By Stacy Hawkins Adams
I haven’t turned on my creative fiction juices in a while, because although I absolutely love manufacturing interesting characters and breathing life into them, I also have a deep love for nonfiction writing. Over the past year or so, I’ve focused my attention there.
I recently entered my 10th year of penning a parenting column for a daily newspaper in Richmond, Virginia; I launched this inspirational blog a few moths ago, and I occasionally write commentary for the Huffington Post.
Beyond those outlets, my “day job” of serving as Director of Communications for a private school in my community affords me an opportunity to do all kinds of writing – from marketing and advertising copy to social media posts to letters and other messaging that share the “how” and “why” of this school and its mission to produce service-minded leaders who make a difference locally and around the globe. All of this excites me.
And yet….the ideas for a new novel still rise to the surface every now and then, teasing me to consider what my 11th book could and should be. I’m not sure yet when that one will be birthed, but I already have a list of character names, a few potential plot ideas and even a tentative title.
I’m not ready to start writing the first draft because the ideas are still “baking.” I’ll know when the plot is just firm enough to put pen to paper, and then move those handwritten notes to my computer. 
In the meantime, I’m doing my writer’s “homework”: Leaning into the gifts and opportunities that come with daily life, enjoying special moments with family and friends, overhearing compelling conversations or intriguing names that might make their way into my story, and taking in the scenery, sights and sounds around me, so that when I need these things most, they are a finger tap away in the notes section of my iPhone, or stored in my mental image bank.
I recently had the pleasure of joining an award-winning children’s author for dinner, and during our conversation, Newberry Medal winner Rita Williams-Garcia announced that she no longer writes under deadline. When the manuscript is ready – however long that may take – she intuitively knows, and she only writes The End at that point.
While many of us scribes may not have that luxury – or be disciplined enough to know the difference between being stuck and accepting that the project is substantive enough to move forward – learning about her method left me thinking that more of us should find the courage (or be extended opportunities) to give our words, ideas and stories the space to grow and mushroom into something fantastically wonderful.
If and when you can, I encourage my fellow writers to let your story marinate; let the words come on their own; let the characters show you who they are in their own time.
Because I’m not on deadline or under contract with a publisher at the moment, this is exactly what I’m doing. I’m also reading some great fiction, and books about the art of writing, along the way.
It’s an unsettling experience in some ways – especially when my readers say they’re ready for another book- and I hate to keep readers waiting. Yet, in another way, it’s freeing, because I’m allowing the writer journey to unfold before me.
I’m confident that when my new characters are ready to meet the world, they’ll let me know. When they start nudging, I won’t be able to get them out of my head unless I tell their stories! Lol
Until then, I hope you’ll continue reading my current novels, the few fictional short stories I’ll be penning soon, and also my body of nonfiction writing. The mission of all of my work is to enlighten, uplift and inspire. I hope my fictional characters and my intriguing true-to-life subjects do just that for you.
Note: This essay was originally published on the Black Christian Reads blog, in July 2017.
Life Untapped with Stacy Hawkins Adams 
Funny how as writers we often take note of the simplest things around us – and sometimes they make their way into our writing. Thanks for the inspiration.
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You are so right – life serves as our inspiration. Thanks for reading and commenting! Happy writing.
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In an email to a friend today, I described my life/ideas as “exciting and equally frustrating.” The abundance of blessings seem to bubble over to the point of, “What do I do with it, how, and when?!”
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Hi Anita,
That can indeed be a conundrum – what to do and when? I’ve been there! A great place is to start by asking yourself if you had the option of doing only one thing over the next year or five years, which one thing on your list of ideas or opportunities would you prioritize? What would be the most important for you to make sure happened in your lifetime – the one thing you want to look back on when you’re 90 and be glad you accomplished?
I suggest starting with that one, and keeping a notebook or file with the other ideas to tackle or incorporate as opportunities arise. What I’ve found on my humble journey is that some opportunities come around for brief seasons while others can be sidelined and returned to later. Looking within to determine what matters most to you both long-term and short-term should help you narrow your focus.
Hope this helps, and thanks, as always, for reading!
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Stacy,
I’ve had your thoughts and advice on my mind for a while; however, just getting back to let you know how much I appreciate it. There is much wisdom in what you’ve said! I should print it and post it somewhere, so that in times of uncertainty, I can get a boost by re-reading. 🙂 And by the way, I hope your other readers will/have benefited by this post and all of your others.
Wishing you the best, as always,
Anita
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So glad to hear that this post is still resonating with you, Anita. This encourages me to write more! 🙂 Wishing you the best as well, always. Stacy
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