Happy New Year

Happy New Year from my daughter 

I had a restful holiday, sleeping in, reading books, watching movies, visiting all sorts of exciting places. Just what I need in a holiday.

And then yesterday was the last day. After my last lie in for a while, I sat down with a pen and large whiteboard and spent some quality time planning. I have to admit that I was a little lax over the holiday period. I didn’t follow my usual plans, hardly opened my planner, and didn’t do nearly as much writing as I thought I would.

My planning session looked at what I had achieved and what I needed to get done yesterday to meet my uni commitments and to catch up a little. I was child free, so that did help a little. I wrote down absolutely everything I wanted to do, what I needed to do and even some of the things I would rather leave off (like the vacuuming).

Everything scribbled down together.

Then I worked out roughly how long I thought each task would take and what needed to be done first. I always feel so much better (calmer) when I see things down as lists.

I had no illusions that I would get it all done in one day. Most of it was feasible but I would be working non-stop and I needed to eat, rest and some items on the list would probably take longer than anticipated. That was the reason for prioritising. The most important first and then I could work from there.

I also mapped out my next week and the week after that. This was a little easier as I was starting back at work and I knew I would have far less time during the day for writing and studying. Planned blocks of time, like appointments, are easier to work to. So I may only have an hour a day for working on my fantasy novel now, but it is a very productive hour (and it certainly was this morning).

It was a great day. I did work through most of what I wanted to and all of the most important tasks (or those with deadlines) were completed.

Of course everything is part of the bigger picture. It all leads to my big goals in life. And my weekly lists, and daily lists, all relate to my monthly goals. I know where I’m headed this year and so far it is looking great.

I hope you are starting this year with renewed vigour and eager to continue on your journey. If you’re not sure where you’re headed, take a little time and plan the way.

Happy Scribbling.

Happy Holidays

I have noticed this year that Christmas has become somewhat non-denominational.

To the point there is no real mention of Christ at all. I’m even getting a little overexcited if I see anything vaguely Christ related or religious.

So in that vain, I wish you all a very merry Holiday (for whatever it means to you) and a safe and happy New Year.

I am taking a little break from blogging over the holiday period (only a week or two) to enjoy some writing time, quiet time, fun time with the kiddies and possibly too much merriment in general.

I’ll be back in the New Year.

Happy Scribbling Christmas

What I’m learning from my current edit

Firstly, it is not going quite as quickly as I had hoped. Some things are still getting in the way of my writing time, but not as much. I had thought that it would not take me quite as long as it has with each chapter to fill in the gaps in the story, and bring the characters off the page.

Secondly, there is still a long way to go until it is as perfect, or near as can be, as I would like. I am happy with the story itself and the way it is moving forward. It is a lot clearer now. It is the finer detail and the visualisation of the characters I worry about. I have them, and the setting, so clearly in my head, that I’m not sure they are making it to the page; that I might only be thinking they are making it to the page.

Thirdly, I still care about my characters and where their lives are going and how they interact with each other. I’m eager for their story to be great, but their story. It has grown with them, and although I try to direct it a particular way, they must find their own way there. I love that about writing, learning with them.

So, a long way still to go, but I’m making good progress. I would rather do it properly than quickly. I will certainly need at least another couple of drafts after this one. And I may need to use my critical friendships between drafts to make sure some of what is in my head reaches the page.

Happy Scribbling

Writing Groups

A good writing group is a wonderful thing to have.

You can make new friends:

And friends are important to keep you going when things get tough, keep you up when things are good and see you through the blocks.

Source of inspiration:

Sharing stories (and not always written) and writing is a great way to find inspiration for a work in progress or to start you off. I have had a lot of inspirational jolts from general discussion in the group before we even think about the writing.

Critical friendships:

Writing groups are a safe environment to get feedback on your writing and to give feedback to others. This helps with learning how to deal with constructive criticism and how to give it. This can only make you and your work stronger.

Learning opportunities:

Chance to listen to what others are writing and learning. Sharing ideas and learnings is a great way to help others learn. Other members of the group may belong to different associations and so hear about different events, competitions and opportunities for writers.

Providing a reader’s perspective:

Listening or reading other writers work is a great way to get a feel for the rhythm of the words. You can also get an idea of how well something works from those as readers.

Meeting times:

How often the group meets is going to depend on the participants. If you are all not working, then perhaps one afternoon a week; or after work once a fortnight; or the first Sunday of the month. It is going to be different for everyone.

