Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Diana's Diversions: Julie Elizabeth Leto on Getting it Written

OOOPS!
Sorry, Maria. I didn't mean to hijack your blog today. I linked to Diana's post and I guess you had blogged last so it linked to your blog instead of mine. LOL



Diana's Diversions: Julie Elizabeth Leto on Getting it Written

This is a great post.

I'd like to add my thoughts to it...

I've been writing almost 4 years exactly. In that time I've finished one manuscript and I have 2 more half complete and a 3rd in proposal form. (about 75 pages and fully plotted out)

I worked on my complete manuscript for 2 years. I kept going back and revising the first few chapters and not going forward. It really hurt my writing. I became stagnant because I stopped learning the craft. I can't tell you what a feeling it was to finally finish the manuscript!

Finishing was a big deal...but I think the most important thing is to just write. Don't get stuck in trying to make your first few chapters perfect. Just write. It makes a difference. Your voice gets stronger with every new scene you write.

Your style develops with every new idea you start.

Your passion for the craft of writing increases with every breakthrough you have!

By the end of this year, I will have 2 more completed novels. I've already started playing with another 2 ideas. These ideas didn't come to me until after I finally finished the first manuscript.

You have to write forward, otherwise you're just treading water.

10 comments:

Ellen said...

Great post! "Ignorance is Bliss" she says. That's so smart. I wrote so much more before I worried about all the "rules." I agree--just write, move forward, get it done.

Maria Geraci said...

LOL! You can hijack my blog anytime you want, Mel!

The Girl You Used to Know said...

Well, since I hijacked your blog, at least I hijacked it with a great post like that one. :)

fishdog said...

just shut up and step up.

get it on the paper and dress it up later.

you girls set a good example of camaraderie, teamwork and support. we could all learn a thing or two from y'all.

Anonymous said...

This fishdog person has an intersting way of putting things, but I think we should take up a collectin and buy him capitals and punctuation. :P

The Girl You Used to Know said...

Jan! LOL

I'll be sure and let Mr. Mel know you're taking a collection for him. ;)

Kristen Painter said...

Write forward. I like that.

fishdog said...

oooh. a collection...
i could use the money, too, because my wife spills booze all over the place (especially into a basket of clean laundry) and it's costing me an arm and a leg, not to mention a gasket or four.

The Girl You Used to Know said...

It was your badly placed bourbon and a laundry basket.

I was sitting happily on the bed, watching Boston Legal, minding my own business, thankyouverymuch.

Hah.

Jan, any collections can be sent to me, I'll make sure he uses the money properly. LOL

Maria Geraci said...

Jan,

See what you've started?

 

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