The End. But I’m Not finished, Am I?

I’m referring to my novel. I’m adequately aware that I’m far from finished as it’s only a first draft. Now, I have to focus on editing it. 

I’m quickly starting to realize that this is tougher than the draft. Why? Because the draft was full steam ahead in telling my story. Now? I’ve got to strengthen it. But how? I’ve got to ‘make every word count’ (yes, I remember the early years of reading Gary Provost!). Are they revealing the characters or advancing the story? As painstaking as it is, I must embrace editing if I want to make sure I’m producing my best. 

It’s not finished until it’s truly finished (editing and all).

Happy Thursday, everyone!

On the Subject of @#*&! in Writing

How graphical do you get and how often? That’s if you do. I’m the offender avoider – I use replacement words. Always done so and probably always will.

I remember doing work experience with a small publishers and literally every manuscript that came in was filled with curse words. 

I suppose it depends on who your audience are, the character in your novel and your background. 

What’s your take?

Publish A Book & Grow Rich Bootcamp

Has anyone been to this? It makes me think of these get rich programs that people advertise and when you get there they ask you to pay some sort of money for this “grand” opportunity that you don’t want to miss.

And, of course, they give away free tickets that should really be pricey (in this case theirs say $97 – $197). Am I just too skeptical or are my concerns warranted?

I thought about going to this seminar when I saw it advertised on Facebook but then when I clicked the link and it took me to this advertising pitch I was turned off.

So, it looks like I’ll be sticking to the normal writers’ conferences. What about you?

Have You Been Previously Published?

According a website I came across you have…

Q. Is work considered previously published if I post it on a blog, Web site, large social-networking site, or online literary journal?

A. If you’ve posted your writing on any of the above sites, it is generally considered previously published.

Well, I’m a published short story writer. How about that?

🙂

Sidenote: All joking aside, do you consider your blog posts as previously published work?

Writers That Blog

Blogging is great. Well, I like it. But at the same time it can be quite challenging to balance it with other projects. 

How does blogging compliment your life as a Writer?

I know I read a ton before I started blogging, but now I’m wondering if whether I need to take it in a new direction. 

So, writers that blog, is their an aim to your blogging? To share tips, stories, document your journey (as self-publisher or toward the traditional route). 

I was thinking if maybe my blog isn’t specific enough and that’s why I’m having a hard time at weighing up whether I need to focus more on my projects. I really don’t want to take another hiatus. 

Writing Project Versus Blogging

Writers: when juggling becomes a bit much do you relinquish blogging or do you post infrequently?
Blogging is great but, when it gets in the way of writing project deadlines, where do you draw the line?

Maybe the struggle comes from a lack of finding the right balance or wanting to do all things when it’s not feasibly possible.

A common quote comes to mind, “you make the time for what you enjoy”. So, if this is the case then should there ever be a writing project versus blogging?

What are your thoughts?

Narrative: Adding Conflict

What are your thoughts on when you should add conflict? And, do you find it hard or easy? Maybe it’s one of those elements you think about only when you want to weave it in as a major event. 

Janice Hardy has listed several ways you can find conflict and here they are:

• World building:What inherent problems occur in this character’s world?
• Work: What problem issues can come up on the job?
• Family: Are there any family issues that can throw a wrench in the protag’s plan?
• Friends: Can a friend come to them for help at a bad time?
• Health: Is there medical issue that can cause recurring trouble?

She also adds at the end that, “things happen in our lives all the time, so it makes sense to let our characters experience that same chaos and uncertainty”. I like this!

It makes sense that we shouldn’t only think of conflict as something big because it can also be in the little things (small day-to-day issues). Besides it’s the little things that make the difference. 

What do you think?