Writing habits

[girlyswot]

It's been an odd few weeks as far as writing's concerned. I've been away from my trusty old laptop (and trying not to think about the brand shiny new one waiting for me back in PA), so computer time has been borrowed and sporadic. I was excited about the idea of having a notebook to take everywhere and scribble in as I went. I've done some of that, but found it harder than I expected. There's a tendency to doodle instead. And I think there's more pressure on every word, because it's so much harder to change things around than it is on the screen.

Plus I've found it hard to think about big stories while I've been writing in short spurts. I have written most of the next chapter of The Squib but until I get back to my computer and can check how it flows from the last and whether I've missed important bits of plot out, I won't send it to my beta. And I've no inspiration for the chapter after that.

I have written the Mary Sue fics which have been easy, quick and fun but aren't really going anywhere.

I bought a book on creative writing which feels like a huge step in saying this isn't just mucking about but could be a 'serious hobby'. I really don't think I have the potential or desire to ever make it more than that, but even this step feels like it maybe one too far. Hmm. Is this something I want to work at or just have fun with?

Today I was watching some daytime TV (one of my guilty pleasures, though I do find it best in small doses) and was struck by an unexpected idea for an original story. I did a little bit of quick googling and I think it may be a properly original idea, at least in the way I'd want to take it. But I really don't want to start this (which will be a big, long project requiring plotting and research) until I've finished The Squib. I hope that July will see that all completed - it is planned out and I've got some fun things in the next few chapters that should be good to write. So maybe August will be the time to start The Next Big Novel.

I just passed by the Quill and saw that someone was looking for info on publishing original fiction. It occurs to me that some of my readers here may also be interested in Macmillans New Writing Scheme. You can send a full draft of a novel, via email, to them at any time and they guarantee it will be read. One novel by a previously unpublished writer is accepted every month. Interestingly, they are happy to accept books which have previously appeared online or in vanity publishing. You don't have to live in the UK but your book does have to be in English. Between approx 50-150,000 words. Why not go for it?

Comments

[rhetoretician.livejournal.com]

Oooh, that New Writing scheme seems like a dream! But it also sounds like something for someone who's tried and failed to see previously. I'm definitely going to keep it on file. (Now, actually writing a 50,000 word fic is a completely different story...)

[girlyswot.livejournal.com]

You can do it, Ken, I know you can.

[moonette1.livejournal.com]

Yay for girlyswot's story idea!! Any hints on what the story may be about??

I checked out your link and then found a discussion about it here:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11725

If you read the beginning you'll see many writers wary and even calling it a scam. But if you go to the end - page 9, you'll see a different perspective, a bit more than a year later. Interesting.

The part about the second book is a little off-putting, though. If a first novel does well, you're locked into the same type of agreement with a second book. They retain first rights to it. Of course, that's all beyond me and any kernel of business acumen I may have right now anyway, but it's good to look at these things with a critical eye.

[girlyswot.livejournal.com]

I heard a radio discussion about the scheme when it was launched with a number of the same concerns being expressed. The representative of Macmillans sounded like he was talking quite a lot of sense, though. Better to get a first book published with an option on the second than not to get either published at all. And actually I think that sort of contract is not unusual in publishing anyway.

But hey, I'm no expert and I'm nowhere near likely to have anything to submit anyway.

The plot bunny that leapt into my head was prompted by a programme called 'The Heir-Hunters' about an agency that tracks down the legal heirs to unclaimed estates. It seems to me that this has lots of potential for thinking about issues of family and identity as well as fluffy romance. I think there have been a couple of unsuccessful thrillers based around this concept, but obviously(!) mine won't be like that.

Right, off to read some Dom and Dora...