“You never learn how to write a novel. You just learn
how to write the novel that you’re writing.” — Gene Wolfe

Some creations are a mystery. The mystery of writing is one of my
favorites. With other arts, too, the artist may have an idea of
the final piece, and yet, as she or he begins to bring it to life,
there are details to fill in, and sudden surprises, and the final
work may be remarkably distant from the original idea.

Research, by definition, moves into the unknown. If we already knew
all the steps to the final outcome, it would not be research. So,
again, there is a mystery between beginning and end.

In fact, many projects may have unknowns between beginning and end.
Such as, how do we gather the funding for a mission to Mars? Or,
how do we design the spacecraft for that mission? What do you do
then?

Often, there is a flow between what you can know in advance, and
what you need to discover as you move along. So, you try the
backwards planning process (as explained last issue*) and discover
it has gaps. Or maybe you cannot grasp your particular project
through the backward planner at all.

For those cases, you need a different tool. Here is a six step
method for creating something new, adapted from Bill Harris.

Step 1. Keep your eyes on the prize. Have a vision of your final
result and remind yourself of it daily.

Step 2. Ask questions. Questions that start with “how” are
especially good. Asking “How can I reach my vision?” repeatedly
may spark every idea you need. Other questions, like “Has anyone
else ever done this? Or anything like it? How did they do it?”
can also help.

Step 3. Try something. Yup, make your best effort, and actually do
something. Maybe you have a pretty good idea that isn’t quite
there. Try that. Maybe the best you can think of seems utterly
lame. Try it anyway. If the best you can manage is to ask your
buddy if he knows anyone who ever built a rocket, go ahead. Give it
a try.

Step 4. See what happens. When you try something, something will
happen. Did it move you closer to your vision? Aha! Did it fail?
Good, now you know something that doesn’t work. Did it give you
another idea of something to try? Excellent! Anything that
happens after you try is useful.

Step 5. Take what you learned in step 4, and revise your plan.

Step 6. Repeat steps 3-5 until you reach your target.

Two points are critical here. Know what you want — have your
vision — so that you recognize when you are moving in the right
direction and when you have arrived. And, keep taking action. Put
in the time to try something — anything! Persist. Only moving
into it can illuminate the unknown.

As it happens, some people love to have a complete plan before they
start, and some people love to explore the unknown. Good thing we
have both.

May all your visions reach fruition.

Anna Paradox

*Last issue now available at its permanent home of
annaparadox.com/newsletter.
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Book Recommendation

Pebble in the Sky by Isaac Asimov

This is one of my long time favorites. Retired tailor Joseph
Schwartz stumbles from our green and pleasant time into a future
where Earth is a poor, troublesome, and partly radioactive backwater
of human civilization. In fact, to conserve resources, citizens of
Earth are routinely euthanized on their 60th birthday. When an
experimental medical procedure gives him an edge, he finds himself
fighting for his own life and the future of the entire planet.

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Anna Paradox is a life coach who speaks science fiction. Are you
blocked? Watch for my upcoming program on curing seven causes of
writer’s block.

Stalled on a different vision? What would it be worth to talk out
your next steps with me? Until June 21, I am offering sample
sessions to anyone who requests one. However, until May 21, I am on
vacation. So, call me at 505-640-0979 or email me at
anna@annaparadox.com, and I’ll get back to you when I return.