To Plot or Not To Plot...PLOT!!

It has become clear recently that I like revising my already written work WAY more than writing it in the first place. I've been thinking a lot about this the past few days and I have narrowed it down to the fact that I am a hard-core plotter. Like “Stop the presses until I figure this shiz out!” kind of plotter. Everything has to fit nice and neat into a little package before I flesh it out into a full story.

I have tried every which way to plot out this novel and then write the damn thing but as I'm writing I want to change something, and instead of writing notes on what has to be changed to already written material, I have the NEED to go back to the beginning and revise all the way down and then start writing again.

My current battle has been putting a big axe to the love tangle sub plot. I have decided after reading several peoples opinion on the triangle that I didn't want it in my story. The love triangle has been done in every form and I don’t want to feel the need to add a “Team this guy” or “Team that guy” to give readers something to fight about. If I do my job right they will find something to root for as well as a character to gush over. I was focusing way to much on the sub plot that it became the main plot. The romance was a front runner and I don’t want this story to be a romance. So I am attempting to plot yet again. It has taken 3 days so far and I've not gotten far. Because while I have to plot to write, plotting frustrates me to no end. The first quarter of this book has been written three times and now I have the urge to go back and nix the triangle.

I am refraining from going back over already written material at least until the plot is set. Good ole’ fashioned pen and paper is my method of this plotting spree. It was going great at first, I had written 10 pages before I knew it, but then I had a life to live and when I eventually got back to plotting the spark was gone and the tension builds in my chest with frustration at my lack of wanting to plot this story yet again. I know part of it stems from the fact that I still don’t have a clear vision on how I want this baby to end and without an ending in mind the plot is just craziness.

Overall, I think maybe I have been working on this project for too long, (almost 2 years) and that I need to sit it down for a bit and forget about it for a while. Maybe, I’ll come back refreshed and ready to tackle it with full force. But there isn't a day that goes by where I don’t think about my characters or the situations I want to put them in. So, I think I’ll just research aliens for a few days and get some inspiration.

Are you a plotter? What kind of method do you use to plot? I'm willing to try anything!

The Best and Worst Thing You Can Do While Writing a Novel

I bet you stumbled your way here thinking you'll find a snazzy list of things you should and shouldn't do while writing your novel. Funny enough, in my experience I have found that the best AND worst thing you can do is in fact the same thing...

...telling people about it. More specifically, family.

At the beginning of my writing adventure it was just a hobby. It was something I did on my free time, mostly writing about characters that were not mine (fanfiction). I didn't write everyday but it was something that I enjoyed doing. There was no need to tell anyone unless they asked if I had any hobbies. Now that I am getting more and more serious about writing, the excitement has led me to burst off at the mouth to anyone who will listen that I am aspiring published author currently writing my first work.

This always goes over the same way you think it's going to, depending on who you're telling. Some people are happy for you and wish you the best of luck and move on, some people think you are aiming too high and move on, and some people just don't care all together...but then there are the people who actually do care, for either sinister or sincerer reasoning. Whether they want you fail or succeed, they are the people that make this a great and not-so-great choice.

Telling people that you are writing a book is the best because it gives you motivation to write and talking to people about your writing gives you motivation to write too. Especially if you know the person secretly wants you to fail, then updating your word count on Facebook or Twitter is like a more mature satisfying rub in the face, tongue sticking out, na-na-na-na-bo-bo I'm doing it!, Winning!

It's also the worst because now you have someone to hold you accountable, which makes writers block and the ever present self-doubt that much worse. No matter how many words a day you are able to write, there always that voice that says you're not good enough. When those words start to flow less frequently the self-doubt sets in greater intensity and on top of that you have people asking how it is going and the people who doubted you are secretly laughing in there menacing ways. Writers block is hard enough without the idea of letting the people you told (that actually care) down.

Not only that, but most people who don't know about writing or publishing thinks it takes a New York minute to write and publish a book. So you have to constantly answer the dwelling questions of: Is it done yet? When can I read it?

You'll have the occasional person who understands that it is no easy feat to write a book, but the majority will expect you to have a written and polished manuscript in there hands a mere week after telling them of your dream. Oh how I wish it was that easy.

So my advice is don't go telling people about your writting endeavours lightly. It is by far the best and worst thing I have done.

Dear 2012,

Before I begin, I would like to apologize for not properly celebrating your introduction. Instead of the usual alcohol infused night, followed by an aspirin infused first of the year, you will be welcomed by my husband and I as we snuggle on our couch with a baby in bed, a glass of wine and a kiss at midnight.

Onward, I have steep goals for you my friend. Believe it or not, none of them involve losing weight, as was a resolution to most of your predecessors. I have several goals and resolutions I would like to discuss. I understand that some of them are not very likely to happen with you, but being a published author is a life goal of mine and not just designated to the confines of your 12 months.

My goals and resolutions are as follows:

Resolutions:

1) To attend as many family 'child' birthday parties as I am able

2) To take my dog for more walks

3) To Make lunches for work at least 3 days a work week for both me and the husband

4) Start saving money for emergencies

5) Read at least one book to my daughter every day

Goals:

1) Finish my YA SciFi manuscript by May. (It is currently 1/3rd of the way finished.)

2) Have aforementioned manuscript submission-ready by July.

3) Write a Query

4) Write a Synopses

5) Start submitting to agents by August.

6) Have a rejection

7) Have a partial request

8) Have a full request

9) Have an offer of representation

10) Accept an offer of representation

11) Read a minimum of 25 books

12) Go camping (at least once)

I don't usually go into a new year with such high hopes, as the past few years have been agonizing to say the least. 2011 changed my life forever, with the birth of my daughter, and I am determined to make you continue that trend. I will not only celebrate my daughters first birthday with you but also my 10 year 'total anniversary' with my husband.

Needless to say, you will be a big year regardless of my completion of these goals and resolutions, but why not make this year the best it can be?

Here's to me, you, my copy of 2012 Writers Market, and our journey that will start in a few short days.

(total anniversary is the total length of time I have been with my husband, from the very beginning of our relationship.)

NaNoing on the Weekends?

Howdy Ho Neighbor!

Last year I attempted my very first NaNo, while preggers, and let me just say a lot of crying was involved. If I didn't make my word count or wasn't able to write that day I was a hot mess. After 10 days of the NaNo Nightmare, I decided it wasn't the right time to have that added stress in my life and I dropped it.


Well it is officially the 9th day into NaNoWriMo and I have no intentions on quiting any time soon. I am however, very disappointed with my word count. As it stands at 11:11am I am only just shy of 10,500. Now I do work full time and have a 5 month old who is not only teething, but also testing the waters to see how much she can get away with with mommy; and of course as a first time mom I beckon to her slightest whim. (maybe not her slightest whim, but my heart breaks when she screams for longer than 5 seconds).


I find that I'm having trouble writing on the weekends. There is so much that needs to be done and so many things to distract you, especially if you are procrastinating, which I am infamous for. However, looking back on this past weekend, there were times when my daughter was sleeping and my husband was playing Xbox that would have been the perfect time to write but for some reason I just couldn't get into my writing groove. My writing mojo was gone.

That's where I call out to anyone willing to give advice on how they manage to write anything on the weekends! How do you find time to muster up your writing mojo on those days surrounded by family?

xoxo,
A(n) [advice seeking] Wannabe Writer