Knowing when your story is ready for the world is a huge challenge for a person as self-critical as I am.
It is almost time and I have two books waiting on the sideline for their time to shine. I could edit and revise for an eternity, I'm sure, and never feel they are ready to fly. I'm going to self-publish a short story or two first and get my feet wet and to calm the near-paralyzing self-doubt.
I've overcome a lot in the last couple years and I'm approaching my 40th birthday with great haste. It's time to either shit or get off the pot. Yes, it's crude but it's the truth. I can't namby-pamby my way through life. It's too short and I don't want this to be a regret. It's something I can control. Either do it or don't.
So I have spent the last month learning about formatting and cover design. There is so much to learn I could spend a lifetime just watching videos on how other people have become successful.
The ins and outs of the business are scary. And the thought of horrible reviews is terrifying.
I'm going to make mistakes and that's a part of life. Accept it and move on.
With the help and support of my Writing Groups and my family I hope to make my dreams a reality this year.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Finding Time to Write
How often do you find yourself saying, "I don't have time to write"?
Maybe you don't do any significant writing unless you have a large chunk of time to devote to your WIP.
Sound familiar? Yeah, me too!
The suggestion I recently received was that I should write for 15 minutes 2 times per week. Then gradually work in either longer sessions or more days.
Most of us wouldn't just decide one day to run a 5K without doing some training and working up to it, right? It's much the same with writing. Start small.
In truth, if you consistently wrote 15 minutes every day, you'd eventually have something.
15 minutes per day (depending on how fast you write)
50 words * 365 days = 18,250
100 words * 365 days = 36,500
200 words * 365 days = 73,000
Now what happens if we write NO WORDS * 365 days = 0 words
So the big question is: would you rather get NOTHING done or get SOMETHING done?
Maybe you don't do any significant writing unless you have a large chunk of time to devote to your WIP.
Sound familiar? Yeah, me too!
The suggestion I recently received was that I should write for 15 minutes 2 times per week. Then gradually work in either longer sessions or more days.
Most of us wouldn't just decide one day to run a 5K without doing some training and working up to it, right? It's much the same with writing. Start small.
In truth, if you consistently wrote 15 minutes every day, you'd eventually have something.
15 minutes per day (depending on how fast you write)
50 words * 365 days = 18,250
100 words * 365 days = 36,500
200 words * 365 days = 73,000
Now what happens if we write NO WORDS * 365 days = 0 words
So the big question is: would you rather get NOTHING done or get SOMETHING done?
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The Critique
Well...I opened the box and I didn't cry. That's an improvement, I'm getting stronger lol
The critiquer made a lot of really good points. Mostly I agree with everything that was said. I found myself nodding my head going "absolutely".
The one thing she didn't like was my title, but I love my title and most people have made a point of saying they like it too. So it's not changing unless I get a way better argument.
She ( I think it was a gal from the handwriting), said my basic format is good and that my story is engaging. She thought my main character is intriguing and she'd never seen one quite like her, that really makes me want to continue with this story. I'm invested.
There are a lot of changes to make to make it a stronger story. I felt like I was floundering with my revisions, going over and over it. Now I feel like I have a clear path to get this mostly right : ) and build stronger characters and a tight plot.
This was exactly what I needed. Money well spent, especially since I'm really considering going the self-publishing route but we will see what happens.
The critiquer made a lot of really good points. Mostly I agree with everything that was said. I found myself nodding my head going "absolutely".
The one thing she didn't like was my title, but I love my title and most people have made a point of saying they like it too. So it's not changing unless I get a way better argument.
She ( I think it was a gal from the handwriting), said my basic format is good and that my story is engaging. She thought my main character is intriguing and she'd never seen one quite like her, that really makes me want to continue with this story. I'm invested.
There are a lot of changes to make to make it a stronger story. I felt like I was floundering with my revisions, going over and over it. Now I feel like I have a clear path to get this mostly right : ) and build stronger characters and a tight plot.
This was exactly what I needed. Money well spent, especially since I'm really considering going the self-publishing route but we will see what happens.
Friday, February 22, 2013
What's In the Box?
The BOX is sitting on my counter next to my laptop. It's freakin' me out. What's in it?
It is my first manuscript back from the critiquer. It's been gone roughly 6 weeks and I've been so impatient to see the comments. Now that it's here I'm terrified to look. My work usually comes back covered in red. There's always positive comments but just seeing the initial marking all over my work is a little hard on the ego.
I know I have to open it before I go to bed or the what ifs will keep me up all night.
Wish me luck.
