Brick Wall
Yes, I'm hitting a brick wall with my writing. Well, it's actually the size the Berlin wall used to be. I'm blanking on where my characters are heading next. I need to do some serious world building and I'm not sure whether I should just write and develop the characters first or figure out my world. What I've been doing ... and what I've noticed some of my writing friends doing as well ... is leaving blank spots with "TK" where I may need to research historical information or gather more information on what the setting or background will be. This has been helping and I was able to write about 1K more words because of this. I think my goal is going to be small. Get the first three chapters written and polished. (I've gotten great feedback from Karm on the first chapter.) And then continue on with the rest. That way when I get to the mid-point I can start sending out the first chapters. Yes, I know you're supposed to send it out when it is all finished. But dammit, it takes so long to get feedback from editors that I can finish the whole kit and caboodle before they respond in the 3-month span. I need to resign myself as well that not all my finished stories may get published. I just read Karmela's blog and she references Stephanie Feagan's blog and how this multi-published author had written two manuscripts last year that she couldn't sell and had to set aside. (Check out a year in the life of a writer.) It was very eye opening and reminded me how the journey doesn't end with publishing your first book or second or third. You have to deal with disappointment's and rejections at all levels of your writing career. A friend of mine recently got a not-so-nice review of her book on Amazon, though a very positive one on B&N. (Which goes to show how subjective everything is) You really need a passion for the craft and a tough skin to make it in this industry. How bad do you want it? My husband always asks. What are you willing to sacrifice to make it? Because everything that is worthwhile requires a certain sacrifice whether it be time, money, emotional freak outs, pride, work ... whatever. I know that I'm not sacrificing enough and I need to up the ante if I'm going to make my dream come true.
posted by J.T. Bock at 11:04 AM
3 Comments:
LOL! I've been known to send out the first three chapters after the first draft is done. By the time anyone gets back to me, I'll have at least a revision or two done.
I heard something interesting on the radio this past week. Some movies take anywhere between 8 to 10 years before they hit the big screen. Boy, does that sound familiar. The cast and crew has to be put together, the sound stage have to be right, and then there's the cinematograpy and the music score. Even with the lousiest movie of all time, that writer or director gets to see their masterpiece unfold before them. That feeling alone makes up for all that time. Think of this as you, Ms. Director, assembling your cast and crew to make your masterpiece come to life so you get a chance to experience your own red-carpet moment.
You'll get there hon ;) And I agree about sending it out with the first three chapters...IF you think they're solid. And the time it takes...arrrgh. THat's why I just keep writing, putting aside stories to go back to them with fresh eyes 6-9 months later. Because THEN I can really see the issues, ie Phyxed...should really start with chapter THREE. ;)
You'll get there. You've already got the industry contacts started :)
*hugs*
Marcia—I like that idea. Hmmm ... I'm the director. That's pretty cool. I guess in this world of instant gratification, I want things to happen more quickly. But the best things in life take time and hard work and just make it that much more rewarding when I finally do accomplish my goals.
Stacia—Thanks, girl! Yeah, I'm seeing things that need to be fixed on Dark Earth but I'm taking break from that to start something new because if I keep reading and re-reading something in succession then it seems like every word needs to be changed. :P
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