Literary Woes

[estel_oliphaunt]

In a fantastic moment of clarity I figured out how to write a novel I've been starting and stopping over the past two years. So much trouble did I have with this novel that I managed to write it's sequel (which is nearly 60,000 words) over a year ago while this first novel I kept trying to gouge my eyes out with

Comments

[dumpuf]

Hi. A few months ago, I did the completely irresponsible thing of quitting my job, largely due to a desire to write and get back into the professional art circuit. Typically, my writing time (Mon-Fri 9Am to 3PM) goes like this:

Make coffee
Check email
Read interesting news articles, etc
Get more coffee
Check out ebay and watch a ton of stuff I’m too broke to buy anyway
Have brunch
Surf the crud on daytime TV while eating
(Notice that my time is half gone or more)
Get another coffee
Open word documents and read some of what little I have managed to write
Begin a sentence
Stare at sentence
Stare some more at sentence
Delete Sentence
Check email (again)
Notice coffee is gone- make cup of herbal tea
Write 2 or 3 words
Stare out window
Pet cat
Pet different cat
Stare at words
Delete words
(you get the idea…)

Congratulations on having finished a 60,000 word novel!!! I have so many ideas swimming around up there, I’m finding it nearly impossible to write in a linear fashion. I’ve about come to the conclusion that it’s unrealistic for me to write in a logical manner, and I should write the chunks at the “aha” moments, and see if it fits into the story later. (I’m mentally juggling 4 different stories in 4 different genres. ) I’d be happy to help if you like. Also, I’d be very appreciative if you have some tips on writing.

[estel_oliphaunt]

I've written three novels of that length, and three novellas; but who cares, because none of them are published!!!

Tips on writing? Well I know that what you're doing wouldn't work for me. I'm a casebook procrastinator. When I set out to do something, I will find anything else to fill that time. So the best time I have for writing is at school.

Writing the 'aha' moments is something I've done before. That's how I finished writing my first novel, but I never did it after that (never to any great extent anyway). I find it's better for me to write in a linear fashion because sometimes I won't find the scene I'm writing at the moment that exciting (it will be exposition or something), but will still get through it just because I know the next scene is really awesome and I *want* to write it.

It's my own personal motivation.

Also, I like having the extra time bouncing the scene around in my head because I find it harder to change something once it's on paper.

Well, I need to go to work, but I would certainly like to talk to you later.
-LS