It is my first manuscript back from the critiquer. It's been gone roughly 6 weeks and I've been so impatient to see the comments. Now that it's here I'm terrified to look. My work usually comes back covered in red. There's always positive comments but just seeing the initial marking all over my work is a little hard on the ego.
I know I have to open it before I go to bed or the what ifs will keep me up all night.
Wish me luck.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
W.I.P
I'm happy to say that my new WIP is at about 18,000 words so far and I'm still in the beginning section of my outline. I'm excited to be working on a new book.
My last book has been sent off to be critiqued and I'm waiting on pins and needles (pardon the cliche). I'm trying to stay busy with my newest project. My Writer's Club is very supportive and like the new story and say my writing is improving.
I'm going to make more of an effort to be more consistent with my writing and this blog. It really saddened me to realize that I'd only made one entry last year. So I'm really hoping this time it's not like the resolutions I make and don't follow through on.
It does help that I've got a new battery for my laptop which gives me a little more freedom of where to write instead of being tethered to my kitchen counter.
My last book has been sent off to be critiqued and I'm waiting on pins and needles (pardon the cliche). I'm trying to stay busy with my newest project. My Writer's Club is very supportive and like the new story and say my writing is improving.
I'm going to make more of an effort to be more consistent with my writing and this blog. It really saddened me to realize that I'd only made one entry last year. So I'm really hoping this time it's not like the resolutions I make and don't follow through on.
It does help that I've got a new battery for my laptop which gives me a little more freedom of where to write instead of being tethered to my kitchen counter.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Fake It
The time of year when we all think about resolutions; things we feel we want to accomplish for the next year. We see the year spread out in front of us with all the promises we make ourselves completed by next year. It feels so full of hope and energy, but then life sets in and resolutions seem to be the first thing broken. Then we feel guilt blah, blah, blah!!
So this year, no resolutions! I strive to keep going what I've already started. I began getting in a real habit of writing once I got my girls put to bed at night. Even if I only sit there for 5 minutes. Some nights it's a real struggle to make myself get in there, but the amazing thing is once I sit down I'm usually there for at least an hour. I feel so proud of myself with these little accomplishments. Because of my 4 or 5 days a week writing at night I've finished a book. The revisions are almost done.
Now the hard part, (at least for me) is the feedback and sending it out. How can fear of success be what holds me back? I'm not scared of the rejections, that I expect, but what if just maybe someone likes it and want to publish it? Then what? In case you haven't guessed I'm terrified of anything new. The older I get the worse I get.
So my saying for this year is, "Fake it until you make it!!" (It applies on so many levels lol).
Most people that I talk to have no idea that I have an almost debilitating fear of going into a crowd of strangers and making conversation. I'll fake that I'm a people person, I'll fake that I'm fabulous, I'll fake it until it becomes part of who I am.
Head up, shoulders back...I'm a fabulous people person with great conversation skills.
Who's with me??
So this year, no resolutions! I strive to keep going what I've already started. I began getting in a real habit of writing once I got my girls put to bed at night. Even if I only sit there for 5 minutes. Some nights it's a real struggle to make myself get in there, but the amazing thing is once I sit down I'm usually there for at least an hour. I feel so proud of myself with these little accomplishments. Because of my 4 or 5 days a week writing at night I've finished a book. The revisions are almost done.
Now the hard part, (at least for me) is the feedback and sending it out. How can fear of success be what holds me back? I'm not scared of the rejections, that I expect, but what if just maybe someone likes it and want to publish it? Then what? In case you haven't guessed I'm terrified of anything new. The older I get the worse I get.
So my saying for this year is, "Fake it until you make it!!" (It applies on so many levels lol).
Most people that I talk to have no idea that I have an almost debilitating fear of going into a crowd of strangers and making conversation. I'll fake that I'm a people person, I'll fake that I'm fabulous, I'll fake it until it becomes part of who I am.
Head up, shoulders back...I'm a fabulous people person with great conversation skills.
Who's with me??
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Back at 'er
Well summer is definitely over. We've been very chilly and I'm going to have to harvest my produce from my greenhouse.
I'm happy to report that I've done one round of revisions on my book and have my word count up to 56,000. I'm going to do another round of revisions then let my writer's group take a peak and tell me what they think.
I actually really love revisions. It's exciting delving back into the story and fleshing it out more so it resembles the pictures in my head.
I'm happy to report that I've done one round of revisions on my book and have my word count up to 56,000. I'm going to do another round of revisions then let my writer's group take a peak and tell me what they think.
I actually really love revisions. It's exciting delving back into the story and fleshing it out more so it resembles the pictures in my head.
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