Are you participating National Novel Writing Month : November 2014?

Becoming a Writer is a never-ending journey and, in my opinion one of the best experiences is the actual participation in National Novel Writing Month.  This year, however, I shan't be participating as I am involved with my Mystery Novel "in-progress".

Yet one month before November is not a time for potential participants to slack or daydream about their intended story.  Last year, being a very visual person, I created a separate file for each of my proposed characters, at the front of which I had their picture as I imagined them to be.  This helped me become acquainted with them prior to the starting date.

I also calculated at which point in the story, each of my characters would be involved in important scenes.  Having this structure is immensely helpful when you want the story you are creating to evolve speedily and successfully.

Also, you can avoid a huge amount of heartache in the future if you have previously studied structure and are able to map out how your story plot will evolve by first hooking, then ensuring your reader wants to stay with your book, and that entails copious amounts of conflict and drama.

Hill to Climb

Sure you will be setting yourself a difficult task, a huge hill to climb to be successful! 

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The pride you will feel on reaching your targeted word count by end November, will make it so worthwhile, and most important your Book will be "within reach" despite the necessary attention it will require after the Competition.

That crucial, yet problematic Introductory First Chapter

Revision, edit, call it what you will!  I sailed through the story I created in National Novel Writing Month in November 2013, but I did not realize then, that my first chapter had not yet been created!

Each day, I successfully wrote the required number of words, not aware then, the very important beginning was still to come!

However, I am not sitting down at a PC pouring over a table, and writing profusely.  The opening lines and storyline are being created on the treadmill at my local Gym!

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And surprisingly it is now coming altogether, as I am lucky in that I know completely how this future Mystery Novella is going to evolve, with its many twists and turns. 

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So all going well, I hope to be able to publish by the end of the year.

A Reminder of an Experience I'm Happy To Forget

Tomorrow all eyes will be on Judge Thokozile Masipa on the difficult Judgement she has to make in the Oscar Pistorius case.  A Judgement likely to last perhaps 2 days and on which I make no comment.

Rather it will remind me of an experience I am happy to forget.  Whilst working for many years for lawyers in the corporate section, an email addressed to all staff, came to my attention.  The Litigation partner was seeking a staff member who was experienced with shorthand, such that they could record a Judgement in Court for his clients.

 

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A friend sitting next to my desk, made the 'Brilliant' suggestion that I volunteer.  After permission to do so by my own boss, the next working day found me attending Court with the Litigation Team.

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I sat away from the others, with absolute no prior knowledge of the case, my shorthand notebook on my knee, where I totally focused on the Judgement, not knowing the who, what or why of the case, and just transcribing onto the pages at speed, the Judge's exact words.  The concentration required is supreme and it is only about the words, the shorthand, and the book into which one is relaying all those "squiggles".

After several hours of speaking that morning, the Judge, at the end, announced to all attending Court that a typed transcript had been made of the proceedings and would be available in a certain office for collection shortly.  Apparently one is only aware of this after the proceedings, that such transcript has been made!  I am positive in this "tech savy" world nowadays, it is an absolute certainty, without question, there would always be such transcripts available after a Court Judgement.

Once we all returned back to the law offices, several work colleagues and my own boss were standing with me.  The transcript by the court was safely in the hands of the Litigation Partner, and I still had my shorthand book in my hand, almost full to capacity with squiggles.  

Perhaps I was a tad dramatic, but now knowing it was not required, I flung my notebook to the floor!  It did not now require working late into the night, typing a transcript.  Life was back to normal.  Relief ....!

One scar it has left with me.  I shall be very aware, whilst watching television, the speed with which the Judge recites her Judgement.

A sweet Friend wants to share a Lullaby she has written - How does one do that in this digital age?

After all, we all know about the coziness of cuddling up with the adorable ones, and relating a story or singing a Lullaby:

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I simply, in this era of e-books, do not know how best to advise my friend as regards submitting and publishing in the genre she has chosen.  My friend rightly is so proud of the Lullaby she has created and wants to share it with the world!  Nothing wrong with that!

Any advice out there will be much appreciated!  

Keeping Fit is Part of Making Progress as a Writer

After a holiday, it is hard to settle into a writing schedule.  I have been completely revamping my first chapter edit of my current Mystery / Romance.  Whether one is writing by hand or on a computer, or editing as in my case by hand the typewritten draft, it is a sedentary occupation.  It is only all the chores of a day which keep one's fitness intact.

