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Wednesday 28 September 2011

Doubts

Do we all have days when we get out of bed and think I just can't do this? I have had that twice this week; why? Last week I was brimming with confidence; in both my writing and in myself. Yet now I am sat here, tired and irritated because I do not know why I feel this way.

I have been working on my collection of short stories, which was going really well. I wrote 4 short stories in around 7-8 days and have never felt better. However that has come to a stop; I have ideas for the stories, and 3 stories already started but I do not have the attention to detail to finish them. Why? Is it because I am doubting myself? I don't know but I do know that things have to change.

I have tried to put my lack of writing down to writers block, but it can't be that because I do have the ideas and I can sit and write. It's like something inside me saying I can't do it.

I want to write 4 more stories for my collection and as soon as they have been proofed and edited, I want to think about publishing on the Kindle. There has to be something I can do to pick myself up out of this pit of self-doubt so I can get back to that stage where I was enjoying my writing more than anything.

Friday 23 September 2011

Novel writing

Over the last week I feel like I have done really well; I have written four short stories-two of which are totally finished and the other two just need a couple of paragraphs adding to make the story complete. I will be sending one off to a magazine and the other three are for my short story collection I am hoping to have published on the Kindle.

Another thing I ave also been looking into is starting a novel. No matter how much writing I do, all I can think of is writing a novel; to fulfill my dream. It is like I need to write a novel for myself, to prove that I can have my dream.
Even if I just dedicate a few hours a week to writing my novel, I think it will subside my need to do it. I am really enjoying writing short stories and I think it will be quite difficult to get out of that frame of mind; in order to write a novel.

I have been working on a few ideas and I have discovered I really have no confidence in myself. When it comes to short stories, I know that my ideas are strong enough to fill those 3000 words I intend to write, but when it comes to writing a 100,000 work novel I am afraid that my idea will not be strong enough to survive this much writing.

I know I have to take the plunge and the story might take a twist of it's own, without me even having planned it. I am hoping that is what will happen anyway, because 100,000 seems a lot to write about one idea. Although I have been reading a lot more and books do not necessarily focus around one single idea, they go off on tangents that are linked to the story but give another thing to think about. So maybe my story will stand on its own legs, and make it into the big wide world.

Only time will tell, so I guess I best get writing...

Monday 19 September 2011

The power of a friend

Isn't it amazing how good a friend can make you feel? How they can spur you on to do something you never thought possible.

Over the past week or so I have written two short stories, am halfway through another and have a few notes for a final story. All because I had a bit of extra encouragement that wasn't there before.
It's strange that once you have someones approval, you crave it more and more.

I don't know about other people but having a friend, who can tell me honestly what they think of my writing and what needs fixing makes me want to write more, to impress them.

Friday 16 September 2011

Reading

I love reading. It relaxes me, takes me to a different world, takes all my worries away. So why have I neglected my reading so much for the last few months?

I have realised that to become a successful writer I need to be an avid reader. I need to read different types of books and read them like a writer, take in the grammar, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary.

Last night I read a few short stories and without realising they have helped me significantly with my writing today. I have used sentences I never thought would work and words that I never knew existed.

It just shows that if you read properly, you really can enjoy it, and use it to your advantage in your own writing.
And who knew you could use snippets of a story idea to make your own unique, never seen before manuscript.

If anyone has any book suggestions that will help me not only to get back into my reading but to aid my writing I would love to hear them.

Saturday 10 September 2011

Having support

Support...I don't mean the kind of support you get from an over-priced 'good bra'. I mean the kind of support you get from people, and not just holding you up when you have had a few too many. Does having support from others, be it a family member, a friend or a fellow writer, encourage your writing?

In the last week I have been down in the dumps, seriously. I told my husband I was canceling my application to become self-employed, I told him I was throwing out all of my books and that I wasn't even going to finish my course with the writers bureau. Yes, that's how bad it was.

Then my husband looked at me an said "I believe in you. I know you can do it and I know you will do it. It's just a matter of time and I will support you, no matter how long it takes."

Are those the magic words? Does having the support of someone else make the hard times of writers block worth it? Do those words make you believe you can do it?

It worked for me, I am sat here now after having a total clear out of all my work documents. I have been filing and tidying all day, even came across an idea for a novel I had over 2 years ago. So I guess it just goes to show what you can achieve and are willing to work on when you know someone else believe in you.

Saturday 3 September 2011

Writing Style

It's something that comes naturally, apparently. I seem to have to work hard for my writing to make any sense, or even stick to any kind of story line. I am happy about this though, as I know that everything I write has had hard work go into it.

However I seem to have a 'trend' in my writing. I write very deep and emotional stories, which is great, but not really appropriate for the womag market I want to target. It needs to be a bit slushier I guess.

