It's just after ten on a Monday night. I'd say it's a quiet night, but the neighbors have an over-inflated idea of how much I want to hear their stereo. Other than that, though, it's a good night. My husband's in bed and I have plans to hang out (and maybe write) with my best good pal Mires. I shared some more chapters of my WiP with my writing group, and I've got a clear idea of what I need to write next.
I've got something knocking around the back of my mind, though, and that is that my original goal of having this book finished by September isn't realistic. I had originally hoped to have a finished manuscript by RMFW this year, which I'd hoped to attend, but those goals need to be revisited. It's kind of sucky, but things happen. Life gets going, days slip by, money gets eaten up by rent and groceries, and you sit and wonder what the heck happened.
I'm going to give RMFW a miss this year, unless my some miracle I scrape everything together last-minute, with the goal of saving up for next year. That's a lot more feasible, and it automatically gets rid of the September deadline I set for myself. My new self-set deadline is the end of the year. That I can definitely do--my little meter on Storytoolz currently estimates my finish for late October. I can definitely get this thing finished by December.
If there's anything I'm learning through this goal shift, it's that as an unpublished writer, I have to be flexible. Heck, all writers have to be flexible. Things change, ideas fade, new ideas crop up, life happens, and characters veer off the track they've been set. I have the luxury of changing my deadline at will, and so there's no use moping that I've "missed" said deadline. I can give myself endless extensions as long as I'm still working, and I don't have to feel bad about it. And I am still writing. Sometimes slowly, sometimes in a more meandering fashion, but I'm writing. And that's better than I was doing this time last year.
Goals have to change sometimes, and that's okay.
'Til next time,
J.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Long is a Four-Letter Word
Lately I've had word count on my mind. As a fantasy writer, I enjoy the luxury of longer length conventions, and so my current word count goal of 150,000 words doesn't seem that extreme. For another genre, yes, but for fantasy? Par for the course. Problem is, I'm currently at 36,000 words in my main document, and I still have four and a half chapters until the end of Part One.
There are four parts, and my chapters run between three and four thousand words apiece. So figure about 50,000 words for Part One. That's not so bad. Multiply that by four and you get 200,000. That's pushing it. That's really, really pushing it.
Parts Two and Four are, as it stands right now, going to be shorter than parts One and Three. I don't have complete outlines for the later parts, but if Part Four is roughly half the length of Part One, that puts me at somewhere between 175,000 and 180,000 words, which isn't that bad. For the kind of book I'm writing, it's pretty standard. I think.
Still, whether it's 175,000 or 200,000, that's a long book...and I'm a yet-unpublished writer. Getting a behemoth published as a first novel is going to be a lot more difficult than something a few thousand words shorter, and I've been hyper-aware of that for the past week or so. The more I work on this book, the more painfully obvious it is that it's not going to be a short adventure. This is going to be a paving slab of a book...and, if my ultimate dreams come true, the first in a series.
I desperately want to avoid splitting this first book into two or, gods forbid, three separate books, because--to me--this isn't a story that should be split like that. It would be messy and difficult to do. Splitting it between parts Two and Three would leave the mother of all cliffhangers (I say humbly), and splitting it elsewhere would make even less sense.
Doubts worm their way in: it will be hard to sell something so dense, the chances of a series are slim, you know how it goes. I'm trying hard to squash those doubts and boot them to the side, because I'm still writing. Thoughts about publishing are supposed to come later, after I have something finished and spit-shined. Hell, this might not even be the first book I get published. It might never get published. Who knows? If I'm honest with myself, this entire post smacks a little of getting the cart before the horse, but the issue is one constantly on my mind when I think about this damn book.
Right now I'm trying not to let it keep me from focusing on what's important: the story. My philosophy on things like this has always been to write the whole story first, and then go back and make changes or cuts or splits as needed. It's a challenge to stick to it sometimes, but my plan is to write out these concerns so they're pondered and set aside so I can get more work done.
So, I suppose, now that I've done that...it's time to finish chapter eleven.
'Til next time,
J.
There are four parts, and my chapters run between three and four thousand words apiece. So figure about 50,000 words for Part One. That's not so bad. Multiply that by four and you get 200,000. That's pushing it. That's really, really pushing it.
Parts Two and Four are, as it stands right now, going to be shorter than parts One and Three. I don't have complete outlines for the later parts, but if Part Four is roughly half the length of Part One, that puts me at somewhere between 175,000 and 180,000 words, which isn't that bad. For the kind of book I'm writing, it's pretty standard. I think.
