Why I Didn't Write a Novel This Weekend (A Post for Pam)
Monday September 01, 2014
This time last year, I was sleep-deprived and beginning to panic. That's because I was in the final 12 hours of my first 3-Day Novel Contest. A few days ago I received a comment on my 2013 3-Day Novel Contest Wrap-Up from Pam Bustin, a Canadian writer who's been doing the contest since 2008 and was wondering if I was going to be doing it again in 2014.
To answer that, let's just say I happily slept in this morning.
...
Actually, let's say a little more than that.
It took me years to sign up for my first 3-Day Novel Contest because for me, the Labour Day Weekend is usually family time. Last year was an anomaly, but if I had signed up this year it would have been a two-day contest at best.
But I considered doing it anyway. What really stopped me was an ongoing writing problem I have, which I even mentioned in the CBC interview I did about the 2013 3-Day Novel Contest:
That is the hand of one of my favourite authors, Neil Gaiman. Written on his hand is very good advice. And although I know he leads us all true, I still can't get a handle on that middle bit.
Finish things.
The book I started writing at this time last year sits on my hard drive, barely touched in all those months. And it is not alone.
I'm at a point right now where charging headlong into a draft of something brand new has a definite appeal, but it is the appeal of sugar and shiny things. I have too many works-in-progress that aren't really in progress at all, because I'm puttering and poking at them, rather than digging in.
So best wishes to @PamBustin and everyone else who's in the final leg of the 2014 3-Day Novel Contest. If I can manage a few more "The Ends" in the next twelve months, perhaps I'll start something new with you this time next year.
But for now, GO GO GO!!! YOU GOT THIS!
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This time last year, I was sleep-deprived and beginning to panic. That's because I was in the final 12 hours of my first 3-Day Novel Contest. A few days ago I received a comment on my 2013 3-Day Novel Contest Wrap-Up from Pam Bustin, a Canadian writer who's been doing the contest since 2008 and was wondering if I was going to be doing it again in 2014.
To answer that, let's just say I happily slept in this morning.
...
Actually, let's say a little more than that.
It took me years to sign up for my first 3-Day Novel Contest because for me, the Labour Day Weekend is usually family time. Last year was an anomaly, but if I had signed up this year it would have been a two-day contest at best.
But I considered doing it anyway. What really stopped me was an ongoing writing problem I have, which I even mentioned in the CBC interview I did about the 2013 3-Day Novel Contest:
That is the hand of one of my favourite authors, Neil Gaiman. Written on his hand is very good advice. And although I know he leads us all true, I still can't get a handle on that middle bit.
Finish things.
The book I started writing at this time last year sits on my hard drive, barely touched in all those months. And it is not alone.
I'm at a point right now where charging headlong into a draft of something brand new has a definite appeal, but it is the appeal of sugar and shiny things. I have too many works-in-progress that aren't really in progress at all, because I'm puttering and poking at them, rather than digging in.
So best wishes to @PamBustin and everyone else who's in the final leg of the 2014 3-Day Novel Contest. If I can manage a few more "The Ends" in the next twelve months, perhaps I'll start something new with you this time next year.
But for now, GO GO GO!!! YOU GOT THIS!
Connect Online: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Wattpad | Goodreads | Google+
Hey there, Marilyn - WOW - this is, far as I know, the first time any one has ever written a blog post just for me.
ReplyDeleteHow FREAKING FANTASTIC!!!
And girl... do I feel ya.
I so know what you mean about the Finishing things.
I do... ok... I have finished things. Plays, my first novel, Mostly Happy, the odd essay.... things that are wandering out there in the world.
BUT... I am super slow on the finishing front.
Currently mid reVision on my second novel.
it has been....
a long
time
coming.
So, yeah. I hear ya.
Yesterday, I went looking for something... a note I had made for something that I thought might "help" with the thing I was building during the 3day.
found the beginning of a story
that looked
oh so much SHINIER than the thing I'd been banging away at for two days.
I stayed on the horse what brung me.
and..
I just hit PRINT on this years 3day sub.
I ache in so many places
but my soul is smiling
and... after sleeping tomorrow and going to the post office to mail in my sub (Old School!)
...
I will return to those reVisions
on novel #2.
write on, sister.
Thanks for this.
it really is an honour.
and I love meeting folks out here in the blogosphere.
On we go.
go easy ~p
Congratulations on completing your 3-Day Novel! It sounds as though it was a good choice to resist the other idea that reared up mid-weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd you're very welcome for the post - thank YOU for the comment that prompted me to write it. I should have done an update long before now, but I'm easily distracted. You know, shiny things and what-not.
Happy writing!
Marilyn