I thought it might be interesting to do a series of blog posts on my experience of beginning to write a novel. Yes, you heard right. Having posted that rather despairing piece recently, questioning whether I could legitimately call myself a writer, I actually managed to sit down at my computer this weekend and write something creative.
I decided yesterday, on a rainy afternoon, following a long, indulgent weekend, that I would see if I could attempt to engage with some of my old ideas. I opened up my laptop, took a glance at the many odd pieces in my ‘Writing’ folder, and clicked on the originally named ‘Untitled Novel Number 2’.
I should mention, that I have not actually written a ‘novel number one’, rather a novella for teen readers, which will likely never see the light of day. ‘Untitled Novel Number 2’ is the piece of writing I referred to in my earlier post; the one that I have a chapter by chapter plot plan for…
Well, it turns out, that besides not being very enthralled by writing a piece of historical fiction (this means I’m too lazy!), I hate my self-imposed limitations. The very fact that I have a plot plan has been putting me off, making me feel too restricted. So… I opened a blank document and started writing, with absolutely no idea where it would go.
Once I started, I found it quite difficult to stop, managing a hefty 2000 words on my first day of writing (long may it last).
It felt fantastic.
This is what I’ve been missing.
Even when I stepped away from my laptop, having reached an appropriate place to pause, the creative cogs were still turning, and I went from having one very undeveloped character to having three central characters in mind. Not only that, but the character I had begun writing started telling me things about herself, and before I knew it, a story was developing.
Now, this is very early days, obviously, and perhaps I’ll bin the story tomorrow, and start something new, but I can’t help feeling that this is different. For the duration of my time at work today, I’ve been desperate to start scrawling the next little scene that won’t leave my head.
So, wish me luck, and hold on to your hats. I’ll be updating as regularly as I can on the ins and outs of writing a novel… or not writing one. We’ll see how it goes.
Interesting. I’m always curious as to how novelists and fledglings write.
A very valid observation by Kate that surely most writers face at some stage or other. I recently saw an encouraging post that may be helpful to authors or would be writers – as below:
INSPIRATION IS NOT AN EXCUSE
by Conor Whelan
A few words of encouragement to get on with it.
We often say we’re not writing at the moment because we’re not inspired. We’re really saying we’re not in the mood. Which means there’s something we’d rather do, that normally takes less effort.
Sitting with pen in hand or fingers at the keys, it is easy to feel under pressure. As if you need to have a masterpiece fully planned and drafted in your head before you even start. We can jump the gun and wonder how we will be received. Will people love it? And me? While it is important to consider the reader or audience, worrying about ‘getting it right’ will get in the way. First you’ve got to write the damn thing and only a while after will you be able evaluate.
And there is so much to write about. The world may be getting smaller, but that only gives the writer a broader canvas. As the rate that what has been written stacks up increases, so to do the provocations laid down by other writers. Shakespeare found a book by an anonymous writer in a shop that opened with a King called Lear dividing his kingdom. That book had a happy ending. The inspiration for King Lear was nicked from a piece that would have faded into obscurity, but the play that resulted had a life of its own. There are plenty of lost dusty tomes in old bookshops, plenty of websites publishing writing fresh off the WordPress, each inviting a response. There are people that catch your curiosity in cafes and stations, there are odd episodes you share down the pub that could be the start of something. There are things you see that others don’t. And there are books and tutors to help you look. So look and write.
Admittedly, a story or poem will sometimes land on your plate. Bob Dylan said it was like he tuned into a radio and wrote the songs down. Sometimes you will write a first draft that is almost the last. But those moments are both unpredictable and earned. You can make twenty attempts at writing a certain kind of piece, all of which seem to fail. Then suddenly words come tumbling out and you don’t know where they came from. The answer is from the attempts.
What I’m trying to say is this – don’t wait for inspiration to come to you. It is not a rare bird you need to track through the undergrowth. It is an innate human faculty. So go out and grab it by the balls.
A very valid observation by Kate that surely most writers face at some stage or other. I recently saw an encouraging post in ‘Dead Ink’ that may be helpful to authors or would be writers – as below:
INSPIRATION IS NOT AN EXCUSE
by Conor Whelan
A few words of encouragement to get on with it.
We often say we’re not writing at the moment because we’re not inspired. We’re really saying we’re not in the mood. Which means there’s something we’d rather do, that normally takes less effort.
Sitting with pen in hand or fingers at the keys, it is easy to feel under pressure. As if you need to have a masterpiece fully planned and drafted in your head before you even start. We can jump the gun and wonder how we will be received. Will people love it? And me? While it is important to consider the reader or audience, worrying about ‘getting it right’ will get in the way. First you’ve got to write the damn thing and only a while after will you be able evaluate.
And there is so much to write about. The world may be getting smaller, but that only gives the writer a broader canvas. As the rate that what has been written stacks up increases, so to do the provocations laid down by other writers. Shakespeare found a book by an anonymous writer in a shop that opened with a King called Lear dividing his kingdom. That book had a happy ending. The inspiration for King Lear was nicked from a piece that would have faded into obscurity, but the play that resulted had a life of its own. There are plenty of lost dusty tomes in old bookshops, plenty of websites publishing writing fresh off the WordPress, each inviting a response. There are people that catch your curiosity in cafes and stations, there are odd episodes you share down the pub that could be the start of something. There are things you see that others don’t. And there are books and tutors to help you look. So look and write.
Admittedly, a story or poem will sometimes land on your plate. Bob Dylan said it was like he tuned into a radio and wrote the songs down. Sometimes you will write a first draft that is almost the last. But those moments are both unpredictable and earned. You can make twenty attempts at writing a certain kind of piece, all of which seem to fail. Then suddenly words come tumbling out and you don’t know where they came from. The answer is from the attempts.
What I’m trying to say is this – don’t wait for inspiration to come to you. It is not a rare bird you need to track through the undergrowth. It is an innate human faculty. So go out and grab it by the balls.