My plan to get the draft of the WIP out to readers last week. I started gathering it together to send, and discovered on reading parts that there is a lot I have to fill in before it would make sense to read. And if it doesn't make sense, then I doubt anyone can crit it well. *sigh*
And the ending that I know needs re-writing? Might be a good idea if I actually wrote it first. It's partly written, but not at all finished. *double sigh*
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. This thing was started 2 years ago, and there has been a long break of not really working on it since, so forgetting a lot of details is to be expected. Just frustrating.
On the up side, I did get a lot of good work done on it last week and over the weekend, so I believe I will be able to send off the first 5 chapters. That's a start. So, back to work.
Write. Now.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Time On My Hands
I had knee surgery last Friday. Nothing major, just cleaning up a torn meniscus and a few other things. It went well, according to the doctor. All was done arthroscpically, so it's supposed to heal up pretty fast. But I do have to take it a little easy on it and keep it elevated and all that. I'm down to using just one crutch and can put some weight on it. And am mostly off the pain meds, except at night, so I can sleep.
What does all this have to do with writing? Well, one would think, with all this time sitting on the sofa with the leg propped up, I could get a whole lot done, yes? One would be wrong. Oh, I did get some done. I pretty much finished up that last scene in the Novel-In-Progress (hereafter known as the NIP), which has been a goal for a while now. I've been hesitating on reading it back now. Why? Because once I can say to myself that it's done (not complete, but we'll get to that), I have to move on to the next step: readers. And that is always the hardest part for me.
I'm not even asking them to make complete critiques right now. All I have "finished" is the main plot- no sub-plots, side story or back story. And all I really want to know is if it hangs together as the basic story. There are problems, I know that. The ending needs a huge rewrite, but it gives the gist of it and that's what I need right now. So why the hesitation?
Hey, this is my baby! I've been working on this thing, off and on, for two years. I think it's a pretty decent story that could make a nice read. But, deep down, I still have that fear of failure. I chose the people I would like to read it for me now because I think they will be honest. I'm sure they will point out the flaws, some of which I am aware of. Some, I'm sure, will be new to me. I need that, of course. I have to know what's wrong before I can fix it. What I fear most is that they will say it just plain stinks, start to finish. Then what? I keep telling myself that won't happen. But the nagging doubt remains.
Goal for this week? Get the manuscript out there. Ignore the doubting voice, because if no one ever reads it, it doesn't matter how bad or good it is, right?
The hardest thing in the world is to finally hit that SEND key.
Write. Now.
What does all this have to do with writing? Well, one would think, with all this time sitting on the sofa with the leg propped up, I could get a whole lot done, yes? One would be wrong. Oh, I did get some done. I pretty much finished up that last scene in the Novel-In-Progress (hereafter known as the NIP), which has been a goal for a while now. I've been hesitating on reading it back now. Why? Because once I can say to myself that it's done (not complete, but we'll get to that), I have to move on to the next step: readers. And that is always the hardest part for me.
I'm not even asking them to make complete critiques right now. All I have "finished" is the main plot- no sub-plots, side story or back story. And all I really want to know is if it hangs together as the basic story. There are problems, I know that. The ending needs a huge rewrite, but it gives the gist of it and that's what I need right now. So why the hesitation?
Hey, this is my baby! I've been working on this thing, off and on, for two years. I think it's a pretty decent story that could make a nice read. But, deep down, I still have that fear of failure. I chose the people I would like to read it for me now because I think they will be honest. I'm sure they will point out the flaws, some of which I am aware of. Some, I'm sure, will be new to me. I need that, of course. I have to know what's wrong before I can fix it. What I fear most is that they will say it just plain stinks, start to finish. Then what? I keep telling myself that won't happen. But the nagging doubt remains.
Goal for this week? Get the manuscript out there. Ignore the doubting voice, because if no one ever reads it, it doesn't matter how bad or good it is, right?
The hardest thing in the world is to finally hit that SEND key.
Write. Now.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Review: Marco and the Red Granny
Since they say a writer should read as well as write, I thought maybe I'd drop the occasional review of what I've been reading here. So here's one-
Marco and the Red Granny by podcaster and writer Mur Lafferty (http://www.murversre.com/ and the excellent I Should Be Writing podcast), was serialized on the Hub, a weekly(ish) sci-fi broadcast. It’s also short, and easily read in a day or so. None of that is to say it’s a bad story. Far from it.
