A collection of blog posts that offer advice for writers
Not only did I enjoy myself immensely at the Conference, but I met loads of interesting people and learnt a tremendous amount. So I decided to do a mini-series of blog posts this week, picking out tidbits and sharing memorable quotes.
I didn’t realise how lucky I was when I managed to get a place on the Writing Conference 2014. The conference was fully booked within a few weeks of being advertised.
Hosted by Writing East Midlands, this was a fantastic event, held in the gleaming Portland Building set in the University of Nottingham’s beautiful campus on a gloriously sunny day. Continue reading “Writers Conference 2014, Writing East Midlands, Opening Session”
I procrastinate. I work endlessly on the same paragraph, again and again and again. I abandon work. Sometimes I wake up and decide I’m being completely delusional and I must give it all up immediately and do something else instead. Does this sound familiar to you?
I want to become a successful writer. And by success, I mean I want to be published by a reputable publisher. (Yes, I know there are other measures of success, but this one is mine.)
But I am my own worst enemy. I procrastinate. I criticise my efforts. I denigrate my meagre achievements. I work endlessly on the same paragraph, again and again and again. I abandon work. Sometimes I wake up and decide I’m being completely delusional and I must give it all up immediately and do something else instead. Does this sound familiar to you? Continue reading “7 Habits of Successful Writers”
I spent most of yesterday writing and re-writing the same scene. It is an important scene and one I wanted to get right. This morning, I went back to the same darn scene and started reworking it again. After a while, I realised I was never going to make my word count target today if I didn’t stop fiddling.
NaNo writing tip number seven
If you find yourself getting stuck on the same old scene – STOP. Move on. Write the next scene. Or skip to another part of the story, even further ahead. You can always come back later. Don’t worry about it. Just keep moving forward.
My 2013 NaNo novel is called Chasing Credit. I’m aiming for 60,000 words by the end of November.
I don’t suffer from the notorious second week NaNo slump. But I do I suffer from the 3rd week ‘where the hell am I going with this pile of drivel’ NaNo blues. And it is about to hit me.
NaNo writing tip number six
Just keep going.
This may need repeating.
Just
Keep
GoingAnd one last time: JUST KEEP GOING
My 2013 NaNo novel is called Chasing Credit. I’m aiming for 60,000 words by the end of November.
Writing is a solitary occupation, isn’t it? One of the great joys of NaNo month is the camaraderie of the online community of mad, write-a-novel-in-a-month, crazy writers. And, while making virtual friends is always fun, meeting people in real life is even better.
NaNo writing tip number five
Get out there and meet some other NaNo nuts.
Yes, check your local forum and see if there is a group meeting near you.
Nothing local? Consider crossing borders and going into another county. It won’t kill you.
My 2013 NaNo novel is called Chasing Credit. I’m aiming for 60,000 words by the end of November.
Ruth Livingstone 