Today is Monday and I wish it was Thursday. I know it has been drilled into us all since childhood that we shouldn't wish our time away but I'm finding it a little tricky right now to obey this rule.
It's the end of term this week. On Thursday, at lunchtime, the students finish their lessons and run screaming into the glorious freedom of the Christmas holidays. My problem lies in the fact that, up until this time, a large part of my job is to keep them quiet, focused and working. Given that they have already converted into 'Christmas mode', I'm sure you can appreciate how difficult this is.
So I'm preparing myself for a difficult day tomorrow. As we're all aware, I'm not a big fan of optimism so I will be bracing myself for the worst rather than hoping for the best and ending up disappointed. How's that for a cheery sentiment?
But I want to think happy thoughts. Happy thoughts like IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS!!! And I don't feel so snuck-upon this week, having managed to get a little bit of wrapping done over the weekend (although not as much as I'd hoped). Given that Christmas tends to turn me into a five-year-old, I'm staring at the pretty lights strung around my bedroom going 'oooooh' and covering myself in tinsel at every available opportunity.
Also in prime position in the happy thoughts category is the extra time I will have to write when I'm on Christmas holiday for two weeks. I'm on Chapter 30, meaning (once I've finished it) the Christmas aim will be accomplished! Hurrah! I'm not fool enough to think that I won't have plenty of other shenanigans to occupy my time during the break but I should still have more time to write than I do during term-time. And hopefully time to look for agents. Time and courage for that one.
Right, back to Chapter 30. There's a prophesised phone call, a house belonging to (relatively) friendly criminals and a generous smattering of witchcraft. Sometimes my novel sounds really weird.
Monday, 17 December 2012
Monday, 10 December 2012
The Sneakiness of Christmas
The festive season seems to have snuck up on me a little this year. Suddenly there are only two weekends before Christmas (with both Saturdays already booked up) and I haven't even got a tree up yet. Presents are, thankfully, almost done in terms of buying but the wrapping process looks incredibly daunting and will probably wait until a couple of days before they're needed. An unwise choice but one I will probably foolishly take regardless.
This sudden realisation that Christmas is coming at exactly the same time as it does every year has meant that I haven't done quite as much writing as I would have liked this week. I'm currently working on Chapter 28, which isn't a terrible point to have reached but I would have liked to be done with it by now.
In a more positive spin on the being-on-chapter-28-thing, I gave myself the target of getting to Chapter 30 by Christmas Day so, providing no calamities befall me, this should be perfectly achievable. Technically speaking, I should be on the big 30 by this time next week. And I do so like being ahead of a target so I'm sure I'll dig up at least some motivation to keep going even while mounds of unwrapped presents threaten to collapse and smother me.
On the subject of my other work - as in the real job, the one people actually pay me for - I found out today that I've got a new job! Hurrah! I interviewed for it last Friday. It's in the same place I'm working now but the role is more interesting (proper librarian stuff with books and everything) and I've got more hours, which naturally means more book-buying-funds.
Right, I'm off to go scowl at Chapter 28. I need to join up two bits of a phone conversation and two bits of face-to-face conversation, and then all those bits together. I really need to learn how to write things in order.
This sudden realisation that Christmas is coming at exactly the same time as it does every year has meant that I haven't done quite as much writing as I would have liked this week. I'm currently working on Chapter 28, which isn't a terrible point to have reached but I would have liked to be done with it by now.
In a more positive spin on the being-on-chapter-28-thing, I gave myself the target of getting to Chapter 30 by Christmas Day so, providing no calamities befall me, this should be perfectly achievable. Technically speaking, I should be on the big 30 by this time next week. And I do so like being ahead of a target so I'm sure I'll dig up at least some motivation to keep going even while mounds of unwrapped presents threaten to collapse and smother me.
On the subject of my other work - as in the real job, the one people actually pay me for - I found out today that I've got a new job! Hurrah! I interviewed for it last Friday. It's in the same place I'm working now but the role is more interesting (proper librarian stuff with books and everything) and I've got more hours, which naturally means more book-buying-funds.
Right, I'm off to go scowl at Chapter 28. I need to join up two bits of a phone conversation and two bits of face-to-face conversation, and then all those bits together. I really need to learn how to write things in order.
Monday, 3 December 2012
Chapter Twenty-Six
I normally like to come to a nice clean point in my writing at which to pause before writing these blog posts but this evening I couldn't do it. Chapter Twenty-Six is being a bitch.