The Marco in the title is a down on his luck graphic artist and writer. Much of the artistic content being produced is under the control of aliens based on the Moon. They have developed a way of integrating art and sensory experience. So it is possible to now have a dress that makes you taste apple pie, or a sculpture that encompasses the plot of a story. The aliens have resurrected the practice of artistic patronage, bringing various artists from Earth to the Ride Lunar Base to help them create. Marco’s ex-girlfriend accepted one such patronage and left him for it. One morning, Marco gets the call that he, too, has been chosen for a patronage. He sets off for the Moon, and on the way meets the Red Granny, an older woman who is the reigning star of a bloody, to the death reality fight show. Once he arrives on the Moon, Marco soon discovers that the coveted artistic patronages are not what they might seem, and that everyone, the Red Granny included, has secrets.
The story is interesting, with a neat take on alien invasion. If you’re looking for space battles and laser cannons, you won’t find it here. But the danger is no less threatening. There is some violence, though it is fairly minor. The characters are well-drawn, especially the Red Granny, who, although not the main character, is probably the most interesting. The aliens are alien, and enigmatic, and dangerous, a good combination in aliens. The plot kept my interest, with enough twists and a surprise or two to keep it moving along.
This was the first thing I purchased for my new Kindle, and it was a good choice.
Marco and the Red Granny by podcaster and writer Mur Lafferty (http://www.murversre.com/ and the excellent I Should Be Writing podcast), was serialized on the Hub, a weekly(ish) sci-fi broadcast. It’s also short, and easily read in a day or so. None of that is to say it’s a bad story. Far from it.
The Marco in the title is a down on his luck graphic artist and writer. Much of the artistic content being produced is under the control of aliens based on the Moon. They have developed a way of integrating art and sensory experience. So it is possible to now have a dress that makes you taste apple pie, or a sculpture that encompasses the plot of a story. The aliens have resurrected the practice of artistic patronage, bringing various artists from Earth to the Ride Lunar Base to help them create. Marco’s ex-girlfriend accepted one such patronage and left him for it. One morning, Marco gets the call that he, too, has been chosen for a patronage. He sets off for the Moon, and on the way meets the Red Granny, an older woman who is the reigning star of a bloody, to the death reality fight show. Once he arrives on the Moon, Marco soon discovers that the coveted artistic patronages are not what they might seem, and that everyone, the Red Granny included, has secrets.
The story is interesting, with a neat take on alien invasion. If you’re looking for space battles and laser cannons, you won’t find it here. But the danger is no less threatening. There is some violence, though it is fairly minor. The characters are well-drawn, especially the Red Granny, who, although not the main character, is probably the most interesting. The aliens are alien, and enigmatic, and dangerous, a good combination in aliens. The plot kept my interest, with enough twists and a surprise or two to keep it moving along.
This was the first thing I purchased for my new Kindle, and it was a good choice.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The End Is In Sight
Update:
Sunday: 3,692 written
Monday: 3,030 written
Tuesday: 2,032 written
Total: 40,484
Seven days to go for this year's NaNoWriMo. I have 9,516 words left to hit 50,000. Well, I'm going to say six days, because I think I will most likely be taking tomorrow off. Family coming and all that. Even so, it leaves me with a minimum of under the 1,667 words/day, and I'll make it. So, if I can get my own goal of 2,000 a day, I'll get there. Phew! I was really unsure for a while about actually finishing this year, but I think it's going to work.
Now, remember that "dog" of a story I started with? And then abandoned because I couldn't figure out where it was going? Darned if the thing didn't pop into my head on Monday with something that I think is going to work. So back into that we go. And yesterday, a new character walked up to the three main folk out of nowhere- almost literally, as they were out in the desert at the time! A nice British fellow, no less. It looks like at least he knows what's going on. Now, as long as he keeps telling me....
Which is today's point, I think. As much as I am one who likes to have a good idea what a story is about, and usually do a plot summary and at least partial outline, I know you always have to be ready to let the story take its own direction sometimes. Good ideas come from all sorts of places, and there are times when the really good idea doesn't show itself until you actually start writng. If the story really wants to go in a different direction, there really isn't much harm in letting it. (Unless you are under a really tight deadline and can't afford to meander, or you are writing or re-writing with specific goals. Like an editor's revisions for a sale, perhaps.) You can always go back to the original idea if the new one doesn't work out. I usually find that if the story is telling itself, that's what you should trust. Because if you force it to fit your mold, it's going to seem just that- forced. Give yourself- and your story- some space to breathe. You might just be surprised!
