IWSG: Getting through the tough parts
Purpose: To share and encourage.
Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing
foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer
assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all
kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the June 1 posting of the IWSG are SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguire, Joylene Nowell Butler, and Jacqui Murray!
The Optional June
1 question: When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you
keep yourself writing to the end? If have not started the writing yet,
why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your
groove and start?
I'll get to the question, but first the update from the writer. May hasn't been a very good month for writing. Those of you who follow me know I have moved, and I also did a 3000-mile road trip to collect Eldest Son from graduate school in CO (very proud of his new-minted MA!), then attend a memorial for my father-in-law in California. Now that I'm back home, I'm having to tackle the hours and hours of work needed to change my address with all my on-line stuff. Ugh.
That hasn't left me much energy or mental capacity to work on the novel, which is too bad, because while on my trip I started reading back through the new draft, tinkering with it (I know that's not efficient and not what I should do, but I can't help myself!) and getting a feel for what needs to be done.
Now for the question, because that was very much an issue with this book. The going definitely got tough near the end. That was part of why I did a re-write from scratch. Sadly, that didn't go much better--I still got bogged down with the ending. So how did I finish?
I'm not saying this is a good approach--but I just wrote a straight line to the end. I didn't really even try to make it good. I just wanted to get to the answer of whodunnit and why, and that's what I did. It's a dreadful conclusion to the book, as flat and lifeless (and stinking) as a dead fish on the beach. My hope is that, awful though it is, it's something to work with.
I guess my advice would boil down to "crappy first drafts all the way!"
My other advice is, maybe don't even try to write a novel in a year full of international travel and a major move?
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| Still, I get to look out at this when I do sit down at my computer. It helps. |
©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2022
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It sounds like you had too much going on to write this month. That's okay. When you have major life changes or family needs your help, it's important to let the writing go if necessay. I think getting a first draft done, even if you think it's crappy, moves you forward. Then you have something you can work with and fix. Good luck with yours.
ReplyDeleteI'm being kind to myself, but I do miss it when I'm not writing. It's a constant tension between my desire to roam and my desire to hole up and write! And yes, I believe I am always better off with some kind of draft than sitting and thinking about it!
DeleteThat's a long drive.
ReplyDeleteHey, you have an ending on paper and now you can work with it!
Yes, to both of those!
DeleteI made a similar length road trip last summer. All the miles will wear a body down
ReplyDeleteIt's bad enough when you do it at a reasonable pace. But I did 3 days of over 500 miles and no one to share the driving with (Eldest Son let his license expire... :p)
DeleteWow! What a busy May, Rebecca. Bravo to you for surviving all that travelling. And Bravo to your son with his newly minted MA. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteYou deserve to breathe for a minute before you move on with all the work needed in moving. We just moved to a different state about a year and a half ago. It took lots of time to get settled and everything in order.
What a view you have from your window. Peaceful. Ever-changing. I need to face the wall in my new office. If I start to notice the bluebirds or the hummingbirds or the trees, I'm daydreaming again. All the luck with your work in progress, Rebecca!
Well, I threw most of these wrenches myself :D
ReplyDeleteStaring out the window and daydreaming is part of the creative process!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, one and all--Blogger is being snotty about comments today, so hang in there. I couldn't do it at all from a mobile device, and even commenting on my own blog from my own desktop computer has been off and on. I'm sorry--it doesn't seem to be due to anything I can control.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to find time for the writing during those busy, busy, busy times!
ReplyDeleteI'm not one for following advice that tells me I "should" do something. We're all different and need to do what works for us. I go back and tinker ALL the time with my drafts. Going with your gut works best for me - and I bet that having that ending written out will give you the best next step forward. Good luck with everything!
Major moves are not fun at all. Hope you're able to get everything squared away soon. That's a lovely view from your window. Congrats to your son on his graduate degree! I think writing straight through to the end is a great approach. Now you know where the story is going and can fix whatever needs fixing when you revise. First drafts don't have to be great. They just need to be done and you've accomplished that. Best of luck moving forward with it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. Sorry for the late reply. You've been busy with life and my heart goes out to you. Rewrites are the worst or are they the best? I'm still deciding as I'm in my third year of a series rewrite.
ReplyDelete