Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Writing: When the Stars Align

I started writing my first book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, in December 2009. Yes, forever ago, right? At that time, I had absolutely no clue how to write fiction. Creative writing was never second-nature to me. All I knew was research papers that I had to write during college. Bluh... more like slaved over. So not fun.

Over the last two and a half years, I've learned A LOT about fiction!

I wish that I'd have started out with the knowledge I have now. It would have made the process simpler. I've gone through FÉLICITÉ FOUND countless times, probably more times than can be counted on my fingers and toes. Ugh! There have been times that I've despised it. Then the love of my beautiful, cherished lovely swells in my chest again.

Like right now, I'm doing some extensive revisions on her. And after every paragraph, I fall all the more deeply in love with it that I squeal. Yes, literally squee out loud. My roommates probably wonder what the devil is wrong with me.

Any who, I think I'm finally getting it. It seems like something has clicked in this brain of mine. The elements that are so crucial to writing a super great book are clear. And I adore writing more than ever since I typed out Félicité’s first word. But, I know I will continue to get better.

Precious, huh?

Anyway, when did you have the clicking moment where the stars aligned and you felt like you understood how to really write a story? Have you ever fallen out of love with your story? When did you start to adore it again? What triggered that fantastic moment of love?

Writing. Jewels.

PS: I want to shout out a SUPER HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Mama Mia. I love you soooooo much, Mommy. You're an angel.

20 comments:

  1. You fooled me. Based on the title of this post, I thought your book had found a home. Then I remebered that you are revising, and realized I am an airhead.

    My stars are not yet aligned. Maybe soon. Cross your fingers for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish, Gina. One day my publisher will ride in on the valiant steed. haha The stars will align. But maybe I'll think this about myself again in a year. Precept upon precept thing, ya know. :D

      Delete
  2. That Squee moment is so exciting. I love that moment when the stars align, as you say!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't the word "Squee" so awesome-tastic? It makes me happy! Eep!

      Delete
  3. I have that Squee moment too! The one that I'm writing right now - I'm just so much in love with the story and characters that I make little squee sounds all the time! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Krista, I'm so glad I'm not alone. Just think of siting a bunch of writers in a Starbucks. To be a fly on the wall would be brilliant. Why? You'd hear a bunch a squee'ing and slapping heads. haha

      Delete
  4. I love that title! I'm a sucker for good titles. :)

    It seems like things are starting to aline for me also. Time will tell if things work out as planned.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww, thanks Mr. King. Well, I really, really hope things work out for you. Isn't writing super exciting at times. *crossing my fingers for you* ----> Beams good vibes your way!

      Delete
  5. I'm not sure I ever felt 100% satisfied, there can always be changes. I think you'll go through it all again when you get that email from the publisher which says, "this is it, anything else you want changed before we set up the proofs." Then you just cross your fingers and hope for the best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ain't that the truth! I'll probably read the book WHEN it getts pub'd and despise sentences, think that that word should be this word, or man, why did I keep this scene in there? haha

      Delete
  6. I'm not sure just when the stars aligned for me (or if they even have yet!). But I sure have learned a lot over the years. I guess they're slowly clicking into place. :) Good luck with your darling MS. They sure can be difficult at times.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I may think things have clicked right now but may feel very different in a week's time. haha And thanks! I need all the luck I can get.

      Delete
  7. No squee for me. At least not yet. I think I'm more scared of my book than anything else, if that makes sense. But glad things are starting to come together with your book! (:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Elise, the squee will come, but maybe it already has, my friend. I'm still scared of my book(s). It is a never ending battle. Sometimes it just feels a bit better. Ya feel more confident. *shrugs*

      Delete
  8. Aww! Love the shout out to your mama! For cute! And I love that you're loving your book even more as you go through it and it starts to sparkle and shine even more. I hope that's what happens to me. That's exactly how I want to feel :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love my mom. She's a cutie. Leigh, it's funny cuz as writers, I think we go through stages where we are madly in love with our words and then not at other times. It sort of sucks, huh? You'll get there, if you haven't already. :D

      Delete
  9. I feel that way about my first book too, Julia! GRACE & FIRE has been through more revisions than I can count, but I love my characters and story. And it's my firstborn, you know -- the one that started it all.

    I have also learned a lot about craft since that fledgling attempt which helped me turn GRACE & FIRE into a decent novel. Now that I'm on book #3, maybe I do actually know what I'm doing. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay for learning how to write better. And great name for your first baby. Thanks for stopping by again. :D

      Delete
  10. The fourth book I wrote it all clicked.
    Then I had to go back and fix the first three, lol

    ReplyDelete
  11. That's awesome! I'm currently revising my first book and I started it back in 2009 as well. Things are still clicking for me as I progress, but I feel pretty good about what I've written. I'm looking forward to writing more books and getting better and better at this. :)

    ReplyDelete