Write. Now.
Sunday: 3,692 written
Monday: 3,030 written
Tuesday: 2,032 written
Total: 40,484
Seven days to go for this year's NaNoWriMo. I have 9,516 words left to hit 50,000. Well, I'm going to say six days, because I think I will most likely be taking tomorrow off. Family coming and all that. Even so, it leaves me with a minimum of under the 1,667 words/day, and I'll make it. So, if I can get my own goal of 2,000 a day, I'll get there. Phew! I was really unsure for a while about actually finishing this year, but I think it's going to work.
Now, remember that "dog" of a story I started with? And then abandoned because I couldn't figure out where it was going? Darned if the thing didn't pop into my head on Monday with something that I think is going to work. So back into that we go. And yesterday, a new character walked up to the three main folk out of nowhere- almost literally, as they were out in the desert at the time! A nice British fellow, no less. It looks like at least he knows what's going on. Now, as long as he keeps telling me....
Which is today's point, I think. As much as I am one who likes to have a good idea what a story is about, and usually do a plot summary and at least partial outline, I know you always have to be ready to let the story take its own direction sometimes. Good ideas come from all sorts of places, and there are times when the really good idea doesn't show itself until you actually start writng. If the story really wants to go in a different direction, there really isn't much harm in letting it. (Unless you are under a really tight deadline and can't afford to meander, or you are writing or re-writing with specific goals. Like an editor's revisions for a sale, perhaps.) You can always go back to the original idea if the new one doesn't work out. I usually find that if the story is telling itself, that's what you should trust. Because if you force it to fit your mold, it's going to seem just that- forced. Give yourself- and your story- some space to breathe. You might just be surprised!
Write. Now.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Changing Yet Again
Update:
Yesterday: 2019
Total: 23179
Not quite caught up, but getting closer. Feeling better about making it this year.
Well, the dog of a story I started has been retired. Even trying to convince myself that it was going to be a good experience, and help me learn to write better, and build some of the skills I need work on, all that- nope, still hated the thing, didn't want to work on it, kept falling more behind because of that.
Had a short email conversation with a friend who pointed out that there is really nothing wrong with finishing up with a different story than you started with. Took me a bit to let that sink in, but I've decided to put the dog down, so to speak, and write what's been niggling at my head for a long time now.
Ok, yeah, it's fanfic. I write one or two a year, anyway, just because I like playing in other people's worlds! Who doesn't? And I've got other "real" stories in progress, or in editing, or beta reading, so I think I am just going to indulge myself in this month of frantic writing and go for it.
And y'know what? I am enjoying NaNo again. It's fun to write this now. Characters are speaking to me, plots are unfolding, my brain is churning. I have to be a bit careful with this one. It's kind of an extension of one of the stories that has been written by the original author. It's my version of what happened, because there are two (that I know of) variants on the story. The original leaves things a little open. So I don't want to leave out anything that is stated as fact in the original, and at the same time, I don't want to just rewrite all of that, either. It's been done, far better than I probably could, anyway.
Which puts a lot of it out of order, as I think of things I need to deal with and keeps me on my toes when writing. All good things, because if you can't get excited about what you are writing, how can you expect anyone else to? And that's my point for today.
Now, off to do a bit of research, and then get that word count up!
Write. Now.
Yesterday: 2019
Total: 23179
Not quite caught up, but getting closer. Feeling better about making it this year.
Well, the dog of a story I started has been retired. Even trying to convince myself that it was going to be a good experience, and help me learn to write better, and build some of the skills I need work on, all that- nope, still hated the thing, didn't want to work on it, kept falling more behind because of that.
Had a short email conversation with a friend who pointed out that there is really nothing wrong with finishing up with a different story than you started with. Took me a bit to let that sink in, but I've decided to put the dog down, so to speak, and write what's been niggling at my head for a long time now.
Ok, yeah, it's fanfic. I write one or two a year, anyway, just because I like playing in other people's worlds! Who doesn't? And I've got other "real" stories in progress, or in editing, or beta reading, so I think I am just going to indulge myself in this month of frantic writing and go for it.
