I have finally started writing my next book. After about a month of planning and plotting (see here for my post on plotting), I finally hit the blank page.
I love a blank page.
A blank page is a fresh start. A world of possiblities where anything can happen.
But, the blank page can also be a little scary. Intimidating. Like walking into a room full of people naked.
The beautiful thing about using a PC is that anything you write now, can always be changed, deleted or saved in a scene graveyard for later re-purposing. Edits will come later, after the first draft is completed. So no doubts allowed!
For now, I’m savoring the early days of my book, just breathing in blank page euphoria!
I am the Author Goddess, therefore, I rule the universes that I’ve created. The characters are my minions. They exist to do my bidding.
I tell myself this all the time. And it’s true. Sort of. I am the creator of their world. Sometimes benevolent, sometimes a dictator.
Writers all do this. We fabricate new worlds with new rules. Even if it’s the “here and now” world, we still add our own spin to it. We make the facts fit the story as we need to tell it. We ask our characters to do things normal people often can’t or won’t do. And most of the time, the characters go along for the happy (or miserable) journey.
Occasionally, they resist or flat-out refuse. They stamp their feet and demand to go in a different direction.
A rebellion in my carefully crafted plans. How dare they? I’m the Author Goddess. They must do my bidding.
Right?
Not really.
Sure, you can ignore your characters and force them to follow your “master plan”. But, just like in real life, it’s not right to make someone do something they don’t want to (making the kids clean up after themselves doesn’t count). When in this situation, instead of indignation, try going along for the ride.
Let the character take you on the journey they want to go on. Travel their path and see it to the end. They could surprise you and even open the story up in ways you never imagined.
Starting next week, I’m part of a new blog – Writing Secrets of Seven Scribes. We’re an eclectic group of aspiring and indie published writers from many genres: young adult, middle school, inspirational, mystery, paranormal/urban fantasy and erotica. Our goal is to share our writer’s journey, to inspire and to entertain.
We have each taken a day of the week – I’m Friday’s Scribe. And later, we will all be publishing a short story on the site based on the poem Monday’s Child. Be sure to check us out. Even better, subscribe so you won’t miss out.
A while back, I blogged – Dont’ Go It Alone. The Scribes’ blog is an example of joining a group that can foster your creativity, provide inspiration, and give a kick to the pants when needed! Not to sound like a broken record – if you’re a writer and serious about publication – find a group, find a critique partner or partners, find somebody else who loves to write! My world has opened up exponentially since I joined with my awesome critique partners and the CT RWA. I promise, you will become a better writer!
Last Saturday, I attended Connecticut Fiction Fest. It was an amazing, whirlwind day. After four pitches, I came home with six requests (4 for Mystic Ink, 2 for Ascension). So, needless to say, I have been busy preparing my submissions.
It’s amazing that no matter how many times and how many eyes review a manuscript, there are always typos, missing words or misplaced punctuation marks. While giving both books a last minute look over, I had to resist the urge to start tearing into the text.
Even harder, swallowing back that inner doubt (you know, my writing sucks, no one will ever like my book, etc.). To combat the doubt, I remind myself that these are the best books I could write based on where I was at the time they were written. If none of the submissions work out, there are other publishers out there. And I can always indie publish too. All options are on the table.
Upward and onward – I have an aggressive goal of trying to complete two books this year. Not sure if I can do it, but I will do my best. The only way to become a better writer is to keep writing. And that means letting go and moving on to new ideas, new stories, and new characters.
Tomorrow is the big day . . . CT Fiction Fest. Tomorrow, I will be pitching my book Mystic Ink and maybe Ascension to four editors. Editors from brand name publishing houses.
Am I biting my nails? No.
Am I starting to panic? Not really.
I have my pitches all written and mostly memorized.
Don’t get me wrong. I will do my best to entice and impress, but not at the cost of my sanity.
I will not lay in bed tonight obsessing about what might happen. Like I’ll open my mouth, but no words will come out because all rationale thought has abandoned me.
I will not imagine myself babbling like an idiot at the poor editor seated across from me. Or that I’ll rattle off my pitch at warp speed like an auctioneer.
I will not entertain the panicky thought that I’ll lose track of time and forget an appointment.
Nope. Not doing it. Not going there.
