Scribbling in chalk no more...

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A New Year, A New Me

This year's writing journey has been a bumpy ride. It included two major writing blocks, a completed draft of my fantasy novel sent out to readers and a refocus on my writing life.

My writing journey will continue in the New Year at a brand new site.

Stay tuned for directions...

Happy Holiday Period and Happy Scribbling.

February already?

It has almost been a month since I have posted. This year is slipping by so fast.

I have been battling against a bit of a block lately. It stemmed from a uni assignment that just didn’t seem to be working in my head and then I couldn’t sit down and do anything.

In the end I forced myself into the chair to work on the story. Even if it was rubbish to start with I had to get some sort of story out. I was also getting dangerously close to the deadline.

It turned out to be the best thing I could have done. Things changed a little once I reworked it but once I got that first draft down the world seemed a lot easier to deal with.

Now it is all done and submitted I have allowed myself the chance to have a think about some of the other projects I’m either working on or working up to. I still have a lot to work with my fantasy novel edit, but I want the chance to do some other things as well. I am looking at spending a little time each week outlining and plotting the trilogy I started thinking about a couple of years ago.

I always come back to my current work being more important and so the trilogy has gone untouched. Images and ideas for it swim into focus occasionally and I write them down but I would like to get the full structure organised. Then once I have finished my current edit I can get straight into it.

In the last couple of weeks I feel like I have gone from zero output and flat to clear focus and regular writing again.

The next time I get stuck I will have to remember to just sit and write. It can be hard but, for me, it seems to be the only way. If only I could remember that earlier in the blocked processes.

Happy Scribbling

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

Planning for writing

I have been a little bit busy with my uni work of late. It is taking up most of my thinking time and currently all of my writing time.

But that is OK.

And it is OK because it is important, enjoyable and all leads toward my long term writing goals.

Despite the enjoyment I am getting from this writing at the moment, it is disappointing that my current work in progress has had to take a back seat. The longer I'm not working on it, the further my finish time gets pushed out.

Yet I still have that writing time booked. I still get up at the same time, sit in my study and write. I may not be writing my novel but it is writing.

And uni won't last forever, and my workload will ease and when I get to the study at 5am, I'll be able to write my novel and not my uni specific work. And I won't have to retrain myself.

The current heavy workload for uni has also taught me that I can get more done of an evening than I thought I could, as I usually work best of a morning. I also discovered that I don't need to watch so much of the telly; I can record the good bits and watch later. As long as I have a plan of what I would like to achieve I usually do what I set out to in a session, or at least get reasonably close.

Planning for my writing, what I want to achieve and what I am going to write has been a great help and improved the quality of my writing.

Each month I have a list of goals, I then transfer these goals to a work plan. The work plan details all I need to do to reach my goals and how and when I am going to do them. I then use each week of this plan to detail what I need to do each day. It seems to be working well.

I am also planning more for each piece of writing. There are so many steps before the actual writing or aspects of what we are going to write that need to be posted for uni each week. Each of these steps I have found add to the work as a whole; and help me for future writing projects.

So I'm flat out, and not writing my novel, but I am happy that this all leads to a better writing overall and therefore worth every moment.

Happy Scribbling.

Where I have been for the last month...

I would like to start with an apology. It has been a very trying time over the last month and I’ve been a bit lax with my blogging.

I lost a friend – my old computer. Well he wasn’t that old but he was familiar and safe and not backed up well enough.

He died mid Dr Who. I’m not sure what was most upsetting at the time; having to wait until the Saturday night for the conclusion to the episode or the fact that I could have just lost my entire writing career.

In the end it was the panic over my writing that won out, and it intensified over the following days as I remembered more and more stories and snippets stored away on the hard drive only.

Thankfully, it was discovered, by a very fabulous man, that the hard drive had in fact survived but the computer itself was lost forever. It was surprisingly easy to find a handsome slimline replacement. And then the initial fabulous man moved my hard drive contents to my new one.

In setting my new world to look and work like my old world I also managed to max out my download limit. Although I had everything back it was painful to even try to access the internet let alone do things on it.