And y'know what? I am enjoying NaNo again. It's fun to write this now. Characters are speaking to me, plots are unfolding, my brain is churning. I have to be a bit careful with this one. It's kind of an extension of one of the stories that has been written by the original author. It's my version of what happened, because there are two (that I know of) variants on the story. The original leaves things a little open. So I don't want to leave out anything that is stated as fact in the original, and at the same time, I don't want to just rewrite all of that, either. It's been done, far better than I probably could, anyway.
Which puts a lot of it out of order, as I think of things I need to deal with and keeps me on my toes when writing. All good things, because if you can't get excited about what you are writing, how can you expect anyone else to? And that's my point for today.
Now, off to do a bit of research, and then get that word count up!
Write. Now.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Pacing
Update:
Yesterday: 2047
Today: 2085
Total: 15,941
I'm making progress, but not very fast. At this rate, I will be at 50,000 words in early December, which is not ideal. The problem is, I don't know if I can mange to catch up enough to get there. And the problem is related to today's topic: Pacing.
I don't mean the kind of pacing where you walk back and forth repeatedly, perhaps thinking out loud as you do. I mean the kind where you try to keep up a steady, but manageable workload going. And my "best" pace seems to be about 2000 words a day. That's about all I can handle before my brain just starts to shut down, and if I push too much beyond that, all I end up with is junk. Not that I don't write a fair amount of junk as it is, but if I push my brain beyond its capacity, it's all junk for the most part.
And I have to watch how much I do in one stretch, as well. I find about 1000 words and then I have to get up- take a walk, play with the dog, whatever. Just a short while, a nice stretch, and I'm good to go again.
This is why I don't participate in all night write-a-thons or word sprints or anyting like that. I can't. My brain doesn't function like that. I think most people have a limit beyond which they shouldn't push themselves too much. Not that I am saying you shouldn't try to work more, if you can, or that, on those rare days when everything is flowing like magic, that you should stop at 2000 words or whatever your goal is, but on a normal day, sometimes it's just not a good idea. Because then you may find that the next day is impossible. That you just can't dredge up the creative ability to write a thing.
This is not necessarily a bad thing. Every creative person, whatever your discipline, has times when the mind just needs to rest, to recharge, to lie in wait for the next idea to present itself naturally, without forcing. And that can be a very good thing. It allows your creative self to become better, the same way a good vacation can make your working self more productive.
But NaNoWriMo is not the time to set yourself up for those "off" times. We have a goal and a deadline. Slow and steady is, for many WriMos, the best way to handle this month of frenzy. So, find your pace and try to stick to it. Your novel will thank you, and so will your brain.
Write. Now.
Yesterday: 2047
Today: 2085
Total: 15,941
I'm making progress, but not very fast. At this rate, I will be at 50,000 words in early December, which is not ideal. The problem is, I don't know if I can mange to catch up enough to get there. And the problem is related to today's topic: Pacing.
I don't mean the kind of pacing where you walk back and forth repeatedly, perhaps thinking out loud as you do. I mean the kind where you try to keep up a steady, but manageable workload going. And my "best" pace seems to be about 2000 words a day. That's about all I can handle before my brain just starts to shut down, and if I push too much beyond that, all I end up with is junk. Not that I don't write a fair amount of junk as it is, but if I push my brain beyond its capacity, it's all junk for the most part.
And I have to watch how much I do in one stretch, as well. I find about 1000 words and then I have to get up- take a walk, play with the dog, whatever. Just a short while, a nice stretch, and I'm good to go again.
This is why I don't participate in all night write-a-thons or word sprints or anyting like that. I can't. My brain doesn't function like that. I think most people have a limit beyond which they shouldn't push themselves too much. Not that I am saying you shouldn't try to work more, if you can, or that, on those rare days when everything is flowing like magic, that you should stop at 2000 words or whatever your goal is, but on a normal day, sometimes it's just not a good idea. Because then you may find that the next day is impossible. That you just can't dredge up the creative ability to write a thing.
This is not necessarily a bad thing. Every creative person, whatever your discipline, has times when the mind just needs to rest, to recharge, to lie in wait for the next idea to present itself naturally, without forcing. And that can be a very good thing. It allows your creative self to become better, the same way a good vacation can make your working self more productive.
But NaNoWriMo is not the time to set yourself up for those "off" times. We have a goal and a deadline. Slow and steady is, for many WriMos, the best way to handle this month of frenzy. So, find your pace and try to stick to it. Your novel will thank you, and so will your brain.
Write. Now.
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