Every time I get together with my writing group, I feel much better about my work (and also how hard writing is). As you (my nonexistent readers) know, I didn’t manage to send them the 50 pages that I was supposed to two weeks ago. I still have not made much progress writing (and today… Continue reading September 9: Writer Friends
Category: On Writing
September 8: Practice makes…more practice?
A anyone who’d been following along may have noticed, I did skip posting the last three days. I also wasn’t able to write for two of them, I’m starting to think more about what it means to have a writing practice, and what that practice looks like. For example, does a practice schedule always have… Continue reading September 8: Practice makes…more practice?
September 4: Endings
I am often stumped by aspects of novel writing, not least of which is how people manage to write satisfying endings. I feel like I’ve been searching for an ending to this particular novel for years, and none of them have been quite right. Today I expanded on a brief paragraph I’d written based on… Continue reading September 4: Endings
September 3: A Scene
Today is the first day of September that I’ve had to work, and I knew it would be a real test of this process. Historically, I’ve been great at writing every day when I have no other commitments, but as soon as I need to go into the office or hang out with friends, things… Continue reading September 3: A Scene
September 2: Morning Pages
This morning I was woken up by my doorbell. No one ever rings my doorbell, so I was very annoyed and planning to ignore it until I got a text from my Amazon delivery driver saying that he wanted to leave my package somewhere safe. I buzzed the driver in and a few minutes later… Continue reading September 2: Morning Pages
September 1: Starting a Habit
One of my promises to myself this year was that I would be dedicated to my writing, both in daily commitments and by taking time out of my busy schedule to focus solely on writing. I’ve done a lot of the latter – I’ve attended a few writing retreats since graduating from the Novel Incubator… Continue reading September 1: Starting a Habit
I’m Supposed to Write Every Day?
What does it say about me that my day job is in project management, but whenever someone tells me I need a writing schedule I just laugh? Being a part of the Novel Incubator program at GrubStreet means I have made a commitment to my writing for at least a year, but I’ve still had… Continue reading I’m Supposed to Write Every Day?
The Casual Writer
For most of December and January, I worked on finishing my novel. I’d been working on it for a long time before that (years), but at a slow, comfortable pace. For most of that time, I was a casual writer. It seems odd to think that, but it’s true. I wrote on weekends (sometimes). I… Continue reading The Casual Writer
At the end of January, I finished the first draft of my novel. I’ve been working on it for a few years now, so it’s an odd feeling to suddenly be done (well, as done as a first draft can be). I find myself thinking about it a lot, particularly ways I can improve it, plot lines that need to be tied up, characters who need to be better developed. I’ve made notes, and jotted down potential changes, but I’ve resisted the urge to actually open the full document because I know that only time will give me the clarity and energy I’ll need to begin revising for real.
Instead, I’ve been filling my time with lots of other things. I actually take walks during lunch instead of hovering over my laptop. I’ve written a few short stories. I’ve read books (so many books!). I joined a gym, and I actually worked out (I don’t know if you all know how much of an accomplishment this is). Basically, I’ve made time for myself as a person who isn’t working on a novel. It’s been a long time since I’ve been that person, and while I don’t want to be her forever, it’s nice to make sure she’s alive every now and then.
Concentration in Chaos
Last Tuesday, my Panda Express fortune cookie told me, “You are a bundle of energy, always on the go.” While I was slightly upset because that’s not a fortune, it was kind of interesting to read because it is very true. I’m the kind of person who’s not happy doing nothing. I get antsy after… Continue reading Concentration in Chaos