Started working on the new novel today. Didn’t write much, not more than a few hundred words, as well as heavily revising the few hundred words I already had.
I don’t know why the start of a novel is always so damn scary for me. But it is. The fear paralyzes me. I should have started on it a few weeks ago. I should be 10,000 words into it so far. I have nothing to do for the day job right now. I should be writing full time, right?
But instead, I procrastinate. I read smut stories on line, day dream, play with the cat, spend hours chatting on IM with friends (helping them plot out *their* novels). People say that I have self-discipline. It sure has abandoned me the last couple of weeks.
Mind you – I do have a lot of excuses. I’ve been sick. I’ve been recovering from working 60+ hour weeks for the day job (which has only been slow for the last couple of weeks.) Mike has the flu right now, I’m taking the same drugs as he is, as a prophylactic, so I don’t end up coming down with the flu as well (and they’re making me soooo tired.) Taking a little time off isn’t the worst thing in the world for me to do. . .
I know. Whine whine whine.
I hope to post stats here, now, on a regular basis. As part of my process of encouraging myself to write, talking about how much I’ve done always helps me. It’s a carrot/stick kind of thing – I’m always pleased with how much I’ve done, no matter how little it is, while at the same time, am shamed if I don’t do it almost every day.
Hope ya’ll have having a lovely time with your work and writing –
And happy B-day to goulo!
Why, thank you! And good luck getting the novel energy going!
Yay! I’m so glad to see something on LJ from you. It sounds like you’re doing what you can with everything that’s gone on lately. Probably need to rest! But if it helps to get things going, know that your loyal fans are excited to know there’s another one in the works…:)
Why, thank you! And good luck getting the novel energy going!
Yay! I’m so glad to see something on LJ from you. It sounds like you’re doing what you can with everything that’s gone on lately. Probably need to rest! But if it helps to get things going, know that your loyal fans are excited to know there’s another one in the works…:)
Hah! That post speaks for me! I completely sympathize, and I hope the work sweeps you quickly into an immersive state.
Hah! That post speaks for me! I completely sympathize, and I hope the work sweeps you quickly into an immersive state.
I’ve come to view the first-pass at the start of a book as a mere scaffolding, a big hole in which a foundation will be poured. Important, but only temporary. I always re-do the beginning anyway, every time, so what I throw out there is just something to get moving from, heck almost a mere placeholder.
I can almost promise that around page 250 you’ll suddenly get a better idea on how to start the book.
I’ve come to view the first-pass at the start of a book as a mere scaffolding, a big hole in which a foundation will be poured. Important, but only temporary. I always re-do the beginning anyway, every time, so what I throw out there is just something to get moving from, heck almost a mere placeholder.
I can almost promise that around page 250 you’ll suddenly get a better idea on how to start the book.