Still, whether it's 175,000 or 200,000, that's a long book...and I'm a yet-unpublished writer. Getting a behemoth published as a first novel is going to be a lot more difficult than something a few thousand words shorter, and I've been hyper-aware of that for the past week or so. The more I work on this book, the more painfully obvious it is that it's not going to be a short adventure. This is going to be a paving slab of a book...and, if my ultimate dreams come true, the first in a series.
I desperately want to avoid splitting this first book into two or, gods forbid, three separate books, because--to me--this isn't a story that should be split like that. It would be messy and difficult to do. Splitting it between parts Two and Three would leave the mother of all cliffhangers (I say humbly), and splitting it elsewhere would make even less sense.
Doubts worm their way in: it will be hard to sell something so dense, the chances of a series are slim, you know how it goes. I'm trying hard to squash those doubts and boot them to the side, because I'm still writing. Thoughts about publishing are supposed to come later, after I have something finished and spit-shined. Hell, this might not even be the first book I get published. It might never get published. Who knows? If I'm honest with myself, this entire post smacks a little of getting the cart before the horse, but the issue is one constantly on my mind when I think about this damn book.
Right now I'm trying not to let it keep me from focusing on what's important: the story. My philosophy on things like this has always been to write the whole story first, and then go back and make changes or cuts or splits as needed. It's a challenge to stick to it sometimes, but my plan is to write out these concerns so they're pondered and set aside so I can get more work done.
So, I suppose, now that I've done that...it's time to finish chapter eleven.
'Til next time,
J.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Gadgets and Gizmos Aplenty
Yesterday I finally did what I've been planning to do for months now, and that is buy myself a shiny new laptop just for writing. I still have my old behemoth of a laptop for gaming, but this new beauty is my writing, blogging, and Facebook machine. It's nice and portable without being too small, it's got excellent battery life, and is perfect for things like travel, conferences, or just walking down to the coffee shop (which Mireyah Wolfe and I did today). I also bought myself a copy of Scrivener not so very long ago, and so I now have the perfect setup for productivity.
It's great, and while I could write just as well in a plain notebook or on the ratty old desktop, I must admit that having invested money in tools specifically for my writing makes it all feel more...real. They say a craftsman is only as good as his tools, and while that may not necessarily be true in all cases, it's nice to have something nice, for my personal use, that is specifically for my chosen craft.
I was away all weekend and I'm currently in the middle of a long sleepless stretch, so my productivity hasn't been the best. After a good night's rest, though, my game plan is to start getting up at a sensible time, getting the daily chores done in a timely manner, and then sitting down for uninterrupted, scheduled writing time. I have the new, professional setup...so it's time for a new, professional routine. Usually I do the "write when I feel productive" routine, and that's worked well for the past few weeks, but if I'm to meet my summer goals, I can't blow off a day of writing just because I felt more like gaming than writing.
I have the tools of a professional writer. It's exciting, and even though a good laptop doesn't automatically a good writer make, it's yet another thing that's pushing me to take my words in a direction that might lead to publication.
I don't have much more to say today--I'm pretty exhausted after having been awake for a good 30 hours straight--so I'll leave it here and hope it all makes sense.
'Til next time,
J.
It's great, and while I could write just as well in a plain notebook or on the ratty old desktop, I must admit that having invested money in tools specifically for my writing makes it all feel more...real. They say a craftsman is only as good as his tools, and while that may not necessarily be true in all cases, it's nice to have something nice, for my personal use, that is specifically for my chosen craft.
I was away all weekend and I'm currently in the middle of a long sleepless stretch, so my productivity hasn't been the best. After a good night's rest, though, my game plan is to start getting up at a sensible time, getting the daily chores done in a timely manner, and then sitting down for uninterrupted, scheduled writing time. I have the new, professional setup...so it's time for a new, professional routine. Usually I do the "write when I feel productive" routine, and that's worked well for the past few weeks, but if I'm to meet my summer goals, I can't blow off a day of writing just because I felt more like gaming than writing.
I have the tools of a professional writer. It's exciting, and even though a good laptop doesn't automatically a good writer make, it's yet another thing that's pushing me to take my words in a direction that might lead to publication.
I don't have much more to say today--I'm pretty exhausted after having been awake for a good 30 hours straight--so I'll leave it here and hope it all makes sense.
'Til next time,
J.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Dream a Little Dream
I was catching up on some favorite blogs of mine, and I discovered that Beth Revis (whose books are the bomb diggity) had written a post in line with something I've been thinking about lately. You should stop reading and go check it out. I'll wait.
