I totally don't want to sound conceited, but I had set my novel aside for a couple months while I focused on queries, a synopsis, and other projects, and when I came back to read it again I absolutely loved it! I didn't want to put it down...
It's good I suppose that I enjoyed my own manuscript. My husband agrees too. But I will admit, at first I was like, "Hun, should I be enjoying this so much? I mean, I 'did' write it after all!"
His answer was just what I needed to hear, "If you don't want to read your own story, then why would anyone else?"
Though his logic is sound, and I agree with him, I still feel a bit 'conceited' about liking my own story so much. Do any of my fellow writers feel that way? :-)
What do you think? Just 'how' much should we enjoy our own stories?
Which came first, the Dream, or the Dreamer?
Showing posts with label short story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label short story. Show all posts
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Great Minds Think Alike!
Recently, I entered a writing contest. I can not say what all that short story entailed just yet, but part of that story involved a serial killer who only kills criminals. Funny enough, I had never seen or heard of Dexter. Probably because I don't generally sign up for cable, especially Showtime, so I had no idea that there was a series about this type of character, nor was I aware there were books. I am so glad I didn't see Dexter until 'after' I wrote the story! That way I know without a doubt that I did not draw from the show in my writing. Plus, mine has a supernatural side, but the coincidence still amazes me...
I can only come to this conclusion, great minds must think alike! :-)
I can only come to this conclusion, great minds must think alike! :-)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Character Books
One thing I absolutely love about writing is that I get to live in the world of all my characters. I have to say, it is better than reading. :-) My only problem is having so many characters I want to put on paper, and so little time for them all! Thus, I started the 'character book.'
This is actually kind of amusing, but I recently read a blog about what editors/publishers would like to see. Funny enough, one thing on the list was that we should have a notebook of characters. What they look like, personality traits, where they work, who they date, live with and where, who they are related to and where they come up in the story. After reading the blog, I reached under my desk and pulled out my character book.
I'm not sure if any of you fellow writers have done this, but it really helps to keep things clear. Especially if I change something, I just put it in the character notebook and then can follow up in the novel. This has really helped me when I did major revisions and changed appearances and relations of some of the characters. I found my mind kept seeing them the way I originally wrote about them, so I pull out the notebook occasionally to remind myself.
Now all I need is more hours in the day... :-) Then I will be able to bring more of these characters into reality. Oh the power of the pen!
This is actually kind of amusing, but I recently read a blog about what editors/publishers would like to see. Funny enough, one thing on the list was that we should have a notebook of characters. What they look like, personality traits, where they work, who they date, live with and where, who they are related to and where they come up in the story. After reading the blog, I reached under my desk and pulled out my character book.
I'm not sure if any of you fellow writers have done this, but it really helps to keep things clear. Especially if I change something, I just put it in the character notebook and then can follow up in the novel. This has really helped me when I did major revisions and changed appearances and relations of some of the characters. I found my mind kept seeing them the way I originally wrote about them, so I pull out the notebook occasionally to remind myself.
Now all I need is more hours in the day... :-) Then I will be able to bring more of these characters into reality. Oh the power of the pen!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Entering a Writing contest
One would think that writing a 5000 word short story for a writing contest would be fairly simple... NOT! Maybe it is just me, but holy manoli! Trying to fit an entire story, with a beginning, middle, and end, also character development, an interesting plot, twists in the storyline, villains and hero's, all in one short and tiny package, is truly quite challenging...
Since I have never entered a contest before, I decided this current Writer's Digest contest would be for me. After all, the do have a 5000 word max. Where others charge an arm and a leg to enter and only allow 2000-4000 words. But writing this piece has not been easy.
Usually, I am the winner at the baby shower or bachelorette party who ends up with the funniest or most entertaining short story using "x" amount of words with certain keys like, "diapers, oil, store, gas, arrested, etc..." Everyone gets a laugh, and I get to put my skills to work under the pressure of the 5 minute timer on the table. But this, this is a whole new ball game.
I started by picking my topic, which was actually the easy part, and dove in. Since I really get to know my characters, (they are like my own personal friends inside my head) the draw to this new addition came natural and she seems to flow right from my thoughts and onto the computer. The more I write though, the more I wonder just how I am going to tie this bad boy up in the end. With such a short limit on words, I keep going back to take things unnecessary, or that go into too much detail, out. To be honest, this is great experience for me! :-)
For now, I am still working at it to get the story in perfect shape to enter the big contest... But after all is said and done, I will post it on here (if I am allowed to do that), to give you all the result to what will probably be many rantings on the issue. I know I can do it, so I will keep working until I do!
Much love to you all for sharing my thoughts!
Since I have never entered a contest before, I decided this current Writer's Digest contest would be for me. After all, the do have a 5000 word max. Where others charge an arm and a leg to enter and only allow 2000-4000 words. But writing this piece has not been easy.
Usually, I am the winner at the baby shower or bachelorette party who ends up with the funniest or most entertaining short story using "x" amount of words with certain keys like, "diapers, oil, store, gas, arrested, etc..." Everyone gets a laugh, and I get to put my skills to work under the pressure of the 5 minute timer on the table. But this, this is a whole new ball game.
I started by picking my topic, which was actually the easy part, and dove in. Since I really get to know my characters, (they are like my own personal friends inside my head) the draw to this new addition came natural and she seems to flow right from my thoughts and onto the computer. The more I write though, the more I wonder just how I am going to tie this bad boy up in the end. With such a short limit on words, I keep going back to take things unnecessary, or that go into too much detail, out. To be honest, this is great experience for me! :-)
For now, I am still working at it to get the story in perfect shape to enter the big contest... But after all is said and done, I will post it on here (if I am allowed to do that), to give you all the result to what will probably be many rantings on the issue. I know I can do it, so I will keep working until I do!
Much love to you all for sharing my thoughts!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)