About a year and a half ago I started writing a memoir. I wrote it like I was possessed, the words flowing out of my head and onto my screen without too much trouble.
I didn’t edit. I didn’t re-read. I just wrote it out.
Then I stopped.
I worried. Why can’t I continue? Why am I stuck now, after such a strong start?
I decided to swallow my fear and ask people around me to read what I had written so far.
And they did. The response I got back was amazing. A fellow blogger went to a lot of trouble to send me feedback that encouraged me to continue, to edit, to re-write and I did. 💛 She in the meantime has her own book published!
I asked others to read, to send me feedback. Some people did. Please know I have not forgotten you. All your comments and encouragement has been stored in a separate, private folder. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 💙 I used some of your suggestions to improve my chapters, and then…something happened.
I couldn’t continue. Something was holding me back.
But what?
I ran out of words. Or propulsion. I ran out of something…
There are people writing novels this month. They’re taking part of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). They’re sitting down and writing.
Not me. I’m still feeling stuck.
But I want to continue. I have this story in my head which needs to come out.
Through my blog I met other bloggers who are writing novels.
There’s two bloggers in the UK, a man and a woman who are writing books. Then there’s the one in NYC, she too has been writing a book and occasionally blogging about her progress. I’m sure there’s others…
You inspire me to pick up my own discarded manuscript. ❤
Can I be just like you?
Can I?
I won’t know until I try.
SIGH
So. Today I dug through my old manuscript backups, and re-read the first chapter. I edited it some…
Then I realized something. I realized that space away from your writing is a good thing.
But not too much space.
Then I had a thought.
There are over 500 amazing people following this blog. If even just a fraction of you are interested, perhaps I will overcome my apprehension and buckle down during this crappy, cold, dark month of November up here in 🇨🇦 and continue writing.
So here’s my question to you:
Do you want to read my first chapter? It’s just over 900 words.
I would love to read it. I have problems writing books as well. I need to figure out how to remember those little details that make writing better and easier to make people understand.
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Yes would love to ! 🙂
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Yes, share that first chapter!
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I’ve unexpectedly discovered that I like writing longer stuff more than the blog 🙂
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🙂
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Yes. I’m writing a memoir, too, and I know how valuable it is to get reader feedback!
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Would love to.
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I would be happy to read it. I’ve decided it’s finally time to start my book too. You starting and being so strong in the beginning is motivating! It’s the starting that feels daunting! Can’t wait to read yours. Best of luck continuing and finishing.
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Uh, YESSSSS I want to read it!
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Yes, I would love to read it. I’ve also written a book and hopefully one day it will be out there for all to read, but it’s just not the right time yet.
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Absolutely!!!
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I want to read the entire memoir when it’s done. I’m awful at editing anyone else’s work but my own and wouldn’t be able to give any proper advice, but I will certainly purchase and read your book after it’s published.
Just a tip – And this has inspired me some since I started blogging, but generally when I read “self-help books”, if you will, about writing and writing styles it often inspires me to get back to the keyboard and bang out something worthy of my readers’ time.
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Hi, I’d be happy to read it. I wrote two books this past year. One, is now in process of getting its official Library of Congress number and the other I decided to edit once again. The most important book I have yet to finish–or fully start just sits! You inspire me. Best advice I ever got was to write every day no matter what–if it is 10pm and I have not written a word I force myself (sometimes unsuccessfully) to journal for a few minutes. Wallace Stevens had a great schedule–he wrote from 8am to lunch at noon or 1pm then he explored the world–walking, reading or engaging. Best of luck to you. KMS
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