anyone can write a novel
Thursday, 10 December 2009

I’m gonna warn you from the get-go: I’ve got nothin’ tonight. Writer’s Block with a capital WB. I’m hoping I’ll warm up as I go.

So, you know how I participated in National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo) this November? Well. I finished. Excuse me, I WON. (That’s the proper NaNo slang for getting to 50,000 words by midnight on November 30. Anybody can win.)

And you know what? It really wasn’t all that hard. And do you know what that statement says about me? My novel is probably a piece of trash. Because GOOD writing? Does not generally come so easy.

On second thought, it WAS hard. Here’s what I thought was hardest:

1. coming up with plot ideas and not resolving them instantly, no matter how hard I wanted to.

2. writing an average of 1,667 words a day, even when I didn’t feel like it.

3. writing a story from beginning to end (I have never, ever done this before).

4. not going back one single time to edit anything.

5. making it realistic but not boring.

I’m going to let the little booger sit for awhile. Then sometime in January, I might get it out, read it (I’ve never even read it!), edit and revise it, and then… I’m not dumb enough to think it’s something a publisher would want to look at. My sweet agent would probably raise her eyebrow at me if I even hinted at it. This thing was just me dipping my toes in fiction writing to see if it’s something I’d like to study/learn/pursue.

I’m not sure it is.

I’m definitely not a natural at it. The whole plot thing? Ack. Now, dialogue? That’s another thing altogether. People talking to each other? I’m all over that. If I could write a book that was 100% dialogue (or a book of letters!), I might give it a whirl.

If I were on stage accepting an award right now for “winning” NaNoWriMo, I’d have to thank my husband first. That dude got so into my book. He wanted to help me invent characters and plot twists. He gave me ideas and mapped out a time line. He even made a map of the world (one of my characters lives in Ohio and one in Cambodia–original, I know).

Speaking of original, most of my characters and plot were modeled after someone/some experience I’m familiar with. Apparently, I’m lacking in the imagination department. Because much of the story takes place in Cambodia–in an orphanage even–I’m thinking of ways I could use the “book” to help raise money for the missionary (love you, Jen!) and kiddos our church supports over there.

Gabe and I have tossed around the idea of making a website for the “book.” (And yes, I’m going to keep writing the word “book” in quotations.) Like, start in February and post a page of the book each day. And if you just can’t wait (ha!) a whole year to finish the book, you can make a donation to the Coins for Cambodia Fund, and I’ll send you the whole manuscript.

You like-a?

If you’ve ever considered writing a novel, I highly recommend NaNoWriMo as a great place to start. There’s no pressure. You can write 50,000 words of pure waste, and you still win. No one sees your novel. It doesn’t matter how awful it is. You just write and write and write. And worry about making it good later. Or never.

Can you see yourself writing a novel someday?

 
all of today's proceeds go to Asia's Hope!
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Early last year our church established an orphanage in Cambodia through Asia's Hope. Every penny of today's profits from book sales will go to help those precious kids. Details over at my blog . Thanks so much for your help!!
 
help for the aspiring writer
Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Ever get the feeling you're being used? Every once in a while, I'll meet someone (on-line or in real life), and we'll chit-chat for a brief moment, then I'll realize what they really want from me. Not friendship so much, but, "So, um, I'd really like to write a book. Can you help me?"

You can't imagine how many people out there want to write a book or be a "real" writer. Maybe you're one of them? If a passion for writing is burning a hole in the bottom of your proverbial pocket, you've come to the right place. No, not so I can share all my morsels of wisdom with you, but so I can't point you to people who can.

Isn't it crazy how we writer-people (and if you like to write, you're a writer-people) feel compelled to crystallize our thoughts, to put our life experiences into words, to share our aha! moments with who(m)ever will listen? It's kinda hard to explain to someone who doesn't have the writing itch/bug/craving. It's a tugging, almost a yanking. A burning, a longing, an urge. A force you can't ignore or stuff down, no matter how hard you try. 

So, what in the world do you do with that??

Hey there. I'm Marla. And I'd love to help you.

First of all, here's my personal story of getting published. In that post, I mention a gal named Rachelle Gardner who's a literary agent. Her blog contains the single most helpful writing advice I've ever gotten. She should be selling this stuff, but she's handing it out for free. Bookmark her blog, read it every day, and comment whenever you can.

I also mentioned Mary DeMuth's blog, So You Wanna Be Published? More good stuff.

Other sites I've found helpful include The Books & Such Blog ,Thomas Nelson CEO Michael Hyatt's blog ,agent Chip MacGregor's blog , Novel Journey. And here's the really cool thing. To save me from typing in a million blog links, each of these folks has a list of important writing blogs on his/her sidebar. Just start clicking and bookmarking and browsing and subscribing and...overwhelmed yet?

And here's something you might not have thought of. Are you Twittering? Click here to find out more info on this hot social networking tool. Follow me--I'm marlataviano. And here's a list of 25 agents/publishers/writing people you should follow if you want to write a book someday. You can also browse my list of people I'm following . Lots of great writer-people there.

Obviously, all this acquiring of knowledge and networking with people in the know isn't going to write a book for you. You're still going to have to sit down and do that on your own. And for more wisdom and advice on that, you'll have to check back soon.

I never, ever discourage someone from pursuing writing. I really believe it's something anyone can do with enough blood, sweat and tears. Some people have more natural talent than others,sure, but there's so much to be said for good old-fashioned hard work.

Bottom line? If there's a voice inside your head telling you to write, either ask it to kindly shut up, or get writing!

 
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