The Journey To A Published Novel

This may well be a worthy time to provide an update. You may not even be interested. Put simply, laid out with honesty. I'm struggling. I'm not struggling to create. 'Struggling' may even be far too much of an exaggeration. I think I've reached a point where I'm confused. At this stage, I haven't been going back over what I've already written. I know the story and its structure so far. However, I think because I'm working on upwards of 80,000+ words. I'm worrying too much about how the book is going to read or at least how it will be read.  Before, I wasn't concerning myself all too much with the structure. I was just writing. I think I'm now considering editing before I've even finished. It feels as if I'm jumping ahead. I'm not sure how I would identify that or avoid that other than to stay patient with it. That though is and remains frustrating. Placing too much pressure on myself will only have a negative outcome. ...

I wouldn't describe it as hitting a wall, it's not that drastic. I titled it 'lag' as it may go some way to describe often how lost you can feel or how I can certainly feel when thinking about the expansion of your story. It can lay out baron and boundless expanse, filling you with fear and dread, questions and ponders. How on earth, will I fill this emptiness?   Then, like I've suggested before - when reality shunts you. Frustration doth cometh.   It's more of reality coming along like Jo Brand and bellowing at me with distractions of life and subsequent living. "Have this bit of warming distraction and now focus, I dare ya. I dare ya!" she says with titillated venom. I've needed to sit down. Silent. Alone and distinctly focused on words and narrative. I have been making notes a plenty, using notepad..... other text editors are available, obviously! Not only by computer but age old paper and pen. The points of interest, sparks of m...

I've continued to write. I write daily. I haven't updated this blog in a while because as I suggested  previously I don't want this or my words contained herein to suggest that I was 'playing' or 'living a lie'.  I did not want my words to sound or appear boastful. Moreover, I simply wanted to document where I was within writing this novel. Furthermore, hopefully, if at all possible provide suggestions, guidance or give some value to others who perhaps were embarking on writing their first novel, poem, prose, article or whatever. I don't attest to be an authoritative voice in any shape or form. I only know my intentions and I hope they might go some way to inspire. My word count continues to increase. As I've alluded to previously. At this stage I am merely working on the first draft. I suppose the real content, tone and personality of the story based on the central character Dylan will become more apparent within the rewrite. ...

Merry New Year! As much as I enjoyed the festive season. I'm not overly ecstatic with the suggestion or immediate life changing events predicated by people looking to change their lives at midnight. I always consider it far too unrealistic and like a fading cartoon. Favoured by many, but lost in nostalgia. If the assumption is; new goals can be set and achieved with the mere changing of numbers, then surely this same feat can be achieved at anytime? Seems all a bit too Roald Dahl for me. 'Any road' For even me, especially over Christmas, procrastination comes in many forms. Thinking about documenting it. That thought itself. Much in the fashion I am now I suppose. I am, therefore guilty of it myself, otherwise I wouldn't be indulging in this distraction. A pretty and prime manifestation of procrastination. It's even a long enough and fun word to say aloud several times providing just enough delay in its mere utterances.....pro-cras-tin-ation. That's ...

I'm not necessarily convinced a strict timetable is needed to motivate or allow you to follow a writing pattern. As soon as you get into the habit, it will become more natural. It may get too restrictive or even potentially unattainable if, for example you set the time of 6PM everyday, for 1 hour. Too quickly you would then get round to writing at 6.25PM and then only have 35 minutes. This is assuming you have a tight time schedule. Considering working hours, commute etc. For me, it doesn't matter what the time is daily, I will write for certainly 1 whole hour. Depending on other commitments and interruptions. I will more often than not run well over this. It can often be closer to two hours or more. I try not to ever ' hard stop' a good session. It's important to sleep too. More important in my mind is not spoiling the flow. As soon as any writing becomes stagnant. I never get rid of it or scrap it. Instead, I come back to it. Particularly within this novel. If ...

One thing that is truly helping me stay focused is almost reverting my mind back to all the inspirations, thoughts and feelings I experienced whilst I was away. As I've mentioned this novel is based on experiences some 15 plus years ago. I've had to remember exactly how I felt at the time. I'm completely aware that I was and still remain a massive fan of The Stone Roses which I may have mentioned a number of times before. At the time, back in 2004. Well in fact, even before that. I'm talking back in secondary school so from about 1994 - 1999. I had nothing other than The Stone Roses and Helter Skelter tapes playing on my cassette player. The Stone Roses tape I think was the Sally Cinnamon single and the Helter Skelter tapes would have been the New Years Eve tapes by Billy Bunter and DJ Supreme. Billy Bunter being my favourite tape of the two. There was a set of 12 but they were by far the best in my humble musical opinion. So, when I left the UK. I took about five ...

'Tis the seasn full of distractions. Tra-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaaah! It can really be tough at the moment. Time seems to melt away. I sit down with the best of intentions to get upward of 1,000 words completed. Sometimes it comes with the thunder. Other times, it can take pages and pages until I feel the force. When it comes. I begrudge the distractions of the festive season. I know though how important the festive season is. Or how sentimental it can become. I know how or even appreciate how important time off is. I probably won't write Christmas day. Well, not formally anyway. I won't sit down with that intention. I'll continue the story in my head. It's hard not to. I continue to fall upon writing prompts. I don't mean literally. I mean I keep seeing writing competitions. I would love to get involved. Not because I love to win or think I can win or anything of the sort. Just because it's another focused excuse to write. At the moment I am resisting. I rea...