This Year I Write My Novel

January 4, 2008

Writing has always been a passion of mine. When I was little I would use construction paper and yarn to make my own books. I would scribble write my own stories and do the illustrations. Thus, my love a fair with books and writing began. In junior high school I wrote a story (don’t remember what it was about) that caught the attention of my English teacher. She wanted to enter it into a contest, but needed me to finish it first. Finish it first… Finish it… Ok, I never finished it. Follow through has not been my friend. While procrastination stalks me to no end. Sometimes… you know, when it’s not “busy”.

High school wasn’t any different. I wrote all the time, or at least when I wasn’t playing my violin, running track, or working. My BFF Monique would tell my practically everyday since the ninth grade, “Stop playing around. You’re a writer. You need to write.” Granted, she could have been telling this as a way to make me put the violin down (she was 1st chair and knew how the violin was supposed to sound), but I knew she was right.

By the time I went to college I was writing all day, everyday. I was surrounded by artsy folks and they all did something creative. It was like second nature to write a few poems and recite them at a poetry slam the next week. Life was good, the words were flowing and I was having fun in my safe place. Then life happened and other creative pursuits took the place of writing.

So, last year I decided I was ready to reclaim my first love. I picked up Walter Mosley’s book This Year You Write Your Novel at the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference. I read it in one day. I was, after all, pumped up and motivated from 3 intense days of workshops. I was ready to make it happen! I found the manuscript I completed 6 years ago (I know, I know) and read it again. Half way through I realized one thing. It was horrible. It was incomplete. It was outdated. It was time to rework it and give it a new life.

First, I have to figure out the plot. Then I have to really get into the heads of my characters. Figure out what makes them tick. Now…I’m ready. I’m going to rewrite it chapter by chapter. Nurture it. Polish it. I’m ready! I’ll even do the rewrite long hand since I spend most of my time on the computer. It will give me a chance to write and edit. When the chapter is done, I’ll type up the changes. My write plan is Flaw-Less. Hmm…but, if I just write it with the laptop I won’t have to do it twice. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. I’m going to start over with a new document and piece old with new. That will work! Back flawless! Back to writing my first novel! Right after I play 1 more game of solitaire.

Posted in Pen to Paper