Well, I feel in the writing zone right now... I am really enjoying editing my work, reading it and adding or taking away bits... I am also writing more instead of procrastinating and without rewards at the moment which is good... I do believe that having a plan ahead of the writing game is key, I knew my main character well enough, but then I found a characterisation tool online that basically guided me through backgrounds, looks, personality etc for each character. Even though most of it doesn't go into the novel, it all helps to build a backstory and give extra dimensions to characters...
I noticed recently that my desk is littered with pieces of paper that say things like 'Rose: red curls, freckles, fair skinned' and 'maybe they don't know about the pit?????' and lots of other notes that I think of when I am cleaning, cooking, reading or just daydreaming that make me stop and write these thoughts down in case they slip away... Last night I had an idea and I didn't write it down, I naively believed that I would remember it when I woke up today... HOW WRONG WAS I????? I really do need to keep on top of thoughts and notes....
I am at a point in my life where I totally LOVE being a writer, and I feel like I am finally doing it... I am over the 20k mark and I never thought that would happen.. now the next milestone of 30k... I can't wait!
'I AM A WRITER!!!!'
Friday, 23 May 2014
Friday, 2 May 2014
The Art of Procrastination...
Well, April has been a writing write-off! In between illness and the Easter Hols I have done very little in the way of novel work and I do feel a tad guilty... However I have been poorly and I have had a lot of fun with the kiddies, so not that guilty hehe
Anyway, I wanted to share an idea for the more distracted writer... the writer who NEEDS to do the washing up first, or HAS TO put the DVDs in alphabetical order and definitely the writer who thinks that the ironing should come first! Yes, this is me and perhaps it is you too... I know I use a lot of excuses to avoid sitting down and writing... I think my real reason for this is that my mind feels more focused once the mundane tasks are complete, and also when I do sit and face my writing I can feel very daunted by the prospect of writing a novel.
It is a HUGE undertaking and the whole concept of creating a world and the people to live in it is... well, it's freakin' terrifying!!!! I think it is anyway... so my clever husband has devised a little plan to make me 100% motivated... and I think it is going to work.
Basically, I am treating myself like a child. We have decided to set up a rewards system in exchange for word count. Now, I am not saying that this is what everyone needs, but I really do... I need to stop distracting myself from the real job I have, I need to put down the cleaning products, leave the hoover where it is and start writing!!!! However, making an abundance of tea to keep me warm and focused along the way is okay!
My first challenge is to write 5000 words in two weeks. Now that may sound easy to you, and perhaps it is... but to me that is quite a challenge. In those 2 weeks I have 9 days to myself, 6 hours a day... but I have to minus 1 hour a day for school runs and 1-2 hours for dog walks... so that kinda leave 3 and a half hours, oh and lunch so that's 3 hours a day... in total that is 27 hours... BUT I also have to do other things like reading books and making plans for the story, I do have to do some washing up and I do have to wash clothes and clean the house BUT I am going to save those tasks for the evening OR write more in the evenings... something I avoid as I am normally too tired... But I know I can do this challenge... and if I do do it, I get to buy myself something nice. Hence, work equals rewards- yay!
Now for the procrastinating writer, a reward is the perfect way to get things back on track. Maybe you want to eat out, go to the cinema, have your nails done? Then write 5000 words in two weeks and then get your treat! I promise you I feel so much more motivated now I have a reward... I know also that to some people this will sound daft, but those people are probably highly motivated and less distracted than me... and that's okay, well done for being so... motivated and focused... but some of us jsut need a that little bit more incentive, especially when the plot-line, the characters and their motivations are making your head swirl...!
So, procrastinators unite, dig out your golden stickers, your reward charts and pens and bloody do it!!!!
Anyway, I wanted to share an idea for the more distracted writer... the writer who NEEDS to do the washing up first, or HAS TO put the DVDs in alphabetical order and definitely the writer who thinks that the ironing should come first! Yes, this is me and perhaps it is you too... I know I use a lot of excuses to avoid sitting down and writing... I think my real reason for this is that my mind feels more focused once the mundane tasks are complete, and also when I do sit and face my writing I can feel very daunted by the prospect of writing a novel.
It is a HUGE undertaking and the whole concept of creating a world and the people to live in it is... well, it's freakin' terrifying!!!! I think it is anyway... so my clever husband has devised a little plan to make me 100% motivated... and I think it is going to work.
Basically, I am treating myself like a child. We have decided to set up a rewards system in exchange for word count. Now, I am not saying that this is what everyone needs, but I really do... I need to stop distracting myself from the real job I have, I need to put down the cleaning products, leave the hoover where it is and start writing!!!! However, making an abundance of tea to keep me warm and focused along the way is okay!
My first challenge is to write 5000 words in two weeks. Now that may sound easy to you, and perhaps it is... but to me that is quite a challenge. In those 2 weeks I have 9 days to myself, 6 hours a day... but I have to minus 1 hour a day for school runs and 1-2 hours for dog walks... so that kinda leave 3 and a half hours, oh and lunch so that's 3 hours a day... in total that is 27 hours... BUT I also have to do other things like reading books and making plans for the story, I do have to do some washing up and I do have to wash clothes and clean the house BUT I am going to save those tasks for the evening OR write more in the evenings... something I avoid as I am normally too tired... But I know I can do this challenge... and if I do do it, I get to buy myself something nice. Hence, work equals rewards- yay!
Now for the procrastinating writer, a reward is the perfect way to get things back on track. Maybe you want to eat out, go to the cinema, have your nails done? Then write 5000 words in two weeks and then get your treat! I promise you I feel so much more motivated now I have a reward... I know also that to some people this will sound daft, but those people are probably highly motivated and less distracted than me... and that's okay, well done for being so... motivated and focused... but some of us jsut need a that little bit more incentive, especially when the plot-line, the characters and their motivations are making your head swirl...!
So, procrastinators unite, dig out your golden stickers, your reward charts and pens and bloody do it!!!!
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