Writing is hard work. What got you started, and what helps you get through a complete story?
How many times have you heard someone say, “Someday I’m going to write a book?” Many a time, I’m certain. However, most do not.
Why? Because writing is hard work.
What got me started? Like most children, I loved reading, drawing, and listening to the oral family history spoken by my grandparents. I also like to write stories (not particularly good stories) but for a second grader I did have a handle on the concept of plotting. Thinking back, I unnerved adults with my pointed interview questions, and thoughts about the meaning of life and life-after-death vs death-after-death. Picture: Tuesday Addams wearing glasses and constantly grumbling about receiving yet, another stupid doll instead of a filling cabinet for her birthday.
When, exactly, did I start and complete my first novel?
While I wrote short-stories, nonfiction articles for publication during my twenties, I didn’t get serious about completing a novel until thirties. My children were in school and I worked part-time. That gave me a block of free time to write (vs the scribbling on 3 x 5 index cards when I was cooking dinner or a note pad during a child’s 1 hour nap). I was serving on my church board when the choir soloist told me her sister was a co-president of the Orange County Chapter of RWA (Romance Writers of America). At the time, I hadn’t every thought of writing a romance. I wrote for the YA and middle school market and dabbled in historical fiction, but Shirlee convinced me that the networking and workshops would be beneficial to me. She was correct.
Attending monthly meetings/workshops, exchanging rough drafts with my critique members during lunch, and input from the multi-published members gave me the confidence to persevere. It also made me crawl out of bed after my husband left for work (at 3:00 in the morning) and write before getting my children off to school.
I also discovered that I couldn’t give up my YA stories while I found my footing in a new market.
“So, what did Connie do?” you ask.
I work two novels at once—which I still do to this very day.
Crazing making? Yes!
Writing romance isn’t easy. Strong, well-developed characters, good plot (and multiple sub plots), sharp dialogue, and emotion—lots of emotion.
Writing is addictive. The story unfolds, the characters present themselves, and away the writer goes—into a new Universe.
What makes me complete my novel/story?
The best way for me to describe the feel is I am driven to finish the story. Native Americans say the story chooses the Storyteller. It the Storyteller’s responsibly to bring the story to life.
Happy Reading!
My Rodeo Romances (Lynx and Brede) are on sale this month (click on my Amazon Author Page link).
Everyone needs a little Zombie Valentine Romance, don’t they? Free Read: “Here today, Zombie Tomorrow” on Amazon.com
Stop by each Round Robin participants’ blog. Everyone has a tale to tell.
Connie
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.com
Heather Haven http://heatherhavenstories.com/blog/
Dr. Bob Rich http://wp.me/p3Xihq-SK
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Victoria Chatham http://victoriachatham.blogspot.ca
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Rachael Kosinski http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com
Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.com
Heather Haven http://heatherhavenstories.com/blog/
Dr. Bob Rich http://wp.me/p3Xihq-SK
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Victoria Chatham http://victoriachatham.blogspot.ca
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Rachael Kosinski http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com
Connie, I was *well* past my thirties when I started writing fiction. I'll nobly refrain from stating just how far. I only started writing fiction -- as opposed to poetry, my first love -- when kicked in the ass.
ReplyDeleteOoh! Yay! Someone else who has two projects going at once. Though I admit, I don't share equal time with them. Generally I have one book I'm editing or writing, and then one book I'm world building or researching on the side.
ReplyDeleteHow do you split your time?
Connie, I'm full of admiration that you can write two books at once. It's something I've been struggling with recently but am determined to master this year.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for your writing in 2017!
Connie, found your way to writing interesting and in some aspects familiar. I usually have 2 or more stories in progress and I keep writing notes for other yet as undeveloped stories. When I don't think a story is going the way I want or I'm unsatisfied, or reach a point where I need to think about the plot more, I move to another WIP until I clarify what has to happen. It's very disconcerting.
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe of you starting out with two books at the same time. I've got several published and only now am I finding myself working on two very different novels at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Connie, romance is difficult and writing is addictive. Enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteLove this:
ReplyDelete"Native Americans say the story chooses the Storyteller. It the Storyteller’s responsibly to bring the story to life."
Characters can be very demanding taskmasters.
:)
Bob
Connie, I can't imagine doing two novels at the same time, but I do always have something else going, be it a short story, article or blog. Also an interesting blog on the circus. My parents met and married at Ringling Brothers. I was born during the hiatus. Thanks for writing these two things, my dear.
ReplyDeleteI love your Native American quote. It seems in line with the concept of when you need a teacher, the right one comes along. I have no idea how you manage two novels on the go at one time! I have enough trouble with one, although I'm generally making notes about others from time to time. And as for age - my first book didn't get published until I was 69. If you want something badly enough (didn't get my first and only horse until I was 40) you will succeed.
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I can't understand selling something you've spent so many hours creating for 99 cents. That's a slap in the face to me.
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