It's the first Wednesday in December which can only mean that today's the day for monthly meeting of The Insecure Writer's Support Group, hosted by our Ninja founder Alex J. Cavanaugh. Visit the IWSG page here to sign up and join us, view a list of members, or see the co-hosts for this month. I am one of those co-hosts today!
Last month I posted about my enthusiasm for the start of National Novel Writing Month and I was confident that I was finally going to get my WIP A Window Box in Paris written. Unfortunately that enthusiasm lasted about ten days. The story kind of blew up in my face as I realized I had been a little too confident about writing it when I hadn't done nearly enough research or prep work.
I pouted and grumbled at myself for several days, then decided to go back to A Killing in Kennecott, the sequel to Polar Day that I had abandoned earlier in the year after I decided the story was such a mess it would be completely impossible to fix. I realized when looking at it with fresh eyes that it really wasn't so bad after all and that the problems were probably fixable.
Now I'm working on another draft of that story and enjoying it. I don't think I ever would have gone back to it if I hadn't made such a mess of my NaNo plans. Thus the title of this post and my dark cloud's silver lining!
When I'm done visiting Alaska again I hope to make my way back to Paris. Maybe fresh eyes will help that story too. 😃
I also want to give a quick shout-out to the ladies over at the Write...Edit...Publish hop, who are hosting their last hop of the year. December's theme is "the End is the Beginning." I decided to join in with this group back in August and I'm so glad I did, I love it! I'd encourage anyone who is interested to give it a try.
And now I'm off to make my co-hosting rounds and catch up with my regular visits. Happy December, all!
Hi Julie, Thank you for sharing your nano experience. I always find it more interesting and instructive to learn about how things didn't work out :)
ReplyDeleteNot enough prep was my NaNo problem too. Still, we tried - that should count for something.
ReplyDeleteI'd never even consider NaNo since I write like a snail and just don't have the time. But God works in mysterious ways, sending you back to the other story with fresh eyes. Good Luck, Julie!
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the advantages of NaNo. It sometimes opens our eyes to see inconsistencies or flaws in our work that we didn't see before. The main thing is that you saw it and decided to stop until you have done more prep work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being one of our co-host today.
All the best, and I wish you a successful crossover into 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
The glass half empty, or the glass half full. Sounds like yours is half full and getting more liquid! Good luck in your revisions!
ReplyDeleteGlad that your Nano experience turned into something good and that you are writing what you enjoy.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing what fresh eyes can do for a project? Good luck with the sequel, Julie!
ReplyDeleteHave fun co-hosting today! :)
Hey, just throwing yourself into the NaNo ring is a major accomplishment, especially if it stimulates you into writing more (even if it's a different project).
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting this month!
Thank you for co-hosting this month. Glad looking at your work with fresh eyes is proving to be useful and that there's some good stuff there you can work with. Cheers - Ellen
ReplyDeleteAlaska is such a breathtakingly beautiful place. We live a day's drive away and don't get up there near as often as we wish. Looking forward to your story, Julie.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful how one thing can lead to another! And maybe that NaNo project will work out later on.
ReplyDeleteSo despite the misstep with NaNo, it worked in your favor - awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today.
Congratulations on finding the silver lining. That's a great life lesson. Thanks for co-hosting the IWSG December blog hop.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting! Good for you, that you kept writing even when your first project didn't work out. I'm still trying to find the voice of my mc as I struggle through the first chapters of a new novel.
ReplyDeleteSounds like transitioning to another story was just meant to be! I've never tried NaNo but I think it would blow up on me if I did. :-) Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteAh, I love when writing serendipity happens! :) Glad it worked out for you!
ReplyDeleteYou never know when those WIPs will get your attention again. Glad you found something that held your interest! Just go with it. I love when a story takes a hold of you and won't let go.
ReplyDeleteYeah, sometimes not knowing enough can get your manuscript into trouble. Give it time. You may find a way to fix it. Sometimes time away is just what we need, like you discovered with A Killing in Kennecott. :)
ReplyDeleteWriting is full of ups and downs like that. Traveling is a great way to inspire. It definitely is for me! Thanks for co-hosting this month. :)
ReplyDeleteFresh eyes are the best way to really see what you've got. I tend to overdo it when I shelve something, but a few months on the back burner can be really helpful. I hope your 2018 is spectacular!
