I realised today, whilst out in the country, that I have complete creative freedom. I don’t have to be tied to any particular kind of novel — as long as it’s fairly “literary” (I’m not good at genre fiction, and publishers like Legend wouldn’t be interested, anyway.) I can play with ideas, with form, with character and really let myself go, if I wish. Just the kind of thing that plays to my strengths. I don’t necessarily have to write another Carl Grantham novel (potentially a waste of time if Children doesn’t sell) but I can nevertheless build on what Children has — from my point of view, as the author — achieved.
Such moments of uncertainty, such enforced period of waiting, are an opportunity to explore new avenues and, quite possibly, new ways of working. I don’t know what they are, yet, and I’m determined not to think about it too rigorously. I’ll just let it happen and have fun finding out.
“Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It’s self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can’t try to do things. You simply must do things.”
Ray Bradbury.