In third grade, I got into a fight with a bigger kid because he tried to help me fix my bike. I didn’t want any help and I was willing to get my ass kicked to prove it.
This inability to ask for help has been a thread that has “run” throughout my life. It’s actually another story altogether and will surely find its way into this book.
So I had written a WHOLE page prior to my decision in the last 24 hours to commit the time and effort into writing a novel. And today I forced myself to write a few more paragraphs…and then it hit: I really have no clue what I’m doing and I need help. Heretofore, I had assumed that my natural talent would just flow and I would pen the next breakout novel. Reality bit me in the ass, thankfully, and I realized that I didn’t become a really good paramedic through instinct (although later on that helped) but it was through practice and a willingness to learn.
I headed over to Barnes & Noble tonight in search of a new journal to use for outlining and story/plot ideas as well as a platform for note taking. I thought I might need some help in figuring out how to proof my manuscript and how to go about getting it published (all mind you before I’m even on page two…does anyone see a pattern here?). Well, some divine humility reared its graceful head while I was there and I bought a book about how to actually write a book…it’s called the Complete Handbook of Novel Writing 2nd Edition by the editor’s of Writer’s Digest. This book may suck and I’m sure some of you may recommend some better resources, but I needed to just settle on one and move forward. I know myself and I could easily waste a ton of time researching “the best book on writing” and find myself still stuck on page one.
So I’ve got some basic tools and am looking forward to starting my new second job, novelist, first thing tomorrow morning!
November 26th, 2012 at 19:27
My journal has provided some of the best material for writing blogs and books. It’s hard to find a good one! http://mccrackenlove.wordpress.com
November 27th, 2012 at 07:01
The internet offers a lot of credible resources. The key word there being “credible.” Talk to some authors and get advice from them. I’ve done this and they’ve given me some of their favorite, credible links. Writing a story is fun. Don’t lose that in the OCD methods that you, and I both seem to use. I get too into the editing process and lose the fun of it. I have to step back. lol If you worry too much about plot and character development in your first draft, you might lose some really good ideas in your brainstorming process. That’s normally what the first draft is anyway. Just a few thoughts for you. I’m not a huge expert by any means, but I’ve been brushing up with a few editors who didn’t mind to throw some really great references my way. I really enjoyed your post. You sound a lot like me!
November 27th, 2012 at 08:22
Thank you so much for the advice…any help I can get is appreciated. I agree that my OCD may end up being an asset down the road but my instinct is telling me just to write like hell and craft later. Thanks again, I really appreciate it!