In the past, I’ve been reluctant to write about my writing process, or lack thereof. I admire those who write blogs, documenting their failures and successes; giving advice to help ease the way for newbs like me. I don’t feel that I can compete with those writers. I don’t mean to imply that this is some sort of competition and that I am advocating my skills by screaming “hey, look over here! I’m a better writer than so and so over at blahblah.com.” No, my reluctance comes from the knowledge that I have nothing useful to add to the mix. I’m still trying to find my way out of the fog and find my voice as a writer.
This lends to a personality trait that some might call a flaw. I am a watcher, not a joiner. I like to stand on the peripheral, and take it all in – learn from what is going on around me, and silently, walk away. Not necessarily a bad thing, right? Maybe not. But in this realm of my life, I am discovering that this quirk is a clear disadvantage.
Recently, my creativity has hit a bit of a road block. Well, if I’m to be completely honest, “road block” seems to be a bit of an understatement. I have run headlong into a brick wall, spray painted with the words “You, a Writer? Dream on.” in big bold letters. Now, as I lie on the ground, thoroughly bitch slapped by self-doubt, and stare up at those mocking words, I am faced with a dilemma. Get up and try it again; or lie here, lick my wounds, and consider knitting as a safe alternative.
I will get up, of course. I hate knitting.
But now the question is: How do I prevent this sort of thing from happening again?
I need a platform that I can chronicle my failures and successes. I am learning that even though I am not a seasoned writer, my process is important. Even if only to me. Surely, by whining about my writing/plot/character problems, and sharing my successes, I will find a way to cleanse my convoluted creativity and unburden my mind enough to actually make a dent in this novel – a manuscript that has plagued me for the last year.
The answer: I will blog about it and torture my few followers. Brilliant! Misery loves company, right?
I am not one to make New Year’s Resolutions. I think they are a recipe for failure. I’ve only made one other in my life. I succeeded in that – losing 50lbs. However, I accomplished that feat, not by making an all-encompassing pledge, but by making small attainable goals for myself and then resetting them once they were met. I will apply the same school of thought to my writing process.
Novel: Retribution
Current Word Count: 24,001
Number of Pages: 124
January 1, 2012:
Novel: Retribution
Current Word Count: 24,940
Number of Pages: 129
Not a lot of progress made in ten days time. But, in reality, it is. In that time, I dove in and did a lot of word purging. A painful process, but a necessary one. In all, I wrote and rewrote some three thousand words or so. I also was able to realign some plot issues, create a new character conflict, and deepen a main character’s sense of purpose, clarifying her goals. Of course, as often happens in these situations, my character spontaneously goaded me into alluding to a twist; one that will be difficult to incorporate, but you never know. We’ll see where it goes.
Lesson of the week: Accepting that sometimes a fresh scene is poorly written and perhaps lacks the precise tone of the flanking scenes, but, at least, it is out of my head and “on paper.” I can fix it later – after I’ve typed those sweet words – The End.
New goal:
What: 3000 words written; Including 2 new outlined scenes
Completed by: Next Sunday – January 8, 2012
Of Bears and Boating 
Peggy, don’t worry about adding to the mix. I add what I learn on my blog. As I learn it. I am an unpublished writer of a crappy novel (goal is to rewrite it, because it could shine) and a half finished sequel of sorts.(goal, finish the rough by the end of Feb.) We all have something to say. Now, here is a tip that may help you. Put the WIP down! Write a (or some) flash fiction, preferably in a different genre. It can help you break through the wall and decide if what you have iin your WIP is what you want to keep writing about. Shoot, I am long-winded. You can enter my flash contest if you like. (NOT a shameless plug, promise) but I want you to know, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Thank you, Dawn, for your encouraging words. It is nice to know I’m not floundering out here all by myself. Flash fiction is something that I’ve always wanted to try but never “found the time.” I have a few fellow writer friends who love it as a means to get the juices flowing. They swear by it. I will try it out – on your site. 🙂 Thanks again. I appreciate the feedback. Good luck to you in meeting your February goal and on the rewrite.