Novels - - Page 2

19Aug 2013 by Dianna L. Gunn

Focus in on what really matters

Blog Stuff, Novels, Short Fiction, Writing

As a writer with a limitless imagination and an interesting life, it's easy to get caught up in too many projects at once and to end up abandoning things you really want to work on. It's something I do all the time, and this summer I've done it yet again, and realized that I need to change course to truly create the future I want. When you know exactly what you want, it's tempting to try to force it all at once, but life doesn't work like that. You need to choose two or three projects to focus on at a time, no more. You might even want to try focusing on one project at a time depending on your schedule and the kind of person you are. I don't…

12Aug 2013 by Dianna L. Gunn

Send your novel into the world in the right way

Novels

When it comes to writing a novel, you're not expected to do it right. Doing it at all is the important thing. First drafts are expected to be terrible. When it comes to publishing a book, however, you've got to do it right. It's key to check out a publisher's books before you submit, both so you know what they like and what quality their books are, but it's even more important to keep an eye on quality if you plan to self publish. As a self publisher, you are already being judged on a much harsher scale than anyone who's made it past the gates of a traditional or even an ebook publisher. You need to be twice as sure that you're producing a professional product nobody can laugh…

18Feb 2013 by diannagunn

More On Overwriting

Editing, Editing: The Hard Part, Writing

A couple weeks ago I discussed the concept of overwriting, the use of needless words in your writing. Having known about overwriting for years, it seemed like basic stuff to me. So I was stunned by how many of you told me you'd never thought about it before. I was even more stunned when I asked Twitter what to blog about today and RedParrot told me she'd like me to talk more about overwriting. My goal has always been to help you become better writers, and since there's high demand for advice on this topic, I thought I'd discuss a few more examples of overwriting to give you a better feel for it. Last time we discussed overwriting I gave you a handful of specific words/details that can be left…

28Jan 2013 by diannagunn

On Overwriting

Editing, Editing: The Hard Part, Novels, Writing

I don't often discuss the technical side of writing in depth, but after reading the self-published works that inspired last Monday's post, I've decided to discuss the biggest problem I've seen in these novels: overwriting. What is overwriting? There are two ways authors overwrite: with excessive details, and with particularly wordy phrasing. Even a perfectly spelled piece with flawless grammar can be made frustrating if the author overwrites them. It makes a book frustrating to read and in today's fast paced society, most readers will walk away. I'm particularly forgiving of this if the story captivates me, but enough of it will make even me gash my teeth. So today I'd like to discuss some of the things that can--and should--be cut from your writing whenever possible to make it…

28Nov 2012 by diannagunn

What’s Next?

Goal setting, Inspirational, Nanowrimo, Novels, Workshops, Writing, Writing, Writing: The Process

Usually in the first week of December I write a post discussing what to do when you've finished your novel. In the interest of organization and planning ahead, this year I've decided to write the post before November ends. So what should you do after you finish your novel? You can do just about anything, but I have two main suggestions which I hope you'll take seriously. The first is that you should keep your momentum from November. The second is that whatever you do, you shouldn't start editing your novel. Now, before you get all righteous and tell me how your family needs some love and your novel is horrible and needs editing like some people need heart surgery, let me explain what I mean. I don't mean for…

26Nov 2012 by diannagunn

The Final Stretch

Inspirational, Nanowrimo, Novels, Writing, Writing: The Process

Today is November 26th. If you're like me, you planned to write a ridiculous amount of words this weekend, not only catching yourself up but putting yourself ahead, but life got in the way and your plans were totally ruined. Which means, if you're like me and you've got a lot on your plate this week, you're wishing there was another week in November. Of course, there isn't, so you're left with a choice: to give up, or to scramble frantically towards your desired word count, using every spare moment to write(which you should have been doing anyway, but I'm not judging). No matter what your word count is or how busy you are, I'm here to tell you to go for it. While we all have our limits, you…

23Nov 2012 by diannagunn

Week Three Pep Talk

Inspirational, Nanowrimo, Novels, Workshops, Writing, Writing, Writing: The Process

Today's guest is a long time Nanoer and a dear friend, known lovingly by the ToNano community as Tabs. Though she hasn't actually lived in Toronto for the last many years, she is just as much a part of my Nano family as all the people who do. Please give her a warm welcome. * * * * It's ironic that this year has been the hardest year for me with NaNoWriMo and yet here I am, writing a pep talk. But the thing with NaNo is that not every year is going to be your golden year. We're rounding into the last week, which I always find is my toughest. I get frantic, I get upset, and as I look at my word count goal, I find myself feeling…

21Nov 2012 by diannagunn

What to do When You Can’t Stand Your Novel Anymore

Nanowrimo, Novels, Workshops, Writing, Writing, Writing: The Process

Whether it be due to your characters rebelling, your story shifting, your muse abandoning you or a dull ache in your wrists, at some point this month you will hate your novel. In fact, you've probably already had a moment like that. At some points during the drafting process--both inside and outside of Nanowrimo--you will be unable to look at your novel anymore. The key is to remember that these moments pass, prepare yourself to play catch up and then go off in search of something better to do than look at your novel, because staring at your novel at these times will probably give you the intense urge to delete the whole thing. Today I'm going to suggest an activity to distract you entirely from the awful draft you've…

19Nov 2012 by diannagunn

10K in 4 Hours?

Nanowrimo, Novels, Workshops, Writing, Writing, Writing: The Process

At my best, when I took this challenge, I reached the 10K easily. The first two or three times I did it, I wrote a little over 12K in the four hours I had been assigned. This Saturday, I devoted four hours as fully to writing as I was able--and I wrote 8.9K. I'd already been feeling slow this year, but this challenge really brought it home for me. I just can't keep the pace I used to. So what changed? It's not that I became a slower writer. I still type just as quickly as I did then. My story is falling from my fingertips as easily as any novel ever has--maybe even more easily at times. What changed is not my typing speed or my level of inspiration.…

16Nov 2012 by diannagunn

What Makes You Ecstatic About Nanowrimo?

Nanowrimo, Novels, Writing, Writing: The Process

Today's guest is also the main admin of the Toronto Nanowrimo website, Errol--who is also already a winner with over 50, 000 words! * * * * Back in the day, I learned about NaNoWriMo from a Fan Fiction site. It was the most awesome challenge ever and even though I was horribly late, I signed up immediately. It changed how I did things. It changed how I approached creative projects. However I am not here to talk about that. I am here to tell you to grasp joy. Do you remember when you first heard about NaNoWriMo? Do you remember the trepidation, the elation, the first time experiences that brought about the determination to continue doing NaNoWriMo? Or are you going through it now? I utterly love NaNoWriMo. I…