So, it's March already. How did that happen? Here in Scotland we're still in the grip of winter though, with snow, ice and hail to contend with. Fun! Have you signed up for the A-Z Challenge yet? Can't believe it kicks off in under a month!
So, where am I with my writing? I can't deny 2015 has not been quite as productive as I would have liked. I've been preparing my novella and other stories for release in May, so that's positive. But I need to tackle the last part of my trilogy and I seem to have a blind spot with this. It's self-imposed pressure to come up with something really stunning for the finale, and I know everything can be fixed in editing, but something has to be there in the first place. I've got some ideas, but I don't yet know how they will pan out. This might be the first novel I actually... plan (gasp!) because it feels too important to fumble through. I really like flying without a map, but I think this time I want to know what's going to happen.
So, it's sitting down and coming up with a plan. I'll get round to that one of these days. In the meantime, I'll keep myself going by sending out a couple of submissions this month. Hopefully, working on something different will help get the juices flowing.
Where are you at with your writing? Signed up for the Challenge?
37 comments:
winter is still making itself known here too. Though the sun did make an appearance here yesterday.
February flew by for me too. I'm mostly working on revisions this month.
Planning a novel!How novel! - I couldn't resist!
All signed up for A to Z and ready to go!
As for planning...the more I write, the more I'm coming to value planning. Sure makes the editing easier.
Can't believe it's March, either! We're still getting slammed by snow on a regular basis.
I think I'm going to at least try to plan my future novels since pantsing has never gone well for me, no matter how much of an instinct it is. So I'd say it's definitely worth giving a shot.
Plan it out, but if it takes you in a new direction when you're writing it, that's all right.
All my posts are ready for the Challenge!
All signed up for the challenge, but not quite ready. On the writing front, things are going swimmingly.
Hope the weather warms up soon.
Have fun with the A to Z Challenge. I'm not participating this year, but I know it's lots of fun :)
I can't believe it is March! We're supposed to get more snow where I live. Winter is way too long in my opinion. I'm not a fan of the cold.
Writing has been a struggle for me. I've barely written anything this year, but that's okay. It will come.
I haven't decided I'm going to do the A to Z yet or Camp NaNoWriMo. So many choices! :)
Good luck with everything!
I completely understand what you're saying. In my current WIP I figured out the 'big' finish but am now having to change all kinds of things to get the characters there.
Sigh. The weather. So much snow and cold, more on the way tomorrow. It's been brutal.
I haven't really written anything in months. I need a break; or maybe I'm just all dried up. I'm not participating in A-Z; I really can't keep up with the constant commenting and monitoring. Good luck with the challenge, and with your writing goals.
The fact that it's March kind of freaks me out. Where have the last two months gone? Best of luck with the last bit of your trilogy and planning!
I can't believe it's March already! I haven't been as productive as I'd like so far this year but it's still early yet. :)
Good luck with all of your projects!
No! Not a plan! Don't do it!
Okay, you should do whatever you think is best. I tried to plan a book once and killed the book. I never could write it.
I like to have an outline. It's usually a pretty skeletal idea of what I want to happen, so it leaves plenty of room for creative additions during the writing process.
Best of luck with the novella!
Aloha Nick :)
There's no harm in coming up with a plan.. and then mixing it in with a bit of fumbling... that might be just what works for you :)
PS: Can't believe you get to celebrate two Saints' Days :)
I'm going to have to delve into my family tree and see what else I can find... hmmm perhaps November 1.. .all Saint's Day :)
I'm always an A-Z bystander and this year won't be any different, although I love cheering others on. Hope it warms up for you soon. It's been cold and miserable here. Oh, for spring!
Take it from someone who just finished her first trilogy . . . let the characters take over!!! The ending I planned all along wasn't what my MC decided, and ya know what, her idea was SO MUCH BETTER :-) Best of luck to you, and I hope you get some sunshine soon!
Happy writing. Sometimes I feel stuck with a manuscript. I give it time until I come up with a fix or that amazing unraveling and ending that wasn't there in my original outline--outlining is a must for me.
We were so lucky the week we were in Scotland as we had perfect weather. A week of sun and mid 20s. Now, the end of your winter signifies the beginning of mine, so I don't share your enthusiasm.
As for AtoZ, I already wrote a post :) Just one, but it's a start.
I've never been much of a planner, but yes, by book three, that might be called for. Good luck to you!
I'm all signed up for A to Z and looking forward it.
No challenge for me, I have no desire to write a post a day.
Regarding your current work, I think you should not worry quite so much about coming up with a stunning finale and let things flow a little more organically. Once you get the bones, you can increase the spectacular factor. Good luck!
I'm about to start book three in a trilogy and I know what you mean about that finale pressure. Good luck to the both of us, lol!
Plan out several endings and see what happens.
I read somewhere that if you're stuck, you should make a list of all of the things that can happen in your story. Often the earlier ideas you end up scrapping--it's as you go further down the list that you start getting helpful ideas?
I'm right there with you, preparing for a finale that needs to be amazing. I had planned to plan accordingly, but it wasn't working out, so I'm writing without a parachute. The pressure's on! The right ideas will come at the last possible second--they always do. Best of luck with finishing up the trilogy.
I've never planned a novel. Although, if you watched me write, you might not think that's a good idea! Good luck with it.
Yes, all signed up for the challenge, so that's what I'm writing at the moment - flash fiction for April.
Hi Nick!!! I promise to do the challenge one of these years :)
I must be the only person who isn't signed up for the A-Z. Too many projects and not enough time, it seems. But hey, writing is writing is writing. Just sit down and keep working on your stuff and you'll figure it out.
I'm a bit of a planner and pantser. I tend to do more planning for the second draft as I'm trying to fill the holes in the first one. :)
But it also seems like each work is different and I have a different process for each.
It sounds like you've got a good plan for this one.
I can't function without a plan and always have a full vision for whatever I'm writing before I start it. I'm sure you'll figure it out.
I'm a planner who needs some wiggle room! I would say let your MC's take you where they want to go & your finale will be awesome.
I'm working on planning, too. I have to. I can't just wing it, I'm not that good, LOL. Good luck, Nick!
I've signed up for the Challenge, yes. As for everything else, I feel that I am really treading water and not doing too well at it. This is the longest slump I've ever endured!
Plans are good! I'm working on a plan. At the moment, my goal is to finish my plan. That would be a major accomplishment for me.
I hope your year gets more productive and you get much writing done.
Hi Nick - good luck with all your projects ... and that May deadline - sounds really good.
And yes I'm in the A-Z ...
Also I'm glad I'm in the south - it is distinctly warmer down here .. cheers Hilary
I'm getting a taste of that "self-imposed pressure" you mentioned. I've never written a series before, but am in the middle of a sequel right now, and that pressure is definitely kicking in! Good luck with yours!
I'm doing the A-Z this year. It will be my first time, and I'm really excited!!
Good luck with those submissions and working out the last part of your trilogy. Self-imposed pressure can certainly stymie the creative process!
Right now, I'm feeling like my writing is all over the place, but then, it's mainly because I moved house this month.
I'll see what I can do this weekend.
Best of luck with your planning!
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