Hello Everyone it's time for another Insecure Writer's Group Post. This month I actually have something positive to report. As many of you know, I have been working on my novel for the past three years. The journey wasn't easy. There were times I experienced such strong feelings of frustration and disillusionment over the work I produced, that I seriously considered abandoning the project. Yet, somehow, I overcame those emotions and pressed forward.
Well, I'm proud to tell you my hard work paid off. Last Sunday I finally completed the part of my story that took place in the sixteenth-century Mayan jungle. The archaic language and unfamiliar setting made it by far, the most difficult portion to write. Words cannot describe the sense of relief and elation I experienced in the tearful moments I composed my closing paragraph. I can honestly say I've never felt anything like it before.
I only have three more chapters left in the portion of my novel that takes place during the twenty-first century. Now, I can finally bring a confidence or sort of renewed vigor to the desk that I previously did not have, and I owe this to all of you. I could not have made it this far in my novel without support from the members of my writer's group, and my friends in the bloggersphere. The helpful critiques I received, combined with your words of encouragement, have contributed to my success as a writer. Many thanks to all of you. Until next time, happy writing.
Hi Andrea,
ReplyDeleteGreat news on your novel and it's always nice to see something positive in the scope of the IWSG :)
Congrats!
Thanks for stopping by, Mark. I appreciate the kind words.
DeleteThat's awesome, Andrea! I love hearing about victories such as this. It sounds like you are putting loads of hard work into this novel of yours. I'm glad you're having success with it!
ReplyDeleteHi, Randi. You hit the nail on the head. Although I've put loads of hard work into the novel already,a lot more remains to be done. Thanks for stopping in.
DeleteIt's always such a good feeling when you complete a particularly difficult part of your WIP. Relief and elation barely scratch the surface.
ReplyDeleteSo true, M.J. It's difficult to put the feelings of joy into words. Thanks for stopping in to comment on my blog.
DeleteThat's amazing! Such a wonderful feeling to get out of the stump in your story. Did that a few weeks ago too, a negotiation scene that took WAY longer to write than I thought. Keep up the awesomeness! :)
ReplyDeleteHi David, it's nice to know that others have experienced similar struggles. Sometimes it's difficult to strike that perfect balance. If you're a perfectionist, and I suspect you are, then you probably didn't want to move on until the negotiation scene was right. Thanks for stopping by to comment on my blog.
Delete16th century Mayan jungle setting! Wow- you are brave. I feel so insecure writing about things I don't have personal experience with, and can't imagine how you did it. That being said, as a reader it sounds fascinating :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words, Rose. Most of the experts I've spoken with suggest that writers stick to what they know. I definitely stepped outside the box and paid a price for my choice. Been working on my novel for three years and counting. If I would have chosen a topic I was familiar with, my novel would have been done in half the time. Well, maybe, I had a huge learning curve the first year. Anywho, you get what I'm saying here.
DeleteThanks for stopping in to comment on my blog.
I'd imagine it must have been really difficult to alter your natural style of prose in that way.
ReplyDeleteI've recently read Cloud Atlas, which is set across a range of eras, told in the words of the people of each era. I was really impressed by the ability to change the style so completely.
I admire your bravery to even try and do this properly, even more so if you feel you've pulled the trick off!
It does sound really impressive - I tend to shy away from writing in different eras because of the difficulty of capturing the tone right.
ReplyDeleteI can admire you for just being brave enough to try this, more so if you think you've pulled it off!
I'm slowly making my way through the insecure posts... Well done for sticking with the project - it is hard when you're in the middle and you can't see the light, but plodding on steadily means it eventually comes, as you've discovered. Enjoy writing the last three chapters!
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