Writing Tips

So it is November and a ton of people are doing NaNoWriMo so I wanted to put together some tips that I use to keep up writing. Remember that to be a writer you need to write everyday, not just in November so these tips apply year round.

1. End in the Middle of a Scene

I like to end in the middle of something happening. Tonight I ended with the captain of a ship in the belly of her ship, about to show someone a tour of the ship. Not super exciting, but I know exactly where to start. i don't have to stop and think I can jump right into the scene. Ended on a solid note like 'They went to sleep.' Always makes me struggle because then my brain goes in a thousand directions of what could happen next.

2. Read!

Good writers, read. You need to know what is out there, who the other writers are, what publishers you like, etc. Nothing inspires me to write more than a great (or awful) reading.

3. Talk to Other Writers

Writing is often a lonely job, slaving away for hours at a desk hoping that one day someone will read what you're working so hard on. Connect with other writers, give yourself a support group. Celebrate with one another, and mourn with one another.

4. Revise!

When it comes to revise a work, be brutal. Be totally honest. Even if you think it's the most beautiful paragraph you've ever written do you need it? Does it matter what the fountain or gate looks like? Every word should drive the story forward, if something's not doing that, it needs to go.

5. Love what you are doing

Writer's don't write to become famous or rich. Write because that is what you love doing, what you want to do no matter what. Not everyone gets to be a Stephen King or Neil Gaimen, but love what you are doing. If you don't love what you are writing it will show.

What are your writing tips/tricks? I also have a special candle I light before I write. It's a habit now.

How's NaNoWrimo going? I broke 8,000 words tonight, yay!

Some of my writing.

NaNoWriMo goal is going well though I am probably going to stop updating so much about it. Not that I'm ashamed I'm participating, I have a blast and love the thrill of writing 50,000 words in a month, but because as a writer I should already be writing everyday as much as I can.

I'm also planning on contacting one writer I admire a week to tell them how much I enjoyed their work. Writing is a lonely road and it's nice to let people know that there really is someone out there reading their hard work. On that note I have had a few e-mails, twitter messages, etc. asking me to put up some of my own work.

I always worry about putting my work online, especially anything that hasn't been published. Many places will consider something being posted online as previously published (or so several submission guidelines have told me) so I'm going to put up a poem of mine that was published this past year. I do consider myself somewhat of a horror poet so if you have an issue with horror then please ignore the poem at the end of this post. (These are not the droids you are looking for. Anyone get it? :) )

Enjoy and keep up the writing!

Onus


When my daughter
asks about the dog
lying on the side of the road,
I will tell her he is sleeping
with his skin inside-out
because it's too hot
in the Georgia sun
to dream
with your skin still on.

In the morning
she will confess
her dreams
of finger painting
red and white
across her bedroom wall.
No matter how hard
she and I scour
the spots remain
speckled all over
our hands.



Published in The Peacock's Feet Literary Journal, 2010

11/5/10: And, by the way, just noticed and corrected a typo in this poem. Whoops! Silly typos!

And so it begins...

So the insanity that is NaNoWriMo begun yesterday and it's been amazing reading all of the people's excited tweets about writing. The trick is keeping that enthusiasm through the entire month. I'm aiming for 2,000 words a day and I met my goal last night and stopped. Yes, I could have kept writing but I don't want to write myself out on day one. I plan on getting a nice buffer going this weekend. I have to admit it is a little discouraging to see all these 'I wrote 9,000+ words today' posts but I'm happy that people are getting to be so productive. Also, Nanowrimo was #1 trending on twitter yesterday, eeee!!

Anyways, I also read a fantastic blog post yesterday about NaNoWriMo that I wanted to share! It's from Chuck Wendig and it's all about the dos and don'ts of NaNoWriMo. It's a wonderful thing to participate in, but there are some things to realize. You are not going to bang out a novel that's ready to be published on December 1st. As Chuck suggests, consider this a zero draft, a fleshed out outline to help you begin the revision and rewriting process. Realize you are not a loser if you don't win, and that the goal is to write, and be proud of what you are doing.

Anyways, I highly recommend this blog post and all of Chuck's stuff. You can follow him on twitter too (he's hysterical).

How's your noveling going? Word count sound off?

2033!

Last sentence you wrote?

"Well, when I unlock it, it will send out a blade to impale your foot. So just move fast, alright?" he smiled.

Writing Space!

So Nanowrimo begins in just about an hour! Exciting! Though I do freely admit I will be in bed before Nanowrimo begins at midnight and will begin writing after work tomorrow. I already imagine it will be the longest workday possible because I will want nothing more than to be home writing.

I believe I have figured the great war that is happening in my world and that makes me very happy (ideas in the shower are the best!) and eager to begin writing. I have my little writing corner all set up and ready to go and am including a picture! How exciting!

