From Kate’s Writing Crate…
Too long ago I started writing my novel with
characters and a plot in mind, but, after writing the two most exciting
chapters, I stopped.
Why? Bored, mostly. Also, not sure
how to keep momentum going even with a plot.
Then, as I wrote last month, Cheryl
shared with me that the prolific author Marie Force writes at least 2.000 words
a day—every day—in one or both of the two books she has going at all times.
(She has five series ongoing plus several single titles.)
Furthermore, Force is a pantster
(writes by the seat of her pants) not a plotter.
She knows what she is talking
about so I decided to do the same.
Great news: I roughly finished
my two partial chapters and wrote eight more writing fearlessly daily—and it was a blast!
My characters said and did things I didn’t plan and kept the action/plot moving
forward.
This is the only way I’ll ever
write fiction.
The bad news: I didn’t do it every
day. I should’ve as momentum does build and writing daily keeps it going.
However, I had my monthly magazine deadlines and a two-week project also due.
Bills have to be paid so I thought
I needed to concentrate on my professional assignments, but this was a HUGE rookie
mistake.
Marie Force is right—2,000 words a
day on your book(s) or don’t bother. That’s a direct quote. She wasn’t making a
suggestion; she was telling Cheryl to commit to her work—no matter what.
So I’m sharing with you that you
need to commit to 2,000 words a day—2k a day—no matter what.
I should’ve gotten up earlier or
stayed up later or written in any spare time I had to keep the momentum going.
Even if my writing was rough or off tangent, the magic and fun would have
continued. But I stopped writing 2k a day. Instead I made notes on “new” ideas
to make a character have more depth plus opened up a new avenue for the plot.
It wasn’t enough.
When my magazine deadline was over
and my project was submitted, my novel was cold. I lost my strong connection to
my characters. After an unacceptable/unexcused absence, they were giving me a
collective cold shoulder.
I had a tough time starting up
again, but then I read Stephanie Bond is Your
Personal Fiction-Writing Coach. Having written over 70 novels, Bond shares
a lot of great advice and tips although some are better than others. She got me
started again—and I’m never stopping unless I decide I don’t want a dream
career of writing, hopefully, bestselling novels after all.
The key to success is hard work—writing
2,000 words a day for your book(s). Every day. No excuses.
Great news: learn from my mistake and commit
from the start. You’ll be surprised and delighted where it leads. Then you can
call yourself an author. Is that your dream? Go for it—2k a day!
