It's time again! Be sure to stop by the list and check out all the other awesome IWSG posts for May at Alex J. Cavenaugh's blog, here.
So what have I been insecure about this month? Well, despite being sick twice in the past month and suffering from crazy allergies, I've been doing pretty well. I am working on the main WIP, and while the progress has been slow, it has been continual. Also, I have been working on what I had hoped to be a novella, but which a friend recently glanced over and critiqued.
Based on his comments I think it will be a novel. *sobs*
So perhaps that is my main insecurity: brevity. I just don't seem to have it. I try to keep thing short and they end up these long pieces. At least there's no way Dezzy will end up as long as Silver Mask.
Silver Mask, the main WIP is definitely epic. But, I think if I give myself time to work on the other story I can be patient with Silver Mask's slow going. Here's hoping!
Secondary Insecurity: writing romantic scenes. I dread them. I am thinking this month of trying a few exercises to challenge myself in this regard. If I can somehow master the "date scene" perhaps I can breeze through these scenes with the same tenacity and dedication I do with the rest of my projects. Instead, these scenes tend to make me feel like I'm pushing through waist-high mud.
I become way too conscious of this or that part of the scene--even as I'm writing them--and that little voice in the back of my head is screaming "Bad! Bad! Bad!" But I barrel on through, and try to tell myself I can fix it in the revision.
I guess it can all be fixed in the revision. *Crossing fingers*
So, with luck, this month the "short" novel I'm calling Dezzy for now (My WIPs tend to take on character names/nicknames until they have their own title that Just Sticks, and then I know it's the right one) will be done by the end of the month, or nearly so.
Sometimes stories just call to be long.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I'm with you on writing those romantic scenes *shudder* hehe
Lynda R Young
IWSG co-host
Thanks, Lynda. I have written two short stories semi-recently and revisions threaten to see them grow. I'd love to be able to produce a variety of different sized stories, but you're right. More of my stories call to be long than not.
DeleteRomantic scenes are so difficult! Personally I feel all embarrassed when I write them and then I'm too embarrased once they are written to show them to anyone.
ReplyDeleteBut hey, you're writing so keep up the great work, even if they are long pieces!
Thank you J. I used to feel embarrassed, for sure. But now I just feel super self-conscious and awkward. I guess that's a slight improvement, but it's still weird.
DeleteI too try to write brief pieces and hardly ever am able to come out with anything that is less than at least a two book series. My 'baby' is actually a seven books series. I only expected it to be maybe 300 pages. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteHey, at least there is the creativity flowing, yes? LOL
Cheers,
Michala
Thanks Michala! You are certainly my kindred spirit! Very first draft of this project was called Traitor Born. It was complete at 300 pages. Then I went into a revision that turned it into a 1,100 pages. Now I am rewriting the whole thing as a trilogy ...so I feel your pain :)
DeleteThe romantic scenes are always my favorite- i write those easier than action parts. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI will take any suggestions/advice you have to make these scenes easier! I envy you your ease with these scenes! :) Thanks Summer.
DeleteRomantic scenes are not my thing! I have one kissing scene in my second book and only two in my third.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you can get the two to match the word count.
Thank you, Alex. I might follow your example there.
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