I'm working on too many books right now, as well as considering finding a new job.
Needless to say, I'm overwhelmed :(
I've been having something of a pity party since the Writer's Conference ended, though I have been rewriting the start of "The Nettle Spinner" (which is finished--just needs rewriting), working on a new resume, and trying to figure out how to spiff up my other finished novel.
Too, I actually thought of an idea for the story "Eagren" that I started during the workshop--but I'll tackle that later!
Foremost in my sights is how to keep working around my allergies and not have a physical and mental breakdown in the meantime ;)
(Anyone have any ideas for good jobs in Utah County??)
I really have appreciated this conference--and I'm thrilled we are doing this blog. It's a great prodding for me to get those two novels in order and send them out :D
Being the "begingler" that I am, I did actually start something. But then I decided that it would probably be more useful for me to finish books that I'd already started. So I'm really trying hard not to start something new.
Good luck with the job hunt, Cat. I'll let you know if I hear of anything.
Beginglers unite! Cat--can you ever be working on too many books? I guess so. But I am in denial over this concept while I have (at last count) EIGHT books I'm working on. My hero is Isaac Asimov who published 600+ books in his lifetime by having several going at once and working on the one that interested him most at the time, then switching when he got bored or stuck.
By the way, good luck with the job search. I'd keep trying at BYU to keep retirement going. And good luck with the allergies, too.
Everybody--I hope you keep writing. There was some seriously good stuff I read from you people and I can't wait to read the rest of the books.
I've been working on a project for the BYU English Department for the last couple of days and am surprised at the withdrawal symptoms I'm feeling over not writing my own books. I actually thought of a great line to start another chapter of ET2, so I need to write it down soon.
I actually think you CAN work on more than one novel at once--and the whole 'working on whichever novel most appeals to you at the moment' does work for me... I just have to make certain there is a difference between a novel in its idea stage and a novel I'm actually *working* on. I try to keep the latter to about 4 or 5 novels so I don't get too scattered!
What I will do is buy those hardcover Composition books you can get at university bookstores; they are great to use as notebooks. I will assign one or two books to each notebook, and start writing notes on characters, the world, the plot--I'll even do some drawings and maps. So, I can have notes to a book-to-be-realized all in one place (I lose notes and cards and stickies!)
What do you all do for the book-ideas-in-creation stage?
I have a file drawer full of spiral notebooks that goes all the way back to Jr.High. They're full of ideas, drawings, comics, short scenes, random thoughts.
I'm not very good at following instructions, and I go into withdrawal if I'm not creating prose every day, so I'm re-writing "Corridor" in first person while doing research and development for "Earthcrosser." I keep trying to tell myself it was a good thing that an editor showed interest in a book I haven't even written yet and don't know if I can ever get to work, but sometimes the thought just makes me want to cry.
I used to do the spiral notebook thing too! But I'd find that the front pages would get ripped out. These Composition books are much more durable for me. :)
And there's something about the fact it's more like a book, too!
And Rebecca--if you want to cry, go ahead, but then get back to work on that book! Remember what Brandon said: Any of these books we showed him in class have the potential of being published. It's that hard work and perseverance that makes the difference between seeing it in print and not.
I really do believe that--which has probably given me impetus to crack the whip on the two finished novels I have and make a renewed effort at them. :)
Also...I have to mention this, Rebecca--whenever I see your title "Corridor" I think of a song I wrote and posted online a couple of years ago. You can find it here: http://www.reverbnation.com/mystifiedmusic
You'll have to scroll down the list to find it. I think it's funny how some words just resonate adventure and exploration. "Corridor" is one of those words for me--and music is one way of getting the storyteller out, as well!
Thanks, Cat, and I really liked the start of "Eagren" too.
We artists are such sensitive people, aren't we? We have to stick together and encourage each other. Here's hoping you find a wonderful new job! And get lots of writing done!
On Job hunts... all I can offer is jobs.utah.gov, craigslist.org (great job listings), indeed.com, careerbuilder.com, and things like harktheherald.com for some places to start looking..
As far as novels go, I have lots of great ideas for that story I was working on - The Tailor - but I am going to put it aside to see how fast I can write a new novel. I'm one chapter in and so far absolutely love it. I don't really have much time for writing, despite my previous conviction at the conference, but I at least think about it a lot more...
I told Carol that I'd have something ready for her editor in 4 months... so I better get back to work!!!
Good ideas--but I like computer files. I have to save them in lots of places--like the external hard drive I bought in case my computer crashes and various thumb drives. But they're always ready for me to work on anew when I bring them up. Asimov had 6 typewriters scattered around a room with a different book going in each one.
Good luck with your books. Keep on going. I always remind myself of the scene from What About Bob where he is in the psychiatrist's office and is taught the concept of baby steps. Baby steps around the office. Baby steps down the hall. Take the writing one step at a time.
Contributors to this blog attended BYU's 2008 Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Workshop - Science Fiction and Fantasy section taught by Brandon Sanderson. This blog is established as a way to keep in touch, share happy news, share advice and critiques, and in all ways continue to take part in each others' creative process.
