Thursday, February 12, 2009

A New Start

Now I know you only come by to read my sparkling wit and wisdom, and that no one's interested in the progress of my writing, but did anyone see what I did in the sidebar there? Notice anything different about the word meters? Did you? Mmm?

Well, those of you who eagerly tune in to watch the colour faltering along pixel by pixel, will have noticed that since last May I have written only shorties – I have even subbed some, and am in great danger of impersonating real writers here – but shorties have only ever been part of what I want to do. I want to write novels too.

So, exactly how many words have I written since joining the Novel Race last year?

Ahem.
Next question please.

Lisa's parting words have shocked me into realising what I fraud I am: I'm not a writer who writes; I am a writer who procrastinates. Yet I still have the very chance that she has lost: To Finish The Bloody Book.

In truth, I have finished the book, but it's crap and I can't face the interminable rewriting that it needs to knock it into shape. Thus, I am shelving it, and starting again. God. Did I just say that?

Must have done. Because last night, I finally settled down to start novel 3, originally planned over two years ago. And now, if you take a little gander at that sidebar, you'll see 3,000 words already written.

Carpe Diem, and all that.

17 comments:

Denise said...

I've just done exactly the same with my novel and started a new one, after faffing about with the old one for years. Writing is fun again! I'm actually writing every day! I think Lisa gave us all a kick up the bum. Hope the words continue to fly by for you.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Well done with the new novel, 3,000 words is great going.

Lisa certainly made me think about my writing (and other things too), so I'm determined to move myself and get on with it.

DJ Kirkby said...

Well done you! I am tempted to ask how long it took you to write those 3000 words but am refraining in case your reponse makes me give up all faith in my ability to ever write faster than snail speed again. xo

HelenMWalters said...

Well done. I'm so pleased. And feeling a little guilty because I've done nothing to the novel for sooooo long x

Jen said...

Excellent news - I do think there's something to be said for starting again.

3,000 words is an excellent start - good girl! Keep it up!!

Karen said...

I can totally relate to that, having recently Started Again myself! I'm sure your novel will be full of wit and wisdom too :o)

Melissa Amateis said...

Bravo for you!

Beth said...

Well done.

Why is there not more time? There should be more time in life. Although I suspect that if there was, I'd still waste it. If it's short, you really do appreciate how precious it is. x

claire p said...

Great news about the 3.000 words. I gave up on novel 1 and am 3/4 through number 2. Keep it up.

Anonymous said...

I've lost count of the number of projects I've shelved, in favour of a newer one. This year is no exception; I'm up to the same old tricks. However, my resolution is to submit something this time around.

Good luck Leigh and everyone who's doing this kind of thing.

Jenny Beattie said...

We learn a lot from the projects we shelve. I think you know if it's the right thing to do. I don't believe in deleting any words... just in case I decide to go back and knock it into shape!

Well done on the 3k and good luck with those pixels increasing.

Troy said...

How many can you write before you have to stop calling them "novel"?

Sherri said...

Well done, Leigh. A brave decision which I should have made a good many months ago, but have only just got round to myself. Still haven't really started novel 2 though - apart from the first paragraph!!

Good luck with the new endeavour.

Kath McGurl said...

Good luck - you go, girl!

Carol said...

Congratulations on the 3,000 words...that's brill!! However, I do sometimes wonder whether we are the best people to judge our own work. Have you tried giving it to someone trusted and asking them to have a read of it for you? I know that I've done drawings that I've thought were crap but someone else has thought something completely different and it's made me look at it afresh. Might be worth a shot....

C x

sheepish said...

How very brave and well done just make sure you keep those little pixies moving along.

Leigh Forbes said...

Denise - Thank you. Hope it's all going well.

Debs - Good for you!

DJ - In truth, 2000 of them were already written (two years ago!), but I had been completely blocked by the whole thing.

Helen - You know what I'm going to say, don' you? !

Spiral - Thank you. Will do!

Karen - Hope it's going well for you too!

Melissa - Thank you!

B - I think time is like income: your lifestyle expands to fill that which is available (plus a little bit more) ;-)

Claire - Blimey. Well done, with no.2. Good luck!

Captain - Thank you. And you will find the one that speaks to you one day!

JJ - Yes, I think you're right there. As much as I hate to accept it, my first novel was just my learning ground. Bah.

Troy - Ha ha ha! You just can't help it, can you? ;-)

Bernadette - Thank you. The first paragraph is one of the hardest parts. You've done well!

Womag - Thank you!

Carol - Oh, don't worry. It's been read. I had some good feedback about it to, but each time I go back to it with fresh eyes, I realise that it just doesn't hack it.

Sheepish - I will. I will!