I've enjoyed the break writing a contemporary romance, but I've not been interrupted with ideas as I am when I'm working on a historical.
Yes, I'm looking forward to getting on with the Nottinghamshire story now; it's been calling to me, demanding attention. Entering the first chapter in the New Talent competition only confirmed the feeling I wanted to get back to it.
My aim is to work steadily through the second draft making changes, adding the missing characters, and scenes that I knew I needed -because my mind was blank about what I was aiming for at that point.
Over the weekend I'll be changing the images over on my big cork board.
The big board was really helpful with the contemporary story- so I hope it will work with my Nottinghamshire story too.
Even if I had a couple of days- or even a week- when I couldn't add to my word count, my characters and settings were by my desk, always at the corner of my vision, remaining in my thoughts. I never lost contact with them, so I was able to pick the story back up quicker from where I'd stopped at the end of the previous writing session.
Here are the lessons I've personally learnt from writing these two first drafts:
- Even a couple of hundred words a time soon adds up to a chapter, and then another.
- Just because a character says or does something unusual, there will be a reason later on.
- If a scene isn't working, make a note what it should be about and move on to the next bit.
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| The End is just The Beginning... |
- Don't worry about chapter length; end it when it feels right.
- Some scenes/chapters will be easier to write than others.
- The middle will always feel like you're climbing a mountain.
- When you see the end approaching, don't slacken the pace.
I'm going to catch up on reading a few new books on my Kindle too, while my mind is clear.
image courtesy of njaj and www.freedigitalphotos.net
Your lessons learnt resonated with me. How very true that a character will do or say something that becomes clear to us later. Hope you enjoy your reading catch up :-) xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Teresa. I'm actually tired at the moment from all the event stuff I was doing, plus getting the first draft finished, I need a bit longer to recover. :)
DeleteWell done on reaching The End, and thanks for sharing what you've learnt on your journey.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan.
DeleteI hope that by sharing what I have learnt from the process, it may help someone else, who could be finding an issue problematic.
Those lessons certainly ring true for me too, Carol. Well done for writing 'The End'. It's a lovely feeling.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wendy. Yes it's a great feeling, and for a few minutes unbelievable. :)
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