Always goes back to the "Why." The process? To say something? To wear tweed? For me, it's fun and part of the transition to empty nester. I appreciate your thoughts because the "why" should drive everything we do and writing is one heck of an activity not to be passionate about your why.
As a writer, I have a script in my head: “Is my idea marketable? Will anyone buy a book about doomed romance?” Thank you for giving me permission not to get that A+ or gold star. It is such timely advice. I might not get anything at all, but the story is still worth writing just like learning new dance moves.
Thank you so much for this. I’m struggling with getting the “perfect” outline right now (not even a draft) and don’t feel like I can start writing without a clear roadmap. But just as trying to write perfectly can be paralyzing, I find myself overwhelmed by the planning. Perhaps the answer is remember that my outline doesn’t get a grade, nor does it have to be etched in stone!
Admitting that I haven't put out a blog in over 3 months, taking an 8-day road trip to NY for a 100% ME! social/emotional revival is much appreciated. I finished 2nd book during that time,, and while its on wattpad, I have confidence in presenting the project elsewhere.
Yeah, definitely more than an ego thing to achieve #2, by integrating a primo character into last couple chapters. I've arrived more Social, dressing for two days of major horse racing is almost a duplicate of what I wrote in book. The $$$ (over $1000!) I won playing blackjack at casino in home town near NY bro's place in Saratoga, black hat cocked a bit over right eye, is an Attitude I know main male character will carry forward.
Oh, to point of not needing an A on queries or outlines, I'm still a believer in pantsing, that at some points, I'll get certain scenes or attitudes down on paper, or maybe into a computer.. Its a challenge to fit my idea into whatever specific criteria They want, and I trust my journalists sense of word count.
I have a sketch pad, used this forever, where I do 'brain downloads,' often over coffee in bed, esp. weekends. I KNOW that info is somewhere then, and when I lay down a stream of keyboarding to put things that need fleshing out in one place, I mark through pieces I've used while going back to notes.
Thanks for this great reminder. I hear this in my brain, but I still kill myself with rewrites, and editing a gazillion times before I have half a manuscript written. It's not that I'm worried about pleasing an agent or a reader so much, as pleasing my perfectionist self. I love to write and I want to do it well. Writing forward.
A friend of mine wrote an amazing book. She sold out her advance (if that's the accurate terminology). She busted her backside doing every form of promotion from speaking engagements to book clubs. I would call that an A+, but she is getting zero traction on her follow-up. She has a huge audience, great social media, is in a non-fiction market whose audience is supportive and promotes, and loves her. This, to me, would be a no-brainer. But that's how it goes. Even a valedictorian can get kicked to the curb. xo
I spent last weekend away with some friends, one of whom had just read the first three chapters of my redrafted debut MS, another who'd read the entire 180k first draft. Both of them told me to stop being a perfectionist and try to get the novel into a bookshop. Your advice here has provided another kick up my backside. Thank you!
I really resonated with the idea of writing what you love. It seems to me that if you didn’t then writing could become a real grind very quickly. As it stands for me, I get up everyday excited about what I’m writing and sometimes have a hard time getting to sleep because I’m thinking about it.
One thing I’ve found in my life is that if you’re doing something where time disappears then you know you're on the right track to feed your soul.
Thanks, Kate, for the reminder that we don't have to be perfect. I'm a recovering perfectionist so I know it's not easy to remember that, especially when it comes to things I really care about like my writing. But I think most of us (probably all) started writing because we love it. And we can't stop ourselves from writing--because we love it. So, we need to just write then fix it in revision. Of course, no matter how many times we revise, the writing's still never going to be perfect, is it? But, hopefully, in the end, it's pretty doggone good, and hopefully, we had fun along the way. :)
Right and at some point we just need to be finished with something so we can move in to the next story. I’m learning as I go but I find a natural exhilaration to putting my pen down on one story and picking it up for the next.
Always goes back to the "Why." The process? To say something? To wear tweed? For me, it's fun and part of the transition to empty nester. I appreciate your thoughts because the "why" should drive everything we do and writing is one heck of an activity not to be passionate about your why.
