TalkToYoUniverse tackles the question: Does your character have to be as smart as your reader? The post addresses a book I've started recently: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, which is an intriguingly voicey book. One that raises the question: can a book have too much voice? But that is another topic entirely.
Kidlit discussed how to balance action and information.
Writer Unboxed argued that you should only query 6-8 agents at a time.
And Nathan Bransford discussed using contradictions to develop character.
This morning, Ladonna posted about letting your character fart. Ladonna is a newer blogger, and I've really been enjoying her posts over the last few weeks. Please hop on over and visit her!
Has anyone used Net Galley? I'm intrigued by it, but I'm always reluctant to sign up for websites until I hear some feedback.
WiP Update
I'm not good at working on one project at a time. For the past few years, I've tried to mold myself into someone who can do that--who can focus on one novel and write the darn thing and then edit it. This is one of the reasons I've added WiP updates on Fridays--I've been hoping that it would force me into continuity. But this week I've realized that I need to embrace my own methods. So I've gone back to how I used to function when I first started writing: I have three or four WiPs open on my desktop, and I work on them interchangeably. A few pages here, a few pages there. Maybe only a sentence in one and a thousand words in another. And you know what--doing this has respawned my love for writing.
Can you focus on one novel at a time?
18 comments:
Ohhh, I love the other blogs. Thanks for sharing.
Oh man, that is multi-tasking! I am currently working on two WIPs and it's nearly killing me. And the only reason for me, I think, is it's hard to switch from char to char. The voice isn't a problem, just their emotions and what they're going through. I throw myself completely into one and her story, and find it hard to detach from her, and re-attach/re-synch to the other.
Which just goes to show, there's no ONE right way to write.
Going to check out Ladonna's blog now!
You should absolutely do things the way they work best for you. I really believe that. I can't work on more than one novel at a time though--not in the creating stage as I think of it. Meaning the first draft. I can't write two first drafts at the same time. My head would explode. That's just how I am. I like to focus on one project until I've got one complete draft. I can, however, write a first draft and edit or revise works I've already completed.
Thanks for the links! I can't focus on more than one novel at a time. I'm always surprised to see so many people that do. I can do a short story while I'm working on a novel, but I can't split my focus any more than that.
Have a good weekend! :)
I also work on more than one story at a time. The decision on what to work on is the character who is talking in my head. But I tell myself it is working, I have finished two stories so far, one is an e book already and the other is waiting for it's cover. We all have to use what works for use. We don't all think a like and it would be boring if we did. Enjoyed the new sites you introduced me to.
Hey, thanks for the link.
I tried to work on two novels, and then one just took over. But I wouldn't mind trying it again.
It's okay if one takes over, because you have the other stories on the back burner stewing. This way you finish one and the other one is not that far behind.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who does this! Lately I've been focusing on one at a time though. Not half as fun ^_^
I can easily see working on more than one project at a time as one could give you ideas for another and your brain doesn't have a chance to grow stale. Sometimes I wonder at the way we are taught to do things, and don't realize we more than like know what's best for us. Now, I'm off to check out those blogs.
My rule is that while I'm drafting one novel, I don't let myself draft a second until the first is done. But brainstorming and world-building is all fair game, all the time.
Drafting is the hardest stage for me because about halfway through I'm convinced whatever I'm drafting isn't worth finishing, but my Shiny New Idea? That one is.
It's a lie, which is why I have to force myself to finish the draft before making that decision :-)
I prefer writing exactly like you. A little bit here, a little bit there. It's more productive for me.
I have the same policy as Adam.
But what matters the MOST is that it's working for you. If you're writing, it's working.
(Also: Thanks for your comment on my blog. I think I kind of needed to hear that.)
<3
Actaully, I can only work on one thing at a time ... because I kind of get obsessed :)
Commenting again because I would like to thank you for your comment on my blog but...you don't have a twitter account! Hmmm....a sign, maybe? ;)
<3 Just kidding. Kind of.
Hey! So I was basically having the same thought process as you, and was like, "Okay, Gina and Leigh Ann talk about Heidi all the time, why am I not following her?"
Problem FIXED.
I feel like I have a weird way of working on my WiPs. I always have two or three at once, but I'll work on one for a few months, get bored, and switch to another for a few months. Then I come back to the first one. When I actually force myself to write all at one time (like for NaNoWriMo) my brain screams at me to switch at a different story, but I can't. Urgh.
I cannot read a novel, and then turn around and work on my writing. The voices get all mushed up. Good question.
Wow - I can't work on more than MS at once. I can do two WIPs on alternating days but really prefer to dive into one MS. It's hard enough for me to fall into one world, let alone 3-4 at a time!
I have to focus, meaning one at a time.
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