Writing the Novel and the Death of NaBloPoMo Sunday, Nov 29 2009 

Books and writing , , , thewritingspider 2:51 pm

I have clearly fallen off the NaBloPoMo road. Why do They insist on National Anything Month in November? The holidays are coming and I’ve had a hard enough time establishing a priority list that includes getting out of bed, personal hygiene, and what I’m getting my four-year-old niece for Christmas. Asking me to do something like post on the blog every day or write a whole entire book is just out of the question.

Clearly, I am not committed.

Ok, fine.

The blog posting thing was a last-minute lark. I hadn’t been in training prior to the first of November. The book well, let’s talk about The Book, shall we?

I’ve had this story in my head for about five years. So over the summer I finally sat down and started writing it. At first, I was just pleased as Punch to be doing the thing I wanted so much to do. Then the initial burst of energy wore off and I slacked off. At this point, I’m about one-third, I estimate, of the way through the first draft. Not only am I struggling to get up momentum on writing the next two thirds, but I’ve got this other story following me around, asking to be written, too.

The other story looks easier to write. The other story is still full of new characters who haven’t had the chance to get messed up. The current story (working title: The Book II because its the second version of the first draft) is full of difficult scenes I can’t write and I think I may have lost control of the plot a little.

Is the grass always greener on the other side of the page?

I will say, I’ve done well at letting the first draft suck. I have not edited it one tiny bit. The mantra has been “just get something out on the page.”  I’m currently clocking in at about 19,000 words.

My plan now is to get the first draft DONE as soon as possible. Then I can give it a first pass and then let it sit a spell while I move on to the next one. In a pleasant turn of feeling on the first draft of this Book, I have found myself wanting to focus more on it instead of say, watching TV or staring at the ceiling.

In the future, you might see more of my writing process here, with the occasional appearance of the regular cast of characters including Thug Life and Sorority Row. I’m also planning on using Twitter for writing-related activity and Facebook for social-related activity.

 

NaBloPoMo #22ish Interlude Monday, Nov 23 2009 

writing , , thewritingspider 6:55 pm

49 pages and nearly 19,000 words of a novel.

I’ve hit what a runner might call a wall. My inner editor is lighting into me and I’m suddenly taken with serious doubts.

What do you do when you feel unsure?

 

100 words: Writing a novel Wednesday, May 28 2008 

100 words and writing , , thewritingspider 11:13 am

The podcast I love, Mur Lafferty’s I Should Be Writing, talks a lot about just getting the work done. I love the interview with Neil Gaiman, one of my faves, when Mur says something like, “A lot of writers say they just can’t find the time to write.” And the ineffable Gaiman verbally shrugs when he goes, “Okay.” And then says what many other writers have said – along the lines of, “If you can’t find the time, or won’t, or whatever, maybe you shouldn’t be a writer. And that’s ok.” I cringe when I think of that because I do say I have a hard time finding time to write. I’d rather read or hang out with Husband, I guess.

But the real reason?

I’m afraid I’m not good enough so what’s the point?

On some level, I know I’m quite good enough. I’ve read the drivel out there and like a lot of writers or wannabe writers, I’ve indignantly said, “I could do better.” But the difference is…they did it, poorly perhaps, but they did it and I didn’t and it’s awfully difficult to be published with no manuscript.

I write this now in an effort to help myself understand what I’m doing and fix it. I am cutting down on the TV, which is fine, it’s just reruns now and we have DVR for the rest. I’m going to make more effort to go write instead of just rest of the bit I’ve already written. It helps to tell people that I’m writing something because then they ask me about it. Keeps me honest.

 

 

100 words: Starting the work Sunday, May 18 2008 

Uncategorized , , , thewritingspider 3:53 am

Finally got Butt in Chair (BIC) today and got 2,398 words written in a story that I hope will eventually be a novel. When writers talk about their challenges, I know BIC is mine. I am resistant to carving the time out of the solid rock of my life.

Today,  I’m feeling good about the work I did and I think this will be a good way to start. I know the tough times are coming, but for now, we’re still in the honeymoon phase.

I believe in signs. And tonight, as I wrote the last few pages of the chapter I’m working on, I worked on a scene that involves a rain storm with thunder and lightning. Just as I neared the end, real thunder rolled across my real life sky, nearly as I typed the word “thunder” in my book world. I feel it was a good sign. Helped me get in the mood.