It is especially irritating because finishing Chapter Twenty-Six would put me at the mid-way point in terms of chapters, which would be something of an achievement. But because my brain hates me, I just can't get the damn thing right.
So I'm taking a breather. I'm giving it a mini-stew. I am going to do something else for a couple of hours - write this blog, get some tea, watch the latest episode of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries - before I come back to it. At this point, I will be hit by a dazzling burst of inspiration and complete it with not a single spot of trouble.
This is my plan - only time will tell if it's anything other than imagination.
Chapter Twenty-Seven is already underway, though. Rather like Chapter Twenty-Six was before I'd finished Twenty-Five. I really hope this isn't going to become a habit. I got in a little bit of a muddle at times with the beginning of this book when I wrote too much of it out of order. I want to keep as much as I can to the sequence of the novel and yet I'm not just going to ignore an idea if it pops into my head. Ah, dilemmas!
Right, I'm off to go and ignore Chapter Twenty-Six. It is going to sit in its word document and think about what it's done. Once it's had time to consider its life choices, then we'll talk.
It is especially irritating because finishing Chapter Twenty-Six would put me at the mid-way point in terms of chapters, which would be something of an achievement. But because my brain hates me, I just can't get the damn thing right.
So I'm taking a breather. I'm giving it a mini-stew. I am going to do something else for a couple of hours - write this blog, get some tea, watch the latest episode of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries - before I come back to it. At this point, I will be hit by a dazzling burst of inspiration and complete it with not a single spot of trouble.
This is my plan - only time will tell if it's anything other than imagination.
Chapter Twenty-Seven is already underway, though. Rather like Chapter Twenty-Six was before I'd finished Twenty-Five. I really hope this isn't going to become a habit. I got in a little bit of a muddle at times with the beginning of this book when I wrote too much of it out of order. I want to keep as much as I can to the sequence of the novel and yet I'm not just going to ignore an idea if it pops into my head. Ah, dilemmas!
Right, I'm off to go and ignore Chapter Twenty-Six. It is going to sit in its word document and think about what it's done. Once it's had time to consider its life choices, then we'll talk.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
The NEXT BIG THING blog hop
I was tagged to
be a part of this meme by Reb Alexander at Witchway: A Writer's Journey to Publication, whose debut novel is called The Secrets of Life and Death and is going to
be published next autumn. Her version appeared last Wednesday.
What is the title of your next book?
Well if by 'next' this means the one I intend to send to an agent in the hopes of representation, that would be Hide and See. This is book 1, and I am currently in the process of writing book 2, as yet unnamed.
I also have another, unrelated book - Fall - which is near completion.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I started Hide and See as part of an Advanced Fiction module for my MA. I have no idea where the idea came from - all I remember is sitting there with a blank page, trying to think of something to write for one of the workshops. It was raining outside, so I wrote that it was raining. A young woman - Rhonda - appeared and her story just bloomed from nowhere. I also remember trying half-heartedly to not write fantasy but completely failing.
What genre does your book fall under?
Primary World Fantasy
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Hmm... I've never seen anyone who would be a perfect fit. I suppose a younger, British version of Jeremy Renner might be good for Joel. Although that could just be my obsession with The Avengers talking.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Rhonda, a Seer, and Joel, an Empath, search for answers about their abilities and for other 'Specials' like them, all the while avoiding the Hunters who would capture and kill them; but are they safe with their own kind or are they in danger from both sides of this war?
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I would like to be represented by an agency but it does involve actually writing to some for this to be even a slight possibility. And I will. Promise.
What is the title of your next book?
Well if by 'next' this means the one I intend to send to an agent in the hopes of representation, that would be Hide and See. This is book 1, and I am currently in the process of writing book 2, as yet unnamed.
I also have another, unrelated book - Fall - which is near completion.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I started Hide and See as part of an Advanced Fiction module for my MA. I have no idea where the idea came from - all I remember is sitting there with a blank page, trying to think of something to write for one of the workshops. It was raining outside, so I wrote that it was raining. A young woman - Rhonda - appeared and her story just bloomed from nowhere. I also remember trying half-heartedly to not write fantasy but completely failing.
What genre does your book fall under?
