Reading time: About 2 minutes
Mackenzie Thornton says that parts of writing are fun, but other parts of it are like banging your head against a wall…
Mackenzie Thornton is an author, editor, and book reviewer. A graduate of the Humber College Book Publishing program, she has loved books since she can remember. Her love of writing started with some very cringeworthy teenage-angst poetry that will remain on her shelf only. When not reading or writing, she can be found looking at photos of pink clouds or screaming into the void. You can find her at keyboardsandcoffee.com, where she occasionally posts original writings and book reviews.
I was excited to talk to Mackenzie about how she approaches writing.
Q. Roughly how much time do you spend writing every day?
Not a lot. Am I allowed to say that? I binge write. I usually write a couple thousand words per sitting over a short period, and then don’t touch it again for a while. However, I spend a lot of time every day thinking about my current works in progress.
Q. What’s a simple activity or habit that makes you a better writer?
It’s cheesy, but reading. I read a lot in different genres. Seeing how other people have brought their works to life helps me. And it gives me a good idea of styles, voices, tropes that I do or don’t like.
Q. What interferes with your writing?
Myself, naturally. I edit as a day job so I can’t help but self edit as I go. Or go back and rewrite what I’ve just written, which a lot of people say is a big no-no. It makes it hard to squash the inner critic.
Q. How do you persuade yourself to sit down to write on days when you really, really DON’T feel like doing it?
I don’t. I don’t see the point. I don’t think art should be forced. If there’s a reason I don’t feel like it (say I’m stuck on a plot point), then I’ll journal or free write about that issue instead. I have a very, very long note in Obsidian for each of my works in progress that are really just stream of consciousness: “What about this idea, how would this character feel about this.” It helps stretch that muscle when it’s feeling cramped. Plus, it’s fun to see the thought process if I have a breakthrough.
Q. Is there a particular motto or saying that you’ve found helpful for writing?
Along with a sticky note of a piece I wrote to remind myself I can write well, I have a sticky note with “Everything is temporary” stuck to my monitor, too. A little bit of existential dread to remind myself that in the grand scheme of things, none of this matters, so you might as well write whatever the heck you want. And if I’m feeling down or frustrated about what I’m working on? Well, that’s temporary too.
Q. Which stage of the writing process do you enjoy the most: researching, writing or editing/rewriting and why?
Researching. I get to rabbit hole on a lot of fun topics, I can brainstorm infinite possibilities with them, and I don’t actually have to commit to one path yet. It’s insanely fun to find tidbits along the way that you can string together when the time comes.
Q. What’s one of the best books you’ve read (either fiction or non) in the last five years?
- The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton – one of my favourite historical fictions, wonderfully atmospheric, the characters are great.
- A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft – folklorists, an eerie gothic feel, potential sapphic relationships, need I say more?
- A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers – honestly, give me all the weird girl lit.
Q. What book are you reading right now?
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, a reread and another favourite. Academia meets Dracula among beautiful descriptions of Eastern Europe.
Q. What do you think is the biggest misperception that new writers have about the act of writing?
That it’s fun. It’s not. Parts of it are, but parts of it are like banging your head against a wall. Or screaming at yourself. Metaphorically ripping up pieces of paper, if you will. So great fun, if that’s what you’re into. Jokes aside, it can be fun. But it’s also a lot of work and you have to be willing to put in the time, or accept that whatever you’re working on might never get finished (I say this last bit pointedly to myself).
