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Archives for June 2017

Day One of Getting Serious

June 15, 2017 By Ellie Morris Leave a Comment

Seeing as I now have a timetable and an almost-spotless room, I think it is time to make good on my plans for a successful writing routine. Today was a good day for starting that routine.

After packing a bag with my laptop, a notepad for scribbling notes, a planner, and my iPhone that is only useful for playing music, I found a cafe in a small garden center fifteen minutes away from my home that is rather nice. Dad came with me for the walk and drink, as we really had to scout to find a nearby cafe that was suitable. I then ordered a pot of tea, and opened my Scrivener file for Roses for Margaret for the first time in probably half a year.

I was shocked at the state of my novel. Really. Most of the notes I wrote down on my notepad were basically “Wtf” (which I never usually say or write, but in this case it warranted some confused swearing) and lots of question marks and exclamation points. It really is a mess. Not necessarily the writing, but the way I formatted it; the chapter numbers are off completely (going from chapter 15 to chapter 21 with no chapters in between), there are no chapter numbers on the actual documents – or at least none that make sense, as though things have been cut and pasted all over the place – and the plot is really confused. I have a character called Melissa that gets introduced around chapter 15 briefly, and then she doesn’t get mentioned for ages, and then a couple of chapters later she is made out to be Margaret’s best friend…

I don’t know what’s going on with it, as last time I read it through I thought it was okay and made sense (but then again, last time I read it my brain was very foggy and tired and it probably looked about right then to my confused mind). My first thought was that some of my chapters and files had been accidentally deleted or corrupted, but I think that’s a rather far-fetched idea; most likely it was just me and my then-mushy brain thinking that it was cohesive.

I’ve been slowly working through RFM, editing slightly and ordering the chapters and numbers correctly. I’ve sorted out the Melissa dilemma (kind of – I may need some more of her in future chapters) and even came up with an ending! That’s a victory for me, as I’ve been struggling to come up with an ending I’m happy with for ages. Endings aren’t my strongest point, I’m better at starting stories than finishing them, but I think this ending will have a ray of hope.

I’ve also realised what the key themes of Margaret are; friendship, coming of age, lesbian sexuality, high school, obsession, illness, loneliness, and Asperger’s. Now that these words are fixed in place, I hope I can do the themes justice.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: personal, Roses For Margaret

Formulating a Plan

June 11, 2017 By Ellie Morris Leave a Comment

I’ve been stuck in a rut recently, especially where writing is concerned. I haven’t done it properly for months. So last night my Dad and I came up with a plan for the summer. I’m going to be focused on growing myself and writing as much as I can. I’m going to learn as much as I can.

First of all, I need to think of myself as an author. An aspiring author at least. I can’t imagine anything else that I want to do as a career, along with creating a store to sell historical clothing once I get good at the art of costuming, so this summer and gap year it’s time to try establishing myself.

The plan is, to write, study, market, and research.

Writing wise, I’m going to try to tackle and finish Roses for Margaret once and for all. It may be tricky, but it’s my goal. I have a lot of other stories in the works at the moment too, but they have nowhere near as big a word count as RFM does. I figured that sticking with the longest WIP would be more prudent.

For studying, I’m going to look at success stories and authors that are successful; looking at technology, personal development, running businesses in writing and costuming, and how to get the best results from Amazon will also be a part of my plan.

I have a course on eBook marketing somewhere that my Dad bought me, so I shall definitely look at that, as well as any other information I can find online.

My writing research shall take place around history, places and people, or anything else I can think of.

I shall spend my days productively, alternating between writing and sewing/costuming, so that I do three days of writing and two days of sewing in the week; the weekend is up to me to decide what activity I want to do. Here is the daily plan:

  • Every other morning, ideally at ten o’clock, I go to a nearby cafe with my laptop to get a cup of tea, and plan the writing/research/studying I’m going to do for the day. I shall bring my headphones, sketchbook and a notebook, and maybe do some writing there on my laptop. At least 500 words, or until my laptop begins to run out of battery.
  • I go home, have lunch, and sit at my work desk to hammer out as much as I can. Maybe another 500+ words, possibly more.
  • Later on, after a short period of relaxing, I study. It could be a marketing course, tips on writing, biographies of authors or non-fiction books based on the era/place/theme I want to research.
  • I can relax here and do whatever.
  • In the evening I shall read interesting works of fiction to inspire me.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday are for writing. Tuesday and Thursday are for sewing/costuming. The weekend can be a mix of both.

Practical things I need to do soon:

  • First of all, I need to tidy my writing desk – a disorganised and messy room won’t allow me to concentrate on my writing!
  • Write up a timetable and day to day rota.
  • Download the course my Dad bought to my laptop.
  • Borrow related books from the library, or buy them.
  • Locate a cafe that I’m comfortable with that I can get to and from easily enough.
  • And most importantly, I need to figure out what I’m doing with the plot of Margaret! I want to know the ideal ending point of the story, and what exactly will happen. Maybe I could make a quiz to see what kinds of endings and plot devices are popular.

I’m not certain that I have to research much into history, places or people for Margaret’s story, as it is set in the modern day, and is based on my experiences and set in my area, with a bit of fantasy thrown in. But I’m definitely stuck for how the story is going to end, as I don’t know how my own story is going to end (it would be scary if I did though!).

Anyway, that’s enough rambling from me now! I’m glad I have a plan now, and I can’t wait to get out of this rut! Maybe some of my ideas/planning could come in useful for another writer that needs some structure or practical ideas and habits to keep them going?

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: personal, plans

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