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed reading your experiences. That is a wonderful silver lining to NaNoWriMo. I'm going to check out your link!
ReplyDeleteHurray for silver linings! Even though NaNo didn't work out the way you had initially hoped, I think it's amazing how it helped revive an old WIP. (Especially since it means another book for a series I adore. YAY!) Best of luck with A Killing in Kennecott! ^_^
ReplyDeleteFrom the ashes rises a new creation! Kind of like the phoenix, heh? Glad you made a new run at your project.
ReplyDeleteIsn’t it amazing what happens when we let something sit for a while? Fresh eyes really do help. :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it remarkable how distance can give us such a different perspective of our work?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up on the hop.
Wishing you much success in 2018.
Cliche, but one door closed and another opened for you.
ReplyDeleteWell, for selfish reasons I'm glad you're back to working on that Polar Day sequel because I love those books. But the Paris story will come in time! Sometimes they need some more "percolation" before they're ready. Here's to a great writing 2018.
ReplyDeleteGlad you managed to work on your older story. Giving yourself some distance from a project can be a good thing. I'm hoping it will be a bit like that for me in the new year! No words written are ever wasted :)
ReplyDeleteOh I was going to do NaNo as well, but pretty much on Day 2 plans changed! Have a wonderful time in Alaska!! Here's to doing better in 2018! :)
ReplyDeleteHa! Funny how that happens. Sometimes you have to switch gears and backtrack in order to move forward.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays, Julie!
Looking at something with fresh eyes only seems to have positive outcomes. We all need a break from focusing on the same thing too long, once in a while. I am happy about your silver lining. And, I'm impressed that you always have a working title for your WIPs!
ReplyDeleteTravel is so important I hope you are able to visit Alaska and Paris. Best wishes for a healthy and wealthy 2018!
ReplyDeletewww.stephentremp.com
Thanks for co-hosting this month! I've been eyeing those WEP blog hops, I'll have to look them up in 2018 if they will keep going.
ReplyDeleteSounds like for the most part it all work out. Love it when that happens.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to go back to an old draft or unfinished manuscript and give it a well-needed rewrite and restructuring. It's challenging, but worth it. I see it as the chance to write that book all over again, not just the once.
ReplyDeleteHappy December! Thanks for co-hosting this month! I'm glad you found a sliver lining in the NaNo cloud this year. I'm looking forward to reading both/either book - whether in Alaska or Paris, I'm sure the stories will be great.
ReplyDeleteI've done that. Left a work to do something else and then when I revisit it, it is much better than I thought. Feels good, doesn't it. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I have several abandoned projects. It's a good thing to have projects you can turn to when one turns on you and refuses to be written.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to look at the older work with fresh eyes and get that one moving. Happy Holidays and thank you for co-hosting this month!
ReplyDeleteI'm new to IWSG, so hello! I like your positive attitude. Making lemonade out of a lemon, finding the silver lining in the dark cloud ... That counts so much in life, and especially in this writing business, when things seem to never, ever go as planned.
ReplyDeleteYour muse may not be taking you where you thought you were going, but at least she hasn't deserted you! And it's always wise to follow where she leads.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting this month.
What a great result from your Nano experience! After all, its all about getting your story written down - no matter which one it is. As Napoleon Hill observed a century ago, every adversity has the seed of an equal or greater benefit.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for co-hosting, Julie. I love your positive attitude! What a great silver lining to find. Who knows, that story may pop back up and call to you in a couple of months again. I loved the short story you did for it not long ago.
ReplyDeleteElsie
The WEP saved my writing this year and it's just about all I accomplished these last 6 months, and I'm thrilled for that. I'm so glad you've joined us. Isn't it funny the turns our plans take just when we think we know where we're going. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy holiday and happy writing!