Notice the awesome hot pink chair and pile of papers of notes. as well as a cup of juice (yum!) and a small change jar of Grad School funds! My little memo board is full of things that inspire me and I have a picture of my friends to the side to encourage me! All in all, a very nice little writing hole.

I have also worked out my reward system. You can't really see them in the picture but I have shiny star stickers that I will out on my calendar for every day I meet the writing goal of 1667 words. I also will allow myself to have one Heritage Dr. Pepper for every 5,000 words I make. I love heritage Dr. Pepper (made with real sugar and in awesome cans too!) not to mention that they are very hard to find so that is big motivation for me.

Anyways, I am going to get ready for bed, do some reading and get ready for work. Happy November's eve and let Nanowrimo begin!

The Sleepies

So I have been struck by a horrible case of the sleepies and have dozed off at my laptop a couple times already tonight. So I'm going to call in a short blog post and then off to bed. I went to my region's Nanowrimo kick off party last night and it was so encouraging to see such a large, and excited group of writers there. I'm really excited that Nanowrimo kicks off in less than 24 hours!!

Anyways, I'm going to send you here for a blog post by The Graceful Doe that is amazing! She's listed an extensive series of helpful links to help with Nanowrimo and with writing in general. I'm really looking forward to using this list during November!

Anyways, I'm off to bed to battle the sleepies! Goodnight world!

What tone?

Yawn! Goodness I have been struck by the tired bug for sure this week! I am finally adjusting to this working full time thing. I work as a secretary (whoo, saucy secretary!) at a local college so it's a very neat environment and, thus far, not incredibly stressful so that is nice.

I am getting very excited about NaNoWriMo and cannot wait to get going! My story is not fully plotted out and my characters are still only sketches but I'm a pantser when it comes to NaNo. (flying by the seat of my pants as opposed to plotted out ). I know when/where my story begins. I know most of the major elements I want to happen. I know the characters and their general shape. The thing I am actually struggling most with is the tone I want to tell the novel in. I'm going back and forth between a Young Adult novel or a Horror-style novel. I'm fairly certain at this point I am going to go with Young Adult. That's something I don't have as much experience with but that I really want to learn more about! So, what better way to learn than by doing (or attempting?) Anyways, I'm going to sign off early, get my writing in and then watch Project Runway!

I live such an exciting life, huh? :)

GA Literary Fair Rundown!

So here is finally a rundown of the awesome people I met at the Ga Literary Fair this year. This is a list of mainly just the people I was able to talk to and get to know, not the only people there.

Nick Valentino, author of Thomas Riley:

Blog: http://nickvalentino.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SirThomasRiley

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000806797682

So, oddly enough I follow him on facebook and had no idea he was going to the Ga Literary Fair until the night before when I saw a facbeook post saying he would be there. Needless to say I flipped. I'm a big fan, and supporter (bought both books, they come with really neat stamp signatures) and he really is just a super nice, super friendly guy. He was a blast to talk to and he had the coolest table set-up of anyone there. All kinds of steampunk gear all over.

Anyways, his novel is fantastic and his short story in this collection of Steam Punk work is also amazing! All in all, go buy and support. End of story.

Wright Gres, author of Macedonia Passage

Website: http://www.wrightgres.com/

Next was an author that I hadn't met before this festival but after he offered me candy we became new friends. His passion for what is writing about is so inspiring, and he has a fascinating life story. His thriller, Macedonia Passage is inspired off of real trips he's taken across the ocean. He had a series of amazing pictures that played while he talked and it's incredible where he has been. He's also incredibly humble and really a nice guy. I highly suggest his novel!

Raven Hart, author of the Savannah Vampires Series

Website: http://www.ravenhartbooks.com/

Probably the most entertaining author that spoke. She was full of funny stories about her adventures with publishing, not to mention a red neck vampire just cracks me up. She's down to earth and incredibly open to helping. She spent almost half of her hour long session answering questions about how she was published and giving advice. She's a passionate vampire fan and her novels are just as entertaining as she is! If you're looking for something to sink your teeth into (hahah I'm so punny, aren't I? Man I need sleep), then I highly recommend Raven Hart's series.

Mason Dixon Publishing

Website: http://www.masondixonpublishing.com/

Last is a wonderfully friendly, newly started publishing house. I love the name because the VP of the company lives in Ga and the President lives in Ohio, hence Mason-Dixon. I thought it was clever. They currently have just published a short novella and a collection of poetry but are excited about getting more material. Check their website out and learn more about them. They are both very passionate about writing and I look forward to seeing much more for Mason-Dixon!

And that's all for tonight! I'm hoping to get some Nanowrimo outlining done and even get some reading knocked out.