This is where writers from all across the land join up and post blogs about our writing fears, hopes, dreams. Join us! http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
So today's blog post might be a bit of a rambler. I've just sent the third book in The Lost Ancients series (The Emerald Dragon for those of you playing at home ;)) to some first round beta readers. Now I'm editing the first book in my space opera trilogy-The Warrior Wench, a book I wrote a while ago and haven't really looked at in about a year and a half. I'm also jotting down plans for the next three books in The Lost Ancients series and slight, ever so slight plans for the second book in the space opera. To make things more messed up, The Lost Ancients series is the only one of my books in first person. So when I switched to editing The Warrior Wench I wrote an entire page in first person...in the middle of a book written in third person.
SIGH.
Needless to say, with all of that, and the full-time evil day job, things in life are a bit rambly right now, so it makes sense this post would be. Hmmm, maybe I can start a new trend, using rambly everyday. "I'm so sorry, you've caught me at a very rambly time, could I get back to you next week?"
It could catch on.
Anywho- as I was saying, I have a lot going on. Recently someone noticed and asked why I did so much. Why didn't I slow down with my writing. I'm self-published, I don't have to get books out at a set time. I'm sure the look on my face was total horror.
Me: "Because I have to write, I have to edit."
Them: "But why? You're spending almost all of your free time working on one of your books."
Me: *sputtering* "Because...because...it's what I DO!"
Now, don't get me wrong, I still spend way too much time watching TV (trying to keep it down to an hour a day). But I do spend a lot of time on my writing. I love it. Even when I hate it, I love it. But more importantly, it's become part of who I am. I didn't even think when I shipped off The Emerald Dragon last Saturday-I dove right into The Warrior Wench immediately. No taking time off, no relaxing. To be honest, it didn't even dawn on me.
Writing is what I do. It's where my head and heart go whenever given a chance. I love creating new worlds, new characters, and new shenanigans for them to get into.
So I may be a bit frizzed and rambly write now--but I love it :).
Have a great IWSG day!
Marie, you're a bit frizzed and rambly write now? You got it bad, girl. Writing is taking over your vocabulary as well as your life.
ReplyDeleteDo what makes you happy. Do what makes your life full. Write now. Write away. There's no write way to live. Do what's write for you.
I feel as if your subliminal message has gotten through to me. I should get back to writing write away because it makes me happy.
Keep creating, Marie.
SEE! I didn't even notice that ;). And yes, yes you should. Like "write" now :).
DeleteAh, the perils of the full-time evil day job - if only we didn't have to worry about things like bills and mortgages. I've long since accepted that I'll likely never been a famous, best-selling author who can live off his work (teenage dreams aside), but I still need to write . . . even if nobody ever reads it. Like you say, it's what we do.
ReplyDeleteIt is! I know, if there was a magic money faery around, I'd leave this day job- alas haven't found one yet ;).
DeleteAnd I so get that! Maybe someday you won't need that evil day job BECAUSE you spent SO MUCH time on your writing now!!!
ReplyDelete*Fingers crossed* I hope so!! :)
DeleteI'm lucky to be married to a musician and artist who gets the passion to work on art and creative stuff. though it does help to take stock of your output and take breaks so you don't burn out. There are authors I've heard speak who were putting out a ton of self pub content, or say working in romance contracts with 3 to 4 books a year, they are burned out. Take care of yourself!
ReplyDeleteGood point! It's important to take down time or there will be nothing left to draw from.
DeleteI understand completely. If I had more time, I'd just fill that up with more writing. I like writing, I like plotting. It's a lot more fun than the evil day job.
ReplyDeleteWriting in first person, then switching the prose to third person, is supposed to be a great way of keeping the scene tight in the MC's POV.
Good point! For me, switching like that just messes my head up ;). But I could see it would be a great way to break into a stubborn third person character's head!
DeleteBecause I have to do it - LOL! I can relate. My schedule is so full of stuff. My husband says I am the worst boss ever.
ReplyDeleteI hope feeling rambly catches on. I'm totally using that.
Maybe we can start a rambly campaign!
DeleteI don't think any of us haven't accidentally switched POVs in the middle of a book. One of my CPs always writes first-person, present tense, and I've inadvertently gone back to my own book and made verb tense mistakes... But hang in there and ignore the people who don't understand the compulsion to do something we love so much. We wouldn't truly be ourselves without writing and the other awesome writers in the blogosphere. :)
ReplyDeleteVery true!
DeleteMy other hobbies tend to crowd in for my time. I have images in my head shouting "draw me" and scenes shouting "write me" and then I have to decide which one to do and then I go AAHHHHHH!!!
ReplyDeleteHere's to wishing you a less rambly time!
Hope your head gets the two forms of art to play nice together! :)
DeleteWhy?
ReplyDeleteBecause you're a writer. Would ask a painter why they paints so much? Would you ask an architect why they designs buildings so much? Would you ask a bird why it flies so much, or a fish why it swims so much?
We write, that is what writers do.
Well said!
DeleteLove that you are so motivated. Hang in there it's worth it as I'm sure you know. :)
ReplyDeleteLove that you are so motivated. Hang in there it's worth it as I'm sure you know. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
Delete