tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359488738647542307.post6517952988375497501..comments2024-01-29T10:16:49.201+00:00Comments on 52 Ways To Write A Novel: Week Four: Rowan Coleman's 'Letter To A New Writer'Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700477414937065931noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359488738647542307.post-3395365856835454412014-06-01T08:48:04.276+01:002014-06-01T08:48:04.276+01:00I'm getting used to returning to full-time wor...I'm getting used to returning to full-time work after twenty years working part-time four days a week, so I'm missing those extra hours in a week that I previously had to write. However, I sit at my desk and aim to write 1,000 words, but once I get going I usually write more.Deborah Carrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06485250269163266011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359488738647542307.post-9277500914923783762014-05-21T10:10:49.856+01:002014-05-21T10:10:49.856+01:00Great replies so far, thank you so much for commen...Great replies so far, thank you so much for commenting.<br /><br />Isn't Rowan's advice spot-on? I especially love the observation that any old idea for a novel just won't work. It has to have legs, it has to be book-shaped, i.e. be a book-length series of cause and effect decisions/actions that lead to one inescapable conclusion.<br /><br />In other words, it has to have a PLOT.<br /><br />What keeps me from the world of my novel? Many, many things. The internet though mostly these days. In the past it would have been my garden, or a good book, or my kids, or 'thinking', i.e. doing nowt in a productive manner. <br /><br />Bills drive me back to my desk. Bills and a fear of failure.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06700477414937065931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359488738647542307.post-15958727808213945972014-05-20T09:56:21.566+01:002014-05-20T09:56:21.566+01:00Well, at the chime of the perfectly oiled and poli...Well, at the chime of the perfectly oiled and polished clock standing next to me on my oiled and polished desk (which of course is in my pristine office), I sit down every day at the appointed time. From my perfectly manicured fingers flow AT LEAST 5K words before I waft to the kitchen in a cloud of perfume and silk scarves. I contemplate the edits that will make it even more perfect while my freshly ground coffee brews. The only things that interrupt me are calls from my agent/editor offering me even more money. Shame on you all. Shame on you.E.M. Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565716658256251123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359488738647542307.post-11420456916805436912014-05-19T22:07:50.362+01:002014-05-19T22:07:50.362+01:00Distractions and procrastination?
Emptying dishwa...Distractions and procrastination? <br />Emptying dishwasher and airing cupboard, food shopping, gaffing about on spill media. <br />But as Rowan says,'Write the damn' book!' because the writing fairies are not going to come along in the night and do it for you...Alison Mortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12638794898163576730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359488738647542307.post-35585951371354259982014-05-19T19:35:00.451+01:002014-05-19T19:35:00.451+01:00This was a good encouraging kick up the ..... Than...This was a good encouraging kick up the ..... Thank you Rowan! Anne L Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669443897089579119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359488738647542307.post-26088233415914879042014-05-19T18:39:42.686+01:002014-05-19T18:39:42.686+01:00I'm the daily word count type - once I've ...I'm the daily word count type - once I've done my daily words I'm happy. If its going well, I keep writing, if its not I stop. But I got my 1000 words done at least.Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04455468630528565144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359488738647542307.post-55513680484377827632014-05-19T14:49:04.492+01:002014-05-19T14:49:04.492+01:00Good letter. And Sarah will get there, I'm sur...Good letter. And Sarah will get there, I'm sure she will.Lesley Cookmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10699182779296799170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359488738647542307.post-8484550182655900212014-05-19T14:31:38.161+01:002014-05-19T14:31:38.161+01:00Nice post - any encouragement always goes a long w...Nice post - any encouragement always goes a long way!!<br />I'm always flagging - and its hardest to write when it's not going well. But then I just have to nail myself to the chair and write my way out of the sticky patch.Deborah Swifthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10594174632573628818noreply@blogger.com