Saturday, March 22, 2014

Too Much Internet

Too Much Internet

Come on. Admit it. You're here because you were writing, and then 1. you wanted to stop writing with an excuse so you didn't feel guilty or 2. you got stuck. That's why I'm writing this post. I mean seriously.

If you really like writing, sure you'll pick up that pen (keyboard?) eventually. But if you really like writing and you're a dedicated writer, you're going to have to write when you don't want to some time. And yes, I realize your writing is probably a lot like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4f6mzZzPuE A lot of people's is. (Thank you katytastic for understanding. Speaking of, she has some great writing videos. You should check her out if you haven't already. But AFTER you start writing.) But you need to get something done.

Procrastination is one of a writer's most valued skills. Not to their fans. Just to themselves. I encourage you to, if you can't get yourself to write, find someone who will pester you into it. Or at the very least, set yourself a daily wordcount goal. If you don't think you'll be able to stick to this, try camp nanowrimo this April. You can set your own wordcount, even start mid story. (https://campnanowrimo.org/sign_in) Your wordcount goal could be anywhere between 10,000 words and 50,000. I'm signing up for 20,000 because I have school to focus on this coming month. This means I'm writing less than a thousand words a day, but I'm still forced to write.

Last July, I wrote 50,000 words. I didn't think I could do it, but I did. And if you're as worried as I am about having school to focus on or something equally as time consuming, than go ahead. Make it a lower wordcount. But still make it a challenge, or it's no fun.

Plus, you get sorted into a cabin during camp nano. You get to be in a private chatroom with about five to ten other people, and your preferences can be set by the genre in which you're writing, you're age, and you can even request certain people. It's great to be able to talk to someone.

Whether you decide to do it or not, I wish you luck in all of your writing adventures. And for god's sake! Close that social media tab!

I'm going to go follow my own advice now.

From the desk of
the Novelist

Sunday, March 16, 2014

My first post. My first post. How should I approach this....

Hello!

Well, that sounds about right. Let's see. I should probably give a basic idea of what this blog is about.

Alright then.

What this blog is about:

1. Writing
2. Editing
3. (hopefully eventually) publishing
4. My journey down the publishing road.

Why I think you should read my blog:

An artist is their own worst enemy, so you will have to find your own motive. (It's much more fulfilling that way anyway) But I will say I'll be posting writing advice, inspiration, prompts, etc.

Am I qualified?

No one is qualified. No one knows everything. But if you're asking because you want to know if I'm published, no. I'm not. I have written three novels. I am editing two. (The first one I wrote was terrible and shall stay stuffed in the back of the closet.) I'm writing another one now. I have been researching writing, editing, and publishing for roughly the last three or four years. And anyway, all you aspiring writers, wouldn't you like to see the journey from the beginning? As I said before, no one is qualified. Writing is different for every single person you'll talk to. If you want to hear from me, great. I thank you. But don't make me your only source of advice.

I'll be writing again soon!
-The Novelist