To Write, or Not to Write

Is Writing Truly Solitary?

2012-01-27T17:49:00.000-08:00

Before, I used to think so too. However, now, I would have to disagree.

To a point, it is, especially if you're new to the whole writing thing. And everyone knows it can sure as heck feel like you're absolutely alone in the world when you're working on your WIP. When you're getting frustrated and discouraged and want to just give up, throw in the hatchet! Those are some pretty dark times - I still get them more than I like. That feeling I'll never get finished, the idea isn't good/strong enough, or that no one is even interested in it. In part, I think it has to do with your self-esteem as a person, and how confident you are in your writing. And those are both something I still struggle with, if I feel brave enough to be honest. Tonight, I do.

But, in all honesty, writing really isn't that solitary. And no, I'm not talking about agents and editors and all that jazz; I haven't gotten that far, so how could I? I'm referring to the people you have in your corner - like your writing buddies. The people you bounce ideas off of, brainstorm with, confide your worries and frustrations about your novel with and they help you through it. The people who look at your first draft and are polite about how many godforsaken errors and whatnot are riddled throughout it. Those people.

It's good to have people like that, people you know will be honest but still be in your corner. I have a truly awesome CP, and I want to thank her now for being so wonderful. (Seriously, she read the original draft of Devour/now titled Dancing Demons which was a whopping 180k and is now willing to read the complete rewrite I'm working on). Whether you have one CP, two, three, ten, it's good to have them. More sets of eyes other than your own are always better. I'm currently looking for some more CP's who hopefully will be as great as the one I already have.

In the end, my answer is no, though. It's not solitary. Not when you really think about it. So thank you to all the wonderful critique partners and writer buddies out - it'd be almost impossible without you. =).

Until next time!
KS

How Much, Is Too Much -

2012-01-20T17:57:00.000-08:00

- When it comes to different species in your novel?

Take, for instance, urban fantasy (or even just fantasy), since that's where I, personally, more or less enjoy lingering the most. Obviously, there is such a thing as reader overload, so should you limit the amount of species you have in your story? Pick a few to predominate and leave it at that, or divide the amount that appear evenly in different novels (if it's a series, which I'm fond of, again)? That way the reader realizes all these different species are there, but don't have to try to remember them all from just one story. Hmm... What works for you, as a writer?

For me, usually, if I plan to have a broad spectrum of different creatures, I let it be known, but only use the ones needed to get the story told. Even then, though, what's too much? A fine line to toe, and one too easy to cross, if not careful. Especially if you're going out there and creating your own supernaturals, and not simply sticking to the cookie cutter ones (which there's nothing wrong with; huge fan of the classics; there's nothing better IMHO).

If you're creating your own, or making your own rules that completely deviate from rules most are used to, I feel you do have to be careful not to overload the reader. Else, you'll get confusion, references back and forth because you can't keep the facts straight between species Bob and species Harry, and all that nasty mess. And no one wants that; at least I don't.

So, for the sake of simplicity when I can, I try to limit the amount of different creatures I introduce at once. It works for me, but every writer is different. Like DNA and fingerprints.

Now, as far as writing goes... Since my last post, the writing has been pretty successful, the bulk coming from my new urban fantasy. I started some on my new YA fantasy, and I've started seriously planning the rewrite for Devour. Ever since contemplating it, I've been on the fence about it. But after a long chat with some one's whose opinion I value, I've decided to at least give the new version a try. The worst that could happen is I don't like it, but the original better. At least I'll be honing my skill more. I haven't forgotten about my other works, but until they stop being difficult, they'll be in time out.

Hopefully, I can work on them tonight. Haven't been able to today, as I've been sick for the better part of it. Chewable Dramamine sucks. Thankfully, the hubby brought me the regular. It seems to be helping now, thank God. So I'm off to try and get some work done!

Until Monday! Have a great weekend!

