April 15, 2013
8:39pm
I think I'm stalling myself today. After I write this blog, I'm going to go and work on organizing everything I've written and basically just try and make it easier for me to get to each document. I keep questioning myself about all the documents that have to do with my story. I always wonder if most authors have their story all on one word document and then they go around and edit it that way or do they make a gazillion little ones and then add it together once they finish.
I think I just make it worse for myself. I know that a lot of authors have a system they use to help them write, that they organize it from the first to the last page and then some who probably diagram it, criticizing each little part of it until they think they've gotten it perfect.
I do have a lot written and most of it is organized...in each little document that is. I have about eleven documents full of one story; broken down in parts, kinda like chapters. They're not in order though. My documents are named Cstory 1, Cstory 2, Cstory 3 and ect... but here is where it's slightly confusing. Cstory 1 is the summary of my story from start to finish, Cstory 2 is chapter 10 and Cstory 3 is chapter 1. See what I mean? Not very organized, so after this blog I plan on fixing that and making it easier.
On the bright side though I am writing this on my new laptop! I'm happy. Just got it Sunday. I call it my writing laptop, which makes since, considering I plan on using it mostly for writing and nothing else. (Except maybe for reading a book or two about writing a book and maybe also watching my favorite movie...again.)
One thing that I am cautious of is that my sentences don't start with and or but or that all my sentences start with I. I remember my fifth grade teacher talking about that. I follow that advice, but if you agree or disagree let me know. I do realize though, that when writing first person that is kinda of hard to do. I write in first and third pov. Which do you like better, first or third person?
~Taryn
Monday, April 15, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Writer's Block vs Being Lazy
April 7, 2013
3:43am (aka zombie mode)
I very much apologize for my lack of writing. There really is no excuse for it.
I've gotten into the swing of writing and staying up and trying to finish a page. I really envy people who can write a book in thirty days. I'm luck if I get ten pages written in a month, but could you imagine being able to do that? I would love for it to be that way sometimes.
My problem with writing this book is that right now I'm actually writing three different books. Granted one has a lot more pages written then the others, but the second one I'm writing has been my focal point right now, so it's catching up pretty quickly. I have to say though, I think the last one is my favorite story line so far; the only problem is I only have about ten pages of that written. So my main problem is, which one do I focus on? Now a dream come true scenario would be that I get them all finished at the same time and they all get published right away and then everybody likes them! I know, I know...in my dreams...but hey they are good dreams.
Now first I'll address the latter of my title, which is Being lazy. One, that does have to do with my lack of blogging. (Sorry!) and two, I think referring to the fact that I have the character interactions, certain scenes that I want in the story, and dialogue in my head. The problem is that when I go to write it down - I can't get it out right and thus in my head I think that will happen every time I try to write it out and then I get lazy and don't want to write it.
The Writer's Block has to do with the fact that I have gotten most of the important scenes out of the way, but I don't have much, if any written that leads up to said important scene. So in one story I have the Second chapter written, then I need at least another two chapters before it gets to the next complete chapter that I have written. I guess you can call it filler chapters, although I really am not a fan of that term. The question then, is how can I write 'filler chapters' or sentences that won't be boring or that make me want to skip ahead to the good stuff.
~Taryn
3:43am (aka zombie mode)
I very much apologize for my lack of writing. There really is no excuse for it.
I've gotten into the swing of writing and staying up and trying to finish a page. I really envy people who can write a book in thirty days. I'm luck if I get ten pages written in a month, but could you imagine being able to do that? I would love for it to be that way sometimes.
My problem with writing this book is that right now I'm actually writing three different books. Granted one has a lot more pages written then the others, but the second one I'm writing has been my focal point right now, so it's catching up pretty quickly. I have to say though, I think the last one is my favorite story line so far; the only problem is I only have about ten pages of that written. So my main problem is, which one do I focus on? Now a dream come true scenario would be that I get them all finished at the same time and they all get published right away and then everybody likes them! I know, I know...in my dreams...but hey they are good dreams.
Now first I'll address the latter of my title, which is Being lazy. One, that does have to do with my lack of blogging. (Sorry!) and two, I think referring to the fact that I have the character interactions, certain scenes that I want in the story, and dialogue in my head. The problem is that when I go to write it down - I can't get it out right and thus in my head I think that will happen every time I try to write it out and then I get lazy and don't want to write it.
