NaNo update: I was planning to make a dent in the wordcount but I got side-tracked by Charms (editing is going well) and something super special that Kari and I have been cooking up. The big reveal is coming.
Today's word count: 2k.
I've been waiting to write this post since I started the alphabet, so I must apologise to anyone who was expecting I to be for insane.
If you're anything like me, you'll have a file full of story ideas. Some are just random sentences while others are a couple of pages. This list never ends. Ever.
Most of my ideas are have some sort of paranormal aspect and all, bar one, are YA. One day I'll write my historical romance, one day...
There is one idea that is different from the rest: It's contemporary and I'm saving it.
This may seem a tad odd (hello? Look where you are) but there is a rhyme to my madness. I don't want to write this story before I'm ready because in my head it's beautiful and I don't want to taint that with my clumsy prose and heinous grammar. So, I decided to wait until I was a better writer before I attempt it.
The beginnings of this story occurred to me a year or two ago. Back then it was just a story about a girl (hi, Angie! *Angie waves*) and her divorced mother who moves them across the country when she gets back together with her high school boyfriend. He's a widow and he has two teens of his own.
The basic concept wasn't crazy original so I eventually let it die. Then one day I was pondering tortured loved stories (it's fun, you should try it) when a new twist occurred to me.
Now, I'm not a fan of happily ever after. Give me unrequited love or broken hearts any day. This new twist gave me lots of pain and torture. Lovely.
Despite totally loving this new idea, I've held off. You see, I'm scared that I won't be able to translate my beautiful story into real words--I'm not good enough.
Now, I'm not having a pity-party or fishing for reassurance (don't be silly Jade, you're awesome). I'm being honest.
I don't kid myself about my skill. I've always considered myself a good story-teller and yes, my writing has approved but it's not amazing. It's not even great. Maybe not even good. My present writing capabilities wouldn't do justice to my story and I'm scared that my beautiful shiny idea will look like the place where thesauruses and bad analogies go to die.
The obvious answer to this dilemma would be to just keep it chilling in the fridge, which would be great in theory except that Angie has started to talk to me. Just last week, she randomly popped in my head and said:
It all began with a river.
With those *pauses to count the words* 6 words, the whole first scene exploded into my head. So now I have a quandary.
Do I attempt to write the story while Angie is talking to me and risk disappointment? Or do I wait and hope that Angie doesn't get the shits and abandon ship?
This post was meant to be about ideas in general but Angie's story kind of hijacked it. *Angie hangs her head in shame*
What about you guys. Are you saving an idea up for a special occasion? Or are you no where near as crazy as I am and don't obsess over stupid stuff like that?
What about your ideas in general. Where do they come from? Do you have something awesome brewing in the back of your mind? Do you scribble down notes in the middle of the night only to find that in the morning they read along the lines of Cat under rainbow. Sam says "shark ate my finger". Lots of glitter. Dan, the brick-man, or is that just me?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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10 really deep and meaningful thoughts:
I feel the way you do about my writing ability. My WIP, I think, is a great idea, but I'm sad that I lack the ability to do it justice. For now I'm working on the rough draft and then I will probably set it aside for awhile until I become a better writer.
I have a couple of story ideas on hold until I get more confident with my writing ability too. I'm constantly writing ideas for new stories. My trouble is I often get so excited about a new story I drop whatever I'm working on and start it. (This is why I have 20 things started and only 2 finished).
I have two story ideas on hold. I think if Angie is talking to you and won't leave you alone, you should go for it. Your writing will improve as you write it, and you can go back and fix the clumsy spots later. That's what I would do.
Jade, I don't buy green bananas. I may not live long enough for them to ripen. I feel the same way with writing. I write, write, write. When a character inside my head speaks I jot it down no matter how rough it is. I can rewrite the piece later and make it better. When a character speaks, that's when the fun begins!
I do have one idea that I'm saving to write until next spring. I'm taking a Tudor England class in the winter and hope to use some of what I learn in that class in the book. Fingers crossed that that turns out to be the real reason, not just that I'm afraid I'll screw up historical accuracy...
Mary--That's a good idea. Just get the story out on paper and then leave it for later.
Natalie--I do that too!!! I've started so many stories. I have a file full of them. My new rule is that I can't start anything new until the current first draft is done.
Susan--Yeah, I think if she's still talking to me when I finish SRH, I'll have a go at it.
John--That's such good advice and you're right. Of course I can re-write it later.
Sara--Have I told you that I'm a Tudor England buff? Seriously. I compiled the geneology of the British Royal Family when I was 15. Yes, I am weird. Now I'm excited as to what you're writing...
I do that too, subconciously I think. When the current WIP I'm working on popped into my head a few years ago it was always on my mind, but I didn't write it, I couldn't. And I'm gald I didn't because my tiny little 11 year old perception at that time wouldn't have done the story jutice. When I was 11 my writing was okay, but it wasn't half as good at what I write now. You're not crazy, and I think its normal to squirrel ideas away. I've retired quite a few to the "when I'm better" bin. Don't stess.
I have two stories brewing, one is a children's book for my nieces. The other is my personal love story. But they're on hold till I finish my novel which is being written like a turtle. :)
You seem to be doing great. Proud of you girl!
Btw... like the new look!
Hayley--I'm not crazy? Really? Do you promise?
Ellie--What's the saying? Slow and steady wins the race? Oh wait, that was a tortoise.
Yes, I think we can safely say that the new blog is a VAST improvement!
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