Elaine Forrestal presenting a workshop to emerging writers.

It sounds ridiculous but one of the most important things that a writer must do is learn to let go. Most often people frown, or look sideways, or shake their heads when I say this. Writers are in control of their story – aren’t they? The words come into their heads, they write or type them onto a page, the story develops in the way the writer intends.

No. It’s not quite as simple as that.

The writer has an idea. A character develops. But if that character is going to become real for the reader the writer then has to pause and listen. Let the character speak, take a step back and loosen that tight control that we would all love to think we have. It’s not easy to do. In fact it is one of the most difficult things for any writer. But giving the character, and the reader, space to expand into the roles they will play is crucial to producing a successful story.

So once you have your idea and your story is beginning to take shape, relax. Let it run around in your head. Write bits and pieces of it, but be prepared to trash them as the story begins to take on a life of its own. You may find it’s not even a story after all. It may be a poem, concise and rhythmical. Or it might be a full-blown novel of War and Peace proportions. The story will dictate its own length, shape and form. You just need to stay true to your creative idea and be prepared to put in a lot of hard work – as much as it takes.

One of the rewards of writing. Elaine Forrestal signing books at the launch of Black Jack Anderson.

Two things this week have reminded me of just how much work goes into writing for publication. One came from a young and enthusiastic writer, via my email.

‘I have written a book. How do I get it published?’

I cheered, silently. To write a book is a great achievement. However, as my young writer already knew, there is much more to it than that. Quite apart from the drafting and re-drafting, tweaking and polishing, there is the daunting task of finding a publisher. Then, when you do find one who is willing to take on your manuscript, there is more writing and re-writing, listening and responding to your editor’s comments. And a good editor will challenge you to explain every aspect of your characters lives and every detail of your setting and plot. Then how come we love this excruciating process so much? What keeps us writing in spite of the traumas, the difficulties, the seemingly insurmountable obstacles?

For me, and many of my colleagues, the enjoyment and satisfaction we get from creating those characters rolls seamlessly into a deeper knowledge and attachment as we spend time getting to know them, living and working with them every day until they become as familiar as our best friends. Like best friends they can still surprise us, which makes them even more real. And it’s only when they are real to us that they will become real to our readers.

The second question came from a mentee of mine. But I have gone on so long about what keeps us writing that I will have to talk about the ‘letting go’ question next week.

Have a Happy Easter.