Four years ago, this month, I laid in bed wondering where I wanted my life to go. The lack of creativity in my life made me re-evaluate my current path at the time.
Now, with my first book, I look back and realize what a trip it has been.
First, I wrote, regardless of my lack of self-trust. My first draft was no more than a few paragraphs with weak characters and a thin plot. I questioned my abilities and craftsmanship. I had no formal training as a writer and no idea how the whole process worked. At first, I decided on a single volume, but then the story grew, the cast of players expanded, and an entire sub-plot popped, then blossomed. From there...
Second, my confidence grew. The paragraphs, dialogue, descriptions formed into pages and chapters. The story flowed together. I began a self-structured coursework of reading about writing.
Forth, I read. Fiction -- kids and adult. Most of the time, I would read only a few chapters. My mission involved looking at writer's style, composition, description.
Fifth, I did my research. London 1886 -- what was it like? Jack the Ripper -- what are the facts? I read. I looked. I took notes. I selected what would be useful and what wouldn't. I found many great books at my local library.
Sixth, I wrote, read, revised, and repeated. I selected seven readers who offered opinions and suggestions.
Seventh, I read the entire manuscript aloud. From page one, word one to the last page, last word. The whole "read-aloud" took three weeks. IT WAS WORTH IT! I found numerous problems, typos, grammatical errors. I recommend taking the time to read aloud.
Eighth, I stopped. After reading aloud, I stopped. I said "Fini!" Otherwise, I would continue the sixth point over and over and over... At some point, I made up my mind that this was it. Love for what it is right now.
Those eight points brought me to where I am today.
Now, with my first book, I look back and realize what a trip it has been.
First, I wrote, regardless of my lack of self-trust. My first draft was no more than a few paragraphs with weak characters and a thin plot. I questioned my abilities and craftsmanship. I had no formal training as a writer and no idea how the whole process worked. At first, I decided on a single volume, but then the story grew, the cast of players expanded, and an entire sub-plot popped, then blossomed. From there...
Second, my confidence grew. The paragraphs, dialogue, descriptions formed into pages and chapters. The story flowed together. I began a self-structured coursework of reading about writing.
- Stephen King's On Writing topped the list. The best of the bunch. King writes his autobiography, then provides a "writer's toolbox," and last, provide the basics in "look here's how to write" section.
- Anne Lamott's Bird By Bird offered a look at a writer's life.
- William Noble Show, Don't Tell: A Writer's Guide offers numerous ways of showing and telling. The infamous "show, don't tell" haunts writers like naked pictures of the prince taunting the queen. To this moment, I struggle with "show, don't tell." What does it mean? How much do I do? Do I show everything?
- Roy Peter Clark's Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer. Love it! Clark gets to the point in each chapter.
Forth, I read. Fiction -- kids and adult. Most of the time, I would read only a few chapters. My mission involved looking at writer's style, composition, description.
Fifth, I did my research. London 1886 -- what was it like? Jack the Ripper -- what are the facts? I read. I looked. I took notes. I selected what would be useful and what wouldn't. I found many great books at my local library.
Sixth, I wrote, read, revised, and repeated. I selected seven readers who offered opinions and suggestions.
Seventh, I read the entire manuscript aloud. From page one, word one to the last page, last word. The whole "read-aloud" took three weeks. IT WAS WORTH IT! I found numerous problems, typos, grammatical errors. I recommend taking the time to read aloud.
Eighth, I stopped. After reading aloud, I stopped. I said "Fini!" Otherwise, I would continue the sixth point over and over and over... At some point, I made up my mind that this was it. Love for what it is right now.
Those eight points brought me to where I am today.
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