I've felt for the last six to nine months that I've struggled with my writing. That the mucked up routine, and general 'ups and down' that life threw at me, slowed me down.
Last night, I caught up with a friend whom I hadn't seen for ages. I mentioned that I had an MS out with a handful of Lit Agencies, and she asked if it was a couple of chapters, or a whole book. I explained that the book had been through 8 revision/edits, and was as polished as I could get it.
I then remembered that so far this year I've written a pantomime (including two revisions), a radio play, and I'm a quarter of the way through the first draft of my new book.
It turns out that I'm doing a lot better than I originally thought.
How are you guys doing with your projects?
Monday, 22 October 2012
Monday, 1 October 2012
A change of perspective
I've always struggled with articles I've read where a successful author is being interviewed and they've been asked the question:
What is more important, Character or plot?
They always answer: Character. (With a mention that plot is also important,)
What???
How could they not see that without a plot, then nothing happens?
If character was more important, then why can't I get it?
And, if I can't get it, then am I destined to be a wannabe author, never managing to produce anything of a publishable quality? (That's the insecure writer coming out there. I have managed to put in the emotional arc into the books, but it's always been added after the story has been written - but the doubts still remain, have I done it well enough?)
When I say always struggled, what I actually meant, was until this week. I finally settled on the notion that I should write something new. I dug out my copy of Save the Cat, and started to map out the beats for a vague idea that keeps rising to the surface on odd occasions.
I know it's a bit cliched, but I have to say, it's like someone has turned on a light and now I can see exactly what they mean. In filling out the beats, it draws out the characters emotional journey that they embark on as well as the physical journey.
It looks like I'm finally getting closer to catching up with the rest of you guys.
What is more important, Character or plot?
They always answer: Character. (With a mention that plot is also important,)
What???
How could they not see that without a plot, then nothing happens?
If character was more important, then why can't I get it?
And, if I can't get it, then am I destined to be a wannabe author, never managing to produce anything of a publishable quality? (That's the insecure writer coming out there. I have managed to put in the emotional arc into the books, but it's always been added after the story has been written - but the doubts still remain, have I done it well enough?)
When I say always struggled, what I actually meant, was until this week. I finally settled on the notion that I should write something new. I dug out my copy of Save the Cat, and started to map out the beats for a vague idea that keeps rising to the surface on odd occasions.
I know it's a bit cliched, but I have to say, it's like someone has turned on a light and now I can see exactly what they mean. In filling out the beats, it draws out the characters emotional journey that they embark on as well as the physical journey.
It looks like I'm finally getting closer to catching up with the rest of you guys.
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