I've been rewriting, editing and subbing but I haven't written anything new for the last three or four weeks.
That's partly because I couldn't decide what to write - if I could hear from the agent who has my full ms, maybe I wouldn't be dithering - partly because Tessa B has kept me busy and 'lot-ly' I didn't really feel like writing.
That's partly because I couldn't decide what to write - if I could hear from the agent who has my full ms, maybe I wouldn't be dithering - partly because Tessa B has kept me busy and 'lot-ly' I didn't really feel like writing.
Now, I think I'm ready to start in on a novella for My Weekly. I've had the idea bubbling around for quite a time and I know I'm going to set it in my fictional North Yorkshire Dale - Skirradale. I've already got a model village and pictorial maps but I needed something new to get 
the creative juices flowing. So I found a 1950s kitchen for Lintie and mocked up a cover. Then, instead of opening a new document and writing those magic words Chapter One, I decided to blog instead.
My excuse is... if I start writing in the morning, I can happily carry on writing in the afternoon - and sometimes the evening - but I find it hard to start writing in the afternoon. Does anyone else have this problem?
the creative juices flowing. So I found a 1950s kitchen for Lintie and mocked up a cover. Then, instead of opening a new document and writing those magic words Chapter One, I decided to blog instead.My excuse is... if I start writing in the morning, I can happily carry on writing in the afternoon - and sometimes the evening - but I find it hard to start writing in the afternoon. Does anyone else have this problem?
NEWSFLASH... Annie Bright is blogging again! Go say 'Hi' http://anniebrightisofficiallycrazy.blogspot.com/
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41 comments:
Yes! I relate absolutely, writing has to start in the morning.
Good luck with the new work!
PS blackboxed my way here :-)
Great that you are rewriting, editing and subbing! :-))
Love your mocked up cover!
I agree, I prefer to start writing in the morning!
x
Good to see a blog Pat! Yes, I can identify with your problem. I think it is hard to start writing at any time. You can sharpen pencils, neaten the paper pile, tidy the desk, switch on the computer - whatever - then you can sit and stare. Once you get going it somehow flows and you don't want to stop. Good luck with your imaginary dale.
I love the blackbox! Glad it brought you here, av(aa), also glad you relate to the starting in the morning thing.
Good to see you, Annie, welcome back to the Land of Blog!
Weaver, I blame you for this post *smile*; I think your comment on the previous one made me think of posting my mocked-up cover.
Thank you all for the good luck. I'll let you know if it works.
Some days, I think it can be hard starting whatever time of day it is. But once I get going I usually don't want to stop. It's just that initial start. Good luck with the new story - it is great starting a new project!
Kat :-)
Yes, yes, mornings! Starting in the afternoon is hard. I like late evenings too but never know when to stop.
The novella sounds great and I love the mock up:-)
I managed to do over 500 words this morning before I started the 'real' (ie paid!) job. It is a good time to write. The trouble is when I've got all day I tend to dither and not start first thing.
Mornings, most definitely! Although I can do afternoons if I have time. And also evenings. Basically, I'm happy to have ANY time to write!!
Good you're off and running again :-)
yes it's always hard starting - what do you think I'm doing now? Procrastinating like crazy!!
Thanks again, Pat, for mentioning my return to here from there :-))
x
I love the mock up cover...looks fab!!
I know it's not the same thing but I find drawing much easier in the morning. It's much easier to be creative before the day to day crap has time to filter in and stifle the creative juices!!
C x
Hi, Kat
The 'good lucks' are starting to work. OK, I've only written (make that ended up with) about 200 words this morning but that's better than the last couple of weeks.
Lane, Helen and Tam - glad I'm not the only one with mornings are best convictions.
OK, I've had my reward for writing 200 words. I'll reply to the rest of the comments after I've written some more.
OK, I've allowed myself another reward. I haven't written many more words *sigh* though I feel as drained as if I'd written loads. Seeing as I got another short story rejection (TaB) in the post, I'm 'chuffed' that I've written anything.
Flowerpot, I hope you got something other than procrastination done this morning.
Annie, you're welcome, I missed your blog when you de-blogged.
Thanks, C, and it is the same thing really; creating comes a bit easier in the mornings.
Yes I do. Morning writing seems so much easier to continue for the day. Good luck with the novella.
