The last few days have involved some critical thinking about my writing.
It all started with a visit to my mum’s house on Wednesday evening. Mum isn’t convinced I have really moved out as I’ve left a few bits behind. In mum’s opinion these things are more than 'just a few bits'. Every time I visit, she's anxious for me to review the contents of my old bedroom and move out for good. She threatens that if I don't these things I've left behind will end up in a charity shop... one day. Usually, she convinces me to take away an item or two and I promise to return another day to collect the rest. This routine has been going on for around three years.
During my recent visit the items I took home with me were some Halloween spiders, a book and some software on writing. The book is really good, I can’t believe I left it behind but the Write Your Own Novel software was never much use. The 38 Most common Fiction Writing Mistakes by Jack M. Bickman is a real eye opener. The book force feeds you the home truths about the difficulties of getting published. The book reminded me of my original goals to write at least 1,000 words a day or edit a chapter. I’ve just finished editing Drift and it has been so difficult. I could have done it quicker if I had been stricter with myself and set targets. Personally, I hate editing and since finishing it I’ve almost destroyed my will to write as I’ve now become obsessed with picking holes in my work. The software on the other hand is dated but viewing the blurb on the back of the DVD case, I can see that although the software never seemed to be very useful, it does in fact have some good ideas for getting organising.
Then on Thursday, after a long difficult day at work, I returned home to an email rejecting my novel. I’ve received rejections before but this one was different. This rejection was from an agent who had shown an interest and requested more. In addition, this agent was one of my favourites and the idea they were interested filled me with hope. Now, I'm just heartbroken. I tried to be brave but when I went to bed my dreams had gone and I suffered horrible nightmares that woke me from my sleep in tears. Robbed is an understatment, the feeling was closer to mugged. Now in a position to write the sequel I find myself unable to face my characters. I feel that I’ve let them down. It’s ridiculous I know but to me they are very real; they are my creations; I gave them life.
Today, I went to Felixstowe Library to hear a reading by published writer Ruth Dugdall about her journey to publication and part of her recent novel The Woman Before Me. It was exactly what I needed to hear. She has had highs and lows and although she has done well and got books published, she has also had some long waits and disappointments along the way. For her the competitions she entered really helped her to get recognition and she recommended this to everyone who came listen. When I got home I googled the competitions she recommended and noted down the closing dates. I also found some others and noted them down too.
Since getting home I’ve started organising myself and it’s really helped. I feel refreshed now and more focussed. In addition, with the MS Office (enterprise) software I currently have installed on my PC, I could easily use implement some of those good ideas from the writing software and some of them I’ve already been doing. Here’s how:
It all started with a visit to my mum’s house on Wednesday evening. Mum isn’t convinced I have really moved out as I’ve left a few bits behind. In mum’s opinion these things are more than 'just a few bits'. Every time I visit, she's anxious for me to review the contents of my old bedroom and move out for good. She threatens that if I don't these things I've left behind will end up in a charity shop... one day. Usually, she convinces me to take away an item or two and I promise to return another day to collect the rest. This routine has been going on for around three years.
During my recent visit the items I took home with me were some Halloween spiders, a book and some software on writing. The book is really good, I can’t believe I left it behind but the Write Your Own Novel software was never much use. The 38 Most common Fiction Writing Mistakes by Jack M. Bickman is a real eye opener. The book force feeds you the home truths about the difficulties of getting published. The book reminded me of my original goals to write at least 1,000 words a day or edit a chapter. I’ve just finished editing Drift and it has been so difficult. I could have done it quicker if I had been stricter with myself and set targets. Personally, I hate editing and since finishing it I’ve almost destroyed my will to write as I’ve now become obsessed with picking holes in my work. The software on the other hand is dated but viewing the blurb on the back of the DVD case, I can see that although the software never seemed to be very useful, it does in fact have some good ideas for getting organising.
