Do you edit censor yourself as you write? Before you even start to write?
We all second guess ourselves, at least to some extent. I do. Something happens, someone says something negative, or I read something brilliant by someone else, and the doubt demons start nibbling away at my self-confidence, whispering that what I’m doing isn’t good enough.
There is so much noise in this business, so much whispering, so much doubt.
We can’t let it take hold or we’ll paralyze ourselves. Deadlines don’t give into paralysis or doubt. : )
When I’m feeling like writing has become a chore and I need to regain the joy of writing, I find that there are a number of things I can do that practically guarantee to get me back on track.
If you’re doing NaNoWriMo and feeling like you’re overwhelmed, don’t give up. Here are a few tricks I use to convince myself that I can keep going.
- Connect to what you love. If you’re anything like me, the characters are what you love most about your manuscript, but if you’re more invested in the plot or the concept, that’s okay. Make a list of what you love and why you love it. Concentrate on rekindling that initial enthusiasm. Got it? Good. Now look at the scene or chapter you’re currently writing and find a way to incorporate what you love into that chapter. Make your character do something that shows who she is, or demonstrate the “cool” aspects of your plot or concept.
- Write a letter. Get in the head of your character more deeply by writing a letter from her to someone else in her life. What is bugging her most? What does she need someone to know? What would she tell someone who wronged her if she had the chance? What would she say to her best-friend, right here, right now.
- Write a paragraph. Focusing on writing a thousand words or two thousand or more can be debilitating. The task can feel too huge when you’re not feeling inspired. Instead of telling yourself you have to write ALL THE WORDS, tell yourself to write the first sentence in a paragraph, and then another sentence. All you have to write is one paragraph. Then another. You can quit any time, but once you’ve met your goal for the day, the words may come more easily.
Giveaway This Week
The Young Elites
by Marie Lu
Hardcover
Putnam Juvenile
Released 10/7/2014
I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.
Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.
Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.
Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.
Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.
It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.
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