Friday, March 20, 2015
The Road to a Dream
Besides having the blog tour for Afraid of Everything this month, I'm working on a new book, in the difficult early stages of drafting and figuring out what's what. As I work I've got to fight myself, especially those intruding, annoying thoughts of "what's the point?" "no one cares" "you can't write" and the one I tell myself constantly "this is boring to read" until finally one day I realize it isn't boring, someone may enjoy it, and with a few more tweaks I might have something to be proud of.
Do you have persistent, intrusive thoughts that plague your progress and block your joy? The road to our dreams is paved with these bothersome things. How do you deal with your stumbling blocks?
Today I'm visiting Ava Louise on her blog "The Road to a Dream"--don't you just love that phrase? Saying it aloud brings to mind all kinds of possibilities. It opens the imagination.
Ava is offering an excellent giveaway: one lucky commenter will get a $10 Amazon card. Come on over!
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When I first begin, I think most of my ideas are crap. It's not until I've finished the first draft and start on revisions that I find hope.
ReplyDeleteAlex, This is exactly my process, and then the first draft I write by hand has to be typed into my laptop before I find hope.
DeleteI go through that all the time! Thanks for sharing this! I feel I am not alone!
ReplyDeleteAnne, You are welcome! And as I read these comments, I know I'm not alone either in my feelings :)
DeleteYup, been there!
ReplyDeleteI often think my writing isn't good enough and no one will read my stories.
ReplyDeleteI am in a similar place. I just write bits at a time, 5-600 words, or so, so the whole thing doesn't overwhelm me. I know I can fix the bad writing when I edit. Writing in short spurts every day stops me from feeling "what is the point," because it's just 45 minutes or an hour and then I am on to everything else without feeling I have spent tons of time on a lost cause. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteLiza, It makes perfect sense. When I begin, my small start is 30 minutes. I know I can do 30 minutes. As I continue it becomes longer and longer, until the final editing process on my own work will be all day.
DeleteI usually have those thoughts throughout the first draft but not during the planning. Funny but the book I thought that about even after it was all done was my best seller.
ReplyDeleteIf the writing is comprehensible and of reasonable quality I figure there's going to be an audience. Our mission is to pinpoint that audience.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Getting the first draft out is always the hardest part for me. I seem to always end up writing books that require research, and I'm one of those writers that stops along the way to verify things in hopes of making the rewrite easier. (It actually does.) Congratulations on your blog tour.
ReplyDeleteIf the pre-writing doesn't make sense, then the actual product is condemned.
ReplyDeleteEveryone tells me that it is great, but I still think they say that just to be nice.
ReplyDeleteI am, by far, my own worst enemy.
I wish you luck in your endeavors just make sure you have fun.
Bushman
2015 A to Z Challenge Ambassador
@jwb81074
I think it's great, I want more of the story… because it's good!
DeleteEveryone doubts themselves; I bet even Einstein did at times.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to remind oneself of this, and that self-doubt is no reason to give up!
DeleteI am one who awaits your next Diamond saga, so don't let those pesky spoiler thoughts get in the way as you trek the road to your dream....
ReplyDeleteMirka, Thank you! I'll come back to reread this comment next time I wonder what is the point.
DeleteI don't know anyone who doesn't at some time come down hard on themselves. That includes me.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it's important to have faith and belief in one's self. It first comes from within, then what's out in the Universe will follow. Well, that's what I think anyway! :)
I wish you joy and laughter as you find your next story.
Cheers, Jenny
2015 A to Z Challenge Ambassador
@PearsonReport
First, I always love coming to your blog and seeing that beautiful, peaceful photo at the top. Second, you write very well. It gives me something to aspire to. Afraid of Everything is an excellent book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. And, yes, I ask myself the same questions you do everytime I begin to write something. It's depressing. But I keep going.
ReplyDeleteVictoria, Thank you for those encouraging words.
DeleteLooking forward to your next stop-off at a new place.
ReplyDeleteI have those intrusive thoughts a lot; that's one of the reasons I'm neurotic. :)
ReplyDeleteOne thing that motivates me is reading really good books by authors I like and admire; they inspire me to write my own stories.
I get inspired by good books too. And often I'll read inspiring books on writing, like The Path of a Writer by Joyce Carol Oates and If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland.
DeleteHi Karen - you have such a great way with words .. and I'm sure your brain will untangle the muddle and give us another great read ... I loved Farm Girl .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI do always get those same feelings during the first draft of a book. I just fight through them and hope it sounds better to me the second time I look at it.
ReplyDeleteI think we all have those negative thoughts. I always fear I just don't know how to deal with carrying a story through... I know I can write...but creating a full story arc that really makes everything come together is a true talent and that's the part I worry about!
ReplyDeleteMy biggest road block for some time was my age. I had put off writing for me for so long (first a mom, then nurse, then farmer, then grandmum) I did not believe it would ever happen. THEN I went back to school and now I sit in creative writing and poetry classes with all these 20 year olds!! They inspire me, I inspire them and what fun we have. Best benefit? I feel so much younger and have so much more writing energy, I have to, otherwise these young whippersnappers will run right over me!
ReplyDelete