A solution of sorts

I have come to a compromise.

I finished my outline and created notional chapter headings using yWriter.   When I was happy that the structure was pretty right  I exported the lot and loaded it into Evernote.  I have loaded Evernote on my computer and I use this when writing at home.  It syncs up with my iPad which I use on the train.

It’s a clunky way to get started but it seems to be working well now.

Technology driven stagnation

I have stalled.  I was skipping along until I had a mismatch of technology.

On the train (where I get a lot of writting done) I use Evernote on my iPad, but at home I use Ywriter (free- thank you Simon Hayes who has a YA Spacejock book out).

I got the structure right but transferring files and managing versions became a pain.  I started looking for a different solution, then kind of just stopped.

What I am waiting for is a good cheap Win 7 tablet to replace the iPad

Horray for imagination

For me, characters and beginings seem to come fairly easily.   At the moment I have some ideas for the middle.

But ends are always a struggle.  I can get them into trouble, but how do I get them out of it.  How does my hapless main character get strong enough to win without changing into something he’s not.

Today it came to me.  I was looking at the main character and I thinking about his arc, and I suddenly realised that the main joke in his back story provided the answer.  I have no idea how that happened. 

I suppose that’s the trick, finding the balance between following process and trusting imagination.

Anyway back to the process.

Thoughts so far

• Formal planning takes time.
• I’m finding Ywriter very useful.
• I wonder if all the planning will suck the spontaneity out of the writing when I finally start.
• I have avoided numerous character dead ends and potential re-writes already.
• Going for a walk is a better way to sort out plot points than banging out stream of consciousness crap on the keyboard.
• Reading books that have almost, but not quite, got it right, is useful when I am plotting.
• Research can hijack my mind and turn a good simple  story into a crappy tentacled plot.
• Selective re-listening to a range of writing podcasts has helped me make decisions about structure and characters.

Not an amusing list and possibly only helpful to me, but there you go.

I will constuct a list of podcast episodes I used to help me plan out the story.  ”Cameron’s online guide to not f**king up before you start.” 

cheers.

I’ve started again

I have finally abandoned the morass of text that is my manuscript.

I started using Ywriter to try to organize all the dud sub plots and orphaned jokes. Instead of pulling it together I started doing a whole new series of ‘what it’s. What if I gave the secondary character his own sub plot, what if the hero used a slingshot to win the final battle, what if the dog was psychic, what if…WTF.

The whole thing needs to be re-plotted and rewritten. It has become a writing exercise. A 10 year, 120,000 word writing exercise.

So it’s time to send it to the trunk and trot out the next story.

This time I’m plotting the whole thing out. I’m going to have a plan for the boring bits that I don’t want to write, and the jokes will align with the plot (rather than the other way around). I want to get the whole thing done in 12 months. I’ve had my play, it’s time to have a serious crack at it. I’m not expecting to produce anything publishable, just something structured and competent – and finished.

I don’t think the million words are supposed to be all rewrites of the one story. Most published writers knock out 3 or 4 (or 5) unpublished novels before they get it right.

So, time to start number 2.

Turds and Diamonds

I’ve just been reading Mur Laffery’s blog post, Diamonds and dandelions.   She outlines two approaches to success: the take your time and get it absolutely perfect approach, and the pump out lots of stuff and some of it should stick approach.

I like the post but I think Mur misses the essential precursor phase – Elephant Turds and Rabbit Turds.

The Elephant Turd phase is where a writer takes 15 years to produce their magnum opus, and it’s just a huge turd.

If you have had multiple stories knocked back by everyone including free online magazines, you are in the Rabbit Turd phase.

Like all turds, both of these are not for consumption. They do however, if used correctly, make great fertilizer for future growth.  The trick is to know the difference before you stuff it in an envelope to a publisher.

Perhaps writer’s block is a good thing

All the various articles/blogs/podcasts I come in contact with mention writer’s block at some point.

Does it exist?  What do you do about it?  Writing your way out of it?   This sometimes overlaps with the issue of finding/making time to write.

I personally find the quickest way to writer’s block is having an enjoyable life.  When I go home and I want to spend time with my family, my job stimulates me to the point that sometimes I sneak into my study in the evening to check my email.

When I sit down to write it can be an effort, I’m not sure where I was up to, the ideas don’t seem to flow, and you know, I don’t care because I’m having a good life.

I’m a dilettante writer, there’s no publisher knocking at my door.  My artistic emo soul isn’t being tortured by my lack of muse.

So if you find youself blocked, maybe you should look around and thank the fates for blessing you with so many distractions.

Now, go clean up the shed, it’s good for your soul.

I may be a crap writer but Budda thinks I’m wise – “so I’ve got that going for me, which is nice”

In my endless search for literary enlightenment I came across this, which I thought I’d share.

“The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve.” – Buddha

I think fashioning and sifting speech pretty much describes what we do as writers (unless you’re stream of consciousness, Beat poet, then you’re out of luck).

There is also a little known addendum, passed down from the gurus who live in the remote Nepalese mountains.
“The truly wise ones buy drinks for agents at conferences and trade heavily on family connections in the publishing business.”

And one thought to leave you with.
If you’re a practitioner of the speechless art of mime, I think it’s pretty clear – Budda thinks you’re a moron.

Writing Podcast Review – Will Write for Wine

Will Write for Wine was a podcast for beginning writers which unfortunately closed up shop recently.  The archives are still available.

The first ten minutes of each hour long podcast is focused on wine – this consists mainly of reading tasting notes downloaded from the web.  If you’re seriously into wine there are better podcasts out there – check out the list at Winecast.

The show was delivered by two published romance writers, Lani Diane Rich and Samantha Graves, who obviously enjoyed doing it (perhaps a little to much).  The show also supported an active writers forum.

The quality of the content varies from show to show, but in between the (slightly excessive) light banter are some nuggets of very solid advice.

If you have the time for a light, longish podcast, and don’t mind listening to other peple enjoy themselves, then this the podcast for you.  While the actual writing advice is excellent, this is probably not the first poadcast to listen to if you are a beginning writer on the hunt for information.

A note of warning – do not listen to this podcast with ‘in ear’ ear pieces, Rich has a shrieking laugh, and she laughs often.

On the Millionwords scale I’d give it a 600,000

Writing Podcast Review – Writing Excuses

Writing Excuses is a relatively new podcast but a definite must for the begining writer.

“Fifteen minutes long ’cause you’re in a hurry, and we’re not that smart.”

Which isn’t entirely true.

It’s run by three published authors Howard Taylor (Cartoonist),  Dan Wells (Horror) and Brandon Sanderson (Fantasy) .  Brandon is the guy who was selected to write the final book in Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series, so he’s no bunny.

The show started in Jan 08 and is offered up weekly – no signs of fading as yet.

The format is fast paced and to the point.  Brandon poses a question and each writer answers in turn.  The focus is on the practical aspects of writing, no interviews, no self indulgence.

If you’re unpublished and want to be a better writer, you need to listen to this podcast.

On the Millionwords scale I’d give this 900,000.