After saying good-bye to my precious Ollie, I had a bit of an epiphany. On the scale of cosmic importance, pitching my book and how well I do, will not affect the fate of the known universe. If I fail to impress, I will still submit my books to editors safely hidden behind my query’s printed words (no babbling going on there).
For all the good news I’ve had in the last few weeks, it was invetiable that something bad would come along. Sorry, but that’s just the way it is sometimes. At least in my life, the good is always tempered with the bad.
For the last 18 and half years, I’ve had a beloved furry companion – my cat Ollie. It seems like he has always been in my life. In fact he was a year older than my first born son. And yes, I did say was.
Earlier in the week, we were told that he had a terminal condition. You know the kind that can’t be fixed. So we took him home, made him comfortable and gave him even more love than he normally received already. But today, he told us he was ready to go. And, even though it was so hard, we did.
Ollie didn’t pass alone. We were there for him, petting him, telling him we loved him. I’m proud of my fifteen year old son, he stayed too. My oldest declined to come. But that was okay. He was there when our 13 old dalmatian, Sparky, died last October. I’m proud of my sons. I know at their age, I wouldn’t have had the courage to stay in that room and watch a beloved pet die.
I wish I could say I won’t have to do this again. But, I will. At least three more times. We still have two, 12 year old cats (brother and sister, no less) and another 13 year old Dalmatian. And I expect it will still hurt, just like it did for all our other departed pets (Nestlè, Dottie, Captain).
But, that’s what love is – staying together – good moments and bad. And I wouldn’t trade any of those 18 and half years. They were all great and worth these moments of pain I’m feeling now.
Third time’s a charm, right? I finaled in another contest – Mystic Ink in the Dixie First Chapter Contest. I actually jumped up and down and did a happy dance.
Before I discovered writing, I was an artist. I loved to draw and paint (still do, but writing is my love now). I spent most of my childhood and early adult life in artistic pursuits. People who don’t draw (or write) often marvel at it. Like its magic and only those gifted with “talent” can create pictures or write stories. I feel sad when I hear that.
Here’s the secret to drawing/painting:
Draw what you see.
Practice. A lot.
Really look at the object or world as it exists in front of you. Not what you think it looks like. Maybe some of you have heard of drawing from the right side of your brain? It’s a process that can be learned with practice.
Writing is the same way. It’s a craft like any other. Some have a natural inclination towards writing and others have to work harder at it. Just like anything, really. Natural ability will only take you so far. You have to want to do it and have faith that you can succeed.
No matter your skill level, there’s still plenty to learn. I think once you’ve made the decision that you don’t have to learn anymore – you’re doomed to stagnation. Creativity needs to be fueled with new experiences and other ways of seeing the world.
I’ve read interviews by published authors who say that they write what they see. The story unfolds in their minds like a movie and they record the events as they happen.
That’s often how it works for me too. I actually see scenes and hear dialogue. It’s very exciting when the story comes that easily. And when it does, I just hope that I’m near my laptop so I can get it all down. Even more exhilarating is when my characters stop being theoretical and come to life.
I’ve had writers tell me that they don’t like to let their characters go off on their own. When I don’t listen to my characters or follow along, the story suddenly stops working for me. Just like drawing what’s really there, I say – let your characters have some freedom. Who knows where they might lead you and the story?
You can probably guess what I’m going to say about writing. Write what you see and practice. A lot!
How do stories reveal themselves to you? Post a comment and share. I’d love to hear from you.
When you’re a writer, the desire to write never goes away. At least not for me. I spend a lot of time thinking about writing when I can’t write.
Today is a great example. It’s a holiday and I’ll dutifully spend time with my family. Here’s what will really being going on in my head– the entire time I’ll be thinking about writing. People will speak around me and I’ll probably be hashing out a plot point or learning my latest character’s motivation. I just can’t help it!
Later, when I return, I will sit at my computer and work on something. Like the synopsis for Ascension that needs polishing. I can no longer put off submitting Ascension to editors with the excuse that “the synopsis needs work” because I have been taking a synopsis class.
And speaking of class, writers must never stop learning the craft of writing. I know I still have a lot to learn (especially about grammar rules – my least favorite thing). I pick and choose classes carefully because they can easily become a time sucking excuse not to write!
Of course, I will enjoy myself today. Life can’t be all work and no play (even though writing sometimes seems like play!).
Casey Wyatt 