I think I need to work on my ideas, I seem to have a very deep mind and thought process, making my stories over emotional, where-as I need light, fluffy love stories. Perhaps I shoud look at some other mazgazine from the past and take a few story lines, mix them together and come up with my own?

Thursday 1 September 2011

Re-use, recycle, re-name

Ever sat there thinking about what to write? Why you don't have a new story idea?

I just sat on my sofa, laptop in front of me, struggling to think of a new story idea. Then it occurred to me; I have a million (OK, slight exaggeration) short stories, short story ideas hanging around either unfinished or rejected. Why has it never occurred to me to make one of these stories fit a market?

I could use on of my rejected stories, re-name it, edit it to fit to another magazines guidelines and then send it off. I could use one of my story ideas and expand on it to fit to a magazine.

Why start from scratch with every story? It doesn't make sense.

From now on I am going to put my unfinished and rejected stories to good use, rather than letting them gather cyber-dust.

Wednesday 31 August 2011

Blog List

I have spent the last hour or so making a page on my blog for a blog list. I have included all the blogs I read and follow; most of which are from the Creative Writing Support Group and The Writers Bureau.

I have realised that if I help others to get their blogs recognised, they may well do the same for me and I could certainly do with some recognition. Over the last week or so I have neglected my blog, my writing and my course. Now I see that if I really do want this to be a full time career I need to pull my finger out and get working.

I need to apply to more competitions, send off more readers letters, write more short stories and finally get on with starting my novel. However, I have also realised that none of this will be any use to me if I do not promote myself as a writer, so here I am blogging, because let's face it-we all have to start out somewhere.

I never knew how hard it would be to write a novel. I thought I would sit down at my computer every day and within a few months I would have a novel waiting to be sent off to a publisher. How wrong was I?

Thursday 25 August 2011

Self-employed

I think I have had my fill of talk about registering to be self-employed. Why do they make it so difficult to do things the right way? Surely it would be easier for people to pay their taxes than it is now.

OK so I am only 20 and never had to do anything like this before but I wanted to go about things the right way. I want to pay my taxes and not get into trouble for not doing so. Yet yesterday afternoon it took me over 2 hours to find the appropriate form, fill it in and find appropriate information of what I need to keep in order to file my tax returns. It was mind boggling.

I hope I have done everything the right way, and I get the right info back. I have had a few invaluable snippets of advice from some valued writing friends but it is still so confusing. I need a step-by-step how to be self employed.

Wednesday 24 August 2011

A new day

Last night I had a bit of a 'break-down'. I really questioned my skills as a writer. Can I do this? Is this the right thing for me? Can I actually make this a full time income?

My husband sat me down and kindly reassured me that 'of course I can'. I just need to regain the focus I had in the beginning when I was writing every day.

So this morning I have come up with a routine-that I need to stick to. I need to treat this as a full working day. Not taking breaks and being on facebook all day.

Also I have taken up reading again, 45 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes in the evening. It really sparks up the creative juices; reading words that you would never think to use.
I love reading and don't know why I stopped reading at all.

Now it is onwards and upwards for me and to get in with my writing career-because that is what this is; it's a career.

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Just write...

Today I confided in some good writing friends that I am having trouble with my creative spark and do you know the advice that they gave me...'just write'.

Just write anything, anything that comes to mind. Write for 5 minutes. Write 500 words. Write with the computer screen turned off. Write without editing.

I can tell you this advice is invaluable. Today I have written 700 words without even thinking about what I am writing and I am starting to think that I am onto something.

I have found that I am writing what is close to my heart. Things that I had never thought to write about before. It is amazing what is in the back of our mind.

Sunday 14 August 2011

There I go again!

It has been 8 days since I last blogged. Why do I do this? Why do I set up something with the intention to update daily, or at least every other day, and then abandon it?

It has been the same with my writing. Since sending my F3 assignment I have barely written so much as my name on a piece of paper. I have seen a lot of blogs relating to not being able to find time to write with children...my child isn't even here yet and I am struggling. What will I bee like in 4 months time when I have a screaming newborn on my hands?

I am hoping in the next few weeks I can get some more filler and readers letters sent out and also to enter a few competitions.

Saturday 6 August 2011

Busy bee

The last few days I have been quite busy...sending off assignment F3 for the Writers Bureau, sending a short story to a magazine, sending readers letters and writing a short story for a competition.

I am very proud that I have achieved this in the last few days as I have been really struggling to find my passion for writing. I know why I lost my passion; because people told me that being a 'writer' (who hadn't even had anything substantial published) was not a real job. Over the last few days I have realise it is more of a job than anyone who goes to an office, sits there from 9-5 and then comes home. I am working 24/7. I am always on the lookout for ideas, constantly jotting sayings, places, names that might be useful in the future and I am always worrying as to whether I will have a target market for the next piece I am planning in my head. Plus I don't see any 9-5'ers getting up at 3am to jot own an idea they have had whilst nipping to the loo (no offence to any 9-5'ers who don't insult me being a writer).

