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A Year For Closure



Hello all, Its  time to post another entry for the Insecure Writer's Group, hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh If you have time, please show your support by dropping in and reading what other writers are discussing. 
As for me, I'm just pleased to have a place to vent about my writing experiences. 

After three years and counting, I still haven't finished my novel and there are days this really frustrates me. Perhaps the inordinate amount of time I've devoted to my project is due to my Type-A side, or maybe it's attributed to a fear of letting go.  Whatever the case, I've concluded that all things must come to an end, so last week I resolved to make 2013 the year for closure.  This means completing my manuscript no matter what.  

So far I’ve written 290 pages of the third draft of my story.  If I dedicate four hours a day, everyday, then the book should be finished by the end of April.  The novel begins in the 16th century Mayan jungle and ends in a supernatural conspiracy that leads to the White House in the 21st century. Since it's set  in two different time periods, braiding the plots together so the story flows in a believable manner has been tedious and grueling. On especially frustrating days, I've turned to friends for support.  Although they try, I’ve found that discussing my book with lay people for more than two minutes, resulted in glazed looks that screamed the lights were on but nobody was home. Understandably so, as I have learned that only a fellow writer could relate to the complexities of establishing plot twists or creating sympathetic characters.


With this in mind, I'd like to warn you all to expect lots of whining in the coming months.  Achieving my goal won't be easy but with your continued support I will do it.  I feel very blessed to be a part of the ISWG. . The feedback I've received from members over the past year has been helpful and  reassuring.  I appreciate you all more than you know.  Until next time, happy writing.  

Comments

  1. Gosh, that sounds amazing! I really wish you all the best with getting the ends to tie up etc etc. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Linda. I appreciate the support. ONe way or the other I'll get it done.

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  2. It sounds like a very complex but ambitious project. I for one will be reading your follow-ups to this post.

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    1. Complex and ambitious sums my book up. Hope to finish it soon. Thanks you for stopping in to show your support.

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  3. Best of luck to you, Andrea! It's good to have that definite goal and deadline in mind; it'll help keep you motivated in the coming months :)

    Jamie @ Mithril Wisdom

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    1. Thanks for the support, Jamie. I sure hope you're right. Guess we'll find out. Take care and thanks for stopping in.

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  4. You can do it. Dedication and self discipline are key, but you can do it!

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    1. So true M.j.Dedication and self discipline are a writer's greatest tools. Thanks for stopping in to comment on my blog.

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  5. I have my ear-muffs at the ready in case the whining gets too loud. :)

    You can DO THIS!!

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    1. Thanks for the support, DL, I appreciate it more than you know.

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  6. You can do it!

    ... and, by the way, this novel sounds gorgeous, and therefore you MUST do it so that I can read it ;0)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the kind word, Carissa. I appreciate the support more than words can say.

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  7. You've set yourself on the right track! You have a deadline. I am convinced the only way to actually make yourself finish your novel (unless you're a contracted author) is to set your own deadlines and stick to them! Thankfully, all mine are over the Summer. If they were during school, I'd never reach them!

    Good luck!

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    Replies
    1. So true, Ashley. I hope tenacity pays off.

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  8. Hi Andrea, I'm new to the IWSG and found your blog :). Sometimes something like this is a result of fear--as in if you don't ever finish, you can never be rejected, right? (Not that I would do that...or at least admit to it ;)). But it sounds like you are facing this head on and I think you're going to make it :). Good luck!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Marie, you and my husband could have a fest. He echoed your sentiment to the T. Perhaps I am a little afraid of rejection. Mostly, I just want to make sure that my best work is presented for scrutiny. For me, that means writing, re-writing and writing again. I'll get there one day. Thanks for stopping in to comment on my blog.

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  9. Hey, I just awarded you the Liebster Award on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Murees. I'll go over and check it out.

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