Writing: The Process -

02Jun 2015 by Dianna L. Gunn

Why patience is particularly important for writers

[caption id="attachment_2170" align="alignleft" width="450"] I waited 10 years to get back to Scotland and it was totally worth it![/caption] To write a great book, one that leaves emotional impact, you need a great many tools, but one of the most important tools is patience. In fact, patience is as important as passion. Why is patience so important? Well, I think this quote explains it nicely: “A good book isn’t written, it’s rewritten.” ~Phyllis A. Whitney Rewriting is a natural part of the process, and every book needs a different number of rewrites to be transformed from a first draft into a great novel. Even the best writers sometimes go through seven or eight rewrites. And these rewrites often take varying amounts of time. Your first rewrite might take six months and…

24Mar 2014 by Dianna L. Gunn

Before you finish that draft

Novels, Uncategorized, Writing: The Process

After an excruciating process taking anywhere between a few weeks and several years, your first--or second, or third--draft is almost finished. Your adrenaline's pumping and you're ready to power through to the finish line. As antsy as you might be to finish it, I suggest instead you pause and take a deep breath. It's time to create a plan for after you've crossed the finish line. Start by scheduling a couple says off. You can write, of course, but jumping straight from one book to the next isn't a great idea. Give your brain some time to relax and refill the creative well by enjoying somebody else's book or doing something fun. You might want to focus on stories very different from your current WIP so you can get out…

18Nov 2013 by Dianna L. Gunn

3 Solutions to hating your Nanowrimo novel

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

It's more than halfway through the month and your novel's middle is sagging, your characters are refusing to co-operate, and you wish you'd never started it to begin with. Or maybe your characters are doing exactly as they're told, and you've simply realized that you can't stand them--or your story idea. Don't panic. As anyone who's done Nanowrimo a few times will know, it's bound to happen eventually. It's perfectly natural to get frustrated with your novel. Writing a book in a month is hard, writing daily is hard, and sometimes an idea turns out to be less interesting than you originally thought. Characters can be impossible to work with and if the wrong one decides to die it can ruin everything. All of that is perfectly natural, and it's…

04Nov 2013 by Dianna L.. Gunn

3 Ways to make yourself write

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

Everybody has their own tricks for winning Nanowrimo, and today I've gathered a few of these to help you get through the first full week of Nanowrimo: 1. Reward system-- I usually reward myself with stickers for daily goals and sugary treats for weekly goals, and I save the nicest sticker I have for the end of the month. Other people reward themselves with new pencils or pens, fun excursions or plain and simple relaxation time. Everybody likes different things, so pick rewards that are meaningful to you--something small for your daily goal, something a little bigger for your weekly goal, and something truly rewarding for reaching your final goal. Of course, having written a novel is its own reward, and you need to keep that in mind too. Just…

04Oct 2013 by Dianna L. Gunn

Finding a novel idea where none exists

Novels, Writing: The Process

"It's all well and good that Nanowrimo is next month," you say, "but how does that help me if I have no idea what to write?" In spite of what you might think about arduous novel planning, many people start Nanowrimo each year with literally no idea what they're going to write, and others start with only the most basic concept. While this isn't the approach I'd recommend, it works for some and even the most basic—or non-existent—concept can be the foundation of a winning 50, 000 word novel. What I'd recommend is to devote every spare moment of this month figuring out exactly what you're going to write in November. If you can choose a genre you'd like to write in, that makes your life a whole lot easier…

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.…