I have realised that it does not matter what anyone else thinks of my 'job'. I write all day, every day and I have even been paid for some of my work. Therefore I am a writer. Whether they like it or not. So my passion is back with full force and I am really enjoying writing again. Hopefully next week I can enter another competition and get the next assignment out of the way.

Tuesday 2 August 2011

Advice, advice, advice

It's amazing to find how many fellow writers are keen to give you advice. When I first started with the Writers Bureau I found it very difficult to get help from anyone other than my tutor. No one ever wanted to share markets or competitions.

However know I have found that there are a lot of writers who are willing to help in any area that they can. All you have to do is ask. I have made a few good friends since acting upon my passion for writing and it's good to know that if I am ever stuck in a rut with my writing, there are always people I can call upon for some advice.

Monday 1 August 2011

Learn something new

Today I was supposed to be concentrating on getting Assignment F3 finished for my Writers Bureau course. Instead I was drawn to a blog that had a few posts about self-publishing on the Kindle.

Isn't it weird how sometimes you are drawn to read something and it turns out that it is something of great use to you. That is what happened when I came across these posts.

I have learnt a lot about publishing on the kindle and after getting to work on a few more assignments (to ensure that my fiction writing is up to scratch), getting a few articles/fillers/readers letters sent out and also entering a few competitions I am going concentrate on writing my own novella.

I think I am going to aim at writing 15,000 words. To me that is an achievable target and I think a good length for a hooking story. Although I am not sure about the genre; murder mystery or romance? I know I have a lot of research to do here and I need to get a good plot, fantastic characters and a good opening to my story but I am excited at the prospect of having a chance to become a published writer.

So the saying 'you learn something new every day' is true. I would have never known of how easy it is to get published on the Kindle if it weren't for that blog.

Sunday 31 July 2011

Once the ball is rolling

Yesterday I spent the day writing an entry for a competition. I say writing; it also included proof reading and editing. Today I have left my piece of writing so that when I go back to it tomorrow I will see it in a new light and pick up any mistakes a lot easier.

Isn't it amazing how once you have got the creative juices flowing again after a long break they just keep on flowing! Today I have thought of a filler, or even an article, depending on how interested the publisher is. I have also thought of an idea for a filler/reader's letter.

I am extremely pleased to be motivated with my writing once again.

In terms of my course with The Writers' Bureau I have completed the first part of my next fiction assignment (F3). I am hoping that in the next week or so I will have finished the assignment and have it sent off.

Saturday 30 July 2011

Writing for competitions

Today I have been writing a 200 word account titled 'A view from a bridge' for a competition.
I am finding it easier to write for competitions right now as you have the criteria to stick to and also if I don't win anything I feel that it's not totally my fault-because there could have been hundreds of entrants. Sounds silly I know but it is giving me the confidence boost I need in order to get writing rather than thinking about writing.

Always be on the look out

Yesterday I read a blog about 'Never throwing away old magazines'. To look through them and see if you could expand on a readers letter to make an article or whether you could write an readers letter in response to an article.

Today I wandered over to my mums house aimlessly (as we all do from time to time) and I noticed that she had an old 'Wag!' magazine (the one for Dogs Trust) lying in the conservatory. So thinking about the blog I read, I picked it up and started reading. After flicking through I noticed that there is a short paragraph about trying to rent a property whilst having pets.

Now as I have experience in this it struck me that this could be turned into either a bigger article or even a readers letter that would start off a healthy debate within a magazine.

If I had not read that blog yesterday I would not have even thought to pick up that magazine as I know they don't accept any readers letters or freelance work. It just goes to show that you always have to be on the look out for a fresh idea.

Friday 29 July 2011

Amazed...

So two posts in one day-boy am I getting into this.

I just wanted to post about the fact that today I emailed a random lady to ask for some advice on how she had become so successful and within an hour I had an email back with so much advice I almost burst.

I had lost all faith in myself when it comes to my writing and this lady had restored my faith in myself and also given me the kick up the rear end I needed to get writing again.

It has amazed me at how much advice she has given me and how much she is willing to help me with my studies and writing.

I have been reading a lot of her posts on her blog and have round them extremely helpful. I strongly advise that anyone wanting some invaluable advice visit her blog www.writedirection.org.uk

Helping me become a writer

That is what I am hoping having a blog will do. Of course I am not just depending on my blogging to make me an accomplished writer but I am hoping it will help me along the way.

I really have no idea as to what I am supposed to write about here but I am planning to use this blog as a way to get me writing a little bit every day. Becuase that is what I am lacking in my writing; I do not write every day. I have realised this as my error and need to write for at least five minutes a day to get me into that habit.

I have read a couple of blogs over the last few hours that are simply fantastic and one day, I can only hope, my blog will look somewhat similar.