A holiday brings new resolutions, which in hubby's and my case, I am leaning towards a healthier eating style, as well as more pro-active fitness.  So this week I have been back in the Gym and no I unfortunately do not look like the picture!

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It is amazing how one can think of a re-plot in one's story whilst working out.  Although on Thursday I must confess I was watching a replay of Roger Federer play tennis, whilst I was on the Treadmill.

Writing Gap After #NaNoWrMo

With changing or rather - including Mystery, to my second novel draft, when I successfully completed National Novel Writing Month #NaNoWriMo end November 2013, my life has since then:

....  Resulted in a pause .. Which became a delay .. Then now .. has become at least a six month Gap.

Therefore for those who have so very kindly asked when my next book will be published, it looks like it will be: 

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End of 2014.   

When I decided to include mystery to my plot, I did not realize just how much I would have to learn.  Learning is part of why I wanted to write in the first place and although my plot and the story are in place, I want to explore more "What if's" to satisfy myself as I re-write.

Whilst for a well known and established writer, oooops may I say in particular a man, who can say:

"I'm off to my office now darling, bring my tea at 9.30am and lunch at 1pm, whilst I write overlooking the Ocean and see you at 5pm"

That just isn't going to happen for me...... 😜😜😜

Nonetheless I am having a European holiday month gap, where perhaps I might write on my travel blog www.serioussunshine-blog.com if I have somewhere special to share.

Part of my honing skill process for my Manuscript

I've already discussed much of my writing journey before, during, and after NaNoWriMo competitions, and my current manuscript which is set in a very upmarket and glamorous Fashion Store.

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Because I feel there are two aspects I want to cover further before tackling the very serious editing ready for publishing, and whereas in NaNoWriMo I introduced a Prologue, I have now decided to elaborate the contents of my then Prologue, to become my very important first chapter.  To this end I am presently reading/studying "Hooked" by Les Edgerton.  I also decided to tackle reading his book entitled "Finding Your Voice" as I want to be true to myself.

I am very happy about my proposed Plot and because I actually already now know what is going to happen in the story, I can add some red herrings to confuse my reader.  

I think a first book is so much easier to write, as one is so brimful of confidence that you have a gift with writing and "sail along".  However when it gets to the second book you become your own worst critic, and realize  writing is a journey.  Copious learning and studying further, is part of that.

Procrastination

When I worked in the "real world" I always prided myself that my filing and emails were completely up to date.  Anything other than work, be it connected with home responsibilities, shopping or hobbies and family time was completely out of office hours.

Now, however, that I am at home I have to confess :

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.... my physical filing is in disarray but not un-fixable, worse still I have so many unopened emails I shan't reveal!  

I am, however, making sure I have time for reading and writing, cooking, gym and music!

Hone Time - After #NanoWriMo and my structured 50,000 word Story

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Hone in this instance means to optimize, improve, better, enhance, refine.

I want to cover absolutely every aspect of my manuscript.

Because of this inter alia I have sought out several tool skill "screenwriting blue books" written by William C. Mantell.  This is not because I envisage the story I have created to become a movie, but rather because of what can happen to a story when it becomes a script and thereafter, before it is shown on screen.

I am aware that a scriptwriter can live in a world where entire dialogue of a story can be wiped out and re-written.  Even an actor can himself change dialogue.

As I start my very first edit I plan to be like a scriptwriter of my own work, a huge critic of every scene written, and to optimize my manuscript in the best way possible.  

No pressure!!

You are an artist - your job is to create - not to be shoved

As an artist your job is to create ... Be it a painting, a poem, or a book which depicts the premise you, at a particular time, wish to embody in your work.

If like me in my present work, you want to create a story which enters a darker world then explore it.  That presents a challenge and just as important, it may give to others a completely wrong impression of who or what you experience in your own life.  Meanwhile you are actually stretching yourself and endeavoring to make your next experience more difficult than your last.

As an artist you choose - don't let anyone ever correct, demean or undermine your choice.  You are not a puppet, you do not need to follow trends.

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Nor to be shoved in a particular direction.  

Be true to the story/picture or other artistic work in front of you, yet be open to suggestions on how to improve your talent.