*waits*
Okay, cool. For those of you who didn't go read the post, basically Beth talked about how, even though she's achieved her ultimate dream of being published, there are still things she wants. Just because you achieve one thing, Beth says, doesn't mean you should stop dreaming.
Obviously I'm not a published author yet, so that remains my ultimate goal. Beyond that, though, I like to allow myself a few daydreams. Publishing is a slow industry and the chances of making it huge are small, but it's fun to sit and imagine what might happen if my story took off in a big, bad way. Book signings and fan art and a television show and an entire fandom that produces fabulous art and fics and vids...the things I see from fandoms I'm a part of make me want to make it big. Fandom is a really cool thing.
I'm not presumptuous enough to think the stars will of course align to bring me all of these things, because the nature of publishing guarantees nothing. But those little imaginings of mine are fun, and harmless so long as I don't let them carry me away. I still have to finish this book, I still have to find an agent, I still have to go through the process...but imagining the "what ifs" gives me a fun little incentive on the days I feel lazy or that my writing isn't good enough.
So, without further ado, here's my wish list of what I want, what I really, really want:
Publication - Obviously this is the supreme ultimate goal that I'm working toward every single day. This is the most realistic thing on this list and the one that has to happen first. Even if I only ever get this, I will be happier than words can say.
Present to teenage writers - I still live close to where I went to high school, and last I heard my old English and creative writing teacher still teaches. He was a major influence on my writing, and if I still live around here when I land that publishing goal, I would love so much to talk to his creative writing classes about...well, writing. We were fortunate to hold Skype calls with writers when I took the class, and I think it would be a lot of fun to be on the other side. Even if I can't speak to Mr. K's class, I would still love to talk to high school students about writing. It was in high school I got my start, after all.
Have a fandom - All fandoms have their weird side, but I've seen amazing things come out of some of my favorite fandoms. I don't really read or write fanfics, but I've seen the pleasure folks take out of them and I'd love to hear about AUs and crackships and reimagined twists. I'd love to see artwork and fan videos and crack vids and fancasts and more. The thought of my work possibly ever inspiring such a thing makes me feel positively giddy.
Land a TV series - Obviously the caveat here is that I would want a film adaptation of my book that is true to the story and had a dream cast, but, y'know, that goes without saying. I would love a television series based around my book, even if it was just a season or two. I think that would lend itself to authenticity easier than a two-hour film. I might not watch a lot of TV, and this might ultimately just be a pipe dream, but I'm a sucker for a good fantasy show...and I'm a bit biased toward my own story in terms of "what I think is awesome."
Merch - Funko Pop figures for my characters. I want that in my life. 'Nuff said.
Write until forever - I want to write as long as I can, even if I never get published or only see some of my work make it anywhere. Writing is such a part of who I am that I never want to stop. I said publication is the most realistic dream on this list, but that's not true. Publishing can be fickle, but damned if I'll ever let myself stop turning a phrase.
It's fair to say that some of these are just flights of fancy, but, hey, a girl can dream. As long as I keep my head in the game and don't let the fun dreams become more important than the true goal, I think I'm golden.
What dreams do you folks harbor? Care to share?
'Til next time,
J.
*waits*
Okay, cool. For those of you who didn't go read the post, basically Beth talked about how, even though she's achieved her ultimate dream of being published, there are still things she wants. Just because you achieve one thing, Beth says, doesn't mean you should stop dreaming.
Obviously I'm not a published author yet, so that remains my ultimate goal. Beyond that, though, I like to allow myself a few daydreams. Publishing is a slow industry and the chances of making it huge are small, but it's fun to sit and imagine what might happen if my story took off in a big, bad way. Book signings and fan art and a television show and an entire fandom that produces fabulous art and fics and vids...the things I see from fandoms I'm a part of make me want to make it big. Fandom is a really cool thing.
I'm not presumptuous enough to think the stars will of course align to bring me all of these things, because the nature of publishing guarantees nothing. But those little imaginings of mine are fun, and harmless so long as I don't let them carry me away. I still have to finish this book, I still have to find an agent, I still have to go through the process...but imagining the "what ifs" gives me a fun little incentive on the days I feel lazy or that my writing isn't good enough.
So, without further ado, here's my wish list of what I want, what I really, really want:
Publication - Obviously this is the supreme ultimate goal that I'm working toward every single day. This is the most realistic thing on this list and the one that has to happen first. Even if I only ever get this, I will be happier than words can say.
