Finding the Time 04/22/2011
It's hit that time of the year again when my writing takes a back seat. It always happenes. I hit the end of April, beginning of May, and writing slows to a snails pace.
It's an unfortunate part of life when you live in a town dedicated to tourism that your summers are long and boring, and the summers are too short and always too busy. I work seven days a week in the summer. It's not as bad as it sounds. I spend my days out in the sunshine, under blue skies, getting a killer tan and making money at the same time. But I don't get days off, I don't get time to myself. And that means no time to write.
Now I don't know about other writers, but I can write anywhere when the muse takes me. I could write in the middle of the dancefloor in a busy nightclub if the inspiration is flowing. In fact, I have, typing a note on my mobile phone so I don't forgt the kick-ass scene I've just thought of.
But when the muse isn't there I have to fight for every word. And that means having time to myself to sit down and really focus. When I'm busy and tired that focus is harder to find than ever.
Two months ago I started a new novel. Something different for me, a romantic paranormal based around the legends of King Arthur. And for the first six weeks I wrote like a woman possesed. I couldn't seem to get the words down fast enough, and even when I had awkward, difficult scenes I had the time to really sit and think about them.
Now I've hit the point when I really want to be writing. I'm onto the final few climatic chapters that should be the easiest to write, because I've already built up the back-story and the tension. But just as I've hit that point I've also hit the point in the year when I have the least time to write.
It's frustrating, and definitely sods law. And yet, here I am, when I do actually have time to write, wasting that time writing a blog.
I'm off. Sir Lancelot is calling
It's an unfortunate part of life when you live in a town dedicated to tourism that your summers are long and boring, and the summers are too short and always too busy. I work seven days a week in the summer. It's not as bad as it sounds. I spend my days out in the sunshine, under blue skies, getting a killer tan and making money at the same time. But I don't get days off, I don't get time to myself. And that means no time to write.
Now I don't know about other writers, but I can write anywhere when the muse takes me. I could write in the middle of the dancefloor in a busy nightclub if the inspiration is flowing. In fact, I have, typing a note on my mobile phone so I don't forgt the kick-ass scene I've just thought of.
But when the muse isn't there I have to fight for every word. And that means having time to myself to sit down and really focus. When I'm busy and tired that focus is harder to find than ever.
Two months ago I started a new novel. Something different for me, a romantic paranormal based around the legends of King Arthur. And for the first six weeks I wrote like a woman possesed. I couldn't seem to get the words down fast enough, and even when I had awkward, difficult scenes I had the time to really sit and think about them.
Now I've hit the point when I really want to be writing. I'm onto the final few climatic chapters that should be the easiest to write, because I've already built up the back-story and the tension. But just as I've hit that point I've also hit the point in the year when I have the least time to write.
It's frustrating, and definitely sods law. And yet, here I am, when I do actually have time to write, wasting that time writing a blog.
I'm off. Sir Lancelot is calling
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Back After A Long Time Away! 04/13/2011
Ok, so as usual my real life gets in the way of things like blogs and then my sieve of a memory forgets about them until strange moments, like this evening.
So what's changed in my life? Not a lot really. Things go on much as they always have. My sister got married, spurring on a certain amount of 'when's it going to be my turn' thoughts, until I realised that I really don't have time for things like a love life. But I did get to be bridesmaid and wear a pretty dress!
I still live on the sunny island of Cyprus, working in sales for a boat company (although I sometimes think the job title 'Annoyer of Tourists' would be more appropriate consider the reactions I sometimes get).
As for my writing? Ah, well there things have changed. A little. Sadly not as much as I'd like. I'd like to say I've gotten published, but that's still a distant dream.
But I have discovered a new site that has changed my writing in ways I didn't think possible. The name of that site? inkpop.com. A Harper Collins site for young writers and writers of teen fiction. I will soon dedicate a whole post to inkpop (I think it deserves it) but I can say that after a lot of time on there, my writing is almost unrecognisable, and I have met some wonderful fellow writers.
I also got my YA novel Chasing Freedom on the desk of a Harper Collins editor. They didn't email me immediately with a contract (don't I just wish) but they did give me a review that makes me feel that one day there may honestly be a chance of getting published. But again, I'll dedicate a full post to that review, once again I think it deserves it.
But I am excited about the first book they are publishing from inkpop.com. A wonderful book called Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon. I was lucky enough to read some of it ages ago on inkpop and I can't wait to see it in print. All of us on the site are just waiting to see who is going to be next! (Let it be me! Let it be me!)
For now though I must concentrate on finishing writing my new novel, querying agents with the old one, and reminding myself every day why I indulge in this insane hobby that is writing.
So what's changed in my life? Not a lot really. Things go on much as they always have. My sister got married, spurring on a certain amount of 'when's it going to be my turn' thoughts, until I realised that I really don't have time for things like a love life. But I did get to be bridesmaid and wear a pretty dress!
I still live on the sunny island of Cyprus, working in sales for a boat company (although I sometimes think the job title 'Annoyer of Tourists' would be more appropriate consider the reactions I sometimes get).
As for my writing? Ah, well there things have changed. A little. Sadly not as much as I'd like. I'd like to say I've gotten published, but that's still a distant dream.
But I have discovered a new site that has changed my writing in ways I didn't think possible. The name of that site? inkpop.com. A Harper Collins site for young writers and writers of teen fiction. I will soon dedicate a whole post to inkpop (I think it deserves it) but I can say that after a lot of time on there, my writing is almost unrecognisable, and I have met some wonderful fellow writers.
