I’ve been trying to get a bit more organised over the weekend, sorting out the pieces of writing to finish, checking which short stories can be sent out and which need reworking. Then there are a few novellas I want to tackle. But, inevitably, I get sidetracked almost immediately by new opportunities and competitions. So instead of getting on with the last part of my current novel, I ended up writing a new children’s story! Must say it was fun to write and only needed to be a maximum of 800 words.
So today, I’m again planning to get those last couple of chapters of the WIP finished. Then I’ll be able to go back through it all and read the complete novel to find out where the cracks are. I love the redrafting part, but I don’t know why it’s taking me so long to get to the end of writing this book. Does anyone else have a problem getting finished?
I must recommend the website of someone I recently came across online: Jeff Goins. He is so motivational, and I received his great little free booklet ‘The Writer’s Manifesto’. Simple and effective words - about just writing. You’ll get a free copy if you join his mailing list. He has also recently published an ebook ‘You are a Writer (so start acting like one)’, and I intend getting that very soon from Amazon.
And in case you're in need of some more motivation, Mslexia is currently running two competitions:
Women’s Poetry Competition – any length or style. Closing date is 18th June 2012.
Children’s Novel Competition – for unpublished women novelists. The novel must be at least 30,000 words, aimed at children old enough to read by themselves, or young adults. Closing date is 10th September 2012.
Full details are on the Mslexia website, which is worth a visit for all the other information it contains.
Happy writing!
Rosemary
10 comments:
I've been trying to finish my latest short story for the alst 4 weeks. I took a two week break because I was just so frustated and now, if I add 100 words a day I'm lucky. I know how it's supposed to end, I just have to get there.
Best of luck with the contests.
Glad you have the same problem sometimes, Anne (although not for your sake!)
I recognise that problem too, Rosemary.
The short story that I'm sending out this week has been waiting a year to be rewritten and edited, because I got side-tracked by longer projects (and life).
I find it hard to finish too, Rosemary. I'm nearing the final section of my novel, but have been keeping my characters hovering, talking, delaying the final part of their journey, almost as if I don't want to let go of them. However, I'm about to plough on, having decided Monday is a good day to adopt a new, tougher attitude towards tackling the things I'm putting off. I have a short story to conclude, then the novel to bring much further on by the end of the day when the girls come home. My husband's off to Dublin and I'm all alone. There's simply no excuse...
Good luck, Rosemary, I hope you make lots of progress today too.
You too, Carol? Maybe it's something that affects all writers. Hope you get that story out!
That sounds just like me, Joanna! I do hope you reach that end as well. It makes a difference getting peace to work, doesn't it? Although, maybe that's when we get diverted...
I usually have a manic frenzy to get to the end, can't wait, can't stop, no, don't talk to me now, no time... and then, just before the last chapter, I have a hesitation. I think it's just a kind of pseudo-advance bereavement, the thought of having to let go of all those characters that I've created and fallen in love with. :-) Lots of food for thought, though, great post!
You may have been sidetracked, but I am in awe of your industry. The idea of having so many different projects on the go at once just makes me feel tired.
Please send me over some of your motivation vibes Rosemary....
Hello Nicky - many thanks for that comment. I know what you mean about forging ahead and then that hesitation. I think I'm just not sure enough of my next chapter!
Thanks for that, Gilli - sometimes, I have too much on the go at once and it holds me back!
On their way, Diane!
I'm good at getting sidetracked too!
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