Primary World Fantasy
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Hmm... I've never seen anyone who would be a perfect fit. I suppose a younger, British version of Jeremy Renner might be good for Joel. Although that could just be my obsession with The Avengers talking.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Rhonda, a Seer, and Joel, an Empath, search for answers about their abilities and for other 'Specials' like them, all the while avoiding the Hunters who would capture and kill them; but are they safe with their own kind or are they in danger from both sides of this war?
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I would like to be represented by an agency but it does involve actually writing to some for this to be even a slight possibility. And I will. Promise.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Around fourteen months, although not continuously as I had other university work to be done in that time, so there were a few months where I didn't look at it at all (usually coinciding with getting marks back for submissions...)
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Books from authors such as Kelley Armstrong, Ann Aguirre and Jaye Wells are in a similar genre.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I've had some fantastic encouragement from people on my course, particularly Reb Alexander and Natasha Liu-Thwaites. Without their support, I'm not sure I ever would have finished book 1, let alone be writing book 2.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
I wanted to write a story set within our world with a fantasy twist - and have not a single vampire in sight.
It is at this pointing in the process that I should be tagging the next round of people to do this meme survey thingy - but alas, I know only one other writer with a writing blog and she's the one who tagged me. I guess this branch of the blog hop ends here.
Monday, 26 November 2012
First half of the first draft
This evening, I finished Chapter 24. The first draft, obviously. I keep having to remind myself that it is only the first draft and that it doesn't matter if it's pretty bad.
Which this chapter is. I know what I want to do with it but right now, it isn't working. But instead of agonising over it and going through it again and again, I'm going to put it to bed and move on. It's a difficult thing for me to do but I'm hoping that in later drafts, when I can view it in the context of the whole story, that a solution will come to light.
And hey, maybe it won't actually be as bad as I think. I mean, it probably will be but I'm going for a little optimism here.
During this past week, I passed the 50k mark on this book. Given that my novels tend to finish at a little over 100k, this means that I'm halfway through. However, while I am at this point on word count, I'm not on chapters. Which means that I've been waffling. Not a huge surprise given that I am, in fact, me. It does mean, however, that some rather extensive pruning is required.
I think it's time to go back to the plan. My chapter plans aren't necessarily set in stone and can be changed during any of the drafts if I feel something really isn't working. I've done it before without any great calamities rocking the fabric of time and space. And while I don't feel that way in terms of the plot (at least in any major way) I do reckon there'll be some changes occurring this week.
There's a fair bit of exposition going on in this novel and I'm tempted to get rid of some of that, but I seem to recall that one criticism of parts of the first book during the MA was a lack of exposition. It's all about getting the happy medium, I guess.
Which this chapter is. I know what I want to do with it but right now, it isn't working. But instead of agonising over it and going through it again and again, I'm going to put it to bed and move on. It's a difficult thing for me to do but I'm hoping that in later drafts, when I can view it in the context of the whole story, that a solution will come to light.
And hey, maybe it won't actually be as bad as I think. I mean, it probably will be but I'm going for a little optimism here.
During this past week, I passed the 50k mark on this book. Given that my novels tend to finish at a little over 100k, this means that I'm halfway through. However, while I am at this point on word count, I'm not on chapters. Which means that I've been waffling. Not a huge surprise given that I am, in fact, me. It does mean, however, that some rather extensive pruning is required.
I think it's time to go back to the plan. My chapter plans aren't necessarily set in stone and can be changed during any of the drafts if I feel something really isn't working. I've done it before without any great calamities rocking the fabric of time and space. And while I don't feel that way in terms of the plot (at least in any major way) I do reckon there'll be some changes occurring this week.
There's a fair bit of exposition going on in this novel and I'm tempted to get rid of some of that, but I seem to recall that one criticism of parts of the first book during the MA was a lack of exposition. It's all about getting the happy medium, I guess.
Monday, 19 November 2012
The other job
After a horrendously stressful day at work today, it was a relief to come home to my other job, the one I don't get paid for but which I might one day, if all the planets align correctly and I don't walk under any ladders or something.
This is how I've come to think of my writing: like it's a job. I do it every day (thank you calendar with all your little crosses!) with the aim of it being something I might gain an income from at some point in the distance future. You know, in a world where I actually get round to looking for agents. Unfortunately on that front, the actual writing feels so much more appealing at the moment!
I'm now essentially in the middle of the story, that big old chunk sandwiched between the beginning and the end, and yet which is too big to really be only one section. I should probably be more wary about losing pace but to be honest I'm more concerned with getting everything in within a reasonable word count. Waffling has always been a bit of a thing.