KSP

And I'm Back in the Saddle Again -

2012-01-18T10:13:00.000-08:00

- After my old computer broke in half at the hinges (yup, had to get a new one; the biggest reason I haven't been posting). Nausea's better after a lot of prayer, Dramamine, and acupressure bands. I still feel like crap sometimes, mostly after eating, but no more puking. The entire Holidays were spent over a trash can - not fun. And no writing. Just a lot of sleeping. Then, when I did feel better, still couldn't do anything because of the whole broken comp thing. Yeah...

But things are looking up some, now. Writing's still so-so, however I blame that more on me instead of the baby. Something is missing in the WIPs I really want to work on. Every time I try to write, though, I just don't feel it. Know what I mean? So, I pushed them to the back burner and I'm letting them stew for a little while.

See, if I just force myself to write, it'll be crap. It's different when I just think it's not "good," but still on a good track, getting the word count up, and so on and so on. When I'm not, I'm stuck, and I'm just forcing words out (akin to prying teeth)... It sucks. At least for me.

So I'm not. I started a new WIP yesterday, a dark urban fantasy, and wrote 4 thousand words in one setting. So I'm focusing on that. Seems to be working, and as long as I'm writing something, I'm happy. =).

On another happy note, I go back to the doctor the 30th of this month. Hopefully, I get to hear the heartbeat, finally. Even though I've gotten to see it, have pictures even, it still seems so surreal to me. When I was watching it during the sonogram, it was just so... so weird, I guess. Thinking something is actually growing inside me, watching it twitch - it twitched! My little strawberry twitched right there in front of me!

Before, I thought it was close to gross - before when I was adamant I did not want children and the whole white picket fence thing (still don't want the picket fence; my dog would escape through the boards and I'd be devastated if anything happened to her). But things change, and for the first time, I'm awed by the whole pregnancy/baby ordeal. It's strange.

I have a friend who's also pregnant, about six weeks further than me, and she said she felt the same way. Still does, actually. Maybe this is something all first time mother's feel. I don't know. I've never been pregnant before, but, though I hate the sickness and the cramps and all that stuff, I am happy. For once.

Until Friday!

KSP

P/S - A Belated Happy New Year Everyone! Thanks for following!

It Rains; It Pours

2011-12-21T19:16:00.000-08:00

So... Where I've been leery of taking my anxiety meds because of all the horrible effects that could happen to the unborn baby, my anxiety is once more coming back. It's an annoying flutter in my chest, a tingle in my hands, a restlessness in my feet, and a faint feeling I can't shake. It twists my stomach in knots impossible to work out. It sucks. Another battle, along with baby sickness, to fight as I try to write. But one I intend to win, and I'm anything if not stubborn.

Now, I don't know how many people are like me in this regard, but it's very difficult for me to stay focused on just ONE project. I have to have different ones to work on. When I'm not working on TAINTED, I'm either working on TWICE DIED, contemplating DEVOUR, or working out the kinks and trying to think up a beginning for SAVAGE IVY. The two I'm most interested in are TAINTED and SAVAGE IVY, with TWICE DIED coming in extremely close behind. DEVOUR I'm not too worried about. It'll come in its own time.

However, with the lack of word count I've been whipping up lately, none of my projects may come. I managed 700 words yesterday on TAINTED, which is a definite setback. There's still a group meeting that needs wrote out before I can start a new chapter and get into the thick of things. I'm dragging my feet. And all these setbacks aren't good for a girl's motivation, especially while pregnant. It's makes that cat nap all the more welcoming, which isn't good. Not for Adaline and her pals, anyway.

So, I've begun the search of a beta reader. Someone to help push me along when I get down and think it's all crap and want to scrap pile the entire thing. Nothing as of yet, but I'm keeping my hopes up. Optimism is the new black, at least for me. Trying this whole the cup's half full approach. I'll let you know later how it really goes. =). Until then!

K.S.

