Summer’s nearing an end, at least for those of us with back-to-school type schedules. Ah… 😦 Anyways, it’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support group post. If you haven’t already checked out this great group of supportive writers, then you’re missing out. Click the picture above to find a list of their websites. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll probably wring your hands a bit, but you’ll see how much talent is out in the great wide web of writers.
Now time to dish on my own insecurity, or should I say progress against it.
Well, as I’ve mentioned in several posts of the last year or so, maybe some of them in my own mind ;), I’m revising/editing/giving birth to my first novel. The process is long, eye-opening, and sometimes quite challenging. I’ve lamented about my struggles with time, the work not quite meeting my standards, and an assortment of other failings, either perceived or real, but each time I picked myself back up, dusted off, and put butt back in chair.
It’s what we do, right?
Well, each time I feel like I learned something about how to be a writer, how to get the words closer to my vision. And I like that, I like it a lot.
So, a couple of weeks ago, it happened again. The rewrite became challenging, and I was feeling stuck on one particular POV character specifically. I chased squirrels for a few days, dusted my keyboard with a duster instead of my fingers, and wore my teeth to a fine point from grinding. And then, I did picked myself up, dusted myself off (maybe there needs to be more cleaning time in my schedule, but I digress :)), and I put my butt back in the chair. I changed tactics, and I once again feel inspired to finish.
And (come close for this one because I’m whispering so I don’t jinx myself), the tactic change has produced a breakthrough in my character arc. *quiet fist-pumping and dancing woo-hoo* It doesn’t mean I’m anywhere near finished, and I will hit further roadblocks, but the work is better. And that means the world to me.
So, my questions for you are: what do you need to change to get you closer to your goal? or do you already change tactics, habits, etc…to ensure that you make it over the river and through the woods?
Please share what works for you. We all have moments where we need to hear about the journeys, successes, and even failures of others. It helps, it really does.
Thanks for reading, oh, and by the way, if you see the dust fairy coming, close your windows. That stuff gets everywhere. 🙂
Book Release: CLOAKED IN FUR by T.F. Walsh
Hi Kim, thanks for having me on your blog.
You’re welcome! I know you’re excited about the book coming out, but I’m curious about how it started. Can you tell us about where you get the ideas for your stories?
Story ideas are pretty much everywhere if you know where to look. Walking down the street, visiting friends, watching TV, reading a newspaper, overhearing a conversation, and even dreams offer a number of ideas. But fleshing out that single spark of originality is a completely different beast. Every author approaches this differently, and today I thought I’d share a bit of my approach.
For me, my creations always start with world building or a character with an issue. I’ll let the concept mull around in my head for a good few weeks, thinking through different possibilities. Then I sit down and start typing things. It looks something like this:
Write a rough synopsis of story, genre, length, WIP title, and usually incorporates the big plotline. (this usually changes by the end, but is a good start)
Establish main characters, their incorrect core beliefs and their conflicts (internal and external), and subplots.
Flesh out characters (including images – I’m a visual person), plus their goals and motivations. I also write a few random paragraphs from their POV to get a feel for their voices.
Flesh out synopsis into a plot incorporating characters, inciting incident, conflicts, character encounters, obstacles, climax, and how it will be resolved. This part usually takes a while.
Then I print out the plot and start marking on it where chapter breaks should happen, cause and effect, along with any new scenes needed.
Once updated, and chps are broken up, I take a couple of weeks away from it. I want to come back to it with fresh eyes and see what I’ve missed. Plus, it gives me time to mull over the best possible way to start chapter 1.
Then for each chapter, I ensure I add the goal, conflict, unexpected turn, reaction and a new course of action for each character who has a POV scene.
Now, I’m ready to start writing the first draft.
Thank you for sharing your process and best of luck on book sales. Thanks for dropping in, T.F. 🙂
Buy Cloaked in Fur Here:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cloaked-in-Fur-ebook/dp/B00DV0XJ4A/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374564291&sr=1-1
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cloaked-in-Fur-ebook/dp/B00DV0XJ4A/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374635978&sr=1-1
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cloaked-in-fur-tf-walsh/1116059078?ean=9781440571619
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/cloaked-in-fur/id672328984?mt=11
Crimson Romance Books: http://www.crimsonromance.com/upcoming-releases-romance-ebook/cloaked-in-fur/
Publisher: Crimson Romance www.crimsonromance.com
About The Author
T.F. Walsh emigrated from Romania to Australia at the age of eight and now lives in a regional city south of Sydney with her husband. Growing up hearing dark fairytales, she’s always had a passion for reading and writing horror, paranormal romance, urban fantasy and young adult stories. She balances all the dark with light fluffy stuff like baking and traveling.
Author Links
Website http://tfwalsh.wordpress.com
Twitter www.twitter.com/TFWalsh
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tfwalsh
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/tfwalsh/
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7150942.T_F_Walsh
Amazon www.amazon.com/author/tfwalsh
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