Well, NaNoWriMo2017 is over. One one hand I'm glad that it is done for this year, but on the other hand I'm sad.
Trying to write a novel in 30 days that has any type of continuity or shape is hard. It's even harder when you don't go in with a specific plan on the novel. I typically don't spend time planning out my writing. This has been a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because I've been able to bang out 50k words in less than 30 days. However, it's a curse because my final product has tons of plot holes, inconsistencies, etc.
I'm sad for the end of NaNo for two reasons. First, is the fact that I will miss the write-ins. Even though no one came to any of the write-ins that I administered, I still got the chance to write. I am not sure if it's the people or me when it comes to the attendance issue. I heard that some of the other scheduled write-ins this year also had minimal to no attendees. This makes me very sad because I enjoy being around others that have the same goal as me - it makes me work harder and provide a good example. Second, is the fact that I may go back to my old ways. As mentioned in my previous Blog post, I get side-tracked on writing very easily. Television, social media, family, car audio, and other interests always seems to pull me away from writing. This is especially true after a long day at work. I work in front of a computer all day and sometimes it is hard for me to want to sit in front of the computer at home just to focus on writing. I often wish there was a magic prayer that would make writing easier for me.
I joined PennWriters and I am extremely grateful that I did. I have been to two critique sessions so far and I love it. It is very cool to see and be with some amazing and talented writers. I am making new friends and that is another plus. I'm excited to see where this new journey takes me. I am also excited to see what the group thinks of the first chapter of the second book.
Again, I've fallen from my set plans in writing. I tried reading 5 books at the same time to help with my writing skills. I realized the other day that I started skimming the chapters rather than reading and learning the skills presented. I also stopped revising the second novel. I really need to get focused and I'm trying some new things this week. Rather than sitting down to do what needs done when I can, I am going to try a set schedule. I am hoping that this will get me back on track. For this to work, I also need to schedule what I need to do for each night. This will include time to read, write, reflect, etc.
Well, that's all for now. I am hoping that the new direction will work. I have added time to reflect on my Blog so that current and future readers can get a sense of who I am as a writer - maybe that will help sell some books in the future ;)
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Time to Start Over...
Wow is all I can say right now. I apologize for neglecting my Blog and posts for those that read them (I'm almost positive it's probably only one or two people anyways - lol).
So much has happened since I last made an attempt at my Blog and writing. I had subconsciously given up on writing. This was due to a couple of different things in my life. First, I received some more negative reviews of my first novel. I get it - it's not the greatest. I get that I should've spent more time revising the book. But, I really wanted to get it published so that I could say "I published a book." I think it's the same issue I had with teaching. I got teaching jobs just so that I could say "I'm a teacher." I never took the time to focus my passion. As a result, I left the teaching profession feeling that I was worthless and an incompetent teacher even though I had students, parents, and colleagues state otherwise. This is my Achilles heel so to speak. I've been such a perfectionist that when something doesn't go the way my mind planned it, I tend to give up or walk away.
I guess that's the issue I have faced these past few years. This could be the reason why I haven't been able to get back into teaching. Believe me, I love teaching. But maybe when I go on the interviews the interviewer sees my doubts about myself without me actually saying anything about it. This, again, holds true for writing. I have felt so overwhelmed with the negative comments about my first work that I have been reluctant to write something new or revise the current projects. I'm afraid of the rejection.
NaNoWriMo 2017 started off great like it always does. I've been writing each day and the stories are just flowing from my mind. I have some excitement again and it really makes it special when I sit down at my computer to write.
The other day I came to a realization. My favorite teacher from high school always said that "If you want to do something, you need to immerse yourself in it as well as surround yourself with people who have the same interests/goals." I realized that the only reason why I have done well with my other passion (competitive car audio) is because I surrounded myself with others that have more experience and knowledge. This got me thinking that I do have the skills for writing that God provided to me, but I need to plant those seeds in order to get better.
I have decided that I want to try becoming an author again. I have dedicated myself to get better. I already took some steps by getting involved with a local writers group as well as purchasing some books on writing that will help me. I am also going to continue to work on my writing in the hopes that the next novels will exceed the first.
So much has happened since I last made an attempt at my Blog and writing. I had subconsciously given up on writing. This was due to a couple of different things in my life. First, I received some more negative reviews of my first novel. I get it - it's not the greatest. I get that I should've spent more time revising the book. But, I really wanted to get it published so that I could say "I published a book." I think it's the same issue I had with teaching. I got teaching jobs just so that I could say "I'm a teacher." I never took the time to focus my passion. As a result, I left the teaching profession feeling that I was worthless and an incompetent teacher even though I had students, parents, and colleagues state otherwise. This is my Achilles heel so to speak. I've been such a perfectionist that when something doesn't go the way my mind planned it, I tend to give up or walk away.
I guess that's the issue I have faced these past few years. This could be the reason why I haven't been able to get back into teaching. Believe me, I love teaching. But maybe when I go on the interviews the interviewer sees my doubts about myself without me actually saying anything about it. This, again, holds true for writing. I have felt so overwhelmed with the negative comments about my first work that I have been reluctant to write something new or revise the current projects. I'm afraid of the rejection.
NaNoWriMo 2017 started off great like it always does. I've been writing each day and the stories are just flowing from my mind. I have some excitement again and it really makes it special when I sit down at my computer to write.
The other day I came to a realization. My favorite teacher from high school always said that "If you want to do something, you need to immerse yourself in it as well as surround yourself with people who have the same interests/goals." I realized that the only reason why I have done well with my other passion (competitive car audio) is because I surrounded myself with others that have more experience and knowledge. This got me thinking that I do have the skills for writing that God provided to me, but I need to plant those seeds in order to get better.
I have decided that I want to try becoming an author again. I have dedicated myself to get better. I already took some steps by getting involved with a local writers group as well as purchasing some books on writing that will help me. I am also going to continue to work on my writing in the hopes that the next novels will exceed the first.
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