After two years and ten books I can say with pride that I am a writer. But with this new title added to my profession, there comes a greater responsibility. I have to work hard and be diligent to inspire readers to want to read more of what I write. I am required to study, to research, to dig deep into the volumes of texts, hand books, informative novels written by other authors who struggled with writing long enough to leave notes on what to do and what not to do and come up with a story that is not another broken down version of a cliché from some other author who was attempting to do something different.
I have learned that although my stories are good, which by the way, as I am learning, is a terrible way to tell an author about their work. I needed to hear that I repeat words, phrases and do a lot of telling and not showing. But as a person who reads, do you really know when you are being told an action as opposed to being shown? I didn't. It wasn't until I found an editor who nit picked at every word, sentence and phrase I said pointing out my wrongdoings.
As an author, I write what my characters say.
I write what I see in my head they do and I use the language I am accustomed to saying.
So until my reading expands, I may still say 'shoulda' actually, I don't say it now. I know not to say that, but I do say 'that' and 'something' and of course I have a habit of saying 'went to' alot. It may be a long time before I use the words 'subvocalized, tumultuous, or milieu'
From my editor, I found using the words 'went to' is passive voice and 'tells' what the character does. The reader doesn't see the action take place. They can only imagine it was going to happen. For example.
Sally went to the door, opening it and Rich went to take her hand pulling her back to kiss her.
In this sentence using 'went to' indicates she was going to the door. Then she paused as if she were waiting for another action to propel her forward. The line makes you lose interest in the story. Instead it should read.
Sally opened the door, Rich pulled her back kissing her.
As a reader you can see the action flowing. This scene alone makes you want to read more of the story.
Also as a writer, I am to be focused (Cant decide on what book to read next, then there is the Lego movie coming on at 6 and I need to take my meds at 4) and expand on my reach as I am working to make a name for myself. Meaning I need to be in the social media as much as possible.
How can I do this and still have time to write?
Making a schedule would help. Making a daily list of things and the amount of time I should spend on them would help also. (same as making a schedule)
But unfortunately not all of us are great with utilizing our times in such fashions. I have a bit of a problem when it comes to doing that. (Notice I used 'that' too many times.) I multitask. I write, read, make notes then for some reason get up to get an item I really didn't need to get away from the thing I needed to do. I am easily distracted even in the confines of my office space. SQUIRREL!
If the house is quiet, I go in search of an item to make some noise so I know I am not alone. I listen to music, but the music cant be near me or I will hear the song in my head and begin to sing then drown out the voice I was meant to be listening to. I am on Facebook, but will get distracted on there as well even though I have told myself I wouldn't and limit the time I am on there. So if I know I am going to be distracted, I wont log on at all. But in order to get my name out there I need to be online for people to see me. I am on Twitter, but rarely post messages about my book. I feel I am repeating all too often and that is a cliché to me. I have followers, but still don't understand the concept of following. I have a blog, as you can see, but I am hardly on here as well. I find it hard to have things to say, I almost used the word 'something' there. When it comes to leave a post about what I am doing, it takes away from a word or phrase my character would say. In my effort to get out, I have tried making web pages, my computer literacy has limits. I am just learning how to use the items on my word doc program.
Where was I going with this....oh yes. Responsibility as a writer.
So as of this moment, I have reached the place most writers avoid or try not to be in. I am unable to complete a story. It's not writers block in the definitive term, its a writers block in the term of I just sit at my screen looking at the words wondering when I will be able to write more. I do small amounts of editing, but nothing to complete the stories. Could be from the 36 story ideas popping in my head and I write down five to eight pages of how the story should go and what is supposed to happen. But then want to get to stories I have on the back burner from two years ago and the thought has slipped from me. I am longwinded. As you can see. I write useless information, taking away from the main characters, my secondary characters are more involved than the main characters. But this is from a book I am currently writing, not of m previous works.
So again, where was I going with this?
There is no easy way to be a writer. You have to work hard, give your best, be determined and build your reading library. A writer that writes, is a writer that also reads.
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