Since this is the last #IWSG post for 2012, I thought I'd do an end-of-year round up. Filled with anguish, of course.
This year, I've written four novels (first drafts, I hasten to add!), each varying in length. If I add last year's NaNo novel, I now have five first drafts under my belt, and I love each of them dearly.
So, why didn't I just write one novel at a time, from first to final draft, like a normal writer?
Looking back, I was too insecure to take these first drafts further, so moved on to another project and put everything else on my "To Be Written Properly" shelf.
I guess 2012 was my year of learning how to write, voraciously and inexhaustibly.
Aside from the WIPs, I've filled several notepads with notes, ideas and observations. I keep a journal on my laptop (started on 1st Jan 2012), which is now on its 296th page (with size 8 font to keep prying eyes away!). I write two pages as soon as I get out of bed, before I get ready for work (it's disgustingly difficult, but always worth it). If I'm not writing, I'm thinking about writing. If I'm blogging less on here... it's because I'm writing instead of talking about writing.
It's fair to say I'm
2013 will be my year of learning how to write well.
The end of NaNo left a big gap in my writerly life. I'm filling this month with writing craft exercises and extreme notepad entries, but I feel like I'm weaning myself off the high-volume output, ready to get set for... *drum roll* editing.
I'm happy with my structure, action and dialogue. I'd just prefer to articulate the words in a more... beautiful manner. I take great pleasure from reading a well-written book (such as The Blue Notebook by James A. Levine, or The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford) and I hope to create that same enjoyment in anyone who reads my books.
I'm terrified I won't live up to my high expectations. But we'll see.
So... here's to a year of writing well.
What are your goals for 2013? How has your 2012 been? I'd love to know!
Please visit all the other lovely people on the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We all thrive on encouragement, we really do.
Take care,
Catherine x ◦
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10 comments:
Dang! Congrats on learning how to write "veraciously and inexhaustibly" and to your future in writing.
You have conquered a lot my friend!
Yeah, I didn't go the write one novel start to finished product before moving on to the next one too for mainly the same reasons. But I'm glad I did it that way too because now I know what I'm doing (I hope!) and can make them better books. Good luck with editing! It's all part of the process. :)
Hi Catherine, I'm popping in from the IWSG. Oh no, you must finish your projects. I hate the first draft part, I'm muddled, I get mixed up, names change. It's a mess. But I just love polishing. It's the best part once I've got the first draft down because the biggest job is over - the plot! It has to work out with all threads neatly tied. Once that is done, I can fill in the blanks.
Sounds like you got in a lot of practice. Time to take one of those rough drafts and start editing.
Well, you for sure were on a roll! Wow! I can't finish my second novel... after a year working on it. I have no doubt you'll be fine. It is important to give yourself time to grow and get more comfortable in your own skin before moving on to the next thing. So, if you feel ready to tackle the editing stage, I have no doubt you'll do it as proficiently as you did writing. I wish you the best of luck.
Happy holidays!
I vowed to myself that my next book was going to be more beautifully written, so I keep my copies of John Hart's novels close at hand so I know what beautiful looks and sounds like!
I didn't finish a draft this year - yet. It's in the works. But I have had to learn that I am a slow writer in the drafting phase, with hopes that it will pay off in the revision phase. Way to learn this year though. Truly impressive!
Catherine, I think you've accomplished a lot in 2012. Well done!
My main goal is to query query query and hopefully get an agent this coming year.
Then I also have a bus-load of rewrites waiting for me. :-D
Practice makes perfect. I've been practicing for several years and I'm still trying to become the writer I've always dream. Each story is one step closer, though.
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