I don't speak much of my WIP, because there's really nothing to say. The truth is it's taken me a few years to write it. I started my novel three times now, without finishing the previous one. I dare say, I am a little embarrassed to confess this to you pros. It's okay, though. I rather be embarrassed and get help than not get it at all.Regardless, I decided to give the novel a shot, because I couldn't stop thinking about it. The second time around I felt I was actually getting somewhere, until my laptop was stolen and I hadn't backed up most of my work. That's the day I cried for an hour, got angry at myself and the thief, tried to remember what I had written, but nothing... I couldn't get it back. So I stopped working on the scraps of a book I thought was lost forever. A year later, I met all of you.
God has a funny way of sending you little messages ... and you, my dear friends, are one of them. I don't feel alone anymore. I've been writing the third version of the same book I started years ago. This time I'll make sure to finish it, I promise. NaNo was tempting, but my pace as you can see is much slower. I didn't dare join this year like many of you dare-devils did. I couldn't handle the pressure. I'll still run the race just a different one.
With that said, I wanted to thank you all for being my informants, my teachers, my mentors, my motivational coaches, but most of all for being my inspiration. I've taken your advice, rearranged priorities, and have diligently dived into this book. I've even added a WIP meter to help me stay focused.
Now that I put it all out there, I'm seeking help. I'd appreciate any tips that are useful. Keep in mind, I know nothing, except for the helpful things I've learned through your posts.
Thanks in advance.
*photo by flickr
22 comments:
Yay for you! I'm glad you are writing your novel again. I bet it is amazing. I've seen your poetry. We're all in this together, and I appreciate you being such a great blog friend.
:) Susan, You always make me smile! Thanks for your posts; they have been so useful in this writing expedition.
More than happy to receive any other writing tips from you.
Happy to read that you are writing a novel, you certainly have the talent! It's amazing what one can do when inspired. I have found the same inspiration since entering this wonderful new world of blogging, so many beautiful friends here, including you :)
Thanks back at you for the inspiration YOU provide.
A New Day is playing right now. God is good!
~ Wendy
I'd cry too if my laptop--and novel--was stolen!
Hey, where did you find that WIP word meter? And I really love your label box.
Have a great weekend!
Dream~ Thanks! It's been a pleasure meeting you too. Your blog has helped me see things clearer in more ways than you can possibly know.
Wendy~ Your blog is definitely a 'thrilling' place! I love your 'one question' Fridays.
Kristen~ You should've seen me, bunched up in the corner of the floor sobbing, yeah, I was a mess! But I'm over it now; I've regained my fresh start thanks to you all. Glad you like the label box, I've been trying to modify it a little, but I lost the page where I found it, go figure!
PS. You can find that cutesy meter here, go grab it! :) http://svenja.atspace.com/wordmeter.html
Ellie we are a peculiar people! I am the same amateur you are, but it feels good to know we are walking the direction that God has planted for us.
Keep reading, writing crappy drafts, and letting the feedback from others shape your work.
I read a great post that said just write, nothing can take shape if the page is blank.
Thanks Tamika, you make me feel much better. Except I don't agree, you are not an amateur at all, girl, your posts are great! :) Thanks for the advice! xo
Ellie did you get my last email?
Tamika~ check your email I sent you a reply. You are too funny! :)
Keep writing; every idea deserves our attention so don't give up!!
Thanks for your kind words Alex! Writing as we speak!
Ellie,
First of all, Bravo! for taking up your task of starting all over!!
They can steal your laptop but not your creativity...your ideas are still there inside youwaiting to crawl out, and they have already been crawling out since sometime...since you were born..and they will till you die!
i understand how you feel...and,i don't know much about writing....
but i know it helps me live, survive, soar, sing, and celebrate.
So let us celebrate the universe, and everything it gives us.
Celebrate, the rain, the moonlight, the dark nights, the shadows, the longings,
and those dawns that gracefully wraps us in their subtle lights.
When i wake up i only see the dancing of words.
In the faces of people, in their preoccupatons,etc,etc....and in between all this the silent whispers of life... are words and words and anything but words waiting to be heard!!!
So celebrate yourself! Giving your joys and pain the same attention through your writings....and keep spreading your heart through your pen.
As for me,
i clear the forest in my being to make my path to go up to the summit!
perhaps, a beautiful surprise awaits us all.
or maybe there's nothing at all but expectations,
or maybe the path itself becomes the summit!
Meanwhile, i gladly and gratefully follow you.
Through your gentleness a part of me blooms...and i hope we all will bloom in each others light, IN a very fertile space full of love!
COL
NB: sorry for this long blah blah....wish i could tell you all this in one look!
Thanks so much!!!
I've started to imagine my computer crashing and losing everything lately (it's happened before). Needless to say, I'm getting an external hard drive in a few weeks. My dad says it'll be free shipping after Thanksgiving, so I'm just holding out for that... hopefully no major viruses will come before that!
Ellie-first I want to say that I've been there. I started the same project a number of times, scraped it and then tried again. It's frustrated not knowing where to begin so I stopped trying to begin. I wrote the parts of the story that were important that spoke to me in my dreams and other downtime. Then I pieced it together. I use to be a write from the being kind of girl, but now I focus on sections. Remember to set goals for yourself and reward yourself when you accomplish them ie write 10 pages today and tomorrow fix the narrative in chapter six. Reese's Peanut Butter cups are my favorite rewards! Write everyday even if its only a paragraph at least you contributed something. It will make you feel like your getting somewhere! Remember we've all been where you are, but at the end the sense of acheivement is exhilarting. Let your characters write for you. You will know when they take control. Good luck and you go girl...write that novel:)
Craftsman~ You say you don't know much of writing, and yet your words are so profound. So I must disagree with you on that one.
You reminded me of a dream I had last night. It was funny... I was talking in my sleep and my words woke me from it. I was saying 'the words are so powerful'. I remembered I saw all my words written on the bark of a very tall tree. I guess that's my desire, to penetrate the hearts of many, to carve in deep! See... I can blah-blah too! :D
Kristen~ your welcome! I have an external hard drive myself. I just can't seem to find it now. They are very essential aren't they?! I've def. learned my lesson. I've even emailed myself everything, just another way until you get the other drive. Enjoy your weekend!
Veronica~ Thank you so much for the sound advice! That's exactly what I've been trying to do... write everyday, even if it is just a few words. I'll make sure to eat a Reese's after each section. :)
I love that you have made this decision for yourself! Follow your heart the rest will follow!
Thanks for your support Mark!
So glad you aren't giving up. Everyone should run their race at their own pace (didn't mean to make that rhyme.) Your posts are beautiful. I'm sure your novel will be as well. I'm no pro so I can't offer much advice, but I support you in spirit. :)
Karen~ you're too sweet! Thank you for your encouragement!
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