Our group meets fortnightly; it was the way it was when I joined and we have continued. It seems to be the best spacing for us; and we rotate meeting venues.

How to join a writing group:

Look at writers centre newsletters for groups in your area;

Talk to friends and other writers;

Attend a writing course – it may be that some of you will connect well and want to continue meeting after it finishes (both groups I’ve belonged to formed this way); or

Look on line – there are lots of forums out there where you can connect with others and share your work.

Happy Scribbling

Planning and Goal Setting for 2013

It is that time again, to consider how we have been going meeting this year’s goals. And thinking about what we want to achieve next year.

Now, honestly, I have already been thinking about next year, and I regularly check how I have been going this year.

Let’s start with 2012.

It was not quite as productive as I hoped. But I know why. It was the level of study I took on. Now I loved every moment of that and I learnt so much and have found whole new areas of writing I would not have previously considered. But I know I’m not going to get my current work in progress finished and I really hoped I would.

I don’t want to look at this year negatively. There is still a whole month to go and I have learnt and read and written a lot. My aim is to continue through the rest of the year and refocus for next year. I have already managed to reach my goal with the number of novels I read.

Here are my writing goals for 2013.

(I have other non-writing goals, such as recarpeting the house, but you wouldn’t be interested in those…) Please note that these are not in any order of importance.

Submit current work in progress to publisher. (Which means it will be finished).

Draft book 1 of Trilogy. (This was a goal for 2012, but it had to be dropped).

Investigate other publishing opportunities – such as short stories; sci/fi and fantasy mags; competitions.

Complete Master of Arts.

Read all books beside the bed (currently 19 – and I haven’t been into a book shop, or on Amazon in ages – it is hard people, very hard).

Investigate creation of website.

I think this is enough to keep me challenged. One of my aims for this year was to put some writing examples on this site. But it isn’t possible. I’m not quite sure what I want to share yet in terms of lots of writing, but I want to expand on the blog. Any changes will be updated here.

Happy Scribbling, and planning.

Current work in progress

I feel like I’m not getting to my current work in progress as much as I would like. Partly due to the amount of study I took on this term, and there may have been a little procrastinating in there too. I try, but sometimes it just looks too scary to face.

In an attempt to get back on track I did a little cursory reviewing of the work so far. I have completed the comprehensive edit on the first third of the book, so there is still some way to go. But I wasn’t going to let it beat me.

I sat down with the remaining part of my story and worked through chapter by chapter, making notes as to whether it required writing (as there are some gaps), some writing and editing or just the comprehensive edit. This only took me a half hour or so, and produced a clear list of exactly what is required to get this draft finished.

Because I have had a little rest from the story I will need to revisit some aspects to ensure the continuity of the story. Once I had the plan in place I then spent some time writing the first rough draft of the next chapter, which was one of those gaps. I was also able to try it out on my writing group (very useful) and then start on the editing process.

I am hoping that I can work through one to two chapters a week, depending on the level of work required. I have my mornings back and this term I am only studying one subject, so I hope to use some evening time as well. If I can continue to work at the same steady pace I should be finished early next year. Then I can give it a little rest, while I go back to planning my trilogy book 1. Then read and review again. I am hoping that with this comprehensive edit the next one will not be so demanding.

All going to plan it should be ready to send out into the world somewhere between July and September 2013. (fingers and toes crossed).

Happy Scribbling.

On the right path

Someone recently said to me, “You bring this on yourself.”

Do I?

“You don’t have to do so much.”

Don’t I?

I was actually talking about my university commitments at the time and the fact that I was watching far less T.V. because I was studying or writing. I didn’t think I was complaining about the amount of writing I do but perhaps it sounded that way.

We were discussing all those shows that I no longer watched, and didn’t really miss. And the reason I didn’t miss them was that I was enjoying what I was doing.

So I have been flat out; and this study period has been quite challenging at times. But the important point is that I have enjoyed every moment.

I am learning so much and writing better (I think). It comes back to the reason I am doing this.

For me.

Because I want to write. Because I love to write. Because I need to write like I need to breathe. I can’t live without it. If I could give up my day job tomorrow and write all day, I would jump at the chance.

That is not going to happen soon, unless I win a large amount of money. But the study helps me along the path towards that dream. Towards that goal.

Sometimes I get a bit tired and sometimes it gets a bit hard but the benefits far outweigh the pain. It is important to remember why we do what we do. Sometimes I need a little reminder but I know what I want and I know what I need to put in to get there. And if I enjoy the process – isn’t that the point?

Happy Scribbling