By this point it was the end of September and I was highly traumatised.

I then had a week of complete relaxation with some friends interstate. Where I literally did nothing but shop, watch trashy t.v. and make a decent dent in Dance with Dragons (book 5 of the Fire and Ice series by George RR Martin). And that was a trauma of a different kind because I know he is going to kill off more of my favourite characters and I fear getting attached to anyone. (There is a whole blog post in that alone, I’m sure.)

I am now back to where I should be. Although a bit stressed about how behind I am with my writing, struggling to keep on top of my uni work and too scared to pick up the novel I’m reading.

I have also learnt a lot from this. The most important thing being: to back up, back up and then back up some more. It was only pure luck that the hard drive didn't die and I had visions of having to rewrite my current work in progress from the last print out I had – a very scary thought indeed.

I have purchased an external hard drive, I have some copies of the important stuff on thumb drives as well, and I am investigating cloud technology (although I’m not sure I get the process I can see the advantages).

After few deep breaths and saving everything to everywhere I can, I hope to continue with some more regular blogging from now on.

I hope you have all your writing backed up… Happy Scribbling

Change in Mindset

I have recently discovered a change in my own behaviour during the editing process.

The editing process does takes far more concentration and work than the initial draft. My first drafts are free and easy, they flow and it doesn’t matter about grammar, spelling, punctuation or even plot. I am just trying to get the story down.

I am currently editing my fantasy novel. This is the first real run through with a red pen. Previously my editing has been more fiddling, and then starting again.
The process hasn’t been as driven. This time I’m trying hard to make it right.

For example, when editing work before, I have thought, “That doesn’t quite work, but I’ll pick it up on the next edit.”

Not this time.

I am reworking, or rewriting until it does work. It is taking longer than I planned but I’m sure I’m getting a better story out of it. I will need to read it through again, and there may be some changes still required. So this isn’t a final draft. But it is much closer to that final draft than I would have produced with a second draft before.

Some of the areas I’m focusing on include:

·         Characters are consistent and real;

·         Need for additional characters in a scene;

·         Magic consistency;

·         Timing;

·         Readability; grammar and punctuation;

·         Spelling – particularly character names;

·         Movement of plot – that each scene is moving the story along; and

·         Appropriate description.

I have cleared my desk and I’m working well in the study. My notes are on hand and the whiteboard (with character links and world info) is visible. I didn’t get as much cleared out of the study as I had hoped. But it is a better working space and I know where everything is.

I am continuing to keep a writing log for this project, which details my aims for each writing session, what I achieved and how well I thought it went. This can only help improve my processes and my writing.

Despite the year slipping by at an alarming rate, I still aim to have this novel finished by the end of the year.

I hope your projects are working just was well.

Happy Scribbling.

Spring Cleaning

With spring rumoured to be just around the corner I thought it was time to do some spring cleaning. The only real signs of spring here in Tassie are the blossoms. We get a hint that the weather might be on the turn and then we get snow.

It doesn’t have to be spring to get things organised. It is the idea of shrugging off the winter coat that drives some need to freshen the house at the same time.

I’m not the best housekeeper, but things usually end up pretty close to where they should. Of late I have been very focused on my study and the house is starting to show signs of neglect. My daughter heads to the washing or ironing basket to find clothes before trying a drawer.

But the push to organise came because I can’t find my notes, or edits when I get the chance to sit down to write, and so I end up doing something else.

Therefore my study needs an overhaul as well. My desk has become a dumping ground, even the cat struggles to find a place to sit. I have notes and books and bills and birthday invitations and printouts in haphazard and unrelated piles. I can’t find a space to even write a note. And working on the computer has become frustrating as I get the mouse caught on one of the many piles of papers.

My aim is to start by clearing all the rubbish out of the room and clearing the bookcase. I have a beautiful bookcase but it holds everything from a power drill to an old camping stove. Once I have that cleared out, I can start using it to store all my books and notes. This will help clear the desk to make it more workable.

Then the filing.

