All I can say is, thank goodness for a support group. I'm pretty much a whiner--I whine to my friends. I whine to my husband. I even whine to the people I haven't met yet but bask in the friendship we've formed via our obsessions with reading and writing. So my last post was inspired by WiDo author Tamara Hart Heiner. Well this post is inspired by David J. West. Check out David's blog: http://david-j-west.blogspot.com/. His book, Heroes of the Fallen is due to come out (I think!) in November. And he's taken a charge I would be terrified to try: he's fictionalizing Book of Mormon characters--but with grit and a unique taste. I'm stoked to read his book. Buy a copy! We'll chat!
But when I was complaining to him that I couldn't seem to get in the groove to write something new while editing my current project, my hidden motivation finally spring-loaded, and I am now working on my new book!
Actually, it stems from Karen Jones Gowen, author of Uncut Diamonds and Farm Girl. And you can read her fantastic wisdom at karenjonesgowen.blogspot.com. SEE, what would I do without these WiDo authors? I'd be a blind-folded hamster, smacking frantically into all household walls!... wait... I kind of already do that... spacially challenged? I think that's what they call it...
Okay, I'll cease the unnecessary comments! Yes, I will actually spit it out!
I am working on a novel based on the short story LDS Publisher will be publishing within her collection this very October. The good news is I'll have the rights back for the short story after Christmas. Then hopefully I can con WiDo into publishing it. Karen suggested I do this and I hope it works! I'm writing a straight up Romance! Wow--nothing Supernatural or anything--I'm scared to focus only on Romance. Scared without the Supernatural. Odd....Wish me luck!
What are you out there working on? Or what have you been thinking about working on?? You can do it! Share, please share! We must be each other's cheer leaders--the critiquing is for later! Let's completely stop short of all critical thoughts. Throw your ideas out there! What do you want to write (or create)?
I am so excited about your new project! It's going to be awesome!
ReplyDeleteI think this is going to be great, Mary! As for myself, I have finally come to terms with the realization that I will not write anything new until I'm released from my heavy duty calling. Although I will work on House of Diamonds, I have accepted that will be as far as I go until further notice. At first I thought there was something wrong with that, but now I realize it is okay. And I will make up for it big time in 2-3 years from now when I am released.
ReplyDeleteOh, Karen, you are a wonderful person. I'm going to be struck down for saying this, but I would hate to be RS President! (Delilas ::looks around nervously:: you better not be reading this!... Our Manassas Second Ward RS Pres. may just decide to release some scary and well-deserved wrath!)
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, anyone who gives as much time as the RS calling requires is going straight to the Celestial kingdom and will be rewarded with gallons of Eddy's ice cream.
Mary, I would hate it too. I say it all the time, and have not yet been cursed with that calling.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I really wanted to start working on my next book, but felt like I shouldn't while I was still working on the old one. I didn't want them to be too similar.
I read the first chapter of 38 fiction writing mistakes, and it was a page and a half saying that procrastination is just a bunch of lame excuses and if you listen to those lame excuses you will never be a writer. (It didn't really say that, but basically.)
I didn't read past that first chapter, I am ready to go!!!
L.A., wanna know one of my biggest issues with working on a second story before the first is complete? I feel like I'm cheating on my characters from my first book! AND I'm getting so wrapped up creating my new plot that my first story is becoming a haze... until Billy snaps me back into reality when he contacts me with what I can do next to make #1 better. :)
ReplyDeleteStill... I keep fighting the urge to write apology letters to my first protagonist and her love interest. Oh, my twisted, ambivalent neglect!