CJ xx
The Artists Way says you should always write what they call 'morning pages' forst thing when you wake up. I did this for a good few weeks years ago and am convinced its what got me into writing seriously...though I have to confess I now blog as my morning writing. Fx
In an ideal world, I'd do morning pages before brek then write all morning. Starting anything in the afternoon is just not right really!
I'm really impressed by the mock-up - I wonder how much of a psychologocal boost it gives to see the potential end result before you start?
Am super-impressed.
I guess I'm the voice of dissent as I can only write usually when I get home from work so I'm an evening writer and on my two write at home days it's often midday before I really manage to get going - unless there's a deadline of course - then I can do it. Hugs on the R.
Pat, thanks for joining the book launch party over on my blog! Hope you got that sliver of sunshine I sent you...!
Mornings are really, really hard for me. I'm a night owl, always have been. Good luck!
Crystal, good to see another 'mornings are best for starting' writer. Thank you for the luck!
So, unknowingly, I'm following the Artists Way advice. Thanks for letting me know that, Fionnuala.
Jen, it's so good to know others feel the way I do about afternoon starts - make that non-starts.
I'm not sure if the mock-up cover gives me a boost or not. I'll let you know in a few weeks!
Hi, Nell
I often write in the evenings still as long as it's continued from a morning start. Though, like you, when I went out to work (xx years ago) I was an evening starter.
Thank you for the hug. The short story rejections are making me even more determined to: get. on. with. the. novella.
Wordtryst - Yes! We've seen the sun for the last three days. So thank you. I don't like hot weather but sun in Autumn is the *bestest*
Due to work, I generally have to start working in the afternoon, but love it when I can start in the morning.
I find it hard to START writing full stop, yet I'm fine once I get going. I don't understand it!
Being a North Yorkshire lass myself, I heartily approve of the name Skirradale by the way :o)
I like to get started when the rest of the house is fast asleep, so the morning is great for me too.
Best wishes,
Annie
Debs, apart from being able to carry on in the afternoons if I start writing in the morning, I think, because I'm at home all day now, I feel sort of guilty if I don't make a morning start.
Hi, Karen
Glad you approve of my Skirradale. If I say 'River Skirfare' you'll probably guess which dale Skirradale is loosely based on.
I just have trouble getting started at all. Sigh.
Love that cover by the way!
Hi, Annie W
I thing the mornings 'have it'.
Shirley, you do write quickly once you get going, though!
I have that problem with whatever I need to tackle. Getting an early start is always better for me.
Here via Black Box! Hello!
Yay - I'm so happy that you're going back to Skirradale!!! I tend to juggle my writing around the kids so I've taught myself to write at very odd times (in very odd places!!!!). Give Tessa B a BIG NZ hug from me!
Good to meet you, dftf. I've returned the visit - your Boston terrier is gorgeous.
Amanda, I knew you'd be glad I'd taken your nagging on board and decided to write a prequel to Skirradale Scandals.
I well remember when your writing place was the cubby hole under the stairs. Tessa B sends slurpy licks to you and says to watch out for the interesting photo that'll (hopefully) be on the blog next week.
I think we all do Pat and I'm waiting for an agent as well so I know the feeling! But I find the more I put it off the worst it gets. I have several projects on the go which means there's always something I have to write - journalism, fiction or blog!
You're so right, Flowerpot.
I've finished the first chapter so I hope I'm over 'putting off writing for a while'.
Here's hoping everyone waiting to hear from agents and eds will hear good things this coming week. Real life week - not agent speak week.
Hi Pat,
Thanks for dropping into my blog - very welcome.
Sounds like a great setting. I'm sure once you get a couple of characters there'll be no stopping the writing.
Good Luck
Carol
Hi, Carol
Good to see you here.
Thanks for the good luck!
Black boxed in - enjoyed this post, and all the best with your new project.
Welcome, Julie
I've returned the visit.
hi there, I stopped by via Black Boxes.
Hullaballoo.
Doh! My comment disappeared - just want to say that I agree completely about how waiting for agent's verdict can stem the creative flow.
Good to see another balckbox visitor, Hullaballoo.
Hi, Chris
I often wonder where comments go when they disappear. I had a picture disappear from my blog post! Hope you had a good holiday?
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