Right now I'm watching a cute little movie called JULIE AND JULIA and I'm listening to my son coo and flap his little arms in the air, but I wanted to take some time to blog since I haven't in a while.
Earlier this month I said I was planning a YA novel. And I had a deadline to start writing it. While I didn't quite make that deadline due to pressures at home...and other annoying things...I've been writing it! For almost two weeks now I think it was? This is another huge accomplishment for me, starting this project that has taken so long to create.
If I can keep writing almost every day my goal is to finish by the 22nd of August. Then I will start in on revisions. I'd like to start talking to you guys about what I worked on that day, it might force me to actually keep writing!
Today my poor little MC got in some huge trouble at her school for punching a bully, had to deal with an alcoholic mother...and her love interest is way too old for her. Talk about a conflict filled day. And its just about to get much worse.
You see, this is the thing, I don't have any problems writing conflict. I think my problem actually lies in writing too much conflict at once. Like pacing or something. Hopefully with time I learn how to control the pacing better, but for now...I have no idea how to fix that little issue.
I am happy to report I have five more pages written, which means I went way over my wordcount goal.
So how is everyone else doing? If you write are you able to hit your goals everyday? Do you have issues with deadlines like I do? Or any of the problems I seem to have?
Oh, I just remembered I need to hit the bookstore. I haven't read the Hunger Games yet but heard its fantastic and I really need to read more YA books that I actually love. There is also a book by one of my favorite authors coming out! I'm crossing my fingers I don't go overboard. Not reading for awhile does that to me.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
You Tell Me: How Long Have You Been Working On Your Manuscript?
The very first full length novel I wrote-I was twelve- took me about six months to write, not including revision. Needless to say...it wasn't very good. In fact, it was bad. I worked on a lot on poetry and short stories after that, slowly learning the craft, improving my pacing and many other things I had no clue how to do.
All throughout highschool I continued writing. Whether it was a simple freeverse poem or the beginning of a novel or a short story...I wrote like a fiend. But every time I tried to write a novel again I never got past that thirty paged hump. Now that I am more experienced I assume it was because I never planned at this point in my life. I just took off with an idea and hoped something amazing would happen.
I think the reason I wrote so much poetry in highschool was because of the simple fact that I could get it done in one sitting, whereas writing a novel was a much more daunting task. There would come a point where the middle would start to sag and I would just give up.
During these years, even though I couldn't finish a longer project, I learned that writing as much as I could was important. So I did my best to write every day, even if it was only a line or two.
If I had been more patient in highschool I could have easily finished quite a few novels. I wrote really quickly. I just gave up too fast.
It wasn't til November of last year I actually decided to stick with an idea, no matter how bad, and write for thirty days. I was going to reach the end this time. And in that crazy month I did come up with something that resembled a novel.
I'm starting to realize that every project is different in terms of how long it takes me to complete now. I just finished a short story that took me a little over two weeks to write. It was only 7,000 words. In twice that amount of time I wrote a novel. The next novel I am getting ready to write will take about two and a half months.
My point in telling you this? I'm not sure. I guess that when you are writing...be kind to yourself. If you feel things are going slowly there might be a reason for it. Give yourself time to let the deeper layers of your story come to you. Give yourself time to make it the best it can be. Likewise, if things are coming at you fast and furious...don't slow down. Don't worry about whether or not it is crap. Write what is in your heart. Save the criticisim for the rewrite.
I've ranted long enough I think. Now it comes down to the real question, the reason I posted this. How long have you been working on your current project? Or if you just finished...how long did it take you? It really interests me to see so many different numbers. I know people that can bang out a book in less than a month, and those that take over a year. How long does it take you?
All throughout highschool I continued writing. Whether it was a simple freeverse poem or the beginning of a novel or a short story...I wrote like a fiend. But every time I tried to write a novel again I never got past that thirty paged hump. Now that I am more experienced I assume it was because I never planned at this point in my life. I just took off with an idea and hoped something amazing would happen.
I think the reason I wrote so much poetry in highschool was because of the simple fact that I could get it done in one sitting, whereas writing a novel was a much more daunting task. There would come a point where the middle would start to sag and I would just give up.
During these years, even though I couldn't finish a longer project, I learned that writing as much as I could was important. So I did my best to write every day, even if it was only a line or two.
If I had been more patient in highschool I could have easily finished quite a few novels. I wrote really quickly. I just gave up too fast.
It wasn't til November of last year I actually decided to stick with an idea, no matter how bad, and write for thirty days. I was going to reach the end this time. And in that crazy month I did come up with something that resembled a novel.
I'm starting to realize that every project is different in terms of how long it takes me to complete now. I just finished a short story that took me a little over two weeks to write. It was only 7,000 words. In twice that amount of time I wrote a novel. The next novel I am getting ready to write will take about two and a half months.