By the end of the weekend I should have a clear and workable study again. It might take a little longer to get the rest of the house to where it should be; but with a tidy study at least I will be writing and happy.

Happy Scribbling.

The Writing Process

I recently read that key to good writing is rewriting.

I can only agree.

First drafts are rough by definition. A first draft is the story pounded out, capturing the idea, capturing the characters and what they do and why. It is hurried, and scatty, poorly spelt, grammatically challenged and rough. It is why it is called a draft. It is by no means the finished product nor should it be sent anywhere.

The rewriting or redrafting process is going to be different for everyone. Some ideas work for some and not others. One published author I follow via her blog does one rewrite/redraft and she is done. Another published author I have met pounds out her draft and sends (unread) to the publisher.

The whole idea makes me cringe. Perhaps it is because so much changes for me over the first draft. Perhaps because I write over a longer time period – with a day job in the middle. Perhaps I just lack confidence.

Whatever the reason, I rework my stories. All of them; short and long.

I read through the entire story making notes both on the pages and on a separate sheet of major problems, name changes, place, making sure the story is consistent with where I want it to be.

I then rework it, moving through page by page to ensure the story is smooth, the description is adequate, the characters have depth, the grammar works and the spelling is improved.

I let it rest. I read through again. Then rework again. And I do this as many times as I need to, to make it good. Or at least as good as it could be. There is a point where this needs to stop.  For a novel I may work through the entire piece three or four times. I may only go through twice.

This is my process and it may not work for everyone. But then everyone writes differently. I start writing from the spark of an idea and see where it goes. Then I’ll think about how to make it into something special. That is where the planning comes in. Others like to plan right from the start.

You may remember a previous post about mapping out a trilogy on index cards. This has had to wait a bit while I continue with my current story, but it is still there. I have the first novel mapped out. I hope to have the following two at the same stage before I start writing. That will be a change in process for me and I’m keen to see how it goes. It just has to wait until I have finished my current fantasy novel.

Happy Scribbling

The To-Do List

I continue to battle to get it all done at the moment.

I did manage to send my novel out into the world again. This could up to six months for a response, or non-response as the publishing houses are tending toward at the moment.

My writing journal has been very helpful. It is also a great reference to flip back through the pages and see how I’m going and where there may be repeat problems. A problem I have discovered is planning the next session. Not that planning is a problem, but when I do it is.

At the end of each session, I need to map out what I want to do at the next session. If I don’t, I stumble. Sometimes I can get straight into what I want, but mostly I fiddle and check emails and so on before I get down to what is important and then find I have little time left.

Given the amount of study I’m trying to do, I am sticking to my early morning writing times for novel writing. If I miss the session it is hard to make it up during the day, unless I’m organised and can write at lunch time. But it rarely happens. This adds to the pressure and pushes out the deadlines. I can’t be too hard on myself though or I won’t get anything done. I need to take each new day as a fresh start.

I am attempting to follow a suggestion from Scott H Young about planning and to do lists. I may have mentioned before that I love lists, but they can become as much of a procrastination tool as a time management one. Scott’s suggestion is a weekly/daily list.

Start with the weekly list which shows all the things to be achieved that week. Then using that as a reference write, out the daily to do list for the following day. At the end of the day write the next day’s list and so on. Each day taking from the weekly list to ensure it all gets done.

My weekly list looks a little daunting at the moment, but my weeks haven’t really changed that much over the last few months. Perhaps it is linked to my energy levels. I need to keep moving though if I’m going to achieve all that I want to this year. I may be feeling the pressure but I am enjoying every minute.

Happy Scribbling

Glass slumping and the procrastination monster

When I feel overwhelmed by all I’m trying to do I find my mind doesn’t quite function as it should. And I’m a little overwhelmed at the moment. Partly because my day job has been exhausting over June and I’ve had little creative energy left for anything outside of work.

When I get stressed I tend to start thinking at strange tangents.

So the little creative energy I have had I have been using to find something artistic to enrich my life. I’ve researched glass and ceramic classes and considered getting the camera out again and focusing on photography.