The Writer's Block has to do with the fact that I have gotten most of the important scenes out of the way, but I don't have much, if any written that leads up to said important scene. So in one story I have the Second chapter written, then I need at least another two chapters before it gets to the next complete chapter that I have written. I guess you can call it filler chapters, although I really am not a fan of that term. The question then, is how can I write 'filler chapters' or sentences that won't be boring or that make me want to skip ahead to the good stuff.
~Taryn
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Concentrating
January 23, 2013
5:13pm
Well I got a good chunk of it written. I spent the week trying to sleep, write, and stop looking at publishing sites. I have to keep reminding myself not to look at those sites until my book is finished, otherwise I won't ever finish writing because I get so excited for when I do finish that I stop writing and spend hours looking up information for when my book is done.
I should probably wait. I might forget everything I've learned that might help me and then I'll have to go back and read the same information again and all it is doing is wasting my time.
So far I am happy with the progress I've made. I've written probably ten pages this week, which is wonderful for me. I'm lucky if I get a page a day done a day usually.
I'm a natural born procrastinator. I'll sit down and say "Okay I'm going to sit here all day and write with no distractions." and then what do I do? I go online and look at publishing sites and then go to YouTube and watch cute puppy videos.It would be nice if I was writing a book on puppies, then I'd have a reason to watch those videos all day, but I'm not. I'm sure I'd have a lot more work done if my internet went out, but it is a great way to get information on stuff I need in my story.
For instance in one scene, I have a character in the hospital and the doctor is explaining what happened, why she's like that and what they are doing to fix the problem. In real life I have no clue, so I spent the whole day researching the symptoms that the character would have as well as trying to get my imaginary doctor to explain things.
I still have a lot more to research on different subjects within the book, but let me tell you I know a lot more on that one subject then I thought I'd ever know to begin with. Come on Dr. Phil, lets see who knows more now!
It's a lot of work, but I know in the end it will be worth.
~Taryn
5:13pm
Well I got a good chunk of it written. I spent the week trying to sleep, write, and stop looking at publishing sites. I have to keep reminding myself not to look at those sites until my book is finished, otherwise I won't ever finish writing because I get so excited for when I do finish that I stop writing and spend hours looking up information for when my book is done.
I should probably wait. I might forget everything I've learned that might help me and then I'll have to go back and read the same information again and all it is doing is wasting my time.
So far I am happy with the progress I've made. I've written probably ten pages this week, which is wonderful for me. I'm lucky if I get a page a day done a day usually.
I'm a natural born procrastinator. I'll sit down and say "Okay I'm going to sit here all day and write with no distractions." and then what do I do? I go online and look at publishing sites and then go to YouTube and watch cute puppy videos.It would be nice if I was writing a book on puppies, then I'd have a reason to watch those videos all day, but I'm not. I'm sure I'd have a lot more work done if my internet went out, but it is a great way to get information on stuff I need in my story.
For instance in one scene, I have a character in the hospital and the doctor is explaining what happened, why she's like that and what they are doing to fix the problem. In real life I have no clue, so I spent the whole day researching the symptoms that the character would have as well as trying to get my imaginary doctor to explain things.
I still have a lot more to research on different subjects within the book, but let me tell you I know a lot more on that one subject then I thought I'd ever know to begin with. Come on Dr. Phil, lets see who knows more now!
It's a lot of work, but I know in the end it will be worth.
~Taryn
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Writing and Sleep
January 17, 2013
6:20pm
I try to add a little more to my story every day. Sometimes I can get three pages in and then other days only one sentence. Right now I've been trying to think of something to write, but my mind is so tired that over the last few days I've only gotten in a few paragraphs.
Sleep. That is one very important thing I need in order to write well. I'm sure it's the same with everyone; it's just not fun being so tired that you don't want to move.
I have a futon in my room and a few springs broke. I make up for it by sleeping on the very edge away from the springs or in my chair in an upright position. This is both horrible for my back as well as my sleeping patterns because I can't get comfortable. The springs in the futon are nice heavy metal ones that look like something you'd make a weapon out of. I am now afraid to sleep on the futon for fear of impaling myself through my heart or some other serious organ. Buy a new one you might ask? Sleep on the floor? Sleeping on the floor...no. Buy one? Trying to.
Until then, I'll have to find another way to sleep comfortably enough so that tomorrow I can write as much as possible. I'm still going to try to add some tonight, but I think once I can get a good nights sleep then my brain will be in writing mode.
I try to make it a habit of writing a little everyday. It works wonders, it really does. If you were able to write a page or more a day then you could probably have yourself a nice size book in about 5-6 months.