Present to teenage writers - I still live close to where I went to high school, and last I heard my old English and creative writing teacher still teaches. He was a major influence on my writing, and if I still live around here when I land that publishing goal, I would love so much to talk to his creative writing classes about...well, writing. We were fortunate to hold Skype calls with writers when I took the class, and I think it would be a lot of fun to be on the other side. Even if I can't speak to Mr. K's class, I would still love to talk to high school students about writing. It was in high school I got my start, after all.
Have a fandom - All fandoms have their weird side, but I've seen amazing things come out of some of my favorite fandoms. I don't really read or write fanfics, but I've seen the pleasure folks take out of them and I'd love to hear about AUs and crackships and reimagined twists. I'd love to see artwork and fan videos and crack vids and fancasts and more. The thought of my work possibly ever inspiring such a thing makes me feel positively giddy.
Land a TV series - Obviously the caveat here is that I would want a film adaptation of my book that is true to the story and had a dream cast, but, y'know, that goes without saying. I would love a television series based around my book, even if it was just a season or two. I think that would lend itself to authenticity easier than a two-hour film. I might not watch a lot of TV, and this might ultimately just be a pipe dream, but I'm a sucker for a good fantasy show...and I'm a bit biased toward my own story in terms of "what I think is awesome."
Merch - Funko Pop figures for my characters. I want that in my life. 'Nuff said.
Write until forever - I want to write as long as I can, even if I never get published or only see some of my work make it anywhere. Writing is such a part of who I am that I never want to stop. I said publication is the most realistic dream on this list, but that's not true. Publishing can be fickle, but damned if I'll ever let myself stop turning a phrase.
It's fair to say that some of these are just flights of fancy, but, hey, a girl can dream. As long as I keep my head in the game and don't let the fun dreams become more important than the true goal, I think I'm golden.
What dreams do you folks harbor? Care to share?
'Til next time,
J.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Read the Thing
Everyone knows (or should know) that you can't be a writer unless you're a reader. Reading is how we learn the craft, whether that knowledge comes from emulating the great books or analyzing the bad. When it comes to genre, reading that genre is how writers learn the conventions, stylistic variations, common themes, and tropes. If I had to make a list of the most common advice I've read in "writing 101" books, "read your genre" would come in at #2, right between "open in media res" and "write what you know."
Just like those other two chestnuts, though, "read your genre" has its own pitfalls as a piece of advice. While it's important to read and understand your genre of choice, it's my opinion that only reading the genre you write is a quick way to get stuck in a rut.
Years ago in high school (okay, not that many years ago; I am only 20), I was trying to come up with a new story idea for a NaNoWriMo novel. Fantasy is my genre of choice and always has been, and I wanted to put together a stunning work of epic quests, creatures, and discoveries. I was, however, stuck fast. Everything I scribbled out in my notebook seemed trite and overdone, and I pitched countless harried notes into File 13, never to be heard from again.
It was at that point my mom came to me with a book she loved, but that was vastly different than anything I've ever written: Naked in Death, by J.D. Robb.
I loved that book. I'm a couple books behind in the series now, but I've read most of them more than once and will keep reading them as long as they're being written. They're not part of my favorite genre, but that doesn't make them bad. I enjoy those books more than some fantasy I've read, because they're well-written, they have strong characters who go through realistic arcs, and while some of the cases the main character solves might be "formulaic," they always contribute to the characters' overall growth as a person. They're great and I can't recommend them highly enough.
And, at that point in time, they were just what I needed. Reading good books that weren't part of my genre bounced me out of the rut I was in. I didn't stop to analyze every little thing because it was a genre I was trying to write; rather, I was able to sit back and enjoy a damn good story. It was only after I read the first few books in the series that I stepped back and examined what made me love them.
It was that examination that made me realize I can't just think about my genre and its "rules," I have to focus first on telling a story I'm passionate about and that has a strong story.
It's important to read the genre you write, but I think it's more important to read good books and, once you've taken time to enjoy them, then take a moment to think about what you loved. Every genre needs strong characters and an engaging plot, not just your chosen genre, and reading widely exposes you to different techniques you can try out for yourself.
Thoughts, anyone?
'Til next time,
J.
Just like those other two chestnuts, though, "read your genre" has its own pitfalls as a piece of advice. While it's important to read and understand your genre of choice, it's my opinion that only reading the genre you write is a quick way to get stuck in a rut.
