I know I said I was taking a break from blogging, but I thought I’d give you an update on what I’ve been up to over the past week.
The Novel
As you know from my last blog post, I’m rewriting Ida’s Children. I’m not thinking about the number of drafts and rewrites I’ve already done, nor am I thinking of how many writers have started, finished, and published their novels while I’m still going with mine. No. I have my blinkers on and I’m trying not to think of any of this as I focus on the pathway and head towards my goal.
I don’t know how many times I’ve nearly given up and prepared to ditch this novel and start another one, then something happens that gives me enough of a boost to keep going. Although I’m daunted by the task ahead with this rewrite, and sometimes I’m sick of hearing the words ‘Ida’s Children’, I’m also making the most of the excitement I feel when I see so many ways to improve it. Each rewrite makes it better, and each time I get feedback, I learn. Hopefully what I’m learning will help make writing Novel #2 easier. And quicker. With fewer mistakes. Hopefully. That’s what I’m telling myself anyway.
This week I managed to work my way through this book:
I know the title’s a bit corny, but the advice within is great! It’s sat on my shelf for a couple of years and I wish I’d read it a lot earlier. Each chapter deals with an aspect of your novel—the protagonist, antagonist, plot, theme, setting, etc—and gives tips and examples of how to make them stronger. At the end of each chapter are exercises. I forced myself to do them thoroughly, and they really helped me come up with a few ideas. What’s more, they got my subconscious thinking so even more good ideas popped into my head when I was away from the work, too.
I’ve also started mapping out my story on the wall of my attic—another thing I should have done a year or two ago:
I deliberately made sure the writing was blurred so there are no spoilers.
I’m nearly ready to delve into the actual rewrite, and I can’t wait to get my new ideas onto the page!
So, it’s been a good writing week. Cutting back on social media has (unsurprisingly) added a few more hours to my writing day, although there are other interruptions—violin, piano, and singing lessons, and appointments with orthodontists and hairdressers—none of which are mine, I might add.
The rest of my week
The weather in Perth this week has been gorgeous, so I’ve walked every day.
Lake Claremont
The sunsets have been rather pretty, too.
The view through our bedroom window
The roses in our garden are still in bloom:
My sons had haircuts.
He looked so forlorn, I had to take a photo.
My daughter made some delicious cupcakes …
… which didn’t last long.
And this bumper sticker made me laugh:
Does anyone know where I can buy them?
Now, as it’s Friday, I think I’ll pour one of these and head back to my storyboard!
Have a lovely weekend!
Two things- can I borrow that book? And can I have a cupcake? 🙂 xx love to you (and Ida!)
You sure can borrow the book when I’m finished. I actually have the textbook (as compared to the workbook) which I can loan to you right now. It’s by the same author and his insights into novel writing are wonderful! Now, about the cupcakes, you’ll have to wait until the next batch!
Well done on all – especially the roses… 🙂 No, well done on focussing on your re-write. It seems you have achieved a great deal – the groundwork makes the next big so much easier!
Thanks, Frances. I was thinking overnight that perhaps I’ve been a bit harsh on myself—it’s not that I didn’t do the groundwork before, just that I have to repeat it every time I learn how to do it better!
…biT – not biG.
I knew what you meant! x
I’m thinking that you were already shortlisted for an award for the previous draft so do you really need to do this much more work? Mind you, I’m a lazy son of a witch who will do the bare minimum at every opportunity. But do you think you might actually be ready?… Ignore me though. I’m a philistine. I love your photographs 🙂 xxx
I know what you’re saying, Pinky, and at first I thought the same—that being shortlisted would mean it was ready. But I don’t think it is and for lots of reasons, including the three pages of feedback I’ve been sent from an agent! So, it’s literally back to the drawing board!
It was so good to see you today, Louise! Happy writing and I look forward to seeing the next incarnation of Ida’s Children on a bookshelf soon!
It was so nice to see you—made my day! And thank you for your encouragement. I’m actually feeling quite excited about it all at the moment!
