National Novel Writing Month - What are you writing about?

Okay, so I'm being a little nosey, but despite the fact I have taken part in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in the past, I've never asked others about it. What I mean is that I've heard that it's just a good way for writers to let loose and free-write without the worry of editing of drafting, but it seems that things have changed in the past couple of years. Now don't get me wrong, change is a good thing, but it is sometimes weird. For instance, I haven't a clue as to what I will write about other than I know it will be fiction and at least 50,000 words. Others have topics and outlines. That piqued my interest as perhaps if I put some more thought into into it, I could come away with a viable first draft. Hmmm. Or maybe I would just get stuck trying to make things work out just the way I want them to. It's an interesting dilemma, but I will go with my original approach. I respect those who have planned out what they will write and write about and wish them success, but me, I'm just gonna wing it.

What has blogging done for me?

Curiously, it seems as though almost everyone I know now has a blog of some sort. Some simply have little rants on their myspace pages, while others have their own domains and write daily about passions, current events, sports, and paying endeavours.

While I've only had my own site here on blogger for a few months, I found myself writing more and more. Consequently, I soon found myself getting back to what it is that even gave me the notion to write in the first place - fiction.

While I started my first serious attempt at writing a novel in 2003, I swayed from the path, so to speak, a little over a year ago. It wasn't that the desire and determination had gone, but I was tired. I was tired of writing draft after draft and getting rejection after rejection. Whereas my skills were improving, I, like many who aspire to publish traditionally, am in a tough spot where being an unknown first time novelist makes it hard to break through, if you will. That said; my paying career was taking up more and more time and I decided to take a break. I never quit; I'm far too stubborn for that, but I knew I need to re-energize. All the while, I found myself trying to come up with new ideas for plots and also trying to force myself to sit down and finish the last draft of my most polished novel. The 22nd draft, to be exact. And yet I realized that for too long, I was trying to force it. While constantly reading and writing are keys to success, my opinion is that forcing your craft will only lead to poor results, thus my time off.

Now some time has passed and with blogging, I began to want to work on my drafts. I started to want to write down those new ideas and even start character sketches. A breakthrough? Perhaps, but what I know for sure is that writing is addictive and this forum has brought back a fuel I could have easily let run dry in search of something else. I realize now that whereas I may have needed time off from that project, I didn't need time off from writing. Blogging made me realize this. For those out there who aspire to publication or even those who just want to finish a piece you started long ago; never stop writing because no matter what form it comes in, it will undoubtedly be helpful in the long run.

Get Ready for The Long Haul And Don't Sell Youselves Short with Fiction Publishing Options!

As I fight for my own sense of creativity to write new material for fiction and to revise my current works, I like to drop by some of the writing/publishing boards and websites I have involved in over the years as a writer. My lord - how some things never change. It seems like some of the same topics come up over and over when a few new folks join. I'm not going ot lie, it can be very annoying, but thankfully there are sites that have taken care of this by posting topics for new participants to read over, which directs them to popular topics that have already beat beaten to death. One such site is Absolute Write Water Cooler. One of the topics that comes up on boards quite frequently and for some reason just escapes many seemingly rational people is methods of publication and what is the best way to go for a new writer - traditional pubishing house or self-publishing. My take is as follows:

Far be it for me to tell someone how to live their life or even which method of publishing is right for THEM, but to me, this issue is cut and dry. First, let's set the premise that we are talking about fiction. I say that because it is often much more feasible to self-publish non-fiction depending on the topic, but by-in-large, if your work is good enough and should be read by a wide range of readers, you shouldn't have to pay to have that happen. Trust me, even if and when you get a publisher to accept your work, you will still be pounding the pavement to promote that work or you won't publish traditionally again. First time writers (note that word, please) rarely get promo budgets unless they are already known and if you happen to get an advance and don't make that money back in sales - good luck with your next book.
But I digress, we are talking about self publishing vs. traditional and the fact of the matter - whether most people want to admit it or not - is that most people who self-publish fiction were or are unable to get their work accepted by a traditional house. Even worse, their are some people who finish a novel and then have the audacity to tell others that they shouldn't have to pay the same dues as the rest of us in regard to sending out query letters, looking for an agent, drafting, re-drafting, etc... Sympathy for those folks, I have not. I think that if you believe in your work and you make it the best it can be, if it's good enough, SOMEONE in the traditional publishing world will notice. This may take years to happen, but if you stick with it, it will. And no, that does not mean you have to publish with a large New York house, but the bottom line in fiction writing is that money should flow TO the writer. You should never have to pay for your work to be published and that includes PODS, vanity presses, and the evil institutions such as Publish America. (That's right. Sue me, PA!) If you are truly dedicated to your craft, the answer should be easy. Do your work; do your research, and follow your dream, but remember; dreams can take time!

Writer's Block

It's that inevitable thing that happens to every writer at some point of whatever project he or she is working on. The ideas stop coming and frustration sets in. A writer can stare at the same page for hours, days, weeks, well you get it, but my block is quite different. So different it's odd and I can't explain it, so figured I would try to write about it here. That idea first came about 4 days ago! Told you...

In truth, I haven't done any writing that isn't insurance-related, for several weeks. What's worse is that I haven't written any fiction for months. I have written some ideas, but no prose or dialogue. I have a draft that is ready to be re-written and sent to a prospective publisher, but I can't seem to get the motivation to do the draft. What gives? So if you are a writer and are wondering why I think this is any different than any other type of writer's block, well that's because I actually think about new projects, characters, writing ideas, memoir ideas, and things that get me excited to write, but then a few minutes later, it's gone. It's like these ideas happen at work, in dreams, while I'm looking at some hot chick's butt at the gym, or any other time that just doesn't work with putting pen to paper.

Maybe just getting this out on here will help, but I don't know. I used to be so obsessed and good about writing a certain amount each day or editing a certain amount each day. Now all I can do is dream about it. Someone help me!