New Words

Snow. How I'd love a bit more of it covering the ground outside.

I refuse to beg forgiveness for the fact that I haven't posted in a while. I have a life, and I am entitled to a break every now and then. [I really did miss you all, though.]

The only story I've ever finished is a novel that I ended up calling "Average." (This was my NaNo novel that I'm sure I've mentioned before.) I actually self-published it and can now hand out copies to my friends/family to read. Hopefully this shows people that a) I'm serious about writing, and b) that I can write.

I worked on that novel for about two years total - wow. Two years of my life. I've changed a lot since the initial idea came to me, and I haven't really created anything new in a while...

It's time to write again.

My next novel is already begun. I'd love for it to be a series, but I don't know if I have enough plot or ideas to keep it going. We shall see. The book will be divided up between a guy's perspective, Dominic, and a girl's perspective, Alana. It is NOT a love story. There may be a bit of romance somewhere along the way, but that is not the premise or focus, yada yada yada. Dominic and Alana's lives are twisted together in a different sort of way.

A writing tip (for you and for me): make sure you know what you are getting into. Why? Because in order for a story to "create itself," to flow, to have a perfect ending, you - the author - must first know your characters and setting forwards and backwards.

I've started several novels with just an idea or a scene in my head and I take it as far as I can just by that (usually about 10-20 pages). And then I leave it alone, because I had no idea what I was trying to create in the first place. So don't follow me that way...This novel, I'm doing it right.

I'm asking myself reader questions. Who is Alana? Why does she do what she does? What are the other conflicts in the story that push the plot along? Etc.

Don't get too caught up in the research and planning, though. Let yourself be inspired by the idea of the story. Just don't jump in without a little preamble and focus, okay? Right. Glad we're all in agreement.

So, wish me luck! Do you have any writing tips for me?

~Koree/Caitlin ~