Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Announcements that surprise no one: I did not complete NaNoWriMo

[sigh]  Oh well.

I am psyching myself up to rewrite my novel, AN UNEXPECTED KINGDOM, in the first person- you know: pep talks in the mirror, some face slapping, shots of whisky, jumping jacks, manic screaming, etc.  Since none of those things are doing the trick, I was very happy to find in my inbox a lovely post from Writer's Digest with advice (they call it "secrets", but it's really advice) from 90 best-selling authors.  Here are my three favorites, I hope they inspire you to write or rewrite too.
1. “We, and I think I’m speaking for many writers, don’t know what it is that sometimes comes to make our books alive. All we can do is to write dutifully and day after day, every day, giving our work the very best of what we are capable. I don’t think that we can consciously put the magic in; it doesn’t work that way. When the magic comes, it’s a gift.”
—Madeleine L’Engle

2. “Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts.”
—Larry L. King

3. “I like to say there are three things that are required for success as a writer: talent, luck, discipline. … [Discipline] is the one that you have to focus on controlling, and you just have to hope and trust in the other two.”
—Michael Chabon


Oh, and this another important thing to keep in mind:
“I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide.”
—Harper Lee

4 comments:

  1. Discipline, I'm working on that. It's almost midnight and I'm still working on the chapters you sent back to me. ;0)

    Good advice!

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  2. I'm also in the process of switching my WIP to first person. Fortunately (or unfortunately?) there's no finished manuscript of it. First person comes with its own challenges but also a lot of important rewards. Good luck with your revisions, and thanks for sharing the awesome writer's quotes!

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  3. Jenny- Awesome! You have to keep working so I can see those chapters!
    Annalise- It is so great to hear that someone is going through the process I am about to undertake. Good luck!! Keep me updated on how it's going.

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  4. I loved those bits of inspiration! No wonder they're your favorites!

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