ALT: For the Writer in You

Writing a novel is fun but for anyone who’s ever actually tried (and eventually succeeded), we all know what really goes on from point A to point Z (or beyond, if you’d like). All those late nights crafting lines tossed between your characters. And need I mention all those quantities of caffeine taken before, during and after writing? Some days, we sit on our desks and we wonder where we even get all the words and ideas that we managed to produce. Then there are those awful, awful days of staring blankly at the screen (or paper, if you’re a throwback like me and prefer writing longhand) for a good half hour.

Writer friends, fellow bloggers, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. Okay?

I have just finished a story for the first time in years. (Fun fact: That previous one was a fan fiction. A horror fan fiction.) I was coming to the end of the story, trying to piece things together and at the same time trying to shove aside the insecurity nibbling away on my sanity. So I wrote and I wrote, trying to get back to writing daily (thanks to Chuck Wendig’s great advice) and just wanting to finish at least something I started. When I finally put my pen down, fingers stiff and aching, I couldn’t help the grin blooming on my face (and the grins that followed each time I glance at the notebook it was written in). It’s finally finished!

We all know that finishing a story is just another set of beginning. Amiright? So here’s a set of really helpful posts that will help you, whether you’re in the middle of writing a novel or just starting out. It’s all about dusting off those cobwebs and polishing your idea/novel. So here they are. Help yourselves and click away. 🙂

• Does an idea never go away? You think it’s going to be a springboard for a really good novel? This one’s a good read for you, then: 11 Steps to Turn Your Plot Bunny into a Full-Fledged Novel
• If you’re stuck with how to make your characters more alive, more interesting, more appealing so they don’t come off as a big “blah!”, you’re in luck. Here’s a really good resource for building your fictional character.
• There are days we feel vulnerable as writers. We don’t feel good enough about our talent. We think less of ourselves. That’s okay. It happens. And Men with Pens tells us how to overcome that insecurity.
• Never, ever underestimate the powers of having a website. If you write, better start creating one. Here’s what your website should have.
• Have a full-time job? Don’t tear your hair out yet. You can still find the time to write. It’s cool. Sarah Allen gives us simple but insightful things so we don’t drown in all the other tasks PLUS our writing.
• Still struggling with your character? Here are 33 ways to write stronger ones.
• This is an interesting subject and worth reading: “What is your character’s love style?” It’ll help you with your character building, I promise.
• Lastly, a quick and fun read: “Eight things a writer shouldn’t tell their friends or family.” I had to laugh out loud when I read number five. And here, I thought I was the only one who does that. I was SO RELIEVED.

Well, I wish you all a happy start of another week! 🙂 Now don’t forget to write.