Zero to One Column by Chuck Heintzelman
Let me delve into computer jargon for a moment. On Unix systems there are processes running all the time. These processes are little programs which perform specific tasks: everything from clock synchronization to checking if the screen saver needs to run. Normally, a process runs and when finished, dies. Sometimes a process won’t die when it should. It lingers on after finishing its job. These are known as “zombie processes.”
So it is with writing.
Or, at least my writing. I have many “zombie writing projects” stashed all over the place; in my file cabinet, in desk drawers, and in various computer folders. These zombie projects are short stories and novel manuscripts. Some finished but never sent out, some partially finished, and some barely started. They litter the ground behind me like skin sloughed off a leper.
I have created guidelines to reevaluate these zombies, to decide whether to shoot the zombie in the head or attempt to breathe life back into it.
The best writers have two minds: a creative mind and an analytical mind. So put on your analytical hat and you may find these steps helpful for evaluating your own zombies.
Step 1 – Is there a story?
This may sound basic. (I have several short story zombies that, well, aren’t even stories.) Does the story have a clear beginning, a middle with one or more complications, and an ending? Maybe the project, in its current state, lacks basic story structure. If so, can it be fleshed out?
Is there a dynamic idea at work? Something that moves somewhere? Or is the prose loaded with static explanation. It may be an essay, not a story.
If your project doesn’t meet the “is it a story” litmus test, and you can’t see how to turn it into one, kill it and move on.
Step 2 – Will there be reader interest?
You can’t judge this with 100% accuracy, but if your project too personal it may not be worth the effort to revive it. Because it’s interesting to you doesn’t mean others will share your interest.
Let’s say you’re passionate about the trails slugs leave. You find slug trails remarkable–they show the mollusk’s travel patterns and, properly analyzed, indicate the slug’s diet (I’m making this up). Few people will share your enthusiasm. Unless you can make your fascination meaningful to your readers, you’d best move on to a project with more potential.
Besides specialized topics, also watch out for personal life experiences. Let’s say your uncle Bob is always the life of the party. He’s fun and makes those around him feel good. He’s always been jovial. One day, during a family holiday, he’s as somber as man facing a firing squad. You thought it would be intriguing to write a story about his solemn mood. Really? I fell asleep just thinking how boring it’d be.
If you cannot make your story meaningful to somebody else, drop it and move on.
Step 3 – The Conflict and Stakes
Is there conflict within your story? Opposing characters or forces struggling for victory? Yes? Good.
If there’s no conflict then why’d you write it in the first place? (I once wrote a story where the protagonist got the mail. That’s all, just fetched the mail. Oh, the shame.)
Your characters must have something of vital interest to them at stake. If they don’t, your reader’s going to stop reading and think, Meh. I don’t care. This is too boring.
If your project has sufficient conflict, move to the next step, otherwise drop it.
Step 4 – Stalled projects
Skip this step if you completed the project you’re evaluating, even a first draft. But if you stopped partway through, now it’s time to put your analytical hat on and figure out why?
Did your story lose steam? Did you start hating the characters? Did you get lost, not knowing where to go next? There’s a thousand different reasons a project could stall.
To learn why, try freewriting.
Get a blank piece of paper (yeah, paper and pen, not the computer) and write along the top “WHY I DIDN’T FINISH PROJECT NAME.” Set a timer for ten minutes. Now write down every possible reason that pops into your head. It doesn’t matter how ridiculous the reason. The point is to brainstorm possibilities. Keep writing for the entire ten minutes. Go another ten minutes if needed. When you’re done it’s time to evaluate.
Go through your list and cross off the silly answers. (“I was afraid if I finished, a meteor would hit my house,” is not a valid reason.) Now, what’s left on your list? Does anything have the ring of truth? Did you find the reason you stalled out?
It could be you’re never going to finish the project. That’s okay, kill the zombie and move on. But if you discover why you didn’t finish and realize how to overcome your obstacle, then there’s a single step left.
Step 5 – Your Excitement
The last step for evaluating zombie projects is to gauge your own excitement. Does the project have something you love? A character? An event? An idea?
If you’re not excited about a project, I believe your readers will know. Maybe it’s subconscious communication between the writer and the reader, I don’t know. If you feel apathetic while writing, your readers will pick up on it and won’t like the story.
You were interested enough to write the thing in the first place. What caused your initial excitement? Can you identify it? Recapture it? If so, then it’s time to breathe life back into your project and let the zombie live again.
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A note on editing. Sherry Ramsey recommended the book, The 10% Solution by Ken Rand. I bought it and cannot believe how simple, straightforward, and useful it is. The book is 95 pages long, but only 53 pages deal with the actual editing process. Using techniques from this book, I cut the above column’s size from 1,044 words to 944 words.