In a fit of insanity, I decided to post up a very short blurb from the blasted novel. I don't know why. I think because it is eating me alive on so many levels. I really want to finish this story, to complete this journey. I want folks to read it. I think I need some feedback as I go through the revisions, the crazy edits and the layering on process.
I have no clue if what I am doing is interesting, or entertaining, or even decent writing. I don't know. I have been wrapped in this story for over 20 yrs. Seriously. I have years of notes but no serious attempt to write the story, until last fall.
I said sure, I will do NaNoWriMo. I was unprepared and it was mid October, so I thought, lets dig this puppy out and try it. So far, so good. But I don't know, this is going out on a limb, in a big way.
See, I have tried other novel ideas and have stopped in various stages. Why you ask? Because those stories are not the story. This one is. I am too close, totally, irrationally in love with it.
~ This is a perfect example. After I typed that last line, I opened a section of the story and started reading and editing and tinkering with words and phrases and the like. That was two hours ago. I have other things I need to do today but I was lost in the story.
I think I will post up an occasional excerpt for the heck of it. I have been writing in the blog frequently about the whole process and what not. It helps. Stay tuned.
The end is just the beginning..
I totally think you should post excerpts here. I'd love to read them, Pat. I loved the one you posted yesterday.
Posted by: Nicole | 06/08/2010 at 03:17 PM
Pat, I think it's a great idea. I really enjoyed yesterday's post and I picked up on it right away. I think the possibilities for where you can take that beginning are endless.
Posted by: David Sobkowiak | 06/08/2010 at 03:32 PM
Well then, I will have to do that. Oh to meet the bad guy, I love him and hate him, if that makes sense. I hope that the characters are full of life, the good, and the bad.. I will post more.
Posted by: Patrick | 06/08/2010 at 05:37 PM
Yes, I agree with David and Nicole. Do it.
Posted by: Jenny Beans | 06/08/2010 at 06:54 PM
definitely keep posting things. Just remember one thing - it's great to be in love with your story, but there are two things you have to watch out for:
1.Don't get in love with the line by line or paragraph by paragraph details. Because that's what will probably get changed a lot in editing. The "story" is what this is all about.
2.Don't be surprised if the "story" changes as you work through it. regularly ask yourself what the key pieces that make the story good are and make sure you build on those as you go forward.
Posted by: Edward G. Talbot | 06/08/2010 at 07:54 PM
@Ed ~ yep its the details that get changed, edited, revised. It is the story I am talking about, the characters, that I have fallen in love with and it is a bit weird. The story has changed a bit, not the main ideas or what I have built upon, but the small stuff, and how those ideas are presented. Some of it has gone to places I never imagined, but they are part of the story, it feels 'right'.
Posted by: Patrick | 06/08/2010 at 10:46 PM
You'll get there. god is in the details.
Posted by: vange | 06/09/2010 at 03:33 PM