Writing a novel is something I’ve told myself for years I would do someday. In March of this year, I finally decided (for whatever reason) that this was the year, the time was now, and I was going to write the damn thing. This past week, I finished the first draft. Now, writers of all walks will tell you that this is only the beginning, and they’re right. But you will also learn very quickly that the world is littered with the corpses of those who wanted to try writing a novel and came up short before they finished their first draft, their first act, their first chapter, their first sentence. I’m not an expert, but I’ve made it this far. I picked up a few things along the way, and if you’re thinking of writing a novel, or starting to write a novel, or are bogged down and “blocked” trying to write your novel, maybe some of what I picked up will help you. Note that when I say “novel” I mean whatever your project may happen to be, be it screenplay, novel, poem, limerick, dirty joke. And when I say “you” I mean “me”. Let’s be honest, my entire blarg is an exercise in narcissism. Here, then, are 18 points of Dubious Advice (because nice round numbers are way too establishment for me, man) for Writing Your First Draft of Your First Novel.Read More »
Tag: writing advice
Today’s Writing Session Sponsored by The Beast, Apparently
More on that title at the end of the post.
The writing had me in a weird place yesterday. I was stressed about where my story had ended up and where it was headed, and I felt the significant gravity of self-doubt and intimidation about the task of writing a novel weighing heavy on my shoulders. It was one of those days when I really think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, when I wonder if this whole thing was really such a good idea and whether I’d be better off using my spare time to play video games or read or watch TV or otherwise waste my time. Of course, you have those thoughts, and then you remember the old adage about how nobody on their deathbed says they wished they’d watched more TV. No, Writing this novel is one of those — I won’t say Bucket List items, because that’s a term that gets tossed around too whimsically for my tastes — but it’s one of those Things I Wanted To Accomplish. And, like with so many other things in life, I’ve found, the day-to-day struggles become easier to bear if you keep your eye on the prize, so that’s what I try to do.Read More »
Repeticons, a word I’ve just made up
It’s the last week of school, and I’ve got English on the brain. English is awesome. English is dumb. I love it. I hate it. I love language and want to spend the rest of my life finding new ways to tell exciting and interesting stories. I hate language and grr blargle argle sknash.
If you’re going to be a writer, you have to love the language at least a little bit. I love it a lot. I love its twists and turns, I love its nooks and crannies, I love its incongruities, I love its flat contradictions. More than that, I love to play with it.
I think authors have to practice their wordplay at every opportunity they can get, like the guys with the things doing the things to other things. Ahem. My brain’s a little fried and my wordplay is not in top form right now. But that won’t stop me from writing about it.Read More »
Accidentally Inspired 