My #1 goal in writing this year is to finish Murder Most Fowl. Actually, it’d been my goal to publish it last year. Unfortunately, I couldn’t figure out how to get from one place to the next in the story. Well, throw in an explosion, change the time of day, remove a character from the scene, and I’m finally getting past it. It’s still iffy quality, but I can work on that later. Therefore, I don’t have much insecurity when it comes to writing this month, because hey! I’ve made progress. If only I can get about 6K more done, then I’ll be in the golden next-draft phase.
P.S. What do you think of my latest sketch of Cera, colored via my Snapseed phone app?
Question of the month: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?
Does it count that the only story that I’ve been forever reworking is an old one? Thanmir War started as a completely different story (which you’ll be able to find out more next week, if you so desire), and Isto was supposed to be a history about Derek’s mother (though it wasn’t titled that back then). Yeah… that’s totally not what it is anymore. Regardless, yes, revamping my old story has worked out thus far. Worked out for me anyway. I’m not so sure Derek appreciates it.
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Have you ever gone to extremes to get past a scene? What did you end up doing? If you’ve reworked an old story, have things gotten worse for your characters?
Explosions are always cool. I vote for an explosion.
Nice sketch. She looks exotic with an edge of intimidation and mystery.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Explosions fix everything. No matter what the genre or situation. Fifty Shades would have been improved exponentially with more explosions.
And the sketch is very cool! Nice job!
My fantasy series went thought a similar evolution. When I think of where it started, and where it ended up, I have to laugh because they’re nowhere near the same.
Glad you found a way to get over that hump and are making progress. And yes—don’t worry about iffy quality right now. That’s what the next edit’s for, right?
I love that sketch of Cera. I’m so impressed that it was done on a phone app! Wow!
Ha! I find it funny that one of your characters is upset with your rewrite.
Nice sketch. I am totally without artistic ability, so that sketch is so far beyond what I could ever hope to do it’s not even funny. Thank goodness my income doesn’t rely on drawing.
Well done for making progress – and the explosive method! You’re right that this is the important part as once it’s written you can work on it until it’s just as you want it, whereas editing an empty page gets you nowhere.
Tell the characters to shove it. If it works, it works. Yay for breaking through the block! (With a boom.)
Awesome sketch. I think sometimes drawing is the best way to break through writer’s block. =)
Love the new artwork and your dedication to the mystery. I’d love to beta when it’s ready to go. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Yeh for progress! And I still love the title of your novel. 🙂
Hooray! So glad to read you’re making progress. That has to be a great feeling. Congratulations! And I love the sketch of Cera . The colors are so vivid!
Derek will get over it.
Glad you are moving forward again!
Blowing it up is always an option. LOL
That totally counts.
And you are such a talented artist. I’m jealous! 😉
I really like the sketch.
Sometimes, it’s just necessary to try anything in order to get past a scene you’re stuck on.
All the best with your writing!
Misha
That picture is gorgeous.
I can’t imagine what my characters think of the things I put them through. Especially my older ones.
Hi Loni. The image is beautiful! I love the lips. And yes, action helps me too. I hope the story ends well for you. 🙂
Very happy to hear this news. 🙂 Love the sketch of Cera. I wish I could draw something other than a stick figure. Am looking forward to hearing more about your productive writing and waiting (patiently) for MMF.
I hate those scenes that you can’t get past. When I’m stuck, I leave them for a day or two and then come back and just push my way through it. I don’t care about syntax or flow, but get the key points down. So, yeah, I feel ya. But yay for you for pushing through too! What a relief, right?
Cera is gorgeous by the way. 🙂
Love your illustration, colorful and vibrant.
I’ve heard when you get stuck you need to kill someone but surely an explosion counts.
Your art is awesome. You got talent. Love the eyes.
Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit
*thumbs up all around*
Explosions are fun…
I love that sketch! I didn’t think you could do things like that on a phone. Of course, it probably helps if you have some artistic talent, like you do.
Woohoo! Blast through that block!
Love the artwork!
Question of the month: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it?
Yes. Two of them. I’m working on those right now. 🙂
Did it work out?
Ha! The jury’s still out on that.
Explosions are awesome. Or killing someone off. I’m starting the thing I’m drafting now with a death, which probably isn’t the way to start what’s supposed to be romance, but whatevs.
Scene troubles can shut me down from writing for weeks. Summer 2015, I came to a big action scene in Bloodwalker, but it didn’t feel right. Every time I changed it, it still didn’t feel right. I finally realized my MC’s motivation was unrealistic – but what *was* realistic motivation? Four weeks later I figure it out and started writing again. Take your time, be sure things feel right, and it’ll make you proud in the end! Love the pic – so brilliantly colored! 🙂
Little by little we all travel far. Have you looked into grant funds from the Alexa Rose Foundation? The deadline is March 10.
I’ve learned that pretty much nothing about writing turns out the way we want or plan it to. It’s not always a bad thing, but it’s hard to accept sometimes. >_< But I'm glad you're figuring your way through the story, and I hope it continues to go well.
Congrats on your progress! You’re doing amazingly well. Glad to hear February was an insecurity-free month for you. We need those now and then.
Here’s to staying focused and hitting your goal!
Great sketch – and yes explosions help most everything (in writing).
That is a lovely sketch! I like the colors. I used a sudden flash of light to move a scene forward in my recent short story. Good to hear you are making progress in your story 🙂
I’ve reworked a story so many times and for so many years, that yes, it can be considered old. And I’m still tinkering with it.