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After scraping my original story, for a new one this week, I am working feverishly to have my manuscript complete and presentable . It has come to my attention of late, that I work better when a deadline is looming. The words seem more eager to leap from my thoughts and onto my page, and they are of a better quality.
Don't worry, theres nothing wrong, it was just to many self doubt, procrastination and focus loss cocktails.
I haven't been writing. I haven't even been reading. But today for the first time, something stirred.
My jolly postman delivered the Dec/Jan edition of WQ , the Queensland Writers Center publication. Flicking through the magazine,I read it cover to cover, and realised that I wanted to write. Better still, I had a new idea and a new project to start.
I have decided that I will ease my way back into a daily writing routine, fearful of it becoming 'a chore'.
Expect new posts to pop up sporadically, better late than never......
On Saturday I attended the Writing children’s fiction workshop with author Hazel Edwards.
It was a great experience. Not only did Hazel take us through useful and practical writing exercises, she also shared with the class interesting and often humorous anecdotes.
I left the course with a myriad of tips but also with a sense that I really can write, and publish if I put in a lot of hard work and perseverance.
There was also the added benefit of meeting other writers. Writing is mainly a solitary journey, so it is nice to meet others on the same path, seeing first hand that there are people who are just as passionate about writing, and feeling that you are not alone in your endeavour.
The Queensland Writers Canter offers fantastic, state of the art facilities, workshops, master classes and valuable resources and support for budding authors.
I look forward to attending more events there in the future.
When I begin writing I put little thought into point of view and narrative structure, instead I just write, and let the words guide me along.
When I’m in the “zone”, it’s similar to meditating. Often I take no notice of what I have written until afterwards. I print out the pages, leave it for a while and then begin editing/rewriting.
Imagine my shock when I realise that I’ve been writing in present tense. The majority of my work is written in the past tense, so I find myself automatically changing my “are” to “were”, the “asks” to “asked”.
Having rewritten the first three chapters in past tense, I made a discovery. It stunk, it didn’t flow. So I’ve changed it back to present tense.
A quick Google later, and its bought to my attention that there is a “Tense” debate occurring.
There are a number of workshops and masterclasses on offer,covering all genres and interests.
As I am currently working on a childrens fiction series, I will be attending- Writing Childrens Fiction with Hazel Edwards, the popular author of the Hippopotamus on my roof series.
There are writers centers located in every state, and the Australian Writers marketplace also has a number of writing courses available.
Check out your local writers center, and if you find any other course providers, please feel free to comment below.
Stephen Kings On Writing, is more memoir than guide, and is an interesting read.
The first half of the book gives readers an intimate peak into Kings Life, and the second half offers advice on the writing craft.
King debunks a couple of publishing myths:
1.That all new authors who get published have “connections” within the industry, and
2.That Agents and publishers are evil, malicious, and wont bother to read unsolicited manuscripts.
He goes onto to add, that agents and publishers are in fact, always looking for the next bestselling author.
King includes an original draft chapter from 1408, and shows his editing process. I found this incredibly informative, especially as he explains why he makes the changes.
Top Tips
Write a lot, read a lot
When it comes to editing a simple equation : the second draft is the first draft minus 10%
There is nothing spooky about this book, though the last chapter where he reflects (in great detail),how he was hit by a van and nearly killed, is a little disturbingAdd a Comment
Just something to think about as I battle writers Self Doubt.
After you spend months, years, decades( possibly, but hopefully not), writing your novel, there is still that burning doubt in the back of every writers mind. The question that creeps into your brain in the writing dark hours- is this good enough? Or is this complete (excuse the Aussie) Shit!
The writers catch is that if you never write it,never finish it, you're never going to know. Sad but true.
What I loved about this writing “guide” is that not only was I taking notes for my blog, but I was also changing, correcting and adding to my own manuscripts, using the advice and exercises as a catalyst for development. This is why it is so important to read not just fiction in your style, but also non-fiction works on the novel writing process.
Top Tips
An idea is not a novel- it’s not even a plot.
The easiest way to develop plot is through character development.
Ideas about what to write, and the realisation about what you are really writing about, come when you are actually writing.
Don’t worry about writing everything chronologically, just write.
There isn’t a writer alive who doesn’t hear the voices (Doughty doesn’t mean the types that send you to the funny farm) more, those SELF DOUBTING, pessimistic voices. Ignore them
Characters don’t have to be likeable but they do have to be engaging.
Start noticing the things in your life that might be useful. Descriptions of emotions, settings, peoples idiosyncrasies etc.
