Writing

Monday, July 25, 2005

I didn’t get much writing done last week, then last night I wrote a page (single spaced) in about an hour. And another page (longhand) on the ride in to work this morning. Haven’t done anything so far this evening since I pretty much crashed right after dinner. I can’t wait for ‘crunch time’ to end at work.

I’ve been wondering why this—my 6th attempt at writing an erotic romance novella—is going so well (discounting the work-related stress/exhaustion that has me writing in fits and starts). And I realized it because this time around I’m actually sucked into the ‘adventure’ storyline and the emotional stakes of the characters.

On each previous attempt to write this type of story, I would focus on the ‘sex’: it had to be paramount; happen early and often. But within 3 pages I’d shut down creatively and be bored with the story. With this story I’ve set up a conceit/premise that will facilitate lots of boinking, etc., but the world building and characters arcs are what’s holding my attention. In any medium, including real life, sex gets pretty boring if it’s the only thing going on.

Since I opened my big mouth this morning and asked if anyone wanted to join in in a book-in-a-week challenge (you don’t really write a book in a week, just as much as you can) I guess I should open up the doc and at least transcribe this morning’s notes before hitting the hay fo’ real, yo.

So far, Cece, April, Steph and Jordan have joined in the biaw. Anyone else up for it? If I can make my tired ass write, so can you.

**I added a direct link to this post in the sidebar for update purposes.

Later gator
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11 comments:

Katrina Glover said...

Woo-hoo on the progress with your novella! Sounds like you've really tapped into these characters and that's so great!

A challenge, you say? Hmmm... interesting idea.

Jordan Summers said...

I think you've made a huge discovery with your writing. I did the same thing for a while and hated EVERYTHING that I wrote. As soon as I went back to the action/adventure, things turned around for me and my writing. Good for you! Have we started the BIAW? If so, shit!

vanessa jaye said...

Kat, this is just the kick in the heinie you need....

Jordan: er, yeah, today. gg

Anonymous said...

Okay, I guess I'm in for a page a day...sigh...

Yeah, I know--beat me, kick me, break out the whip--I love it...

Katrina Glover said...

I'll take you up on that heinie kick :: grin ::

I'm going to be handwriting tho, so I hope its not a problem ( I just do better on paper in the beginning, dunno why ).

Gotta love back to school time! Went to Wal*Mart today and picked up 4 spiral notebooks for 10 cents each!!!

Stephanie Tyler said...

OMG - LMAO @ Jordan...

Don't worry - I KNEW we'd started and I've accomplished nothing. Yet. Still got plenty of time.

And cool on your pages, Jaq! You're right - you've got to make it more about the characters and let them decide the sexual premise stuff - it's much easier that way.

And then, when you're done with the novella, it's back to Odil, right? Right? (here's where you lie to me. just nod yes)

vanessa jaye said...

Odil is hanging out with Jake, Steph..... ::evil smile::

I wuz wondering why you hadn't joined in Raine.

Jordan, Steph. I don't know why I hadn't realized it sooner. ::shame::

I think I'm gonna rig the sidebar up with something so we can all just click back here to post results.

vanessa jaye said...

I'm posting this Thursday. Nope haven't written anything. Been nursing a massive headache all day (I just caught sight of myself in the mirror, my eyes are all bloodshot like I've been crying). It's just been a shitty day over all. But I have opened up the doc, so maybe I'll get something done.
:(

Anonymous said...

Also posting Thursday...

I hesitated because I'm just not a fast writer. And if I try it, it's usually disastrous stuff, lol!

But I've been managing 2-3 pages every day, which is amazing for me! Thanks for giving me a nudge, lady!

(And hope that headache goes away for you, hon! Sounds awful).

vanessa jaye said...

Well, I haven't been exactly lighting the pages on fire, but I did fix some stuff yesterday and hope to get a fair bit of writing done today (Sunday the 31).

So far, since the challenge started, I've written 3 ss pages. I think that works out to appx 7 standard format ms pages, so not as bad as I thought.

I have the next two days off, and right now I'm at appx 4K words. I'd like to at least double that by Tuesday night.

Anyone else dropping by with their results? I know Cece finished a her novella. How're the rest of you guys doing?

vanessa jaye said...

Posting this Sunday night. BIAW officially over in another 30mins: Well, just from emails and blog hopping, I know that Cece and Jordan achieved their goals, and Kat is working out some plotting issues. Not sure if Steph hit her target.

I did more tweaking today, rather than writing forward. But I did do 3 crits, plus hit the gym, so I'm gonna cut me some slack. Tomorrow I should make some great progress.

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