Yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of the day I first sat down at the computer and began writing my first novel. I don’t know how many writers keep track of such an anniversary, but it’s in my nature to do something like that.
And I tend to be reflective when anniversaries arise. So now that I’ve spent five years on this journey, what have I experienced? And where am I heading? Continue reading
As many of you know, I’m rebuilding the first novel I wrote. In fact, we’re coming up on the 5-year anniversary of the day I sat down at the computer and typed out the first words of the first version (14 April 2009). So much has changed since those heady first days when the story was new and my confidence ran high. You might think I would have everything thought out by now for the rebuild. I would be lying if I said I did.
Inspiration continues to elude me when it comes to blog posts. So today’s a bit of a mish-mash.
It should be no surprise that writers spend a lot of time in our heads. After all, that’s where ideas are born and stories take shape. And when we write something as long as a novel, well, that adds up to a lot of thinking, imagining, creating, brainstorming…. You get the idea. So how do we get those stories from our heads to the written page?
For me, coaxing the full story out of the characters is a long, complicated process. Sometimes they’re helpful—too helpful when competing voices bombard me with ideas. Other times, they wander off with my Muse to enjoy tropical drinks and beaches. At those times, I’m on my own. Continue reading
Life has been hectic this last week and will be for a few days. So there’s nothing too in depth for today’s post. How about a few photos from Saturday’s trip to DC, including a temporary exhibit at the Smithsonian’s American Indian Museum and then a wrap up with another tidbit from the rebuild of Death Out of Time? The exhibit is Ceramica de los Ancestros: Central America’s Past Revealed. This was a trip down memory lane to my graduate student days. Continue reading
Last week, Musefly Writing Studio posted an excellent discussion on settings in a story. After reading it, I realized I hadn’t included any images lately of the settings in my WIPs. So I thought I’d take some time today to share a few photos that my characters could have taken. But first, a little background for newer readers and anyone who’s forgotten what I write about. Continue reading
This image pretty much sums up my blogging ideas last week for today’s post.
A few topics surfaced now and again, but none of them drove me to my computer, compelled to set down a torrent of words before they escaped my grasp. This was a good situation, though. Because it seems my creative brain wanted to play with other ideas. You see, it’s been flitting from story to story to story, although never alighting on one long enough for me to begin writing. Yes, three stories. Now, please don’t groan and roll your eyes at my apparent inability to stick with one. These aren’t new stories per se. Continue reading
The beta comments on my latest draft of Summer at the Crossroads have arrived. My readers did a stellar job, as I expected. They read the manuscript thoroughly, enjoyed the concept, liked my writing style, and gave me great feedback.
image credit: Microsoft clip art
Once the beta comments come in, a writer must decide which of them hit the mark and which can be ignored. The book is the writer’s vision and story, no one else’s. This is a good time to again ask the question, “Who am I writing for?” Continue reading
First, I want to again thank everyone who commented on last Saturday’s post. You really helped me move forward through this morass of self-doubt. Continue reading
Well, the holidays are behind us and most of 2013 lies ahead. If you’ve made resolutions for the year, my best wishes to you for carrying them through. For me, there is one goal for 2013—complete one of my WIPs and have it on track for publication.
Image credit: Microsoft clip art
How are the WIPs going? Why, thank you for asking. Let’s see…. Continue reading
