my father was livid, thinking I had done it to be an ass, or to make some point, or just because I was an idiot of some kind. He yelled the entire drive home. It was none of that. I simply wasn’t in a hurry.
Speed on Demand
It’s not like a can’t go fast when I want to. On the ice, during a hockey game, I generated more than enough speed. When I’m writing, I’ve always been able to generate plenty of words in a short span of time.
Writing’s not a speed game. The words don’t make more sense because they were written quickly. Quite the opposite. To compose something that makes sense, and compels the reader, and also entertains them takes time. Lots of time.
I do have to hurry up a little bit, though. I’m way closer to 80 than I am to 30, and it’s time to pick up the pace.
There are two vultures on the limb of a dead tree in the desert. One vulture says to the other, “Patience my ass. I want to kill something.”
Meanwhile, at My Writing Desk…
I figured out what I need to do for my current novel in progress, and that rewrite will commence shortly. (Probably tomorrow.) I also have two more novels in the wings waiting to launch.
I’ve also written more essays for my Renewable Creativity project, and I’m hoping to place some of those in publications. I have a guide on unlocking your creative potential if you’re interested.
Maybe You’d Like
This month I’ve joined with some authors in a Thrilling Giveaway. Check out the covers and see if there’s something you like!
https://storyoriginapp.com/to/vJcOaGD
Recommended Reading
I’ve started reading Toni Morrison’s Beloved. I’m only in a few pages, but they have been amazing.
Next Picayune
I’ll be back in June with another story and more book talk. Thanks for reading the Mickey Picayune!
All the best,
Mickey