Megan Abbott

I'm always worried about being maybe discouraged or thrown.

So I think that's a big thing for me.

It works for you.

And listen, I don't know if you've ever read The Creative Act by Rick Rubin.

He describes, it's a beautiful book.

It's a meditation.

I know of it.

And I know his podcast where he talks about it some.

You would love the book, I promise.

He describes that one of the most important things you have to do as an artist, and then in creation, and it goes for writers, I'm sure, is knowing when you're in the

cocoon phase like it's not meant to be shared you know like you have so much in the tank because you've read all these great books and you've studied all these great books and you've lived a full life and you've done research and you've thought about your character like you have so much in the tank that you're like i'm living with my own world and then you know the time you know sharing it with you obviously and knowing the difference between the two is one of those like wisdom things that you really need as an author because if you do it too soon you're right like it could lead to discouragement i love that

Yes.

No, I like that cocoon metaphor.

I think that's perfect because I think that is sort of one of the dangers.

And I often think that in writing workshops can be, especially because they can be very critical of writers, can be very critical of other writers that, you know, and can damage you in that nascent stage, you know, when everything feels very tender.

Because a lot of the stuff you will figure out yourself, the longer you

you work with the material.

And then once you have your first reader, whoever they are, but, but it would, you know, I, I like a fit.

I don't even send a partial, so I'm really, I'm extreme, but yeah.

Do you outline at all?