I hear what you're saying about that NaNo fizzle. I did something similar in my last attempt whenever that was (a few years ago). I started as though I knew exactly where I was going in my story and then everything just fell apart and I gave it up.
ReplyDeleteAt least you went back to projects that were still workable so that is a good thing.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Thanks for co-hosting, Julie. I'm glad you found your silver lining. Or did you make some lemonade? LOL Best wishes on your projects. Merry Christmas to you & your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experiences. Good luck on your projects, and have a happy holiday! Thank you for co-hosting this month. I can't believe we're wrapping up 2017 already.
ReplyDeleteHi, fellow co-host! I hope that you are enjoying your day! They say every cloud has a silver lining ~ Glad you found yours! Happy holidays and happy writing in December!
ReplyDeleteThank you for co-hosting this month.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got something out of Nano.
I love WEP. I wish I could participate more consistenly; it really is a great hop to be part of.
Best wishes in the new year.
Sometimes you have to revisit where you've been to get where you're going. Thanks for co-hosting, Julie!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't make it through NaNo this year, either, but I'm pleased with the start I got. Good luck with the one you're fixing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today! Sound like it was a case of all’s well that ends well. Glad it worked for you and maybe A Window Box in Paris will be ready for you in the new year. Happy writing with fresh eyes. And Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie! Thanks for co-hosting! Oh, sheesh, I was so looking forward to reading another Paris novel. Hopefully you'll get back to it. MAYBE down the line I could read, encourage you!
ReplyDeleteSee you soon for WEP. Thanks for the shout out!
Denise :-)
Isn't it interesting that your non-success at NaNo is turning into something positive? I look forward to read your WEP story this month.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie! I'm sorry that your plans changed, but it's great that you're on track with a Polar Day sequel! Thanks for cohosting this month! Happy Holidays and all the best in 2018!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Hi Julie! Thanks for co-hosting IWSG this month. I don't participate in NaNo. I simply don't need more pressure. Bravo for all you've accomplished. And all the luck with a new year of writing in 2018. Happy Holidays.
ReplyDeleteI've followed your blog and will check to be sure we are connected online.
That's cool to find a treasure in something you put aside. Congrats on your 'kind of' win.
ReplyDeleteA marvelous silver lining. :) Good on you for turning to another project instead of giving up on NaNo entirely. Happy hopping!
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit behind but I wanted to let you know that I did finally write my Dec. 6 blog for the IWSG. Thanks for your continued support and encouragement! http://www.dianeweidenbenner.com/iwsg-end-of-year-musings/
ReplyDeleteI didn't do Nano either. I did it in 2015 and achieved my 50,000 but I'm still editing my 2015 novel.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you can do amazing things with an imperfect MS, if you leave it alone for long enough! Good job for both recognizing that Paris wasn't ready, and in going back and finding something that was ready and inspired you!
ReplyDeleteGood news in your blog. Fresh eyes are always good when returning to a project. Sounds like you did find a silver lining. Congrats! They say (whoever they is) "never give up." So true for writers.
ReplyDeleteJQ@JQ Rose
I too, like letting something alone and going back to it. I do that with editor comments too, because I know myself enough to realize I can't hear well the first reading. I'm too emotionally involved. But if I set it aside for a few days or so, I can "hear" what the editor is saying better and get myself in gear to make the changes that always seem to make my story better... Thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteI didn't finish NaNo this year either. I ended up getting really sick in the second week and I'm still not quite over it yet. I figure even if you only get 1000 words written, it's more than what you had before. :-D
ReplyDeleteTake care and have a great new year!
I love digging out an old draft and reading through with fresh eyes. Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear the one story didn't pan out, but yay for another story swooping in for the save!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie - it's good to have a few projects on the go - makes it easier to keep writing ... and those stories will develop. Love your 'Welcome December' image - delightful colours ...
ReplyDeleteGlad you joined in the WEP - I'm enjoying it too .. though need to work out what I write next week ... and I still think I have to do the rounds for the last one too - moving continents doesn't help sometimes ..
Cheers and enjoy the seasonal build up - and all the best for 2018 - Hilary
Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete