As the year draws to a close, I have been thinking about what I have learned. Here’s a list of things I have discovered (some funny, some not) about writing.
1. I write action scenes like a girl. I have a lot of work to do on my action scenes, but on the plus side, I also write my romantic scenes like a girl. (I consider this a plus, though you may not.)
2. Completing a novel is just the beginning. You would think that everything would be down hill after actually writing a novel, but the truth is, it is just the tip of the iceberg.
3. Network! Blogging, Twitter, all things social media: they all help in the journey. I have learned more from reading industry blogs than I can say. If you want to get an inside peek into publishing, then follow agent’s blogs and Twitter profiles. Blogging has also helped me find other authors in the same position that I am in, and it helps to swap tales.
4. My imagination is a wondrous world of … chaos and mayhem. Not everything is orderly up there. And it will take a lot of work to make it all make sense. But, I have now produced something that no one else could do, and it is something that I can call my own.
5. I cannot put off reading in order to write. I tried not to read during the entire month of November, and I thought I might die. Seriously, I can’t go without reading. I’ll just have to find a way to balance it all.
6. Writing by hand is painful. Literally. For me, I need a computer to really get my words on the “paper.” Some people like to write by hand. Not me.
7. Writing takes time. There is no instant gratification, but what I’m really getting at here is that you need to set aside time, otherwise you’ll never do it. Life will always get in the way. It’s been almost a month since I finished my rough draft, and I have only edited perhaps five pages because I haven’t set aside the time.
8. Show, don’t tell. This is easier said than done. But the final result is soooooo much better!
9. Practice doesn’t automatically make perfect, but it makes progression. I don’t think I will ever feel like I am finished with my book. And I know that I have more books to write. Nothing will be perfect, but it will get better.
10. Sometimes, word vomit is okay. I wouldn’t suggest you start querying agents right after you’ve completed your first draft. But it’s okay to get the words on the page, turn off your internal editor, and promise yourself to go back later. I never would have gotten to where I am at now if I let my biggest critic (myself) take control.
So there you have it. What have you learned this year?
Eva O'Dell says
December 31, 2009 at 2:23 amI learned the importance of networking this year. That's a big one.
Word vomit is where my best writing comes from, but it does take a lot of cleaning up.
Bradley Cameron says
December 31, 2009 at 2:40 amI have learned that when you have an idea you need to get it out even when it's not fun because you won't always have the idea unless you push through all the crap. Often times, the stuff you thought was crap makes the meat of your really good idea, probably because you had to work so hard at it you don't want to throw it away, even when someone else says it's crap.
Catt says
December 31, 2009 at 2:56 amI've learned that it's okay to write really sucky first drafts. Know if I only remember that while writing I would be okay!
#6 reminds me of something; every time I get a good idea for a story and I'm not at my computer, I write it down and I either think it's udder crap know that it's out on the page or I feel all writer-ish and think it's kick ass. I am so bi-polar sometimes LOL
Kristin Rae says
December 31, 2009 at 3:13 pmGreat post!
I've learned to carry a small notebook with me, because you never know when you'll have some lag time (or when your car battery dies on in a parking lot and you have to wait 30 minutes for hubby – I wrote two pages in that time!). My notebook has three tabbed sections; 1 for novel ideas, 1 for short stories, and 1 for contest deadlines, contact info, books to look into. You never know when an idea will strike and its nice to have it all organized instead of scattered on receipts and napkins!
tianasmith says
December 31, 2009 at 4:45 pmI've found that carrying a notebook helps me to remember story ideas too, my only problem is that when I have a really great idea strike, it turns out that I've left the notebook at home. Of course. Next year I need to trade out for a better memory.
Roni @ FictionGroupie says
January 3, 2010 at 8:38 pmGreat lessons to pass along. And I'm with you on the reading. I actually find I'm less motivated to write when I'm not actively reading fiction. It seems to activate the same parts of my brain. Thanks for following my blog, btw. 🙂
Nisa says
January 4, 2010 at 5:18 pmThat sums up my last year pretty well too. What a crazy ride it's been!
Aaron Shaw says
January 5, 2010 at 8:38 pmNice list!
#1 – I'm really curious about your action scenes now =)
#8 I couldn't agree more!
I've also a huge fan of subtext in all of its incarnations! =D
tianasmith says
January 5, 2010 at 9:58 pmWell Aaron, I've worked a lot on the action scenes, so right now they're looking a little better. But let's just say that when I first wrote them, they were only a little bit better than "And then he hit the bad guy over the head and was otherwise amazing, saving the day. The end." As for the subtext, ha ha, I was waiting for someone to mention that!
Stephanie Fey says
January 5, 2010 at 11:43 pmI read your list with an enormous smile on my face. I know I need to read it over and over again to think about all the aspects and ideas you've raised there. The beauty of blogging is right there, Tiana!
By the way, I learned a lot about writing action scenes from Iris Murdoch, of all people. She would write such scenes in order to involve you in them, first and foremost. To help you to feel what it was like to be a part of it, either as a participant, a witness, or both.
I never think about my sex when I write an action scene or a love scene. Maybe I should. But, there again, I'm driven as much by structure and idea, and this helps to give a character to the action.
At least, in my head it does. But, there again, I'm haunted by the ghost of a dead spaceman, so who's gonna believe anything that comes out of this darn head?
So pleased to have found your blog, Tiana. And very much look forward to engaging in it.
Best wishes,
Steph Fey x
tianasmith says
January 6, 2010 at 12:19 amHi Steph, welcome to my blog! I'm still catching up on yours, but when I've done so I plan on commenting. What you've said about structure and idea makes sense, it's definitely something for me to think about. Thanks for following!
Al says
January 9, 2010 at 11:03 am#9 really rang true to me.
I don't think I could ever have a work that was "good" enough to make me happy no matter how much I rework them. At that point I put them down and work on something else. Coming back fresh almost always allows me to pick the right "fix" in the end.
Nishant says
January 12, 2010 at 3:54 pmit does take a lot of cleaning up.
Work from home India