Writerly Ways

[cornerofmadness]

I'm never going to get to that bigger post for this that I wanted to write. I'm just so swamped at work that by the time I get to this stuff I can't even think straight. Hell i need to remember to send word to the comic book store to not give up my pull list. I swear I'm coming sooner or later.

But I do have this bit of knowledge. Rewriting old novellas and expanding them sucks like a Hoover. I know I've said this before and I know I'm likely to say it again but it sucks. I keep saying I won't do this again but truthfully I have two more after this one that I want to sell so there is going to more posts like this.

The hard comes in multiple waves. For one, the story was already 'done.' My brain knows this. It rejects hard that the story needs to reopen and come alive again. Secondly I 'finished' two of the three remaining ones at least five years ago (and two on the other one) I no longer have these voices in my head. They've gone quiet and getting them to speak again is very hard.

And part of it is paranormal/UF/F/SF are my genres and these are of course all romances with those elements. I just don't care that much about the romance side of it but still the publishers want the romance. And that's what they want more of in this current project. I skipped those scenes because they bore me and now I have to look at this and figure it out.

I need help with that. I am sending it to ElD to look over but I might need even more help to spark the fire I need and I'm running out of time. The funny part is I know that when I send this off to her half the beginning will be radically changed before I even hear back. (I don't have the time to change/fix before sending) I can see where it's too tell not show and I know how to fix that part.

Why do I do these things to myself?


Links from around the web
Eternal and universal topics in writing

Things I Wish I Had Known Before Self-Publishing My Book

here. Harry Connolly: A Narrator In Every Port

It’s Never Too Late To Start Writing. This struck a chord with me because SO many on twitter have been dispensing criticism/advice saying if you're over 30 forget about being a writer. Ah 20 year olds. They think they know everything. ha.

Pitching Your Novel in Person: How It Differs from the Email Query

Love at First Line By Megan Collins

The Shame of Writing: Creative writing teacher and fiction author reveals what keeps you from writing.

And from Betty

The Editorial Process

How to Breathe Life into Your Characters

Things to Consider When Adding a Point of View Character

Turtle Power Your Way to Achieving Your Goals in 2020

Six Things Writers Should Know About Autistic People

How Do I Keep the Authorities Out of My Plot?

Podcast
259 – Turning Points

Comments

[thenewbuzwuzz]

Yeah, making your finished stories longer and putting in more of what bores you does sound like a recipe for suck.

Thanks for the links!

[spindle_ella]

The demand for crow-barring a romance in there is pushing me towards self-pubbing, tbh.

[cornerofmadness]

I know. I hear you. Ninestar Press has been better than most at not always needing it (I've worked with them with good results but that was romance. It's for them I'm torturing myself with this freaking novella)

[cornerofmadness]

Unfortunately yes but it has to be done

You're welcome

[ysilme]

The link about writing autisic people is really good, the author expresses exactly what I always feel. ;op

[cornerofmadness]

I agree. And they made their point without being hostile (some of the writers on this site can be a bit harsh)

[sperrywink]

Oh, good luck with the writing. ANd I know what you mean about your brain feeling like it is "done." That is a pain to overcome.

Thanks for the links!

[spindle_ella]

Yeah, I'm also in a position where two members of my writing group are traditionally published, but switched to self-publishing because they weren't being supported enough for the cut the publishers were taking, and another is a retired editor who'll happily look stuff over (and I was an illustrator before my nervous system pulled the rug, so I can skill-share). I've got more support in that arena than most.

Good luck with the novella - expanding a flashfic into a short story is bad enough.

[cornerofmadness]

Thanks. It's rough.

I can't blame them. Right now I don't have the time to invest in self pubbing to make it work so I'm willing to part with half to the publisher IF they're doing their job.

ugh I'm sorry to hear that. I was a surgeon before nerve injury ended me too

[cornerofmadness]

thanks especially since it was done years ago. sigh.

you're welcome

[spindle_ella]

Oh, man, I'm sorry to hear that. Nerve damage is terrible (among other obvious statements...)

[cornerofmadness]

thank you, it is. a patient's kick ruptured the nerve to the hand

[spindle_ella]

Oh, hell, that's awful.

[cornerofmadness]

it absolutely was. Still not over it 20 years later

[spindle_ella]

I can imagine :(

[cornerofmadness]

Being a professor is okay though so there's that

[spindle_ella]

It's good that you've got something related to work with. I make notebooks now, lol.

[cornerofmadness]

It is. It's hard to recover sometimes, isn't it?

[spindle_ella]

Yeah, I'm just trying to keep my head up and not dwell on the stuff I used to be able to do.

[cornerofmadness]

It's tough to do but here's to keep floating along with it all