I don't have anything new to report about Mexico this morning (because I haven't looked online yet) so instead I'll talk about writing. If you recall, I received comments from my betas a couple weeks ago and was very excited to get started with my fourth draft. I'd done an exercise to help me develop a minor character into a major character, and I'd taken all kinds of notes to help me get started.
Then I didn't start.
I read a book on plotting (Plotting & Structure by James Scott Bell, part of the Write Great Fiction series) and that gave me a lot of ideas. I realized that I need to tighten my plot, develop my main character arc more fully, and give more depth to some minor characters.
But still I didn't write.
I've been taking notes over the past couple weeks when little ideas strike me. I worked out a way to keep a nice guy from looking too nice, too soon (everyone said he offered to help way too fast), and I decided to rob my MC. I've kept my little notepad (it's really just scrap paper stapled together) in front of me at all times so I can see my notes. I keep hoping a new scene will spring into my head, ready to burst onto my Word document.
Yet nothing happened.
Until this morning. Ibis left for a run and I rolled back over, hoping to go back to sleep. My mind flashed to scenes from the Twilight series, as it so often does (yes, I need help), and suddenly my thoughts shifted to my new character. She started talking to her boyfriend, and he spoke back! Her worries flooded to the surface in complete sentences!
Really? I thought. My eyes won't even open and NOW you want to talk?
I dragged myself out of bed and scribbled down her words before the sleep had left my eyes. Then I turned on the computer.
It's not a huge start, but it's a start. Roughly 400 words this morning. I'm hoping this is all I needed to get back at it.
My friend Wendy received good news yesterday, and that inspired me to get moving. So thanks Wendy!
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22 comments:
Good for you!
It's cool when our characters talk and assert their personality.
Your book is like a little baby dragging you out of your morning slumbers to demand attention - glad you got started again. I'm too scared to read the Twilight books because everyone that does gets addicted!!
Thanks Pink!
I finally got back in the groove last night myself.
Momcat, that's a good analogy. :)
I say they're worth reading, just make sure you don't have anything pressing to do while you're reading, lol.
Travis that's great!
Yes, Melanie! (I can commiserate...)
And go, Travis!
Im going through the same thing. Too many distractions during these past two weeks with visitors and birthdays. Hopefully I will find my momentum too. Have fun writing today!!
Oh, yay, Melanie! I love when that happens! I was stalled on a story, but I took my own problems with the material and turned them into my character's emotional story problem. Worked like a charm!
Turkey, of course my brother arrives tomorrow so I'll be back to total distractions again, but I'm happy I wrote a little bit.
Thanks Janna!
Spy, I saw that on Erica's blog. (was it Erica's?) That does sound like the perfect fix.
Thanks for the link, Melanie.
Good for you--keep on plugging.
Yay! Great that you are writing again and that the words are flowing!
I haven't written in a little while. Maybe I will do some outlining today.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Of course Wendy. You have a very amusing post today. :)
Nadine, I hope I helped. I haven't written any more today, but the day is still fairly young.
Perhaps having policemen blasted away left and right all around you is sort of distracting. Just a thought. I wouldn't be able to write from under my bed.
Good point, BUT the stuff I'm writing about has all this intrigue. Maybe I should be working on those chapters.
It's amazing how many plot problems get settled when you're lying in bed and just mulling things over, isn't it? Maybe it's because we don't feel the pressure so much then, maybe it's just because the ideas ripened while we weren't looking and it's when we're resting that we realize it.
I haven't been writing either, between querying and taxes and such. Looking forward to starting again.
Janet, I tried to get it to work this morning but nothing came. I'll try writing by hand at the beach and see what happens.
Good luck to you!
Hi, I got read more of this blog if I can get the computer away from my two daughters so I'm a follower now! I read where Carolyn Jewel stated that she writes very fast all at once and that was her process and I am wondering if it might be mine too! What I've published I've written all at once, (Short stories for True Romance, True Love, etc.) I was reading what you said about having trouble getting started and I was wondering about your process. If it is already in your blog, never mind! I'll get back when I have more time.
Hi Cindy! I wouldn't exactly say I have a process, but once I get started it's usually easier for me to keep going. I wrote another 500 words today and while I'd like more, it's a start. If I don't force myself on those "funky" days I don't think I'd ever get anything done.
Erica Orloff just posted about writing in bursts too.
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