How Do You Write?

There has to be a secret to becoming a published, best selling author. Right? Something simple. All a person has to do is this particular thing, and it's off to the New York Times Bestseller List.

I'm guessing that is the thought behind some of the questions raised at the many writing workshops I've attended. Especially among the folks who suddenly got a bee in their bonnet to write a novel.

One of these queries is:  "How do you write?" Most authors today compose on a computer -- laptops likely taking the lead over desktops any more. But some highly successful authors are known for writing the first draft long hand on a pad of legal paper. One or two highly successful romance writers dictate their novels.

Of course, the method of putting words together isn't nearly as significant as character development and creating a satisfying story arc.

So how do I write?

I've settled into a pattern of handwriting the initial draft with a fine point Pentel RSVP ballpoint pen (black) on college ruled binder paper (since narrow ruled is impossible to find). I edit as I enter the longhand version on my desktop computer. I print out and punch holes in the completed pages and add them to a 3-ring binder. I read over the printed version and edit again (red fine point Pentel RSVP ballpoint). These changes are added to the computer draft and I may or may not print out the new version to save paper and ink. If there are extensive edits and additions I'll print out the section again. In this manner a messy first draft accumulates in the binder.

Of course, this is after I've done all the preparatory work. This time out (my most successful effort to date) I have a plot outline/beat sheet of sorts to remind me where I am in the story as I scribble along.

Critiques

Is it egotistical to say I'm a decent writer? After critiquing submittals for the Library Writers Group I'm feeling much better about my efforts. And I have a greater appreciation for the trials and tribulations of book editors.

Background:  the Library Writers Group meets twice a month. We've established a schedule where one meeting is a workshop on some aspect of craft, and the alternate meeting is a critique of participant submittals. Many of us are writing novels. This is a long-term effort pursued in isolation. Authors of long-form narratives go through a cycle of emotions that include excitement with the premise, enthusiasm for the evolving story, despair that the product is tripe, depression that all is for naught. Submitting our draft for others to read and critique is an act of bravery. Writers need all the encouragement and productive advice we can get.

Therefore, I don't want to discourage people who share my writing aspirations. However.... OMG! I can't believe how badly written some of the submittals are! Is this the quality of writing sent to literary agents and publishing editors? No wonder so many rejections are sent out!

I am plowing through a young adult fantasy novel with the working title Noble Estates (yes, I know the title sucks, but it's the working title and I hope a more appropriate one will jump out of the novel when completed). Finally, it seems that all the writing I've done over the years, classes taken, conferences attended, writing books read, and all the workshops I've signed up for have paid off. I've developed characters, built a world, and plotted out the story arc -- and I'm plowing ahead on Noble Estates. I submitted the opening scenes to the Library Writers Group and I was very pleased with the response. The problems were minor (some I anticipated) and easily fixable. In general, everyone thought my work sounded professional. Whew! I was jazzed. I'm on the right track. I'm maintaining my enthusiasm and working on Noble Estates every day.

Then I read submittals from other members of the Library Writers Group and I was stunned. Most of the contributions are the beginnings of good stories that just need help with the execution (craft). But some are abysmal. Not only is the narrative poorly written, but they're lacking the very basics of storytelling. How do you encourage someone who has been brave enough to submit their work that turns out to be horrible? One opening chapter for a novel has no conflict. No conflict! That's the most basic of the basics of storytelling.

Is this what's being self published? When novels this badly conceived are rejected by traditional publishers, are the authors e-publishing and/or self-publishing instead? Yikes! This is what you get when you circumvent the gatekeepers. Not that editors don't blow it at times (writers love to read the list of classic novels that were rejected numerous times before publication). Sometimes the writing really is tripe. And you can get in on Amazon!

I'm beginning to think I'm a real writer.

Gotta go. Noble Estates (yeah, yukky title) awaits.

Beginning Anew

My last post for my original blog, Writing n Riding was in January 2013. A lot has happened since then. I purchased my first home, a condominium. Two weeks after my mother and I moved in she had a heart attack (she survived heart disease far longer than the doctors anticipated). I had to quickly empty the house we were moving out of for a quick sale (no leisurely sorting of belongings or estate sale). And I had to unpack to settle into the condo. Just when I thought I was in the clear, my horse colicked on Halloween of last year and had successful surgery at the OSU vet school.

2013 was a bitch.

Now 2014 is winding down and I think I'm about ready to get back to blogging.

Phantom is doing excellent following his surgery for the removal of a lipoma that had wound around his gut. Thanks to the folks at the barn, vet, and staff at the vet school he was tended too in a timely manner, which made all the difference. We don't do much more than ride around in the indoor arena (he's too looky outside for a calm & enjoyable stroll). I'm not taking lessons and lack the interest and finances for showing. I've been using a dressage saddle but want to return to a close contact saddle to just do hunter hack. Not much to report about the riding part of my life. The picture above was taken just before Phantom blasted off for a game of Keep Away. Fun for him, not so much for me.

Indy is my roommate and walking buddy. We enjoy the large park across the street from the condo (above) and stroll through the neighborhood. He's sweet, funny, and likes to run in large circles to round up imaginary sheep. Indy helps me keep life in perspective.

My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to join the local library's writers group and so far I haven't missed any of the meetings. I'm enjoying getting together with fellow writers and we've begun critiquing our projects. I got excellent feedback on my first submittal, so I continue to plow ahead with my project.

I must have finally put in my 10,000 hours of writing. Earlier this year I dropped the YA novel in progress (it was to be my NaNoWriMo project but Phantom interrupted that), went back to an earlier project, fleshed out the characters and plot, built a world, and started writing. So far so good.

So that's where things are today. I won't have much to report about barn life. I may post pictures taken during walks with Indy. I'll likely blog about reading and writing. And scribble my observations about life.