In the beginning (AGAIN)

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

This is my second attempt at blogging. Even worse it's my second attempt blogging about my 50th attempt at completing a fiction novel. I guess that says something about my ability to follow through.

I'm going about it smarter this time. Aside from a few college courses (almost 8 years ago) I have never taken a writing course or researched the mechanics of writing. I would just sit down and do it. Sometimes I would know where I wanted the story to go and other times I just had scenes and characters in my head and I just had to do something with them.

This time I've got a good story arc(arch) and I feel like I know my characters so even if the plot takes a twist on me, I know who is involved.


Here's a few things I've read that have both helped and hindered my latest attempt.

** Be prepared to throw out and rewrite the first four chapters.
I always stumble over how to get the information I need out there to the reader. If I have a problem with it, it's too easy to throw in the towel early. Knowing this is going to be an area of HEAVY revision takes the pressure off.
** Keep an Excel doc of words written on a daily bases. It's fine and good to say I want to dedicate three hours to writing but in reality I may spend two of those staring at my computer unsure of how to go on.
** Don't BLOG. Clearly I have not heeded this one. Apparently it's a time AND creativity drain. I had never realized my creativity had an actual tank that could run dry. I think this is important for me- not for this to even be PUBLIC but for me to read. On those bad days where I can't think I can get on and look at what I've done, and things that have motivated me through the whole process.
** Don't revise more then one day back. This is the writing process, revision comes later. It's amazingly hard to move a story forward when you are constantly rewording and reworking the previous chapters.
** Write slim, add the fat later. I can be very wordy and descriptive. I have such a clear vision on this I want every reader to SEE it as I do. Of course if they throw this down after a few pages they won't see anything.

One of the other things I struggle with is a lack of self esteem. I can tell myself all day long I am writing this FOR me and no matter how aware I am that the chances of having a first novel "attempt" published is very slim, but then I get to thinking- will I ever be good enough to have ANYTHING published? Am I wasting my time? So here's my party line- I ENJOY writing. I am doing this for me and the only goal I am reaching for presently is completing this novel. That is really all I can control anyway. I do know that if I don't finish this I can guarantee it will never be read by anyone.