Tuesday 5 March 2013

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog hop for Wednesday March 6th, 2013

















 

Thanks to Alex J Cavanaugh for starting Insecure Writer's Support Group.

 
This is my first post for IWSG. For those who are new to my blog, let me introduce myself.  My name is Anna Nordeman, I live in Sweden and my blog is supposed to be about the craft of making jewellery. But my interest in writing has let fictional stories sneak into this blog where jewellery-tutorials should be. It went as far as me trying to write a novel in November for NaNoWriMo, but I had to quit midway.

Let's look at what happened to me in November. I wrote as much as I could, but some days I could not write at all, and I got behind. It was impossible to catch up and I felt defeated, and decided to quit. NaNo is just not for me. I need a longer time, maybe just writing one day a week, like Saturday mornings while everyone else is asleep. There is just not enough time between all the small emergencies of two school children and five cats.

Another reason I quit NaNo was that I felt that I needed more time to think and do research. And I needed a better outline. I did not feel like writing a lot of bla-ha that would be deleted later. I have something I want to say when I write my novel.

I had already started reading how-to books on novel-writing and learned two important lessons: 

First, you need to feel free when you write your first draft. Keep the door closed, as Stephen King writes in his book On Writing. You need to feel free to just get that crazy story down on paper or a paper napkin or a bakery-bag or that envelope from the tax people. Get it down and then let it cool off a time. And then look at it again and revise it. Correct the spelling and grammar as you go along. And then open the door again and let others read what you have written.

The second piece of advice that I have seen in every how to book I've read is that if something is going to be needed for something to happen in chapter seventeen, a loaded gun or a parachute, you'd better make sure that you mention it, imply it or show it, already in chapter one. 

Having learned these two lessons, my writing has improved, even if I am still a long way from my goal to finish my novel and send it off to a publisher. But I have a plan. I'll get my novel written even if I have to get up at four am everyday.

Don't get me wrong. I love my children. I would probably be a very unhappy woman if I did not have them. I'd live in an immaculately clean apartment and roll my thumbs instead of living in the creative chaos that is our home at present. My children inspire me. I thought of a good name for a character in the middle of a heated argument between my son and my daughter, between 'He started it...' and 'I won't quit until she does.' They are my life-breath, my raison d’être.

This is my first try at writing this sort of thing. Be patient. I'll catch on eventually.

(I am number 304 on the list.)


Best wishes,
Anna











First Commenter: 

 
Roland Yeomans



 

 
of

Writing in the Crosshairs  

12 comments:

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Your first post for the INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT is much better than mine was! Great job,

During NaNo, I had the ghost of Ernest Hemingway chide those who tried to cram a whole novel into a month, using the great master's own words from the past.

Don't be down. I'll let you in on a secret: many of the No-No Nanettes (as Ernest calls them) outline and plot in the months prior to November so that they can hit the ground running.

Besides if you rushed the making of a piece of jewelry, wouldn't it come out looking less than if you took care in the planning and execution?

Isn't Mr. King's ON WRITING a great book on how to craft a novel?

Yours was an insightful comment on my own INSECURE post. Thanks. Roland

Beverly Diehl said...

Writing is a journey. We don't all start at the same place, nor move at the same PACE.

Just Pinned a great quote, "Don't compare your beginning to somebody else's middle."

I've thought about NaNoWriMo a few times, but so far, it's not for me, and that's okay, even if sometimes I feel left out in November when everybody is blogging and writing about NaNo. And yes, definitely hard to write when there are kids in the house - even when they're not THERE, that's where your mind is.

Good luck!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Hi Anna,

It's nice to see you again. I'm so glad you dropped by and are joining the IWSG. (I'll be posting mine later tonight). Your contribution is very thoughtful. Thanks.

I thought I was already following you, but realized I wasn't so now I am! =)

xoRobyn

Denise Covey said...

Anna, it's wonderful to see you here. And you have something to say and you say it well. You are doing wonderfully seeing Engish is your second language. Many bloggers love helping other bloggers; that is why this idea of Alex's is such a good one. My post isn't going up until tomorrow as I want to give the Overcoming Adversity book a chance (my current post.)

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Anna, borrow a copy of The Breakout Novel by Donald Maass from your local library. I've read a lot of how to books, but this one inspired me to grow as an author. Great book. It even comes with its own workbook.

Welcome to IWSG. Judging by your first post, you're definitely on a roll.

Is Wallander filmed in Sweden? I love the series.

Christine Danek said...

Hi Anna! Welcome. Writing is a journey. Keep in mind we all write differently and at different paces so don't get discouraged. If you love it keep going. It will give you a great reward. Congrats on starting your first novel. Nice to meet you and best wishes.
Christine

Kaye Draper said...

Welcome! Sounds like you're on the right track. I do the jewelry thing too, I'll have to check out your tuts. :)

Heather M. Gardner said...

I'd tell you to run for the hills but it won't work. If the writing bug bit you, well, that's it.

Best writing advice everyone gives each other around here... Just Write.

Best of luck.

Heather

Unknown said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and telling your story. My children inspire me too, as much as they take time away from writing. Sometimes what keeps me going is my desire to be a good role model. I want to be the version of myself that my kids can look up to.

Michael Di Gesu said...

HI, Anna,

CONGRATS on your first post for the IWSG. Your journey is beginning and the time it takes will be up to YOU. Don't worry about rushing your creativity, it must come naturally. Your story will flow through you when your characters scream at you for attention.

I have spent the past four years LEARNING how to write. And the best way is to write. IN your time and AT your pace.

If you are passionate about writing then the words and time will come. You have so much in your life right now and raising two children alone is a FULL TIME JOB. If you only have once a week to write than that is fine.

As I have named my blog In Time ... I am a firm believer in TIMING. All will happen when the time is right. Everyone's journey is different and there are so many forks in the road, taking us to different places in our lives. Remember Anna, LIVING is part of a writer's journey. Inspiration comes from ALL aspects of our lives; from the people we meet day to day, to our on line friends. Life is FULL of surprised and adventures, keep yourself open to them.

Julie Musil said...

Yay for IWSG newbies like me and you!

I think it's awesome that you gave NaNo a shot. You know what my favorite advice is from that experience? "Don't look back during draft one." I still follow that today. I never look back and fix stuff. I just move forward and fix it in later drafts. Otherwise I'd never finish! Good luck to you :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

And welcome to the IWSG! Sorry I missed you last week. Even with clones, I miss people.
I always write from a detailed outline and can spend months preparing one. So don't feel bad you didn't finish NaNo. You did discover you're a planner in the process!

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