Years ago in high school (okay, not that many years ago; I am only 20), I was trying to come up with a new story idea for a NaNoWriMo novel. Fantasy is my genre of choice and always has been, and I wanted to put together a stunning work of epic quests, creatures, and discoveries. I was, however, stuck fast. Everything I scribbled out in my notebook seemed trite and overdone, and I pitched countless harried notes into File 13, never to be heard from again.
It was at that point my mom came to me with a book she loved, but that was vastly different than anything I've ever written: Naked in Death, by J.D. Robb.
I loved that book. I'm a couple books behind in the series now, but I've read most of them more than once and will keep reading them as long as they're being written. They're not part of my favorite genre, but that doesn't make them bad. I enjoy those books more than some fantasy I've read, because they're well-written, they have strong characters who go through realistic arcs, and while some of the cases the main character solves might be "formulaic," they always contribute to the characters' overall growth as a person. They're great and I can't recommend them highly enough.
And, at that point in time, they were just what I needed. Reading good books that weren't part of my genre bounced me out of the rut I was in. I didn't stop to analyze every little thing because it was a genre I was trying to write; rather, I was able to sit back and enjoy a damn good story. It was only after I read the first few books in the series that I stepped back and examined what made me love them.
It was that examination that made me realize I can't just think about my genre and its "rules," I have to focus first on telling a story I'm passionate about and that has a strong story.
It's important to read the genre you write, but I think it's more important to read good books and, once you've taken time to enjoy them, then take a moment to think about what you loved. Every genre needs strong characters and an engaging plot, not just your chosen genre, and reading widely exposes you to different techniques you can try out for yourself.
Thoughts, anyone?
'Til next time,
J.
Monday, June 2, 2014
It Begins
And with a bang, a crash, and a lightning flash...it's Monday again. The working types are off to another day on the job, and we home-lurkers are either enjoying a morning to ourselves or sleeping in. Or maybe something else--obviously I don't know. But however you're spending your Monday morning, I hope it's treating you well.
It's been a while, hasn't it? But it's a fresh month and the beginning of a promising summer. I've been writing away between reblogging cool pictures on my tumblr, and I'm nearly 30,000 words into my behemoth of a WiP. I've got a few other projects bubbling away on the back burner, but for now, this lovely thing I call From Dust to Ashes holds my heart.
I have a few plans for the impending summer, though for us the routine isn't disrupted much. The husband's schedule stays the same through the heat, and I don't have to worry about keeping any kids entertained. All that's really going to be different is the heat, and that can be handled with the miracle that is central air. So...what's a girl to do?
The answer: write my ass off.
My best good pal Mireyah Wolfe and I did some number crunching, and they made a real pretty sound. We can't make any definite calls yet, but it looks like the two of us might be able to grace the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers conference with our presence this year. We've both set a goal of having, if not finished books, at least finished drafts of our WiPs by the time we fly out (assuming we can go).
According to my word count meter, I'm approximately 19% toward my word goal, with an estimated finish date of November 10th at my current pace. Obviously November comes after September, so starting today I intend to pick up the pace. This is my summer of writing. Between a trip to see my family, a barbecue or two, and whatever other distractions summer brings, I will finish at least the first draft of this book. It's going to happen. I believe in me.
So what are you folks planning for the summer?
'Til next time,
J.
It's been a while, hasn't it? But it's a fresh month and the beginning of a promising summer. I've been writing away between reblogging cool pictures on my tumblr, and I'm nearly 30,000 words into my behemoth of a WiP. I've got a few other projects bubbling away on the back burner, but for now, this lovely thing I call From Dust to Ashes holds my heart.
I have a few plans for the impending summer, though for us the routine isn't disrupted much. The husband's schedule stays the same through the heat, and I don't have to worry about keeping any kids entertained. All that's really going to be different is the heat, and that can be handled with the miracle that is central air. So...what's a girl to do?
The answer: write my ass off.
My best good pal Mireyah Wolfe and I did some number crunching, and they made a real pretty sound. We can't make any definite calls yet, but it looks like the two of us might be able to grace the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers conference with our presence this year. We've both set a goal of having, if not finished books, at least finished drafts of our WiPs by the time we fly out (assuming we can go).
According to my word count meter, I'm approximately 19% toward my word goal, with an estimated finish date of November 10th at my current pace. Obviously November comes after September, so starting today I intend to pick up the pace. This is my summer of writing. Between a trip to see my family, a barbecue or two, and whatever other distractions summer brings, I will finish at least the first draft of this book. It's going to happen. I believe in me.
So what are you folks planning for the summer?
'Til next time,
J.
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