Catégorie : Writing project

How to Simplify the Written Words? A Writer Impossible-to-Answer Question!

While looking at the computer screen, struggling with my seasonal down-with-the-writing-motivation, trying to get on with revising the YA paranormal project (I think I have a title, hooray!), I wonder.

I wonder about many things. Among them, how to simplify my writing in the first draft. In order to spend less time revising – or so I wish.

Of course, the novels – most of them anyway – we read are polished work. Writer, editor, proofreaders have work on it. It’s as good as it can get.

After I’m done with the revision, more work will have to be done. There’s more revision to come, and proofreading. Hours and hours of proofreading.

End my wondering. How to simplify my writing? Is it a simple matter of writing shorter sentences, or outlining more thoroughly?

The good thing about toying with a Christmas rom-com writing project is I get to try out different writing approach.

I like the pastiche method very much. Putting myself in the shoes of successful authors I like and don’t like, all with very different voices, just to test out the chosen rhythm, words, general treads of the story.

It shakes up my own writing rhythm. It forces me to think more and to get as far as possible from writing comfort zone.

But it’s also a very good way to procrastinate on the revision…

A Good Bad Idea

With the revision, I had a good bad idea. To rush into action second characters. No matter what I tried, it sounded forced. And the writing was baaad.

Back to the original idea, which still need to be re-written, but now, the goal is clearer.

Deleting paragraphs of legitimate bad writing, strangely enough, usually gives my writing motivation a second wind.

Dear fellow writers, I’ll keep you posted.

Once more, thanks for reading the rambling. More than ever, I’m grateful for your time. What a crazy quest writing novels is!

I hope you’re well, healthy and I hope all the good words are with you.

Take care!

The Phantasmagorical Revision Retreat

Just a bit of time and a lot nothing else to-do-but.

That’s just what I need to finish revising the YA paranormal project.

Picture it: a comfortable cabin lost in the wood, close to a small quiet lake, surrounded by soft hills covered in a blanket of trees.

A soft, fluffy snowfall. A fire burning (with ecological logs; every little step counts!). A tiny desk set just beside a window with a view of the peaceful scenery. Me, revising away in my natural habitat, that is to say, my pajamas.

Have you noticed? Yep, that’s right. There’s no chores, no day job and, cherry on this phantasmagorical sundae, I’m alone!

Continuer la lecture de « The Phantasmagorical Revision Retreat »

Words Underneath the Mistletoe

Every year, when the Holiday season is upon us, I have to do it.

I have to buy clementines, which I will then eat every day until Christmas.

I read a Poirot novel AND watch the entire tv series with awesome actor David Suchet.

And so many other little traditions I made up over the years to fight the gloom, the family pressure (oh so you’re still single?)

This year, very unexpectedly, I’ve started to write a Christmas rom-com novel in November. I’m enjoying it so much I might actually keep going and give the whole rom-com novelist thing a try.

Yes Toto, we’re far from YA and MG writing projects!

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The Mistletoe Moment

Making money as an author, traditionally, self-published, or both, is a very though.

Some novel genres tend to sell better, or more consistently than others. Romance is one of them. Whatever the changes the book world is going through, romance (and erotica) sell well.

Back when I choose to take writing as a job, I knew I had to start writing in a genre that was sure-sell.

I failed to a frustrating point. My writing projects were mediocre copies of my favorite rom-com. No matter how hard I tried, I would always end up asking myself « how did Nora Ephron made it look so simple? ».

The current rom-com writing project is… different.

black friday

Write What You Know

I don’t totally agree with that statement: write what you know.

However, I do believe we, dear fellow writers, we should write with our hearts.

I love writing YA and MG novels because every crazy dream is still possible in a young human heart. I simply love the burning fire that makes middle-graders, teenagers, young adults even gather their courage and go for what they believe in. To follow their dreams even though they’ll end up hurt, crushed, half-destroyed. Like every grown-up I know.

The main character in the rom-com writing project still has that fire, and I think that’s why it works so well. She decided to not be content with the cynical unfair, unjust world the vast majority of us agree to some extent to live in.

Of course she’ll meet a man who doesn’t share her feisty ways. OF COURSE !!!

I’m telling you, fellow writers, this unexpected writing project is pure joy and fun. Just what the doctor ordered for this curiouser and curiouser holiday time we live in.

Thanks for reading, I am most grateful. Good health, and good words fellow writers!