Then on Thursday, after a long difficult day at work, I returned home to an email rejecting my novel. I’ve received rejections before but this one was different. This rejection was from an agent who had shown an interest and requested more. In addition, this agent was one of my favourites and the idea they were interested filled me with hope. Now, I'm just heartbroken. I tried to be brave but when I went to bed my dreams had gone and I suffered horrible nightmares that woke me from my sleep in tears. Robbed is an understatment, the feeling was closer to mugged. Now in a position to write the sequel I find myself unable to face my characters. I feel that I’ve let them down. It’s ridiculous I know but to me they are very real; they are my creations; I gave them life.
Today, I went to Felixstowe Library to hear a reading by published writer Ruth Dugdall about her journey to publication and part of her recent novel The Woman Before Me. It was exactly what I needed to hear. She has had highs and lows and although she has done well and got books published, she has also had some long waits and disappointments along the way. For her the competitions she entered really helped her to get recognition and she recommended this to everyone who came listen. When I got home I googled the competitions she recommended and noted down the closing dates. I also found some others and noted them down too.
Since getting home I’ve started organising myself and it’s really helped. I feel refreshed now and more focussed. In addition, with the MS Office (enterprise) software I currently have installed on my PC, I could easily use implement some of those good ideas from the writing software and some of them I’ve already been doing. Here’s how:
· MS One Note - I have been using the new MS One Note to keep track of my characters in my stories. There is an overview tab about the whole story such as town, school relationships between characters. Then there is the character tab. The characters tab is split into section such:
- Appearance – what does the character look like, how old they, etc
- Details – important information about their history or interests. Details that build them as a person.
- Involvement – how they are involved in the story or will be in the future.
- Snippets – cuts from the story that are particularly important.
- Diary – for crucial characters I’ve written brief diary entries to keep track of what’s going on especially in situation that overlap with other characters
· MS Excel – I’ve create a timeline word count spreadsheet.
- timeline – to make sure that event happen in a timely manner and that overlapping events are accurate
- word count – to keep track of words for a chapter, a MC and the total
· MS word – Obviously my Manuscript is written in word. I’ve also used it for noting down ideas.
- Manuscript – front sheet with name, contract details, book title; formatted 12pt, Times New Roman, double spacing; footer with word count, title, surname, page numbers.
- Query letter – to enquire whether an agent is interested in giving me a chance.
- Synopsis – an outline of everything that happens from start to finish (was very hard to write on just one page)
- Plot – ideas for plot have been jotted down
- Species – development of the species was started in MS Word but since been moved to One Note
- Re-writes – temporary documents are kept with details of areas I need to go back to an re-write.
· MS Access – Created a database to keep track of submissions
- Novels – table of manuscripts and version and word count details and date finished.
- Agencies – name of company, address details and submission details
- Agent – name of person and links to an agency
- Submission – links to novel, agent and records date submitted and date responded
· MS Outlook – Currently it lists my tasks and events but I still haven't manged to link it to my hotmail.
- Tasks – details upcoming competitions, their deadlines, how to submit and requirements.
- Calendar – details about writing events that I plan to attend, where and when.
Writing a story is a huge process. I’ve done well finishing my first manuscript and I think I will seriously consider letting an editor give it a final look over before querying any more. I shall also work on Wipeout and shall again set myself the 1,000 words a day challenge. I also need to remember how lucky I am to have such a supportive partner and I’ve also made a lot of writing friends who are really helpful. At the end of the Month I shall be reading at Sue’s Private Writers Group. The start of next month I shall be attending Maureen Blundell’s workshops and receive a one-on-one editorial review of 2,000 words.
The most important thing of all is never to lose faith in my dream. Even if this hard work amounts to nothing, I need to know I tried my very best and gave it my all. Otherwise, all my hardwork before was for nothing. I can't ever give up!
The most important thing of all is never to lose faith in my dream. Even if this hard work amounts to nothing, I need to know I tried my very best and gave it my all. Otherwise, all my hardwork before was for nothing. I can't ever give up!
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