Hey girls! Guess what… one of my long time friends has invited me to teach a writing class for a writing even that she is hosting in her home town! This is a really exciting opportunity for me as I get to be talking about character building and importance. And characters are one of my very favorite parts of writing stories. If you’re interested in participating in this free event over Zoom, scroll to the bottom of this post where I will have a link to the sign up form!
I know the title says I’m having second thoughts… and I am.
You see, I’ve been writing pretty steadily since my last post where I shared that I had committed to a 20k word goal on Camp Nano. Currently I’m sitting at a total of 14k words for the story, and 11k written during camp. This is both a good thing and a bad thing.
I am a SEVERE panster. Which means I almost never plot my work. I do have a little timeline app that I downloaded for this particular story, and it’s helped me keep my timeline straight. But its a very basic name-date timeline, with no details.
For me, outlines kill creativity. This is not true for everyone! Some people have a much better time writing out their stories once they’ve been outlined. Why am I repeating all this?
Because I’m afraid. I’m afraid that my story is progressing with too many words that are not carrying the point or purpose of the plot. I’m afraid that I’m 14k words in too deep, and I’ve hardly done anything to progress the plot of the story itself.
I’m also afraid because this story is turning out so much differently than my last two. There’s much less drama, much less distress. There are a lot less breakdown scenes. The format of the story is completely different than my last two books.
I’m afraid that this story is much more of an easygoing adventure story of self discovery, rather than a deep heart-wrenching plot that will drown you with its purpose.
I’m afraid that I’m pushing myself to keep writing and writing and continue the story, when I don’t even know where it’s going. Which isn’t true. I know exactly where it’s going. But part of me is on this adventure with Aubrey to figure out what it’s truly about.
I’m afraid I’m pushing a point too hard to try and give this story a purpose, and it’ll get old and boring. And I’m afraid I’ll drown out what God’s trying to use this story for.
I’m afraid I’m both trying too hard, and not trying hard enough. The story comes so easily, and yet I’m worried that if I let it keep flowing naturally I’ll never produce anything worth reading.
Writing is hard!
I’m not going to stop. If I get to 185k words and finish, and I have to cut out half of it again to make it work, I will! I’m going to work hard and I’m going to give Aubrey’s story breath. I’m going to bring her to life. I
I’m not going to let my second thoughts stop something I’m willing to work hard for.
Aubrey will breath.
Let me know in the comments which part of writing is the hardest for you. Let’s talk!
If you’re interested in the writing class, here is the link! Be sure to mention that you are signing up to watch via zoom as this event is in Lima, Ohio.