Tag Archives: Historical Fiction

Subdue Your Inner Perfectionist

It has to be perfect.

Every word, every syllable, every turn of phrase.

Nothing out of alignment.

All parts marching blissfully toward the greatest expression that ever existed.

Everything else is crap.

That’s what it’s like living with a perfectionist. I should know. I am one.

It’s fascinating. I couldn’t care less as to how much dust is accumulating on my bookshelves, or whether my cupboards are organized, but when I sit down to complete a task that I place great value on, it had better be perfect.

The pursuit of perfection has positives and negatives. On the positive side, I will always hand in my best work. Anything less is unacceptable. The down side? I am often plagued with unnecessary stress and crippling self-doubt. No one else is telling me my work is shit, or that the essay I handed in was subpar. I am. It’s all self-induced pressure. Fortunately, over the years, I’ve learned to negotiate terms with my inner dominatrix. But recently, I discovered just how detrimental being a perfectionist can be to my writing.

I have a new novel I’ve been working on. I’ve been messing around with it all summer. But now that it’s approaching autumn, I’m no further ahead than I was months ago. Why? Because I was trying to come up with the perfect motivation for my heroine that would propel her actions throughout the entire novel. In my mind, it made sense to set up her sound, logical reasoning right out of the gate. I figured the story would flow much easier. After all, if we both knew (my heroine and I) why she was doing what she was doing, then it would make each witty exchange of dialogue and every dollop of conflict in every scene relevant and poignant.  

I hammered out my motivation and then pounded out 10,000 words. Until suddenly, I couldn’t pound out a single word more. My perfect setup hit a road block. What I assumed was perfectly sound, ended up having so many holes in it, it wouldn’t hold up to a bucket of water, let alone a reader’s critical scrutiny.

I became muddled in logic and loop holes. I couldn’t write a single word more. Instead, I spent the next two months trying to fix the leaks. I dug deeper, grabbed the plaster and trowels and taped, patched, and remodelled but I couldn’t get it right. My writing ground to a halt.

Obviously, I had hit upon another failure. At least this time, I realized it early in the process. What if I’d spent a year or two of my life working on this thing only to find out the novel stood on a teetering foundation of paper cards?

I moped about for a bit. Railed against the uselessness of it all. Then, it hit me. If I wanted to write this damn book, I needed to write the scenes I wanted to write, regardless of whether I’d figured out the motivation or not. Perhaps if I just kept chug, chug, chugging along, something would finally click.

I wrote one scene.

It wasn’t perfect, and I knew that meant when it came time for revisions and second, third and hundredth drafts, I would end up changing a whole whack of stuff, but at least I was writing again. I decided this was immeasurably preferable to sitting around and twiddling my thumbs all day.

Then, as if to hammer home the point, I came across an article, which suggested that perfectionism ultimately destroys creativity.

Touché universe, touché.

I got it. No more trying to fit my writing into a neat and tidy box, now I will let the words flow. I’d figure out how they all fit together later.

Maybe.

Maybe it will suck, and nothing will come of it. But, deep down inside, I think I’m on to something. I just need to let go of the wheel and enjoy the ride.

In gratitude,

Marissa xo

A Villain – Cathbad

 

Every good novel needs a powerful villain. I think I found mine for The First High Priestess. Meet Cathbad, a druid priest with lofty ambitions and a dark malevolent side.

Here’s an excerpt I’ve been working on today:

Cathbad emerged from the darkness of tree cover into the grove. A towering goose-feathered headdress plumed from his forehead, the fringe alternating between vanes of black and grey. Red deer antlers sprouting from either side of his head, the polished spread seven-hands wide, cast a terrifying image in the shadow lurking behind him. Draped in a mantle of wolf pelts, he carried a golden sceptre, pitted with divots that sparkled like starlight in the glow of the torches. Tonight, he channelled The Horned One, Cernunnos, a god of infinite power who ruled over beasts and man from his palace in the Otherworld.

A slight tilt of his head brought his gaze to bore through mine. A shiver ran down my spine as a curl raised his lip. The ritual provided Cathbad a gateway into the realm of the ancestors and access to immeasurable power.

In gratitude,

Marissa xo

Reading Chapter One from Avelynn: The Edge of Faith

Hey, everyone!

On Thursday, October 6th, 2016, I held the launch of Avelynn: The Edge of Faith at Coffee Culture in my hometown. It was an awesome night. I had so many friends and fans come out to support the second book in the Avelynn series, I was blown away. Honestly, I am still in shock and so incredibly grateful. <3

I know some people wanted to hear a reading from the book, but it was a very busy night, and I just didn’t get the chance. So, I decided to record one instead. That way, even those who couldn’t make the launch could still enjoy listening to/watching me read the first chapter!

Here, for your viewing pleasure, is a reading from Avelynn: The Edge of Faith! Enjoy. 😀

In gratitude,

Marissa xo

Avelynn: The Edge of Faith Pre-Orders 4 Kindle

So…. this happened. 😀

Pre-order for Kindle… yep, she’s ready.
Avelynn: The Edge of Faith on Amazon.com

Here’s the link for my Canadian Peeps!
Avelynn: The Edge of Faith on Amazon.ca

Print book pre-orders will be available soon… 🙂

Avelynn Edge of Faith

In gratitude,
Marissa xo

Avelynn: The Edge of Faith

I am thrilled to share the brand new cover design for the highly anticipated sequel to Avelynn!

In a struggle that forces Avelynn to question her faith, her hope, and her future, Avelynn and Alrik are thrust into the world of ninth century Wales and must navigate magic, greed, and betrayal while the iron hands of fate threaten to tear them apart.

Pre-orders available soon! Stay tuned to www.marissacampbell.com for the latest updates.

Cover design by the incomparable Jenny Q at http://historicaleditorial.blogspot.ca/

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you….

Avelynn Edge of Faith

In gratitude,

Marissa xo