This month's topic: What have you learned from writing? And what are your goals for 2014 and further into the future?
It would take me well into 2014 to list all the things I've learned from writing. Each editing session or critique has provided a learning experience, and I personally believe the most valuable lesson is a novel is better shown than told. Anyone can tell a story, but it takes a real talent to move the reader into the characters shoes and let them experience the story from that perspective. You can "tell" them a pie is baking, but can they smell what kind it is? Does the fresh smell of apples and cinnamon waft in the air? Does their mouth water? You can tell the reader about kisses, but will she/he feel the caress of the hero's breath on the heroine's neck or the shivers that pinprick her spine? If they mount a horse, will the wind whip their hair and a morning chill sting their cheeks? These are elements, my debut novel sorely missed and wouldn't have seen daylight without the help of an editor who "showed" me the difference.
If you peruse this blog, you'll find all kinds of bitches and moans about editing and things to avoid. When you've been writing a dozen or so years, you do learn a lot, and not all of it is crystal clear or a hard and fast rule. Many things depend upon the publishing house. Go figure!
As far as the future. I'm not as confident as I once was about the time I have left. I'm in good health, and I hope to continue writing for years, but having just turned 68 makes me question how many works-in-progress I have to finish in whatever time the Good Lord gives me. Writing brings me pleasure when my characters are talkative, but when life impairs your hearing, writing becomes a chore one can't manage. 2013 hasn't been my best productive year, so I'm hoping for some new additions to my back list with the coming year. I'm so thankful to Books We Love for allowing me to breathe new life into some of my older novels and give them a chance for the exposure I'd hoped they would receive. I've released a few brand new ones, too, but be on the lookout for more. That's my goal.
Now...hop on over to Aimee Heil's blog, writing as A.J. Maguire @ http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/ and see what she's learned and intends to pursue in 2014.
.jpg)
.jpg)
