...because every author wants to feel like a goddess!
Less than five minutes ago, I finished writing what I hope will be my first book! I’m still not knowing how or what to feel…I’m blank, or as an alias, known as “Exhausted.”
Now, my plan is to have two weeks off of writing — one week of doing nothing with the editing of this story, and then one week of beginning my second one, which I’ve already written the prologue to.
Life is awesome tonight…though I’m as nervous as hell!
Help, to those who have written a book — What does it feel like to you?
I could define Merriam-Webster’s definition of marriage, but not going to, because I disagree with their “definition” of marriage. I think that one can be married to anything, just like it’s often hear that some people are “married to their jobs.” I can see how that can be true, especially for a writer…but at the end of the day, you are also a husband or a wife.
ARE YOU MARRIED TO YOUR BOOK?
For some writers, I’ve heard that some feel like they are married to the book that they are writing. I am about to finish writing what I hope will be my first, and I think that after having shared so much effort, time, drama, happy, sad, confusing experiences with it, I can’t help but feel married. Isn’t that a lot like being really married? My struggles that I have had with my book, I think make it stronger (and made me a little more frazzled), but that doesn’t mean that I don’t love it any less. There have been nights where I’m listening to my husband snore and though as bad as it might be, all I can think about is the fight I’m having with my characters, but after sleeping on it, everything is better the next day..or at least after some time has gone by.
…OR ARE YOU MARRIED TO YOUR SPOUSE?
During the process of writing my book, there has been nobody else who has been as supportive as my husband. He has pushed me to do things that I didn’t know I could do, and he believes in me more, as each day passes. This journey has been amazing for both of us, especially with our communicating skills, as he shares his brilliant thoughts, comments or suggestions for my book. He’s helped me on the days (and weeks) that I have literally stared at the computer, by having the confidence in me that I’ve needed to reach my goal. I’ve only been married just of a year, but we were together for a longer time before that, so nothing is new about him, not even the annoying way he eats a cookie. I love being married, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. He is the one I vent to about my hardheaded characters, he’s the one who asks (on most days) if I have written, and it’s because of him that I can say, “I am a writer…and a wife!”
Awhile ago, I posted two blogs that relate to this one. Here they are Blog 1 and Blog 2.
When my husband suggested that we go to the bookstore on Saturday to work, it melted my heart, because I (usually) love writing in a place where I’m most comfortable and inspired. Sadly, the bookstore was packed (though a great thing for B&N), so we came home. I was fortunate to get some writing done, and even stayed up until 5:30 Sunday morning to write!
On Sunday morning, with the hubby at a friend’s house brewing beer, I decided to head to the bookstore to write. I was disappointed when there wasn’t a place near a plug, but hey, at least I was there writing. Finally, I saw two college-aged women who were sitting in a corner by a plug, start to pack up, so in the meantime, I gathered my stuff and waited for them to leave. Ahh, finally, I thought, now I’m content. As time progressed, many people started filing in, which became very distracting, not because of the adults or whining babies, but because of the teenagers! The Cafe in the B&N was crammed with cliquish teenagers who had brought their cool brand new (I’m assuming) laptops and were chugging down coffee, in the “Venti” size. (Why don’t they just say large or extra-large?) It was obvious that they were “working” on their assignments they had put off to the last minute, which of course, are due today. It had turned into a teenage bar! After trying to ignore them for half an hour, I couldn’t focus on my work, and decided to go back home, feeling disappointed and frustrated because I really hadn’t made any real progress.
Lesson to be learned: If you plan on getting some work done on the weekends at B&N, just stay home, because you’ll definitely be more productive. If you must work there, do it on a week day, because the kids are in school and or, are busy with other activities.
Yesterday, I updated my “News” tab on my page, and wanted to share it as a blog.
March 5th: So, today, 13 days away from my original deadline, my husband said that he would give me a “surprise”…if I finish the book by THIS Friday! That’s 6 days away! I think he’s out of his brilliant mind, but usually his surprises arepretty damn wonderful, so I’m seriously considering his offer! (Do I dare put myself through 6 days of some intense writing?) 🙂
Writers, how do your boyfriends/girlfriends/husbands/wives reward you after you have finished your book?
