06-18-2009
On Writing: The Doubt Thing
Today’s word count: 2,516 words
NANTUCKET total word count: 53,914 words
HARPER total word count: 5,435 words (still no movement)
Had a battle with doubt today.
Lately, I’ve been really waking up to something very clear, and that’s that I am, indeed, going to finish NANTUCKET. And I’m going to finish other books, too. After years and years of always starting but never seeming to be able to actually finish, this knowing that I will finish is a very different feeling. A much nicer feeling, definitely. But still, a little scary.
The daily writing has made a difference to me. I know now that I’ll actually be seeing a first draft soon (at the rate I’m going, and if I can keep this up over my holidays, it will happen by the end of July!). That I’ll be revising. And working on a first draft of another novel. And then another. I’m going to just keep on going, keep on writing.
The daily writing has made the sitting-down-to-write part of things easy. It’s just what I do. I seem to have a large self-filling bottle of bum glue now.
The thing is, will any of my novels I write be any good?
I guess that’s the big question.
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June 18th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Congratulations. I started doing my blog last November for the same reason. Yo get back to the writing. I can’t believe I’d neglected my two drawered novels for so long.
It’s hard work, but it’s blissful, too.
Fran´s last blog ..How do you write? Fast or slow?
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June 18th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Writing is such hard work. Just keep your eyes on the prize. Sometimes I feel like something is being ripped out of me. Don’t worry about whether it’s good or bad yet.
Nicole´s last blog ..Recommend In Haste & Repent At Leisure?
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June 18th, 2009 at 10:38 am
First of all, I have this feeling that your writing is good. But I can understand where your doubt may come into play. Doubt, it seems, is just a part of life, but once you can get past it, you’re golden. Keep pressing forward my dear…
Ann-Kat´s last blog ..Blacklisted by Gena Showalter Book Notes and Sunday Sketch (yes, I know it’s not Sunday yet)
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June 18th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I like the self-filling bottle of bum glue. Very funny & very true.
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June 18th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
If your blog is anything to go by, I’m sure the writing itself is wonderful! And even if the plot doesn’t quite work, just remember that this is a first draft. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You’re free to go back and shift things around until you’ve got the book you want.
Memory´s last blog ..97. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
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June 18th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Good news!
So what you will need soon is good friends to take a critical look at your draft & give you their honest opinion.
Dorte H´s last blog ..A McCall Smith, The No 1 Ladies´ Detective Agency (1998)
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June 18th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Fran, it’s so true about getting back into the writing, isn’t it? These days, I can’t quite understand how I stayed away from writing fiction for so long. It’s just there now, this knowledge that I’m going to be setting aside some time to write that day. And the rest of the day, different scenes float into my mind, or things I’ll need to edit, so it’s like I’m always writing, no matter what.
Nicole, that’s such good advice. I don’t often feel that doubt. Most of the time I’m just so busy getting the story down. But when it comes up, it definitely doesn’t feel very good!
Ann-Kat, well, you have read some of my partial starts in the past, so I’m glad you feel my writing is good! I will definitely be pressing forward. I feel less doubtful today already!
Memory, that is so sweet of you! Thank you! And you’re right. First drafts aren’t perfect, and that’s the good thing. I can rework it until I’ve got the book I want.
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June 18th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
A question that has plagued me endlessly. Try not to think about it.
As you’ve already said in your blog – be true. Tell you story, and as Nicole says, don’t worry about that yet.
Cathryn´s last blog ..Sleeping Pill
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June 18th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Marie, yes, that self-filling bottle of bum glue is a very nice side benefit to this daily writing thing!
Dorte, I know – and I think a part of me want to say, don’t give me your honest opinion. I want the nice, sugarcoated one, okay? :)
Cathryn, it’s funny, but I’m not feeling it today, the waves of doubt I felt yesterday. Which is good.
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June 20th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I certainly want my friends to admire every word I write and flatter me all the way – but I KNOW that editors don´t work that way. Most of them are polite, some are even kind and offer constructive advice even when they have to reject your manustript, and a few are downright rude.
That is why my writing course has been so useful. Most people have been really kind and positive, but they have asked a lot of questions, wanting me to write clearer, better, explain something etc. I believe I have learned something during that process – but let´s see.
Dorte H´s last blog ..Just a teaser …
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