I also got my YA novel Chasing Freedom on the desk of a Harper Collins editor. They didn't email me immediately with a contract (don't I just wish) but they did give me a review that makes me feel that one day there may honestly be a chance of getting published. But again, I'll dedicate a full post to that review, once again I think it deserves it.
But I am excited about the first book they are publishing from inkpop.com. A wonderful book called Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon. I was lucky enough to read some of it ages ago on inkpop and I can't wait to see it in print. All of us on the site are just waiting to see who is going to be next! (Let it be me! Let it be me!)
For now though I must concentrate on finishing writing my new novel, querying agents with the old one, and reminding myself every day why I indulge in this insane hobby that is writing.
Am I a writer? Am I a good writer? 11/19/2009
Am I a good writer? Honestly? I don't know.
Of course, every writer thinks thier work is a masterpiece. that they alone have captured the human condition. Or told a great story, better than any writer before them.
Thier protagonist is the most perfect character, utterly devoid of flaws, other than those picked by the writer to make them more human of course. The antagonist, be it place, situation or character, is beaten and overcome with such style and intrigue...
It takes a unique sort of person to look with an objective eye at the work that they've poured their heart and soul into and then hit the delete button.
But despite all that, surely we should be able to tell if we are good writers.
How? By the only method there is. By the reaction of the reader. Only the reader can tell you if you're a good writer. Were they so gripped that they couldn't put it down? Or did it bore them to tears after two paragraphs? Did they fall in love with that perfect character? Or did they want to smack him and tell him to get over himself?
Only the reader can tell us. The problem is getting to the reader.
In the past the only way was by getting published. Finding the one reader (editor) who liked it enough to give you a shot.
Enter the age of the World Wide Web and suddenly it all changes.
Writers Circles and forums have sprung up all over the internet. Peer review sites where obsessed writers can share thier tips on how to write the perfect prose.
But it only goes so far.
Enter a site like Authonomy. It proclaimed that is was an online slush pile where your work could be read, judged and ranked accordingly.
At last!
That was my personal thought on finding the site. A chance for real feedback.
The problem? On a site with thousands of members, about five of them are pure 'readers'. And those of us on there now find ourselves back in that circle of writers, patting each other on the back and spouting 'rules of writing' at each other.
Which is why I'm here. Trying to find a different way to get my work read.
I want readers who I don't know. Who don't know me. Who can tell me honestly if I'm a good writer.
So if you've found this site by accident, please, stick around, read a little of my work. Tell me what you think.
But be gentle - after all, this is my first time out alone in the big, bad world (wide web).
Of course, every writer thinks thier work is a masterpiece. that they alone have captured the human condition. Or told a great story, better than any writer before them.
Thier protagonist is the most perfect character, utterly devoid of flaws, other than those picked by the writer to make them more human of course. The antagonist, be it place, situation or character, is beaten and overcome with such style and intrigue...
It takes a unique sort of person to look with an objective eye at the work that they've poured their heart and soul into and then hit the delete button.
But despite all that, surely we should be able to tell if we are good writers.
How? By the only method there is. By the reaction of the reader. Only the reader can tell you if you're a good writer. Were they so gripped that they couldn't put it down? Or did it bore them to tears after two paragraphs? Did they fall in love with that perfect character? Or did they want to smack him and tell him to get over himself?
Only the reader can tell us. The problem is getting to the reader.
In the past the only way was by getting published. Finding the one reader (editor) who liked it enough to give you a shot.
Enter the age of the World Wide Web and suddenly it all changes.
Writers Circles and forums have sprung up all over the internet. Peer review sites where obsessed writers can share thier tips on how to write the perfect prose.
But it only goes so far.
Enter a site like Authonomy. It proclaimed that is was an online slush pile where your work could be read, judged and ranked accordingly.
At last!
That was my personal thought on finding the site. A chance for real feedback.
The problem? On a site with thousands of members, about five of them are pure 'readers'. And those of us on there now find ourselves back in that circle of writers, patting each other on the back and spouting 'rules of writing' at each other.
Which is why I'm here. Trying to find a different way to get my work read.
I want readers who I don't know. Who don't know me. Who can tell me honestly if I'm a good writer.
So if you've found this site by accident, please, stick around, read a little of my work. Tell me what you think.
But be gentle - after all, this is my first time out alone in the big, bad world (wide web).
To Blog, or not to Blog 10/22/2009
Wow, in a million years I never thought that I would be the kind to have my own blog. Mostly becuase I'm not sure I really have much to say that people would want to read.
But then again, I don't think I've ever read a blog that isn't written more for the author's benefit than anyone elses. And I am no exception.
This blog is going to be a place for me to rant, to moan and complain, mostly about the supreme diffuculty of getting anyone, anywhere to give an honest opinion on a fledgling novel.
Writing is an odd kind of hobby. Most people have a hobby that they enjoy, that brings them pleasure. Writing is not that kind of hobby. Writing makes you cry, makes you scream, makes you throw things across the room, but it can also make you laugh, and when that scene flows just right, and the characters come alive, it's the best drug in the world.
So there, my secret is out for all the world to see. My name is Nicola, and I am addicted to writing.
But then again, I don't think I've ever read a blog that isn't written more for the author's benefit than anyone elses. And I am no exception.
This blog is going to be a place for me to rant, to moan and complain, mostly about the supreme diffuculty of getting anyone, anywhere to give an honest opinion on a fledgling novel.
Writing is an odd kind of hobby. Most people have a hobby that they enjoy, that brings them pleasure. Writing is not that kind of hobby. Writing makes you cry, makes you scream, makes you throw things across the room, but it can also make you laugh, and when that scene flows just right, and the characters come alive, it's the best drug in the world.
So there, my secret is out for all the world to see. My name is Nicola, and I am addicted to writing.