Exactly what I just found out too ❤️x
As a writer, I have a script in my head: “Is my idea marketable? Will anyone buy a book about doomed romance?” Thank you for giving me permission not to get that A+ or gold star. It is such timely advice. I might not get anything at all, but the story is still worth writing just like learning new dance moves.
I could not love this -- or feel you are speaking to me -- more!! Thanks, Kate.
Thank you so much for this. I’m struggling with getting the “perfect” outline right now (not even a draft) and don’t feel like I can start writing without a clear roadmap. But just as trying to write perfectly can be paralyzing, I find myself overwhelmed by the planning. Perhaps the answer is remember that my outline doesn’t get a grade, nor does it have to be etched in stone!
Admitting that I haven't put out a blog in over 3 months, taking an 8-day road trip to NY for a 100% ME! social/emotional revival is much appreciated. I finished 2nd book during that time,, and while its on wattpad, I have confidence in presenting the project elsewhere.
Yeah, definitely more than an ego thing to achieve #2, by integrating a primo character into last couple chapters. I've arrived more Social, dressing for two days of major horse racing is almost a duplicate of what I wrote in book. The $$$ (over $1000!) I won playing blackjack at casino in home town near NY bro's place in Saratoga, black hat cocked a bit over right eye, is an Attitude I know main male character will carry forward.
Oh, to point of not needing an A on queries or outlines, I'm still a believer in pantsing, that at some points, I'll get certain scenes or attitudes down on paper, or maybe into a computer.. Its a challenge to fit my idea into whatever specific criteria They want, and I trust my journalists sense of word count.
I have a sketch pad, used this forever, where I do 'brain downloads,' often over coffee in bed, esp. weekends. I KNOW that info is somewhere then, and when I lay down a stream of keyboarding to put things that need fleshing out in one place, I mark through pieces I've used while going back to notes.
Thanks for this great reminder. I hear this in my brain, but I still kill myself with rewrites, and editing a gazillion times before I have half a manuscript written. It's not that I'm worried about pleasing an agent or a reader so much, as pleasing my perfectionist self. I love to write and I want to do it well. Writing forward.
Nail on the head. Thank you!
Oh gosh, thank you. Such a great and helpful message. Well-timed as I dive back in to my WIP with a joyful mindset.
I needed to read this today. Thank you!
A friend of mine wrote an amazing book. She sold out her advance (if that's the accurate terminology). She busted her backside doing every form of promotion from speaking engagements to book clubs. I would call that an A+, but she is getting zero traction on her follow-up. She has a huge audience, great social media, is in a non-fiction market whose audience is supportive and promotes, and loves her. This, to me, would be a no-brainer. But that's how it goes. Even a valedictorian can get kicked to the curb. xo
I spent last weekend away with some friends, one of whom had just read the first three chapters of my redrafted debut MS, another who'd read the entire 180k first draft. Both of them told me to stop being a perfectionist and try to get the novel into a bookshop. Your advice here has provided another kick up my backside. Thank you!
What a beautiful metaphor and apt message! Step aerobics. So fun. For me, it’s rollerblading all the way.
This was such a good one, I needed to hear it. Thank you!
I really resonated with the idea of writing what you love. It seems to me that if you didn’t then writing could become a real grind very quickly. As it stands for me, I get up everyday excited about what I’m writing and sometimes have a hard time getting to sleep because I’m thinking about it.
One thing I’ve found in my life is that if you’re doing something where time disappears then you know you're on the right track to feed your soul.
Agreed. I get this grinding feeling pretty much anytime I'm writing to someone else's prompt. I'm much happier when writing for my own muse.
Thanks, Kate, for the reminder that we don't have to be perfect. I'm a recovering perfectionist so I know it's not easy to remember that, especially when it comes to things I really care about like my writing. But I think most of us (probably all) started writing because we love it. And we can't stop ourselves from writing--because we love it. So, we need to just write then fix it in revision. Of course, no matter how many times we revise, the writing's still never going to be perfect, is it? But, hopefully, in the end, it's pretty doggone good, and hopefully, we had fun along the way. :)
Right and at some point we just need to be finished with something so we can move in to the next story. I’m learning as I go but I find a natural exhilaration to putting my pen down on one story and picking it up for the next.
Phew. I guess I needed this!