I’m starting a new novel. I’ve started it a few times, but the old novel kept calling me back for more edits. This new novel has lived in my subconscious for a while, maybe too long? Am I sure it’s where I went to spend the next few years? Are these characters the ones I want to spend time with?
I believe so. They’ve stuck with me and so have their story lines, shifting and evolving. At first, I thought it was the daughter’s story, but now I’m firmly entrenched that it’s the mother’s story. I am considering three viewpoints, but the mother keeps coming through so strong, I’m not sure there’s room for others. To be determined.
I’m in the discovery phase. There’s a real freedom here. But there’s also a freedom to do nothing. Are you sure you want to write another book? You haven’t got your first published yet.
But I’m working on it! I sent out my first query to an agent and was rejected. It’s just one and I know there’s a long road ahead. I actually thought receiving a rejection was kind of positive. Although I didn’t get a personalized note, the fact they took time to send me a form rejection, still felt a bit special. You see, I’ve set the bar pretty low!
But I entered a contest with query and pitch and synopsis and first ten pages—and it didn’t go great. I have struggled with the opening of my first novel for a while. I finally thought I had it, but according to the judges, not so. Back to the drawing board there. Ah, but my head is in the new novel and I’m trying to keep it there.
Do I start my old novel at the inciting incident, or before? So much emphasis on “grabbing the reader on the first page”. But I’m not writing a thriller? I have thought of hiring an editor who specializes in the first 50 pages, synopsis and query—almost a marketing specialist. How do I sell the book I’ve written and where should it begin?
I’ve done a preliminary look for people who offer this and am not seeing a lot. I have found one, but if you have any suggestions, let me know. Personal references are always the best.
But is this cheating? Hiring someone to do the work I should be doing? I want to stay in the new novel, not spend more time picking the old novel apart. I’m happy to do some more edits, but I really want to move on into the world of my new novel.
I’m using the prompts from Alan Watt’s Book, the 90-day novel, and he tells us to stay in the novel every day. I’ve been doing good since I got back from vacation. I’ve filled a notebook of thoughts on my new novel, and discovered more excellent tools to help me along the way. It’s a whole different world than when I started my first novel.
And I’m a whole different person, filled with years of workshops and courses on how to be a better writer. And I’m a planner—in all aspects of my life. I’m hopeful that starting this novel “right from the beginning”, will make this a much smoother and less arduous journey.
To start, not only do I have a body full of knowledge and a bookshelf full of how-to-write books, I’ve also got a few tools specifically focussed on the new novel.
- Alan Watt’s, the 90-day novel. Which can also be followed up with one of his in-person, or online courses.
- One Stop for Writers, by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi—This is an amazing digital tool where you can compile thoughts on all aspects of your novel, save them, print them off. And it’s linked to the vast array of thesauri they developed in printed form and continue to add to. I’ve been longing to try this tool and I’m just getting started.
- K.M. Weiland’s, Helping Writers Become Authors, downloadable scene template. Helps you stay on track, think about your pinch points and the major plot points with summaries describing what you should be thinking about.
I’m also a member of two online groups, Centered and Women’s Fiction Writers Association, providing another wealth of information. I haven’t even had time to take advantage of much they have to offer. There are so many resources out there, it’s easy to get lost and never get to the novel. A balance must be found and I’m hoping I’m somewhere in the range of reasonable. But wouldn’t hiring an editor help speed things along?
And of course, I have my home group here: Ascribe Writers—to provide in-person support and camaraderie. It’s been hard to come together as a group, but we’re trying for a nice summer social in July. A chance to catch up and find out what every body’s been doing in the writer’s trenches—in 3-d!
It’s fun and scary to be starting a new novel. I’m finding the Alan Watt’s book provides a good series of prompts to get the ideas flowing. And as I dig deeper into character, I go to One Stop for Writers to write my thoughts down and explore further through there many resource materials. As scenes come to me, I head over to Scrivener to my growing scene list where I can easily move them around and review Weiland’s template. And I continue to learn and be inspired by my writing groups.
I have had to take a week off of the new novel (sorry Alan) though, to write this blog and to focus on family. (Why does everyone have a crisis at the same time?)
But I’ll be back, a whole summer of writing ahead! The moral of the story? There’s a wealth of resources out there. In fact, it can be overwhelming, so choose carefully. But we no longer just have to stare at a blank page, there are resources out there to help keep you motivated and on track. Being part of a writers group, whether in person or online, provides a community for friendship and learning. No matter where you are at in your journey, there’s guidance along the way. Spend some time figuring out what’s write for you and then, get writing!
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