Writing Demons

The Writing Demons have gotten ahold of me.

This is wonderful and frightening news, because I have been battling severe writer's block for the past few weeks. Oh, I got some words down, but they weren't heartfelt or engaging. When I scrapped the novel I had been working on (Mirror, Mirror) and started the novel I really wanted to write (The Witch's Daughter) by pulling out some old material from a folder on my hard drive, I unleashed a monster.

I spent all of last night writing like a maniac and got 10,000 words out all at once before collapsing into bed for a few hours of fitful sleep. I was busy most of today, but the writing demons haven't left. I'm exhausted. All my body wants to do is sleep, but my brain is still racing with ideas for my new novel. It is fitting in place perfectly with its two predecessors, The Second Sister and Wolf's Eyes.

I suppose I should make an important point about writing or something instead of just rambling about my late night. Remember: Write what you love. Even if you think no one else will like it. Even if you're in the middle of a novel you hate but feel obligated to finish. If it's not working, either change the novel so you fall in love with it again, or write a new one. Holly Lisle, one of my favorite novelists, says that writing is like stripping naked and dancing on the rooftops. I tend to agree with her. You are baring little bits of your intimate soul for anyone who chooses to pick up your book. But it's worth it. It's so totally worth it.

Knowing When To Stop

So, 23,000 words in to my third novel in 'The Second Sister' trilogy, I'm stuck.

Not just writer's block stuck. No, I can deal with that. Emotionally stuck. I just don't care about the novel I'm writing, and I'm only writing it because I want to tie up all the loose ends from the first two books in the series. So I have decided to scrap it. Now, this doesn't mean I'm deleting everything I've written. Deleting 23,000 words is a very bad idea. I might be able to use some of that material later, especially the romance scenes. But I'm not going to finish this book.

I always encourage my writer friends to finish the projects they start, especially friends that have trouble getting past the middle of their novels. But sometimes you just have to know when to quit. Writing is supposed to be about joy, discoveries, and emotions. When you are empty of joy, when you make no new discoveries, and when your only emotions are frustration and anger... it's time to work on something else.

So instead of writing the book about Snow White that I thought I would write, I'm going to write a version of Rapunzel with a new cast instead. I already have about 7,000 words from a few years ago that I really enjoyed working on, and I'll use that as my jumping off point. Remember my advice about saving everything? Follow it. You never know when you'll use it again.

Wish me luck, I'll need it.

Defeating Writer's Block

Writer's Block is the dragon that all heroic writers must face at some point in their lives - whether they want to publish or not. Writers of all levels, beginners to pros, must learn to defeat Writer's Block. The good news is that you are not alone. All of us have experienced the exact same feelings of helplessness and desperation that you have. And we can help each other.

Here are some quick and fast tips for defeating Writer's Block.

1. Shut up your internal censor.

You know that little voice inside your head? The one that tells you that you are a terrible writer and nothing you type out or write in your journal makes sense? Shut it up. One way to do this is by writing something that scares you. If you think you are very bad at poetry, write a poem even if you think you can't. If you are bad at love scenes, write a steamy, romantic, passionate scene. You might be surprised what you can do when you try.

2. Give yourself permission to fail.

This might seem self-defeating, but it works. Say to yourself, "I am going to write today, and if every word is not a perfect masterpiece, that's okay... as long as I'm writing." Not every sentence you write will be amazing, and that is okay. Not every sentence Shakespeare wrote was amazing, either, I'll bet. He just went back and fixed it later, or else the other sentences were so great that nobody noticed.

3. Set small, reasonable goals for yourself. Reward appropriately.

Instead of staring at a blank page and worrying about filling it, set a goal for yourself. "I am going to write 500 words at this sit-down. That is it." When you finish that goal, even if the words are not your best, reward yourself. Take a nice, hot shower. Eat a yummy popsicle. Go get a hug from your favorite person. Rinse and repeat.

4. Do writing sprints!

These are fun exercises that are great for the writer who is struggling. Sit down at your computer or open up a journal and check the clock. Write for 5, 10, or 15 minutes without stopping. Just keep going, even if it doesn't hang together quite right. You can always go back and edit later. For now, just get the words out.

5. Word prompts

There are several fun word and character prompts you can use to get yourself inspired. Put together a list of ten unrelated words, or use a word generator to come up with some. Then, try and connect all those words together. There are some great name and character generators on www.seventh-sanctum.com

6. Build a community

Show your work to others. Share it on www.fictionpress.com and find some reviewers. Post a little bit at a time. That way, with other people bugging you for more and a goal to work towards, you will have more motivation to write.

Happy writing!

Publishing

Publishing does not always mean submitting your novel to a big-name publisher and scoring a big contract.

The dictionary defines publishing as:

pub·lish

   [puhb-lish] Show IPA

–verb (used with object)

1.

to issue (printed or otherwise reproduced textual or graphic material, computer software, etc.) for sale or distribution to the public.

Know what that means? That time in third grade when you wrote something in your notebook, drew a picture, and handed it in to your teacher? That's publishing. The time you posted a story online for everyone to read? That's publishing. Even when you showed your story to your best friend because you were too scared to give it to anyone else... that's publishing!

So although many of you might not know it, you are already published writers! That's good news. The more people who read your work, the more you will be inspired to write and the more you will improve. Who knows? It might lead to a publishing contract someday!

Rae's Guide To Critiquing

One of the most important tools for improvement that writers have is the critique.

Not to brag, but I know a lot about critiquing. As a flutist, I have attended masterclasses with world-famous teachers. At these masterclasses, I am expected to take their critiques with grace and enthusiasm. So must you, young writer. At school, all of us music students are required to critique each other with written and verbal comments. It is a delicate balance. You want to point out what the other person did well so that they will repeat it, and also point out what they could improve on without being negative.

A similar process is used to critique artwork. I have taken several art classes throughout the years, and listening to other students discuss your work is both exciting and terrifying.

The first thing to remember about critiquing is the golden rule: Critique others as you would want to be critiqued. Be respectful.

I also like to follow the good-bad rule. For every suggestion for improvement you make, mention something positive about the other person’s work. Please remember, critiquing is different than editing. You don’t have to come up with an original compliment every time someone misses a comma. But if you want to point out that a character is not convincing in a particular scene, find another place where the characters are very strong and point that out, too. Say, “see this part here? This is a much better way to do things. Try to repeat that.”

There are two other rules to follow if you are the one being critiqued.

Rule number one: smile and nod. Even if you disagree with what the other person is saying, just smile, nod, and thank them. You can complain to yourself about how wrong they were later if you think they were completely off-base.

Rule number two is similar. If someone else fails to follow the Golden Rule of Critiquing, you may politely (seriously - I mean it. Be polite even if it kills you) point out that tearing someone else down does not help anyone become a better writer. Then, just ignore everything else they say and hope that you will not have to work with them again.

Also, make sure you play both sides of the fence. Wink wink, get it? ...... you know, about critiquing? How you have to read other people's work instead of only forcing your own on them... ? Yeah, that's exactly what I meant....