Also, I'm trying to force myself not to get too caught up on every little detail. I could easily spend ages agonising over the phrasing of just a couple of sentences but would then find that I'd not actually produced all that much. It's useful to remind myself every so often that this is only the first draft and that all the agonising can be done later. Something to look forward to and all that.
And I finished a book today: Ranger's Apprentice: The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan. I'm fairly certain that it's aimed at teenage boys but they get a lot of good books and I'm not going to stop reading them just because I'm not one and never have been. They're more than welcome to read all the bad Chick Lit which I'm supposed to like. Fair trade?
This is how I've come to think of my writing: like it's a job. I do it every day (thank you calendar with all your little crosses!) with the aim of it being something I might gain an income from at some point in the distance future. You know, in a world where I actually get round to looking for agents. Unfortunately on that front, the actual writing feels so much more appealing at the moment!
I'm now essentially in the middle of the story, that big old chunk sandwiched between the beginning and the end, and yet which is too big to really be only one section. I should probably be more wary about losing pace but to be honest I'm more concerned with getting everything in within a reasonable word count. Waffling has always been a bit of a thing.
Also, I'm trying to force myself not to get too caught up on every little detail. I could easily spend ages agonising over the phrasing of just a couple of sentences but would then find that I'd not actually produced all that much. It's useful to remind myself every so often that this is only the first draft and that all the agonising can be done later. Something to look forward to and all that.
And I finished a book today: Ranger's Apprentice: The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan. I'm fairly certain that it's aimed at teenage boys but they get a lot of good books and I'm not going to stop reading them just because I'm not one and never have been. They're more than welcome to read all the bad Chick Lit which I'm supposed to like. Fair trade?
Monday, 12 November 2012
Graduation: feelings and stuff
I had my MA graduation ceremony on Friday. When asked how it went by various lovely people at work today, the adjective that most frequently came to mind was 'cold'. Because it was, I was, and I had my trusty thermals, fluffy socks and a relatively thick cardigan. All those girls in their tiny dresses and inappropriately high heels must have been freezing their proverbial knackers off.
I'm not saying that it wasn't moving, interesting, fun and a hundred other things, but I can't help the fact that my overriding impression was related to the temperature. It's sort of hard to concentrate on anything much when you're that uncomfortable. And I have a lifetime's worth of experience with being frickin' cold the entire time. Hence the thermals.
But I did have a good time. A day off work was obviously something to enjoy right off the bat, but I also got to see friends and have a nice lunch and walk around Winchester which was looking especially pretty: fiery autumn leaves and other such sentimental nonsense.
I did feel rather sad when it came to giving back the gown, though. I know it's been over a year since I handed in my dissertation but it still felt rather final, returning the physical symbols of my graduation. I'm not usually one to find such things emotional but there you go.
In writing news, I finished Chapter 20 this evening. My don't-break-the-chain thingy is still working well and is making my writing feel much more purposeful again. I have my calendar tacked to a bookcase next to my desk and there's a certain degree of satisfaction in looking at the rows of little blue crosses which shows my consistency.
Now cometh the task of searching for agents. I really do intend to do it, I promise. There just aren't enough hours in the day.
I'm not saying that it wasn't moving, interesting, fun and a hundred other things, but I can't help the fact that my overriding impression was related to the temperature. It's sort of hard to concentrate on anything much when you're that uncomfortable. And I have a lifetime's worth of experience with being frickin' cold the entire time. Hence the thermals.
But I did have a good time. A day off work was obviously something to enjoy right off the bat, but I also got to see friends and have a nice lunch and walk around Winchester which was looking especially pretty: fiery autumn leaves and other such sentimental nonsense.
I did feel rather sad when it came to giving back the gown, though. I know it's been over a year since I handed in my dissertation but it still felt rather final, returning the physical symbols of my graduation. I'm not usually one to find such things emotional but there you go.
In writing news, I finished Chapter 20 this evening. My don't-break-the-chain thingy is still working well and is making my writing feel much more purposeful again. I have my calendar tacked to a bookcase next to my desk and there's a certain degree of satisfaction in looking at the rows of little blue crosses which shows my consistency.
Now cometh the task of searching for agents. I really do intend to do it, I promise. There just aren't enough hours in the day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)