Authors should enjoy what they're crafting with words. If you aren't, then how will your reader love it and fall deep into the book's world.
Find an idea that keeps you up late at night because you can't stop thinking about it. That is when you know you can and will write a winner. Like my WIP and the idea for my future project, I am overjoyed to write them. They've caused many a sleepless night for me. Even though I'd rather have been asleep dreaming of chipmunks and faeries, it was a delight to get to know my characters, setting, and plot instead.
So, make sure you love what you're writing. If not, think of something else and fast. Why waste time on something that isn't making you smile and jump for joy?
What are your thoughts on this subject? Have you ever had to stop a project because you weren't feeling it? How have you felt when you absolutely adored your story?
Chipmunks and faeries???? <----Bahahaha!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've never stopped a project because I wasn't feeling it... I've always known with a surety whether or not a project was mine or not. And how have I felt when I absolutely adored my story? Like you said, it becomes a part of your life. You live, breathe, feel, and constantly think about your characters. It's that excitement and passion that makes you write the story in the first place :)
Correct you are, Morgs. Maybe if ya just keep trekking through a project you're not feeling, it'll grow on you. You've taught me a great lesson. haha
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, chipmunks and faeries were the first things to pop into my mind. I love it!
I have to be totally obsessed with the story to even be able to frame it. I've tried the "write what you don't know" way and it's never worked. Of course I've never dreamed of a chipmunk or faerie either.
ReplyDeleteDavid - Uh, I've never dreamed of a chipmunk and faerie either. Maybe I should! It would be twisted in a very comical way. haha
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment and keep on writing, my blog junkie!
I'm pretty sure that writing a book you aren't totally in love with will end up being really, really obvious in the end! Like how you can tell when an actor did a movie because he was contractually obligated... yeah... that's never a good time for anybody involved.
ReplyDeleteMilitant squirrels!
ReplyDeleteSorry. There was a game series I played once that had a group of militant squirrels that popped up throughout. They were pretty funny.
For me, if I'm not in love with the story it never gets off the ground. Nothing sparks and the world/plot/characters just don't come together.
Gina - I like how you brought up the actor thing. Good point. Hope NaNo is going well for you, girl!
ReplyDeleteStephanie - Militant squirrels! Bwahahahahaha! Don't make me laugh. And yes, it's hard to get a story going without the spark of excitement.
Thanks for the comments, girls!
I guess I'm a character-driven author because I fall in love with the characters and their personal story. I think about how they are invested in the outcome and write from there. It's the characters that won't leave my head.
ReplyDeleteI shared recently this quote: When you write and you're not smiling, ever-then maybe you should do something else.
ReplyDeleteOf course.
I agree, without a doubt. With my first full-length, The Stories, I couldn't stop writing. Because I loved so much the idea and even more the characters. With my wip, as it states on my blog, I haven't been this excited to write something since The Stories.
So...I get it.
We get you, Jules.
Word.
I'm glad you get what I'm saying, Tymothy. You are supercool! Loves your Words.
ReplyDeleteJules. Writes.