Monday, April 30, 2012

Birth of a Novel--Monday Comes So Fast

Whatever happened to those wonderfully relaxing weekends? It seems like Monday comes faster than I plan every time.

Today I'll report on last week's goals, make some new ones, and share a bit of music.

Last Week's Goals:
Work on Faerie Wings
Finish the short story Instincts

They were simple goals. A week plenty long enough to work on them. Right? Sure.

I've struggled all year to sit down and just write. I'm not sure what the problem is really. Too many distractions? Guilt? Too many voices talking at once? It's been all of these at different times, but the last two weeks I've made myself sit down and write something. Progress is coming, even if it is slow right now.

As you can see, Faerie Wings has gained roughly 2500 words over the last two weeks. Not stellar, but at least its something. The cool thing? I'm learning things about my MC I didn't plot! And they are awesome in that dark "who knew?" kind of way. For instance, I was writing last Wednesday and discovered that Ryanne has scars on her back from a run in with some of Kevin's friends. And he asked her to let them whip her. And she said yes! How messed up is that? I haven't figured out why and how any of that makes sense or fits in with the story I planned on telling, but there it is. Some back story (no pun intended) that is very telling about Ryanne's messed up self image and need for Kevin to like her. I'm still looking at her funny and she's pouting that I found out how desperate she was before meeting Carter. Current word count: 43,042

I started the short story Instinct but the idea lost it's appeal before I managed to get the rough draft finished. Currently there is 390 words of set up. Maybe I'll come back to it for May's W1S1 goal.

To be honest I'm getting frustrated with the short story bit. What's wrong with my shorts?? I love my stories and think they aren't too bad, but no one wants them. Is it because its not hard sci fi? All my writing has a lighter story feel--even the ones with a slightly creepy vibe to it. Maybe I'm just trying the wrong venues?

While I'm venting, I cleaned house like a mad woman for the first two days of last week. There was no writing of any kind. I was a good housekeeper. I hoped that by putting in the extra effort I could get a few hours of guilt free writing time.

Yeah, NO.

Thursday I tried to sit and write and got a lot of lip from someone I love very much. He had decided to clean out two of the kids' rooms and get ready for the yard sale (which is still a week away mind you!). First of all, my kids are old enough to clean their own mess. Second, I helped for the first three hours! All I kept thinking was, "Don't you have work to do for your employer??"

Do you ever get frustrated with the lack of understanding and support from your family?

This weeks goals:
  • Continue to work on Faerie Wings until I get something to work on from my editor. I should be able to finish this draft if I just do it.
  • I give myself permission to work on the sequel to SENDEK when I feel like it. Which is a lot and why I think FW is coming so slow.
  • Start designing/writing the mystery dinner theater for girl's camp--I've started mapping it out in a notebook
And, a song to inspire:

18 comments:

  1. I'm fortunate I do have the support of my wife. And since I write light science fiction, I understand your aggravation.

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    1. After reading CassaFire I totally felt like we were in the same area. I find it a relief, because I just want to read a good story that doesn't require too much of me. It's an escape. That's what I need as a reader and what I want to provide as a writer. That's what I found in your books. I finished CassaStar two days ago. ;)

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  2. The reason no one wants your short stories is because you don't have any publishing credits. That's gonna change really soon. Wait until Sendek is available. Then put in your letter "Sendek is published by this and this" and you'll see an improvement on the exact same stories you are submitting now. Just wait.

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    1. I hope so. I never knew how impatient I was until I started writing. :)

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  3. You have a lot on your plate. And yes, I lack in the support department too. I have to tune them out sometimes. I have a set schedule and if it doesn't work for them, well, make an appointment and we'll talk about it then. =)

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    1. I wish I was better at that! Perhaps this fall will be easier because all the kids will finally be in school. Then there really isn't any excuse for hubby to fuss at me because it'll only take an hour to clean *hopefully*.

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  4. Congratulations on reaching your W1S1 goals for April :)

    I feel your pain about the struggle to actually sit down and write. Sometimes it's so. freaking. hard. Ugh.

    As for your short stories, do you belong to a critique group of some kind? Having someone else take a look at them and give you feedback might be just the thing to polish them up.

    ~ Rhonda Parrish

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    1. Thanks Rhonda! I do have some trusted critique partners, but we've all been so busy lately.

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  5. I'm fortunate to have a supporting family, even if they aren't always clean!

    But I definitely do understand your frustration with publishing short stories, as I'm battling that at the moment myself. I don't have the greatest publishing credits, it's always so dang hard to break into paying markets, but I believe in statistics, and so eventually, I must get an acceptance.

    I think to get short stories published, they really have to stand out (because there are so many of them out there), in some bold fashion, whether it is writing style, characterization, crossing-genres, etc. Whatever you do, don't stop writing, and submit each rejection ASAP.

    Good luck and congrats on reaching your goals.

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    1. Thanks Erin! I have several that I should resubmit. Hm, that sounds like a good task for tomorrow. LOL.

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  6. Hi Charity.

    Congrats on W1S1!

    I hope you have better luck soon with your shorts. Just keep sending them out.

    I don't get any support off my friends and family because I neglected to tell them that I was writing and subbing.
    They just think I spend a lot of time on the internet. Lol.

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    1. I'm really bad about keeping secrets. Yeah, no one tells me anything any more. :)

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  7. I feel your pain, Charity. It's a lonely job. I'm with Lydia on the support front--my friends and family are stoked when I'm successful, but mainly because they didn't know I was submitting haha. Maybe when I write that bestseller, I'll tell them.

    Congrats on W1S1 for April! :) Keep at it! Those short stories acceptances will come!

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  8. Congrats on W1S1 for April. I find it hard to write with family around as well so I write early morning or late at night.

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    1. I already get up at 4:45am to get ready for the 6am class I teach. By the night there isn't much left in me. The good news is all kids will be in school this fall. Glory days are coming, but I need more work time now.

      summer is my "write by the pool" time. I can't wait!

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  9. Keep on keepin' on, Charity. And well done on reaching your April Write1Sub1 goals! That's the first battle and the only part of it we have much control over: the writing and subbing. The rest of it depends on getting the right story in front of the right editor at the right time. I've had many stories survive over a dozen rejections before they found a good home. It takes persistence and perseverence, but it's SO worth it.

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    1. Thanks! I'll keep on for sure. Which reminds me, I have a few I can resubmit...

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