Thankfully, Today Was Better Than Yesterday

2011-12-19T15:05:00.000-08:00

Because yesterday borderline sucked. The hubby and I went Christmas shopping for everyone, like planned, but I was sick the ENTIRE morning and afternoon. Before the pregnancy, I was always getting motion sickness anyway. Now, it's worse - so much worse. I can't even look at a vehicle without wanting to toss my cookies. We weren't even ten minutes away from the house before I started throwing up. Yeah... it sucked. Because from there it just got worse. But we got the shopping done, so it wasn't a total loss. The only people we still have left are my father and his. I think... Hmm... I'll have to check.

Later on, the hubby bought me some Popsicles, which helped. A lot. Cold stuff USUALLY does, that's why I always put my food in the fridge now. Weird, I know. But, I was too busy wrapping to get any writing done, unfortunately. I'm going to try to write some later tonight, but I still have some more gifts to wrap. I'm hoping I get to write SOME. I, at least, have to write down a new idea, inspired by a dream I still have to make sense of. That's where I get a lot of my story ideas, so I guess it's a good thing my anxiety meds didn't help with my sleep, huh?

TAINTED and TWICE DIED I didn't get from my dreams. TWICE DIED is actually an OLD WIP that I never finished. Actually, I got to chapter two and disliked the writing, so I scrapped it. However, I like the idea and the plot, so I put it in my rewrite pile. And here we are today! TAINTED is pretty much new, and DEVOUR, yeah, it's a few years old now and still getting worked over. =). But that's what happens when you believe in something. You don't give up. Ever. So until next time!

K.S.

Eh, It Could've Been Better

2011-12-17T19:57:00.000-08:00

Not a lot was accomplished today as far as writing went. For TAINTED, I wrote roughly 700 words today. TWICE DIED, probably not even one hundred. And as far as the complete rewrite of DEVOUR, I lost words instead of gained them. Decided I wasn't happy with the new beginning I'd wrote about a week ago, and scrapped it. Well, all of it except for the first two hundred or so words. I can't decide whether I want to write it in it's original POV, first person, or in third person, like TAINTED and TWICE DIED are both written. Both have advantages, as well as disadvantages. Definitely will have to think about it. At least the nausea has finally settled somewhat.

Today wasn't a good one. More of a curl up on the couch and cat nap because the little bugger visiting inside for the next eight months didn't want to agree with anything I ate today. Just one of those things, right? I know. Told the hubby if he really does want two children, he better hope twins come out because I'm not doing this twice, =P. He just laughs, which is good. He could be like one of my exes, go off the deep end in a violent rage. No, he's not like that. For once, I can say I'm pretty lucky. =).

Except right now as he watches wrestling from the 90s on Netflix. Ew. Until another time, probably Monday (maybe you'll even get a favorite word of the day). We're going Christmas shopping tomorrow. We haven't bought anything for anyone yet, lol. Yeah, we're behind, but in our defense we planned a wedding, got married, went on our honey, and now we're pregnant. Oh, and we moved. Which is great, by the way - love it. Until next time. Au revoir!

K.S.

A New Start

2011-12-16T21:32:00.000-08:00

My old blog: http://katie-s-taylor.blogspot.com./

Everything is different now, though - but for the better - so I felt the need for a change. A new beginning, of sorts.

My anxiety is under control, the hubby and I are finally in our own place (own it, yay!), I'm married, and I'm expecting, =). So, a lot's happened, and for all that too have happened, my writing had to be put on hold. Actually, everything but actual life did. I left the computer completely alone, got my anxiety under control after several severe attacks (still have them, but it's better), found I had a thyroid disorder. And during all that, the love and I reconnected. Granted, we weren't having problems, but we just got closer, and I wouldn't change that for anything.

Then, I got engaged. Started planning a wedding. Got married. And now I'm a little over three weeks along. So, I figured it was time I got back in the swing of things, especially since I finally started on a new WIP. The entire time I've been on hiatus I haven't wrote anything, not really. No, actually I just haven't. But at the time, I needed that. But, now I don't. Because I'm happy. Truly, truly happy. And I'm ready to start doing what I love to do again. Writing. So cheers to the new year and all that it brings. =)

K.S.