I am determined to write a novel.
At least, that’s what I tell myself.
However, I suffer from the same “shiny nickel syndrome” that most writers suffer from. There always seems to be something more urgent that needs my attention. The result is that I have never gone back to write anymore of a novel after the first day of writing.
I tell myself I’m a writer every time I publish a blog post or a new installment of The Linden Tree or even a response to a writing prompt and that makes me feel okay for a day or two.
It’s not enough anymore.
Things are going to change. Nicole Rivera posted yesterday her own concerns regarding this same issue and she proposed a solution for herself. A solution that I’m going to try.
I am going to set myself a deadline for a first draft of a novel.
I am going to do exactly what Nicole is doing. I have set iGoogle as my homepage and installed a countdown app. I set the deadline to my son’s birthday – October 12th. That gives me 120 days to bang out a first draft.
4 months to finish.
I am going to see that number glaring at me every time I open my browser.
That done, it’s time to pick a book and I have two projects to choose from. One is to novelize my story Easy Money and the other is a fantasy story that takes place in a late 1800′s wild west setting. I am going to spend today going through my notes, papers and various files and make a decision as to which book will be subject to the deadline. It’s also possible (though it’s a long shot) that I may choose something completely different.
Wish me luck. If I fail at this, I’m blaming all of you. Yes, you. You guys have inflated my ego way too much and I wouldn’t be making a serious attempt at this if you all hadn’t convinced me I can write well.
It’s all on you. *wink*
I’ll shoulder some of the blame. No problems there! I’d love to join in your challenge, but I’m not sure I can actually write a complete rough draft in 120 days.
But I will be here to cheer you on. Post word count updates every now and again to let me know how things are progressing.
I’m not sure I can do it either, but I’m going to try – I have no frame of reference for this sort of thing.
I plan on posting word counts and samples of what I’m doing. Look for them!
My vote is for the second option. Of course, I should go read Easy Money before I cast my vote, but I think that fantasy is definitely your comfort genre and thus where you should begin your first novel.
I’ll take some of the blame, too. I wish I had enough people doing the same thing to me, but I have only a few small voices asking for me to write faster. But this gives me something to consider come August. I might jump in and take the same plunge in the coming weeks.
Can’t wait for the updates on this!
Constantly having people stroke my ego can be a bad thing for me. But in this case, people have been telling me that I’m good at this writing thing for decades, so I’m finally convinced they’re right. LOL
The dilemma is one I am all too familiar with… The story I chose for this June NaNoWriMo Camp I decided after a few thousand words I didn’t care about the story… didn’t want to write it… and bailed on my challenge. Now I am back to the several unfinished pieces, and one that keeps tapping at my head. Good luck Eirc! Keep plugging (or is that typing?) along
Chug, chug, chug. The little author that could!
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Rock on.
I’m looked to have a revised draft by summer’s end. Perhaps I need such a countdown ticking at me!
Good luck! If you need a beta reader, drop me a line.
I’m flattered at the offer, but somehow I don’t see you being into single title contemporary romance…
Whatever gave you that idea?