Daily writing

For years I read the advice to writers: write every day.

I do that, I thought.  I write something every day.  E-mails.  Message board posts.  Um, e-mails.

But writing to produce a novel means writing that novel.  Novel idea.  Here's what I have learned over the last four months of writing at least 20,000 words a month:

1. I have 90,000 words logged in two different novels.
Those ideas that would come to me in the night usually withered in the morning sun because I knew I couldn't turn the idea into a novel.  How would I write that length of a work?  Now, I know in four months I could have the idea blasted onto the screen.

2. I think of myself as a writer.
 This is no small deal.  I still hesitate when meeting a published author because I haven't sold a novel yet.  But if I have two novels sitting on the shelf awaiting editing (and undoubtedly a better plot), I can consider myself a writer.  And a writer writes.  It's a nice self-perpetuating kind of plan.

3. I learn the craft of writing.
It is one thing to read about POV, plot turns, character arcs in a brilliant book on craft.  It's another to mold those into a WIP.  Obviously.  But as I commit myself to this career of a writer, I write.  And write well.  I'm learning as I write.

4. I learn my style for writing
This is not my style of writing but style for writing.  I am a seat of the pants writer, because meticulous planning bores me.  But, when I do character journals before I start the story, the planning becomes more interesting because the characters have already engaged my mind and my heart.  Storylines pop out of nowhere as I let my characters introduce themselves.

I have also learned that I am a character-first writer, meaning I need to go back to #3 to work harder on formulating an engaging plot.  Otherwise, these deep meaningful characters of mine eventually put me to sleep with their lack of action.

So, I write.

I'm back

Although I didn't leave a "BRB" at the end of my last post, I will log back in to say "I'm back."

Here are my reasons for being away:
1. My mother had open-heart surgery and then she and my father lived with us for two months.  This took up a significant amount of my time and emotions.
2. I chose to write in my novel rather than on a blog.
3. I'm still unsure how to blog regularly while writing a novel. (scheduling, topics, etc.)
4. I began the process of learning how to network with other authors.  I'm a typical writer, an introvert who doesn't mind working alone.  Networking means getting out of my comfort shell and meeting other writers.  It's been a great exercise.

Here are my reasons for returning:
1. I miss the platform where I can share random thoughts about writing.
2. I'm starting NaNoWriMo in two days and want to share that.
3. I want a blog that I can link to in my e-mail signature (OK, not the most impressive reason)
4. I am curious to see what I can create when pressed.

So, I am back.  No excuses, just pressing on to the next challenge.  Isn't that was writing is about anyway?

The secret

I discovered the secret to a successful writing adventure.  If you'd like to send your dollars my way, I'll be glad to share the secret.

OK, I'll trust you to send them in.

Here's the answer:

WRITE!  Get your tail in a chair and write every day.  No excuses.  Writers write.  They don't read about writing or collect conference notes or go to writers' groups.  (OK, they do those things but that's not what brings success.)  The key is to write.

I'm competitive and I get motivated by challenges, such as the NovelTrack offered by ACFW last month.  Could I write 10,000 words in a month?  I could.  I could write even more!

So what motivates you?  Ditch the excuses and get those words on paper.

Are you still here reading?  Get out there and write!

New fiction

If you like your fiction a little quirky and unusual, check out this interview with Leanna Ellis, a homeschooling mom with a vivid imagination.

Marcher Lord Press

Our family loves the books coming out of the new indie publisher, Marcher Lord Press.  Check out their newsletter if you enjoy fantasy/sci fi/ spec fiction by Christian authors.

Good advice

"When you write, try to leave out the parts 

the readers skip."  

Elmore Leonard

Wrapping up Novel Track

I'm like a lot of writers: not gifted in the time management department.  Organization means I remember which pile that letter is in (or what trash can I might have dumped it into).  This method works about as well as you imagine it does.

But when ACFW offered a NovelTrack program in July - an accountability group to watch me write - I decided I didn't have time.  Then came the nudge: do it.  I try to say "Yes, Lord," to those nudges.

I did it.  I gingerly agreed to the 10,000-word goal wondering how on earth I'd do that.  However, when I did a quick punch on a calculator, I got a second wind.  That was only 350 words a day.  I could do that.  I write longer e-mail messages than that!

I discovered that writing every day is more important that trying to carve out hours for the big numbers.  Nope, writing every day works.  I logged 25,000 words in July.  Who'd figure?

See the badge over at the left?  That's the first of many, I hope.  The next NovelTrack is in October and I may be ready for my next WIP by then.

I'm not stopping this daily writing.  Besides, I'm now in too deep with this mystery to leave me hanging.  I gotta found out how it ends - and who really did do it!