My novel/journal notebook (1st in a series) and Seven Year Pen
Isn't it wonderful when a post or comment that you read at one of your favorite blogs (in this case it was actually one of my blogs!) ends up inspiring/motivating you to do something you've always wanted to do? This has happily happened for me recently.
I wrote a book review post over at My Real Life Reviews about the book: Writing Fiction for Dummies, a few weeks ago. In the post, I mentioned my long-time dream/wish/aspiration to write and COMPLETE a novel.
A couple of my blog friends made the suggestion via comments to check out Julia Cameron's books, which I did. I actually read several of her books including: The Right to Write (my favorite so far) after that. A writing suggestion that Julia Cameron made again and again, jumped out at me. It was, to have a "writing time" every day and complete 3 pages. More is fine, less is not. Since the novel I am working on is a journal of sorts, this seemed to be something in terms of a plan for me that could actually work.
Well it is working, beautifully! I have been working on my novel, in small 3-5 page sessions (writing not typing) every week day (slight modification but I usually end up writing more than 3 pages each day) for about a month now. I am LOVING it! Inspired but not overwhelmed and progressing slowly but surely towards finally achieving my goal to complete a novel. I have over 60 pages written already! A rough draft of course but the "bones" of the story will be there. The polishing to follow.
This approach probably wouldn't be workable for every kind of book but it seems to be a perfect fit for me and my current book project. When I have written short stories in the past, I have enjoyed it. When I write articles and posts, poetry etc, I enjoy those too. But when it came to facing the daunting task of a complete novel, I was always overwhelmed and it was so easy to give up. Not this time.
Perhaps this suggestion will be something that might also work for you. I hope I've passed along some novel-writing inspiration, if that happens to be one of your long-sought after goals too!
PS: Some other recent posts....
If you have been searching for a really good natural lipstick for a long time (as I have been) you won't want to miss my new review of Just Pure Mineral lipsticks over at my review blog.
I've also been out and about taking photos of some of the gorgeous flowers now in full bloom in our area. With all the rain we've had recently, Mother Nature is once again looking so fine!
To celebrate some of that (fragrant) beauty, I wrote this Tau-Ku poem about the scent of the unmistakeable honeysuckle: Sweet Honeysuckle: A Tau-Ku Poem
PS: Some other recent posts....
If you have been searching for a really good natural lipstick for a long time (as I have been) you won't want to miss my new review of Just Pure Mineral lipsticks over at my review blog.
I've also been out and about taking photos of some of the gorgeous flowers now in full bloom in our area. With all the rain we've had recently, Mother Nature is once again looking so fine!
To celebrate some of that (fragrant) beauty, I wrote this Tau-Ku poem about the scent of the unmistakeable honeysuckle: Sweet Honeysuckle: A Tau-Ku Poem
10 comments:
YOU GO GIRL Wow start with one step...and now you have 66 very impressive and you write so well
WOW, that is awesome Geraldine.
Can you tell us what the subject is? or do we have to wait for a signed copy!
You go girl is right!!
YAY!
I'm so happppppy for you!
Hugs
Margie :)
Good for you!!
It's great that you are working on your novel right now. It will be the first of many, I'm sure. I am behind you all the way.
Hi Lorraine, Thanks for the encouragement, it means a lot!
Hi Teri, Oh, I certainly DO hope Ill be signing copies of this, my first novel. It would be book #3 for me and my first and hopefully not last novel. Now I think I could actually write more than one, it's going so well. The story itself...well that's kind of a secret for now. ;<)
Hi Margie, Thanks Margie dear.
Hi SandyL, And thank you Sandy.
Hi Joe, Ahhh...that's so nice, thanks dear Joe.
Hugs everyone and Happy Wednesday,G
sounds like a good suggestion - setting time aside to write -it would work for me but I am not discipline enough to do it.
but hooray for you! I'm happy to hear when people succeed in their goals.
have a lovely day.
Excellent idea, Geraldine. Anything that gets you writing daily is fantastic. I wish you the best of luck with it.
Hi Lissa, I've tried all sorts of approaches in the past, trying to write a complete novel, none of them worked. this seems to be the answer for me. Yes, it still takes some discipline but the goal each day is attainable and I find that I usually end up writing more, which is even better. I'm almost at 100 written pages now (about 50 typed approx) so I'm very happy with my progress. And when I read what I've written already, I'm pleased with that too! Thank you for your kind words.
Hi Selma, I know that you write all the time and you are an amazing story teller. I'm sure a novel or more than one is a part of your future. Thank you so much for your supportive and kind words too.
Happy Week, G
Cameron is a pip and a half, and she has breathed life into many a creative soul. Go for it--and keep us posted.
(Have you seen her videos on the Wisdom House website? Here's one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGb1pXsbICg)
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