Late last week I finished the main story arc of my novel. I am now going back and rewriting and editing what I have written. I will also complete some sub-arcs for minor but important characters intending to lead into a second novel. I have learned through participation in the local writing group, (ACFW Colorado Springs (acfwcosprings.com)), and reading various books on the subject (How to Make a Living with Your Writing, Bestselling Books By Joanna Penn and J.F.Penn | The Creative Penn ), is that to be successful as an author you need multiple books. If you write a successful book, readers will naturally look for more of your books to read. If they don’t find one, they will move on to another author. No pressure there!
It has only taken me four and a half years to get to this point of my first book, so I need to pick up the pace if I want to complete a second in time to keep the reader’s interest. This is a daunting task since I am just learning to write. I discovered there is a big difference between telling a story and turning it into a written work. In one of my earlier posts, I included a short story I wrote in high school, The Very Old and Toothless Dragon. Reading it now, I told the story, but I didn’t write a story. I did a lot of telling and not much showing which draws the reader into the story allowing them to take part in the action. Maybe someday I will rewrite it.
Last month, I took part in a Zoom meeting discussing the ‘craft’ of writing. During the meeting, the moderator asked me, as a new writer, what I found most helpful. My answer was the critique group. Where I submit a portion of my story to the group, one or more members of the group will read it and offer suggestions they think will improve it. I will also receive sections of other people’s work to read and critique. Since many involved in the group have multiple books published, I get some very helpful suggestions especially concerning the show and don’t tell aspect of writing. Though occasionally I will get conflicting suggestions. Having to critique another writer’s work I find difficult because I lack confidence in my ability as a writer. Both exercises have helped me, and I would suggest any aspiring writer get involved in a critique group.
A couple of tools I used to help me through times when I got stuck during the writing process are the W chart in the three-act structure, Author’s Bucket List: Plot Structure | Jordan Dane, and The Hero’s Journey: Step-By-Step Guide with Examples (prowritingaid.com). I am a pantser, which means I write by the seat of my pants. I don’t outline the story before I start, (a plotter). But occasionally I need to stop and see where I am and where the story needs to go, and these two tools help me make that decision.
My goal is still to have my first book completed late this year. (Written and ready for submission or self-publishing.) Continue to follow my blog for additional updates. Please subscribe using the pop-up box and if you have any comments or questions, use the Contact tab.