But it took some time to realise that I am already doing something like this – my writing. And these ideas take from my writing time, that researching classes robs my writing time.

In my search for some stress release I found I was procrastinating, and in many ways only adding to my stress.

At least I am able to see this for what it really is.

So instead of taking up a new hobby I have taken some time to refocus on why writing is important to me and what I want to write. Which it turns out is not very different to what I have been thinking about and working towards for some time. I just needed a bit of a kick.

I have looked over a variety of advice to beat procrastination (again, and yes that is in a way another form of procrastination). I have decided to try using a writing journal. This will be a notebook where I map out the aim of my next writing session, then how well I thought that session went and how close I came to meeting the session goals.

This may help cut down the email checking I do before I start writing because I only have an hour of a morning before the getting ready for school madness starts and a clear plan/aim/goal for that hour would help guide me straight into writing.

Happy Scribbling

First Written Rejection

I'm so excited to share the news that I have received my first written rejection.

My first rejection was by non-response. So this one has been tacked up on the study wall.

Part of me doubts my first novel will ever be published but I am going to send it out again into the scary world to see what happens.

In any case, I will continue writing.

Happy Scribbling

The Connection Between Reading and Writing

My current subject at Uni is looking at the importance and the connection between reading and writing. That is that one does not or cannot exist without the other. It is an interesting point and timely.

My mother has chastised me recently for not having enough faith in my own writing and not sending it out into the world.

‘But I have,’ I whined.

But not enough I whispered to myself.

The only way I can really call myself a writer is when others are reading my writing. My reading my own, apparently, is not enough.

So, I hear you sigh. She is going to refocus, again.

Well, yes I am; and no.

In light of where I want to be, that is a published writer, people will at some point read my writing. I am most comfortable with novel length writing, but I also need to work a little on short stories and memoir. Other forms in general, let’s say. Poetry has had its run methinks.

Part of this change has been spurred by my assignment this term - to write something for publication in the university magazine. I have thought about this previously but this form of writing has taken a backseat and my novel writing has taken over. I do think there is room for both – I just need to watch even less TV and try not to read so much.

Reading is important and I feel that I learn a lot from the books that I read; both those I enjoy and those I don’t. Writing more than reading I think. If I’m not getting my book written because I am too busy reading someone else’s novel – well it’s not good. Balance is the key.

I have some new points to focus on with my study – confidence and my powers of description (which are currently lacking). The more I write the better I get, so more writing it is. And that was my aim all along.

Happy Scribbling

Overflowing Ideas

I have had a problem with new ideas recently. They seem to be invading my thinking nearly all of the time and I blame my writers’ group. Yes, it’s your fault. All of you.

Little sayings, little phrases are sparking ideas at the moment and drawing my attention away from where it should be; firmly focused on my fantasy novel which seems to have stalled in a way, again. It is being written, and edited, at the moment and I’m getting lots of fresh ideas for that too.

But in a recent day dream of all the stories I would like to write I started to think about those I have planned or started or had ideas for. An action style women’s fiction I started some time ago, that is still in the planning stages has been haunting me and the ending came into focus in the car the other day. Another women’s fiction idea, still in the very early stages of thinking about seemed to float back to the surface too and I ended up doing half a day’s research for it.

All distractions from my current work.

Coming back to my writing group; imagine the cheek of some people, actually inspiring writing in such an environment. But they have (and they do regularly) and a couple of phrases are starting to grow into bigger ideas. I think for the moment they are short stories but I have had to stop and ask: is it worth me writing them now?

All of this thinking about stories, and more stories and parts for old stories and unfinished stories is good in some ways. It helps my confidence that there are that many stories locked away somewhere in my head. And that my muse is working and I may never run dry for ideas. Yet it distracts from what I want to finish now. Again with the unfinished work.

I want so much to finish my current fantasy because I want to see how it ends, and because then I can legitimately get on with other stories. I will have to write down the little ideas, so I don’t lose them, and focus, focus and focus some more on one project at a time.

Happy Scribbling