There have been many times over my writing career where I have lost confidence in my skill, doubted myself, and wondered if I’m even good enough for this to be worth it. Below are two exercises I have done that have helped me remind myself that I am making progress and help keep my confidence intact.
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Lessons Learned From My First Draft
I’m about 40,000 words into the first draft of my current novel. There are many lessons that I’ve learned along the way of this piece of writing, as well as past projects. Here are a select few that I believe novice writers should be aware of:
Just Start Writing
In all my years of writing, my biggest problem has been simply getting started. Once I am at my desk, or wherever I can get my laptop open, the writing usually comes easy. So, what’s stopping me? Why do I struggle with what should be the easiest act, just sitting down and starting to write?
Outlining: How Much Is Too Much?
How much outlining is too much? Your initial response to that question might be that there is no cap to how much you should outline, I mean the more prepared the better, right? Not necessarily. Over outlining is a thing, and it can lead to problems when getting to work on your piece of writing. Continue reading “Outlining: How Much Is Too Much?”
Staying Motivated for the Long Haul
When it comes to writing a novel the biggest challenge for me hasn’t been coming up with ideas, or even finding the time, but staying motivated to continue. When writing short fiction, especially pieces that I can finish within a day or two, you get the satisfaction of seeing your completed story almost instantly. With a novel, you don’t get that instantly, or even soon. You might not get that feeling for years, and that can be incredibly daunting.