It’d be great if someone just plopped down a contract,
shelled out a huge advance, and then asked me to spend my time leisurely
writing the most spectacular novel ever. You know, if we’re talking about
dreams.
But dreams only get you so far. Listen, I’m not knocking
dreams. I think that they’re important to have, even when they’re maybe not the most attainable. But when they are? Hello driving force, let’s get to work. For me, that work is writing. And writing. And writing some more. Even if I can’t sit down to work on my novel every day (sorry NaNoWriMo, I’m doing my best!), I still
make it a point to journal daily.
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| This is me multitasking pretty much all of November. |
Right now I’m working on my novel, The Articulate Boy, formerly-titled Forgetting Home. It was interesting to watch my WIP title evolve
from what was a very fitting name in the beginning to something that turned out
to be totally off-base. And yes, in case you’re wondering, I do outline. Thoroughly. Also, I
completely admit that it’s a procrastination tool. I eventually hurdle over the
fear that keeps me in the planning stage, but I definitely chill there for a
while.
Super Awesome Summary
The Articulate Boy
follows a family dealing with one life change after another. First Norma,
Heather’s mother, moves in with the family after her rapidly developing
Alzheimer’s makes it impossible to continue living on her own. David is on the
verge of losing his agent because he hasn’t managed to produce a bestseller (or
even a mediocre seller) in years. He’s in the process of adopting Josiah, his
stepson, and his rocky marriage to Heather has him especially eager to complete
the process as quickly as possible. Josiah, still getting over the death of his
father, is soon faced with a problem that his whole family must deal with – his
girlfriend’s pregnancy and the tension of being biracial in a mostly white
community.
You know what sucks? Writing summaries. #WritingTruths
Back-of-the-book blurbs suck, too.
If I could make a great story that brief, I would just fucking do it.
Back-of-the-book blurbs suck, too.
If I could make a great story that brief, I would just fucking do it.
My short stories have taken a backseat to NaNoWriMo and mynew business venture, but I do have a really fun flash fiction piece in mind
for when November wraps up. It involves life and death, who haven’t had sex in
a few centuries, but still share a bed and a coffee maker.
What are you writing?
If you’re participating in NaNoWriMo, how goes the word count?
Truth? I think ever author should be forced to practice flash fiction--just for the act of learning how to find/use ONLY the best & tightest words.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think anyone who can handle NaNo is beyond crazy, and beyond awesome. It doesn't work for me. Even with tight outlining. I find when I let a story organically grow, there's SO much less editing in the aftermath.
I think I have to spent more time editing flash fiction pieces because of that very reason.
DeleteThat's understandable. I keep my outlines general, but do pretty meticulous backstories and timelines leading up to where the story begins. That way, when something changes as I write, it's pretty easy to work into my already existing outline.
That's awesome. Usually when something changes for me, it alter too much to just go with the previous outline.
DeleteI agree with Crystal about flash fiction.
ReplyDeleteI'm not doing Nano, but I had set some personal goals to try and feed off the frenzy. I'm not doing so well. But I'll keep going.
Good luck!
Hey, it's only the beginning of November! There's still plenty of time to catch up. Good luck on your goals.
DeleteEvery year I always wish that I could participate in NaNoWriMo, especially because it's such a great motivating tool and it sounds like fun too (though also a lot of work). But every year I can't do it, because it's an extra-busy month at work for me, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteThat's understandable! One year everything will fall in place and you'll be able to participate.
DeleteGood luck with the writing and I know you will do well.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWow! Sounds like a great wip with enough tension to keep the reader on the edge of his/her seat.
ReplyDeleteWith any luck (and a lot of writing) it hopefully will.
DeleteYep, writing summaries is difficult. Oh and my outlines are always changing when it comes to actually writing the novel.
ReplyDeleteWish I could do NaNo this year.
At least NaNoWriMo is an annual event, hopefully you'll be able to take part next year!
DeleteI'm with you on synopsis and back covers. They are tough!
ReplyDeleteI often wonder how anyone manages to fully tackle them.
DeleteThat's the problem once you're published--leisurely ends! Mostly it's "hurry up and wait," actually. But I've been working on a synopsis for a month..it's giving me fits!
ReplyDeleteOh man! Can I keep pretending that once I get the query synopsis down that I'll be able to step away from it forever? XD
Delete