When I began writing my book, I really never thought that it would turn into a book. That was not my intention, at least at that time. I was taking online writing classes and was just doing my assignments, but then something happened — I couldn’t stop! My characters were beginning to be my friends, and I knew their secrets. Like with friends, we had our disagreements and didn’t always get along, and sometimes we didn’t talk to each other for days, even weeks at the most, but we always came back together. Not only my characters, but also the storyline I was creating, followed me wherever I went — it was all I thought about. As the words kept flowing, the story began to go somewhere, and just like that, I was halfway, and then I was three-quarters of the way finished…
Now, as my deadline nears, I find that I’m having trouble writing the ending. Maybe it’s because I don’t know, because I haven’t ever written one, but I think it goes deeper than that. I really think that I’m not wanting to say my goodbyes to my “friends,” and I certainly don’t want the storyline to end, I want to know what happens to them! Yes, I’m sure that it sound selfish, but this is the first book I’ve ever written. My deadline is 13 days away, and I know I’ll make it, but until then, I’ll be loving the heart out of writing my book!
WRITING IN THE COUNTRY
Some of my best writing has been done while in the country. While I’m being surrounded amongst trees, dirt roads, birds, goats and cows, I am in what I call my “happy place.” My writing is smooth, my characters seem happy, and the storyline moves along at a steady pace. Unfortunately, Mr. Writer’s Block sometimes decides to join me and view the countryside, but when I’m there, I don’t mind. I take a breath, walk around, and then come back to it, not having it ruffled my feathers.
WRITING AT THE BEACH
When I go on beach vacations, the first thing I pack is my laptop, knowing that I’ll be able to get some work done, while lounging under an umbrella and sipping on strawberry daiquiri! I’ve noticed that when I write at the beach, it seems to be very different from the day-to-day writing that I do when I’m not on vacation. It is silly to say, but the beach brings out my erotica side. My scenes are a lot more steamier, my characters are almost always “in the mood,” and thanks to the inspiration of the lovey-dovey couples that I observe, it helps me stay focused on my work.
LAZY WEEKEND WRITING
These days are my most favorite. I seem to be focused on writing, and nothing else, (though I first make sure that the husband and cat are fed). When it’s a lazy day and I’m focused on my work, it’s amazing at what gets done, and how everything just seems to come together. I could have done nothing all week, and come to the computer for two straight days and catch up, sometimes even writing five days worth! (On Saturday and Sunday, I have to thank my husband for his encouragement to wake up early and write).
I’m curious…what and where is your “HAPPY PLACE?”
Last year, at the very beginning of my book, I had a title for my book. It was going to be Second Thoughts of the Sexless Fiancée, but then the characters began “speaking,” and thing changed drastically. Now, I’m writing the end of my book and I still don’t have a title! Yes, I could just call it “Book 1,” but who wants that on the cover of their first book? I certainly don’t. I have put my heart and soul into this book, and I think that it deserves to have something really catchy, along the same lines as it was originally named. I’m not saying that the title has to grab the reader, though that would be nice, but I’m really thinking about the characters and the story that I think needs to be told.
So, tonight I’m wondering, how do you come up with titles of your books?
Years ago, I read Emily Giffin’s amazing book “Something Borrowed,” followed by “Something Blue.” Halfway through her third book, “Baby Proof,” I stopped reading her delightful series…though not because I wanted to, but because life got in the way. (Isn’t that always how it is?) Just recently, I reread “Something Borrowed,” and a few days afterwords, I found out that it has been turned into a MOVIE, which comes to theaters on May 6th, of this year! (I can hardly wait!)
Last March I started writing a book, not thinking that I wouldn’t get as far as I have, and these last few days before it’s finished, people are asking me what my goal is? Besides having a book published, I really hadn’t thought about it — until now! My lifetime writing goal is to have a book that I have written be turned into a movie. (I credit Ms. Giffin for showing me that dreams can come true).
Today I signed up for March Madness, thanks to reading THIS blog!
My goals for this month (or, rather for part of this month) is to write at least 3,000 words a day and to have my book finished by the 18th!
What are your writing goals for the Month of March?
