The Powers of the Sphinx

This week I was reminded how important an ingredient passion is to any project. Obviously I’m not talking about sexual passion, but real passion. Possessed, fervent, painful, I-have-to-get-this-out onto paper passion. Inspired passion.

Some of my bestselling books and novels were the most passionate. Training Amy, SINcerely, Megan, Nice Girls Don’t — all written, edited and published in four months time. *That* kind of passion.  Necromantic Sacraments, written in two weeks. Nuctemeron Gates, written in 48 hours. *That* kind of passion.

The kind of passion you lose sleep over. It’s tormenting and rends your heart from your chest, still beating.

I wrote Her Demon Lover with more reserved passion; not nearly as heated as Training Amy. Switched was far more developed and thought through. As a matter-of-fact, all of Anne’s subsequent work had more thought than passion put into it. Even with Black Lily – the passion is controlled. A slow burn.

Outer Darkness – written with passion with little thought of any criticism or fallout.

I needed that reminder this week. When I do that, books flow from my fingertips, pure and raw with emotion.  Edit them only after you’ve written them, screams the muse.  She is wise as muses often are.

Now I lay waste to the carefully crafted outlines and forced prose to say exactly what I want to say. To not play it safe.

To Know, To Dare, To Will,  and until it’s unveiled – To Keep Silent. These are the powers of the Sphinx. I think I’ll add to that – To Create, like all good magicians do.