Have you ever read a blog post and then realized that it was exactly what you needed to read in that moment? After reading a post by JeffO about the 'Just Write It' piece of advice that is often thrown about where writers are involved, I had that feeling, and after perhaps a short moment of procrastination while I mulled the idea over in my head... I just sat down and gave it a shot.
JeffO said in the post that while 'Just Write It' isn't always the right answer, sometimes it can be the best answer. In my case, it was the best answer. I have been sitting around for the last half of January trying to figure out how I should end my W.I.P 'WALLS' before I start to write it. After putting so much effort into planning the story - 11,380 words to be exact - it felt wrong to start writing without completing that final stretch of the plan. But I've been starting at the cursor in the word document and getting nowhere. 'Just Write It', I thought, after reading JeffO's post.
So I opened my planning document and I opened a new word document and called it 'Chapter 1'. Two hours later, the first chapter was complete at 2,700 words and I am so glad. I might not know how 'WALLS' is going to end yet, but it's only a first draft, and I don't need to know until I get to it. I can't go back and change anything that needs changing later. I can fix the inconsistencies during a proofreading and editing session. What I can't stand the thought of doing any longer is waiting unnecessarily when I could be writing.
A big thank you to JeffO! 'Chapter 2' will be on it's way tomorrow, I am sure. Until then, considering that it is currently 12:40AM, I might get some sleep.
When have you read the perfect blog post for your situation?
- Bonnee.
Posts
Just Write It is a good advice and I follow it. I know from my experience that whatever I write will be revised many times, but once I have something written I can think how to make it better. And with the computer it's so easy to make change or more some written parts to other chapters.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall a perfect blog spot but I recall getting good tips from the blogs of Sarah LaPolla, Mary Kole and Janice Hardy and others.
You might wish to submit the first 250 words of your novel to Janice Hardy's blog. She gave good constructive comments to my first page and I implemented most of them.
I'm glad someone wrote about this little snippet of advice when I needed it, definitely a help. And that's exactly the point; I won't know how to improve my story until I have a first-draft sitting in front of me. Once I have a draft, then I can worry about making it as perfect as possible.
DeleteI'll have to take a look at Janice Hardy's blog :) Thank you for that suggestion.
Aw, thanks, Bonnee. I'm glad it gave you the little kick-start you need, and now that you're more on your way, you might see the ending more clearly. If not now, then soon.
ReplyDeleteAs for your question, I'm not sure I've ever quite had the same thing happen, but just this very morning Becca at The Bookshelf Muse had a post that just struck me in a very particular way. It just kind of made me say, "Yeah!"
http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/2013/02/lengthening-chain.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+feedburner%2FtKhz+%28The+Bookshelf+Muse%29
I seriously can't thank you enough for giving me that little kick-start :)
DeleteI see what you mean about Becca's post! Definitely some food for thought there.
I love when a blog post - or quote, song lyric, etc - resonates so strongly. The inspiration is a wonderful thing.
ReplyDeleteYAY for diving in to the writing! Have a blast with chapter 2! :)
It's so good when something gives you the kick you need. Chapter 2 is looking good!
DeleteYes, plenty of times. Mooderino's blog Moody Writing has been a big source of inspiration; and there are lots of other excellent writing blogs. :)
ReplyDeleteI love finding blogs that just have post after post of reliable inspiration :)
DeleteThis is a great post, Bonnee! I definitely need to get down and simply write; I don't even know why I'm putting it off any longer! Jeff is right, writing through can sometimes be the best method.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely proving to be the best method for me right now. Get to it Fiona, you'll be so glad you did!
DeleteHey Bonnee, that post is really great!! it is such good advice and i would do it if i wasnt at school -.- but ill do it when i get home. im still working on 'anywhere but here' and am really enjoying it! good luck with chapter 2! xx
ReplyDeleteGood EJ! School didn't stop me from writing last year or the year before, but that was probably because I had a lot of free periods... :D How many words do you have on 'Anywhere but Here'? Chapter 2's but has been kicked!
DeleteHahaha I dont have any frees YET but im crossing my fingers for some!! maybe next semester I might get a few.
Deleteand umm 12, 296 words and 37 pages. It is only in it's early stages my longest story I have ever written is around the 150 page mark but I have stopped writing that now and feel that 'Anywhere But Here' is a lot more my style now, it's a bit more mature. :)
See, I finished one subject a year early and then dropped another one because it was too hard, never replaced it. So come my final year, two subjects worth of free periods for me!
DeleteNothing wrong with early stages or discontinuing something that you no longer find to be your style. I've moved along with books like that before. :)
Haha clever plan!! I might take some inspiration >:D
DeleteMmmm im glad im not the only one. I just...kind of lost the feel of it, y'know?
xxx
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