9 comments:
I'm working on too many books right now, as well as considering finding a new job.
Needless to say, I'm overwhelmed :(
I've been having something of a pity party since the Writer's Conference ended, though I have been rewriting the start of "The Nettle Spinner" (which is finished--just needs rewriting), working on a new resume, and trying to figure out how to spiff up my other finished novel.
Too, I actually thought of an idea for the story "Eagren" that I started during the workshop--but I'll tackle that later!
Foremost in my sights is how to keep working around my allergies and not have a physical and mental breakdown in the meantime ;)
(Anyone have any ideas for good jobs in Utah County??)
I really have appreciated this conference--and I'm thrilled we are doing this blog.
It's a great prodding for me to get those two novels in order and send them out :D
Being the "begingler" that I am, I did actually start something. But then I decided that it would probably be more useful for me to finish books that I'd already started. So I'm really trying hard not to start something new.
Good luck with the job hunt, Cat. I'll let you know if I hear of anything.
Beginglers unite!
Cat--can you ever be working on too many books? I guess so. But I am in denial over this concept while I have (at last count) EIGHT books I'm working on. My hero is Isaac Asimov who published 600+ books in his lifetime by having several going at once and working on the one that interested him most at the time, then switching when he got bored or stuck.
By the way, good luck with the job search. I'd keep trying at BYU to keep retirement going. And good luck with the allergies, too.
Everybody--I hope you keep writing. There was some seriously good stuff I read from you people and I can't wait to read the rest of the books.
I've been working on a project for the BYU English Department for the last couple of days and am surprised at the withdrawal symptoms I'm feeling over not writing my own books. I actually thought of a great line to start another chapter of ET2, so I need to write it down soon.
Keep begingling!
I actually think you CAN work on more than one novel at once--and the whole 'working on whichever novel most appeals to you at the moment' does work for me...
I just have to make certain there is a difference between a novel in its idea stage and a novel I'm actually *working* on. I try to keep the latter to about 4 or 5 novels so I don't get too scattered!
What I will do is buy those hardcover Composition books you can get at university bookstores; they are great to use as notebooks. I will assign one or two books to each notebook, and start writing notes on characters, the world, the plot--I'll even do some drawings and maps.
So, I can have notes to a book-to-be-realized all in one place (I lose notes and cards and stickies!)
What do you all do for the book-ideas-in-creation stage?
I have a file drawer full of spiral notebooks that goes all the way back to Jr.High. They're full of ideas, drawings, comics, short scenes, random thoughts.
I'm not very good at following instructions, and I go into withdrawal if I'm not creating prose every day, so I'm re-writing "Corridor" in first person while doing research and development for "Earthcrosser." I keep trying to tell myself it was a good thing that an editor showed interest in a book I haven't even written yet and don't know if I can ever get to work, but sometimes the thought just makes me want to cry.
I used to do the spiral notebook thing too! But I'd find that the front pages would get ripped out. These Composition books are much more durable for me. :)
And there's something about the fact it's more like a book, too!
And Rebecca--if you want to cry, go ahead, but then get back to work on that book!
Remember what Brandon said:
Any of these books we showed him in class have the potential of being published. It's that hard work and perseverance that makes the difference between seeing it in print and not.
I really do believe that--which has probably given me impetus to crack the whip on the two finished novels I have and make a renewed effort at them. :)
Also...I have to mention this, Rebecca--whenever I see your title "Corridor" I think of a song I wrote and posted online a couple of years ago. You can find it here:
http://www.reverbnation.com/mystifiedmusic
You'll have to scroll down the list to find it.
I think it's funny how some words just resonate adventure and exploration. "Corridor" is one of those words for me--and music is one way of getting the storyteller out, as well!
Thanks, Cat, and I really liked the start of "Eagren" too.
We artists are such sensitive people, aren't we? We have to stick together and encourage each other. Here's hoping you find a wonderful new job! And get lots of writing done!
On Job hunts... all I can offer is jobs.utah.gov, craigslist.org (great job listings), indeed.com, careerbuilder.com, and things like harktheherald.com for some places to start looking..
As far as novels go, I have lots of great ideas for that story I was working on - The Tailor - but I am going to put it aside to see how fast I can write a new novel. I'm one chapter in and so far absolutely love it. I don't really have much time for writing, despite my previous conviction at the conference, but I at least think about it a lot more...
I told Carol that I'd have something ready for her editor in 4 months... so I better get back to work!!!
Good ideas--but I like computer files. I have to save them in lots of places--like the external hard drive I bought in case my computer crashes and various thumb drives. But they're always ready for me to work on anew when I bring them up. Asimov had 6 typewriters scattered around a room with a different book going in each one.
Good luck with your books. Keep on going. I always remind myself of the scene from What About Bob where he is in the psychiatrist's office and is taught the concept of baby steps. Baby steps around the office. Baby steps down the hall. Take the writing one step at a time.
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