Keep a scrapbook of your novel, things that are interesting, articles, and pictures, keep it all together and rummage through it for inspiration.
Often the only way to know what’s coming next is to start writing and see what comes next.
Good description always has a dual purpose: to advance the plot or tell us something important as well as to create a visual picture. (Doughty states that everything you write should have a dual purpose).
In regards to editing, learn that art of ‘trimming’ as you go. Tightening of your prose should become a daily instinct.
Work out which technical aspects of writing you find most challenging, then work through each one. Do what you are most afraid of.
Plot will only come when writing.
If you are not sure whether your dialogue is important or significant, ask yourself in what way does it move the novel forward?
If you are serious about your writing and about being published, make this the first day of your “writing year”. Check out Louise Doughty’s book (link in my ‘what I’m reading section’), and work with her to see if you really can write a novel in year.
Yesterday I had great intentions of spending the night burning the midnight oil.
But after a dreary and exhausting day of housework, writing was far from my mind.
I stared at the screen hoping for inspiration. Was this writer’s block?
Alex Miller bestselling author of Lovesong and twice winner of the Miles Franklin Literary Prize, said last week as the Conversations with the Unconscious event, that he didn’t believe in writers block. He said, quite matter of fact, that writers block was not a “condition” it was simply a time when you didn’t want to write, and there is only one cure- Suck it up, and try to write SOMETHING. If all attempts fail- go and do what you feel like doing.
So I went to bed, at 7.15pm!
Motivation will strike tomorrow. Well, lets hope so.
Having returned home from the Brisbane writers Festival I have been plotting, writing and planning. There is nothing like being surrounded my successful authors to make you “get on with it”.
The most surprising development is that I have finally chose the book I will work on- TO THE END.
Listening to Morris Gleitzman, Leigh Hobbs and Kate Forsyth at the True Grit: Writing for Children event, it occurred to me that a children’s novel (which I had already half written) may need to be resurrected from my archives.
These three authors passionate enthusiasm for writing for children was contagious. Not only did I come home, pull out the half written book and rework it, I also outlined and plotted five other books for its series.
But first I had to know exactly who I was writing for. I decided that the target audience for the series is middle grade (8-12 year olds), and found a useful website offering tips and guidelines to consider when writing for this age group.http://www.right-writing.com/middle-grade.html
Is there anyone with experience in writing for this age group? Any advice?
I say “A Novel” because I have yet to decide which of my ideas I will concentrate on. Looking into my writing files there are over thirty started novels. This creates a problem: not what to write, but which one to write.
As I begin this journey, I will be seeking help from some well known authors: Louise Doughty, Stephen King and John Marsden.
Impressed? O.k , I’m not that well connected.
Each of these Authors has published a book, to assist aspiring novelists.
As I am seeing Louise Doughty at the Brisbane Writers Festival this week, I have started with her book, A Novel in a Year.
Here’s what I’ve learnt so far:
READ, immerse yourself in fiction. Doughty says, “Steep yourself in the language of fiction in exactly the same way as you would read as much French as possible if you were trying to learn it”.
Work out why you want to write a novel
make use of your “writing time”. Even if you cant manage to get words flowing onto paper, write words you like, settings, descriptions. If you can’t manage that, READ.
I will post more tips as I continue the book.
There will be a post this week about generating novel ideas, for those who are struggling, and how to work out if your story ideas are good enough to be a novel.
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Since starting this blog two weeks ago, I have been approached by authors at different stages of the literary journey.
Tahlia Newland is an author who has completed a young adult fantasy novel titled ‘Lethal Inheritance’, and is awaiting publication.
After reading Chapter One, it appears that ‘Lethal Inheritance’ will take its young readers on a fast paced adventure, into a dark underworld. As a fantasy enthusiast, I am looking forward to reading the rest, and wish Tahlia all the best in finding a publisher.
Tahlia has a Facebook fan page, and a blog all about her novel and its journey to publication.
I have just finished my short story for the Perilous Adventures Competition. Its due before the 31st of August, so I will be spending the next day or two, frantically editing.
"I had a close look at my desk just now and realised that it just wasn't designed for quality writing" Franz Kafka's Diary, 24 December 1910.
When you are an unpublished author it is only natural that you look at published authors with a sense of wonder, and curiosity. How did they finish their manuscript? Tenacity? Talent? Luck? or a really great desk?
How I write: The Secret Lives of Author is a compilation of witty passages from well known authors such as Audrey Niffenegger and William Fiennes, which offers some insight into each writers muse.
It isn't a guide, and it doesn't really offer any tips or short cuts, but it it is fodder for an interesting dinner conversation.
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