Into the Fire

I know enough authors to realize we all exercise different writing habits, reactions to scenes, protocols for editing, styles of preparations, and when we take breaks either from a manuscript we're writing or from writing period or if we do not. 

Here's one of my quirky tendencies I've only recently discovered – or maybe admitted to myself. When I have an important scene approaching – and I know it's coming which I don't always know because I'm a seat-of-the-pants author and sometimes words arrive without forethought – I tend to stall. I don't construct the scene in my head, but I mull over the emotional reactions of the characters involved. The more critical the particular scene is to the crux of the story, the more I tend to run away from writing it. I don't consciously acknowledge I'm doing it, but, c'mon, why not just write it? 

When I finally stop stalling and set myself up for getting it done, it seems to work out well and satisfies me. I can always go back to it, change some things, a word here or there that makes it more effective. But that's what I have a tendency to do. 

I'd love to hear from other authors, but they're probably writing instead of stalling. 

Father, you always bring me through the journey to "The End". Apart from you, I can do nothing. That's a given. And thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.