Before I go, there was one thing I wanted to address and that is- why I haven't described my book or told you much of it. Considering I'm writing a blog about writing my first book, I probably should have more of what it's about in here. For now I won't put a description of my book on here and that's just because I feel safer that my idea or my plot wont get stolen. Once I have it completely written and getting ready to be published, then I'll give you the full details.
I'll still give bits and pieces of it. Once I go over and edit my first chapter - I'll try and put it on here for people to read. Along with some character descriptions.
~Taryn
I leave you with my study buddy :) (Her name is Harley.)
I leave you with my study buddy :) (Her name is Harley.)
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
To Start
January 15, 2013
12:47am
Well to start off my name is Taryn, I'm 19 and at the moment trying to write a book.
I love reading and writing. Reading is so easy to get lost in and such an amazing way to day dream and I think writing is my own kind of day dream. The first thing I wrote that was more then a few pages was when I was 11, but that was also when I was a huge Harry Potter fan. I think I had about eleven to thirteen chapters. Which ended up being a total rip off of Harry Potter. Except for in my case the main character was a girl with older twin brothers, but besides that it was basically the same.
As I got older I thought it was stupid that I had written that. Who would read that? Who would want to? Not me, that was for sure. Now I realize that was my creative outlet. That was my canvas and I was it's painter. Cliche- I know, but that was my way of day dreaming. I got to add and continue living in my own Harry Potter fantasy world and I think that's really when I started to love writing.
As of right now I have about 10 story ideas - give or take one or two. Out of those ideas I probably have six that I've actually started writing. Of course most of them are no more then a few pages at this time. Two of my stories right now are making me get excited. Actually that kinda feel good feeling that then turns into nerves and telling myself I can't do it.
My first story I started writing two years ago when I was 17. That's the one I'm going to try to finish writing by the end of March. Maybe Feb if I get lucky. I love writing it and as I continue to add to it, the more I find it easier to think of what to say.
The other one is a kinda silly one. I had the idea for it since I was fourteen, but I'd never written down anything about it. My best friend and I were on our very first camping trip together and we went canoeing. So out there in the middle of a semi-clear river I asked her what she thought about writing a book or creating an indy movie. Well of course with our teenage budget a movie probably is never going to happen, but since that camping trip back towards the end of August we have been writing and sending it back and forth to one another and as of now all we have to write is the ending and then we are officially done with it!
I'm not very sure how well the second would do- like I said, it's kinda of a silly idea. I am however very much looking forward to finishing writing my very first book.
The point of this blog is just a way to show people my experiences as I try finish my very first book. My thoughts and feelings. As well as my experiences of getting it published.
~Taryn
12:47am
Well to start off my name is Taryn, I'm 19 and at the moment trying to write a book.
I love reading and writing. Reading is so easy to get lost in and such an amazing way to day dream and I think writing is my own kind of day dream. The first thing I wrote that was more then a few pages was when I was 11, but that was also when I was a huge Harry Potter fan. I think I had about eleven to thirteen chapters. Which ended up being a total rip off of Harry Potter. Except for in my case the main character was a girl with older twin brothers, but besides that it was basically the same.
As I got older I thought it was stupid that I had written that. Who would read that? Who would want to? Not me, that was for sure. Now I realize that was my creative outlet. That was my canvas and I was it's painter. Cliche- I know, but that was my way of day dreaming. I got to add and continue living in my own Harry Potter fantasy world and I think that's really when I started to love writing.
As of right now I have about 10 story ideas - give or take one or two. Out of those ideas I probably have six that I've actually started writing. Of course most of them are no more then a few pages at this time. Two of my stories right now are making me get excited. Actually that kinda feel good feeling that then turns into nerves and telling myself I can't do it.
My first story I started writing two years ago when I was 17. That's the one I'm going to try to finish writing by the end of March. Maybe Feb if I get lucky. I love writing it and as I continue to add to it, the more I find it easier to think of what to say.
The other one is a kinda silly one. I had the idea for it since I was fourteen, but I'd never written down anything about it. My best friend and I were on our very first camping trip together and we went canoeing. So out there in the middle of a semi-clear river I asked her what she thought about writing a book or creating an indy movie. Well of course with our teenage budget a movie probably is never going to happen, but since that camping trip back towards the end of August we have been writing and sending it back and forth to one another and as of now all we have to write is the ending and then we are officially done with it!
I'm not very sure how well the second would do- like I said, it's kinda of a silly idea. I am however very much looking forward to finishing writing my very first book.
The point of this blog is just a way to show people my experiences as I try finish my very first book. My thoughts and feelings. As well as my experiences of getting it published.
~Taryn
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