I consider myself a reader with a writing problem, except on the days when I realize I am a writer with a reading problem.
Today I am struggling with the problem called Inferno.
Dan Brown is the king of the cliffhanger, the maestro of mayhem. He’s not the best reviewed of authors, and some absolutely loathe him, an emotion tinged perhaps with envy of the mega-bestselling author, but even his detractors must concede the man can make you turn pages. It’s infernal.
I consider him among the most dangerous of writers. His short chapters make you think Just one more: one more scene, one more chapter, one more hour.
My poor deluded soul.
Julia Cameron exhorts the writer to put aside other books while working on his own. Until Inferno I had virtuously resisted the reading temptation towering next to my chaise longue…. Middle C, Vampires in the Lemon Grove, Hexes and Hemlines (I’m an eclectic reader, so sue me).
So when Inferno thudded onto my desk, I thought I was in control. I sneaked a bit here and there, using the “multitasking method” - reading while stirring at the stove, reading while brushing my teeth, reading in line at the bank.
Like an addict, I talked myself into thinking I wouldn’t get hooked.
Just one more chapter….I can handle it.
But Cameron’s advice is true. To write well, we must remain full citizens of the world we are creating. Our characters won’t breathe if we aren’t breathing the air they breathe – every minute we can spare.
So I got off Brown’s roller coaster (he made it a bit easy in the cavern – see if you agree) and got back to constructing my own roller coaster.
I passed his book on to a nonwriting fan.
Thanks for the ride, Dan – I’ll be back – later.
