Bittersweet Significance

Brewing small steps

Hey! How do you like your coffee?

I always drink it black, but I know that’s too bitter for a lot of people.

Sweets have never been my thing though.

That first cup, however, is an integral part of my writing process.

One of the first steps I take to help me find the right headspace.

Forward and Back

While my usual style involves submerging myself in a muse, I’ve taken on a new structure with Significatorius.

The big change is actively limiting myself to about a chapter a day and revising as I go, rather than waiting for multiple passes after finishing the draft.

I will surely still make those multiple passes after I have an actual rough draft in my hands, but the added effort of “editing as I go” has proven to be a significant departure for me and my habits.

Now, whether or not that results in something good is still in the air, but I like to think it’s had some kind of effect.

I won’t dive into the details right now.

Instead, let’s cast a shadow with a short story.

Corner Table

I sat where I always sat.

At the back, but not all the way. A good view of the canal, but not somewhere people would first look to sit.

I could be out of everyone’s way and get lost in my own thoughts.

I liked living in that space. Between two worlds after I lost myself.

Jeong-uk would stop by after his shift and ask if I’d be willing to help him on the boat.

“Agum, my boy!” He spoke louder as the alcohol chased the blood into his brain. “You’re welcome to stay with us as long as you need, but you should be doing some real work!”

That would easily lead to a long night of eating and drinking. He would save at least one of the freshest crabs for us. The best of the best of course went to his wife, but he was more than happy to share with me as well.

I don’t know how he did it.

He drank and ate more than I did, but then he was always up and ready to go before I could even imagine getting out of bed — or sometimes off the floor.

I had a good excuse.

The bandages on my hands told the story well enough.

“I think the burns should be nearly healed by now?” Jeong-uk brought it up one drunken night and that was all it took.

“Are you heading further out east?” I asked the old fisherman and he rubbed his face with his hands. I expected a jab and a laugh, but his tired eyes showed he was wondering how best to help.

“You want to go out there?” He answered with another question.

“I already enlisted.”

And that was all I needed to say.

Another Time

I hope you enjoy these little windows into my world. Ever since I’ve been more committed to Significatorius, I’ve been using them to explore different perspectives within the same story.

I was hesitant at first.

Still being written means a lot can change.

I’ve grown to embrace the idea, however. Now I see it as a warmup or a writing excercise — a way to get my creative juices flowing.

Not unlike a fresh cup of coffee in the morning.

Until next time.

—JMB