Thanks for sharing your experience, Alina. That’s really interesting that the protagonist turned out not to be the character the story originally came from. I’m curious to see what unfolds for mine as I work on it. I’ve not yet discovered whose POV it will be told through. Early days!
I’ve spent 3 years or so (that’s how long I’ve been writing) coming to this very same place Amanda. I’m not published prolifically (9 times this year, 7 last) nor do I write prolifically (my acceptance rate is around 50%). I started out feeling panicky and like I needed some quick vindication, some endorsement of my writing to show it was worth the time. I spent all three years loudly saying I don’t want to write a novel and feeling horrified about all the input with so little likely external return on investment. But now - I do! And I don’t care if it gets published (I suspect it’s not marketable) but I want to spend time writing it anyway. Until I started writing novels were all I read, so it makes sense.
That Anne Lamott quote is so true. It's the discovery of who and what events will appear that's exciting. Hard sometimes, though, to frame the writing in such terms when you're in the thick of it yourself and want certainly. So excited to hear how your approach to slow, authentic connection with character and story plays out. I think it's so important (but so very hard!) not to have an end-game in mind while we write...
I used to find it really hard not to have an expectation for things while I was writing them. But I’ve been working on letting that go and it seems to be working!
This is really cool. I write nonfiction, so it's not 100% apples to apples, but nevertheless I can really relate to when a story "starts talking to you", and you kind of just have to listen then and there. I've come up with some of my best stuff this way over the years too!
Very inspiring! I've spent the past few months writing another book (nonfiction), I think at least partly to avoid tackling the novel in my head. I'm scared of it. It helped to read about your process. Wishing you all best with Tara and Daisy's story!
It is daunting to set off on a novel. But fun too! Thanks for the good wishes. I’m loving this discovery stage where I think something about them and they either agree or tell me no, I’m wrong! Good luck with your novel if you do write it.
I love this insight into your writing process Amanda, it feels very similar to the way that my work comes through although I don’t write novels (yet!) I love how it builds into a full picture of what is going to emerge and it sounds so good! 🙏💫
Thanks for sharing your experience, Alina. That’s really interesting that the protagonist turned out not to be the character the story originally came from. I’m curious to see what unfolds for mine as I work on it. I’ve not yet discovered whose POV it will be told through. Early days!
I’ve spent 3 years or so (that’s how long I’ve been writing) coming to this very same place Amanda. I’m not published prolifically (9 times this year, 7 last) nor do I write prolifically (my acceptance rate is around 50%). I started out feeling panicky and like I needed some quick vindication, some endorsement of my writing to show it was worth the time. I spent all three years loudly saying I don’t want to write a novel and feeling horrified about all the input with so little likely external return on investment. But now - I do! And I don’t care if it gets published (I suspect it’s not marketable) but I want to spend time writing it anyway. Until I started writing novels were all I read, so it makes sense.
Yay Jackie! Here’s to writing purely for the love of doing it 🥂And good luck with the process 💙
That Anne Lamott quote is so true. It's the discovery of who and what events will appear that's exciting. Hard sometimes, though, to frame the writing in such terms when you're in the thick of it yourself and want certainly. So excited to hear how your approach to slow, authentic connection with character and story plays out. I think it's so important (but so very hard!) not to have an end-game in mind while we write...
I used to find it really hard not to have an expectation for things while I was writing them. But I’ve been working on letting that go and it seems to be working!
Good for you! I'll remember this when tomorrow's writing session begins!
Yay!
This is really cool. I write nonfiction, so it's not 100% apples to apples, but nevertheless I can really relate to when a story "starts talking to you", and you kind of just have to listen then and there. I've come up with some of my best stuff this way over the years too!
That’s great it happens with non-fiction too!
Very inspiring! I've spent the past few months writing another book (nonfiction), I think at least partly to avoid tackling the novel in my head. I'm scared of it. It helped to read about your process. Wishing you all best with Tara and Daisy's story!
It is daunting to set off on a novel. But fun too! Thanks for the good wishes. I’m loving this discovery stage where I think something about them and they either agree or tell me no, I’m wrong! Good luck with your novel if you do write it.
I love this insight into your writing process Amanda, it feels very similar to the way that my work comes through although I don’t write novels (yet!) I love how it builds into a full picture of what is going to emerge and it sounds so good! 🙏💫
Thanks Louise. I love the discovery of it all too. And that "yet" from you about not writing novels!