My point in telling you this? I'm not sure. I guess that when you are writing...be kind to yourself. If you feel things are going slowly there might be a reason for it. Give yourself time to let the deeper layers of your story come to you. Give yourself time to make it the best it can be. Likewise, if things are coming at you fast and furious...don't slow down. Don't worry about whether or not it is crap. Write what is in your heart. Save the criticisim for the rewrite.
I've ranted long enough I think. Now it comes down to the real question, the reason I posted this. How long have you been working on your current project? Or if you just finished...how long did it take you? It really interests me to see so many different numbers. I know people that can bang out a book in less than a month, and those that take over a year. How long does it take you?
Monday, May 3, 2010
What Are You Reading?
I don't have much time to read but when I get the chance I eat books up. I have many guilty pleasures...at the moment my obsession is paranormal romance. Ever heard of Lynn Viehl? Her take on vampires is quite different from the norm, and she just started a new series as well.
Next on my to-be-read pile: Breathless by Dean Koontz
Why I picked it up: I will read anything by this author. His characters are compelling and real. His plots amaze and shock me. His writing beautiful. But most of all...his themes matter. He writes about things I care about and his stories are much deeper than they appear. I would love to write like him.
What I expect to like: It will be a fast paced read (I imagine anyway) with characters that I will care about. The plot will seem real and exciting. And there will not be backstory.
I have many other books that are waiting to be read or have started...but this is one I am greatly looking forward to.
What is next on your list? I am always on the lookout for new authors.
Story Beginnings: Backstory
On Agent Kristen's blog she talks about writer's who start their story in the wrong place, people that have talent but do not yet know that they have started with backstory, that they are not moving their story forward, ect. Apparently this happens a lot. Do you think that you have started your story where it really begins? Are you just putting your characters in situations that have nothing to do with what your story is really about? If you think that is a possibility you might want to read her post.
It makes me wonder how many agents reject because of this and if I might have a problem with the same thing. So I have made a note to myself to pay close attention to what my characters are doing and making sure the beginning chapters matter just as much as the rest.
How many of you watch where you start your story? How many of you start with your actual story? Do you know if you are moving your story forward? Can you tell when you are including too much backstory?
This may sound like something quite simple to avoid, but almost all writers fail at this. All the more reason for us to make our manuscripts shine, beginning and end.
It makes me wonder how many agents reject because of this and if I might have a problem with the same thing. So I have made a note to myself to pay close attention to what my characters are doing and making sure the beginning chapters matter just as much as the rest.
How many of you watch where you start your story? How many of you start with your actual story? Do you know if you are moving your story forward? Can you tell when you are including too much backstory?
This may sound like something quite simple to avoid, but almost all writers fail at this. All the more reason for us to make our manuscripts shine, beginning and end.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Planning the YA novel
That's right. I just finished my last project and I'm already getting to work on the next thing on my list. It seems that lately I can't go more then two days without writing something. I just get too twitchy.
And that brings me to the topic of the day. Pre writing. It is one of the most important parts of the process for me, for many different reasons. It reminds me what I want my story to be about, it gives me an idea of the major conflicts and who the characters are, ect. If I didn't do any pre writing before the actual writing...well, I've already seen where that gets me. I never finished anything. I also noticed my work is much cleaner, much more interesting to read.
Plus, it is one of the funnest parts of writing a novel. When an idea is fresh in your mind and keeps you up at night...that is the best feeling in the world. But maybe that is just me. But this is also where I get freaked out because I always seem to forget before I write exactly how much work this is.
Starting a project is hard, but once I get going it gets much easier.
So, do you do any pre writing before you start a new project? Or do you just dive in and go wherever the story takes you? I can see many reasons to do either, but I don't think I was born to be a panster. Some people don't need to plan at all and can make a story sing, but that's not me.
Is pre writing important? Do you do it because you love it or is it because you know its needed?
And that brings me to the topic of the day. Pre writing. It is one of the most important parts of the process for me, for many different reasons. It reminds me what I want my story to be about, it gives me an idea of the major conflicts and who the characters are, ect. If I didn't do any pre writing before the actual writing...well, I've already seen where that gets me. I never finished anything. I also noticed my work is much cleaner, much more interesting to read.
Plus, it is one of the funnest parts of writing a novel. When an idea is fresh in your mind and keeps you up at night...that is the best feeling in the world. But maybe that is just me. But this is also where I get freaked out because I always seem to forget before I write exactly how much work this is.
Starting a project is hard, but once I get going it gets much easier.
So, do you do any pre writing before you start a new project? Or do you just dive in and go wherever the story takes you? I can see many reasons to do either, but I don't think I was born to be a panster. Some people don't need to plan at all and can make a story sing, but that's not me.
Is pre writing important? Do you do it because you love it or is it because you know its needed?
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