Good to hear from you, Louise, and even better to hear that you’re making such good progress with your brilliant novel – Ida’s Children. Keep going, just keep going. 🙂
Thanks, Marlish! ‘Keep going, just keep going’ reminds me of Dory in Finding Nemo. I think you’re right, though, that it’s all about keeping on going. And don’t worry—there are no signs of giving up here!
It looks like life goes on and revision is underway! Impressed by you working through exercises. Thank you for sharing. Lovely to be in touch again.
Thanks, Gulara. I’ve been reading your beautiful posts about your family time at the camp, and I’ve not commented only because I’m really trying to stay away from social media and blogs at the moment. But please know that I’m still reading them and enjoying them!
Thank you for reading, Louise. Sending you much love and wishing editing goes as smoothly as possible!
Thank you 🙂
Nice going, Louise. Unfortunately, none of that would work for me because I just rush into things full blast. I admire you because you can do it. Caused a smile or too. Always like to read your blog.
Thanks, Betty! I know what you mean about rushing into things full blast, and I’m a bit like that, too. I love it when the writing rushes, and a lot of good writing comes from that, too, don’t forget. But to get published traditionally, I really have to go over everything again with a fine-toothed comb. Not just that, but I must bear potential readers in mind as I’m writing. I thought I’d used all my patience getting to this point, but I found some more that I’d tucked away!
Hello you, book looks good, love the photos and yes I want a cup cake to x
Thanks, Rae. The book is excellent. There’s a text that goes with it, which I should read again, too. About the cupcakes, I’ll ask my daughter to make some more before next bookclub!
Your roses are gorgeous! And your commitment to making this novel everything it can be is so commendable. I think the first book is the hardest one you ever write because there is so much to learn (basically everything!). I’m sure you’re correct in thinking that your next book will be a little easier. The book you read sounds really interesting. I tend to approach every aspect of my writing intuitively but I’m starting to think more strategically about plotting, and no doubt there are other areas of my writing which would benefit from a more strategic approach as well. Keep up the great work Louise!
Until this point, my novel-writing has been a very organic process. It’s worked—I’ve written a story that is very dear to me. The problem is, it’s very dark and will be difficult to sell, so I’ve got nothing to lose by trying to make it a bit more uplifting!
I think that by plotting the storyline out, I’ll be able to see the ups and downs—and I think there’ll be more downs than ups! Donald Maass also recommends plotting your story on a graph, and even plotting your characters’ stories, so you see if it/they spend too much time on the dark side!
I’m happy to hear that a first novel is the hardest to write—I sincerely hope so! I’ve learnt so much, and made many mistakes I won’t make next time.
Thanks for commenting and it’s great to see how well Whisky and Charlie is doing in the US!
Good to hearfrom you Louise. I love your dedication.
Thanks so much, Maureen, and good luck with the self-publishing! (Bravery is your middle name!)
I love your big brain blob on the wall there. That’s how I worked out my senior thesis (my poor roommate! :-D) Also, I wanted to tell you that reading this blog post inspired me to revisit some of the very first How To books I read on writing. I think you will understand what I mean when I say it’s weird to be a novelist when you’re not a published novelist as you no longer feel like a beginner but you’re not a career writer yet either. I’ve been feeling stuck at 97% finished on my current manuscript and it was helpful to go back to books I read when I was 20 and tank up on all that vision and optimism again, so thanks for the reminder and best to you with your revisions! x
Nice to hear from you, Nicole. You’re right about not feeling like a beginner, but also not like a ‘pro’—a ‘tween’, I guess. Because I’m not published, I’m still unsure if what I’m doing is right, so I’m listening to feedback and taking it on board, but then I’m not sure if that feedback’s right either.
In this rewrite, so far I’ve changed the order of scenes, taken a load of them out, altered some scenes, written new ones, put some of the old scenes back in albeit in a slightly changed way. It’s so topsy-turvy that I don’t even feel as if I’m making two-steps-forward-one-step-back progress—more like ten steps forward, then nine back! After three weeks of pretty much solid work on it, I’m only about 20% of the way through! At this point in time, I’m ready to ditch it and start novel #2. I know that feeling will pass, so I’ll keep going. For a few more weeks anyway!