Aspiring Novelists

Hello Everyone, It's time for another Insecure Writer's Group post.   A few weeks ago I submitted a  chapter from my work-in-progress to one of my writer's groups for review.  During the critique, I received some mixed responses.  While some enjoyed the piece, others were disturbed by it.   The conflict over my chapter got me to thinking about just how dangerous words can be.  Some have argued that they are a tool used  to persuade a reader into seeing the world from the writer's point of view. Although in theory this is true, the danger does not lie in the meaning of the words, but in how they are interpreted.  In the case of my chapter, each reader honed in on certain elements of the story.  In fact, a couple fixated on one of the smaller scenes, and in doing so, failed to see the big picture.  Since the majority ruled that my piece was well written and easy to read, I did not understand the reason a coupl...

I'm suffering from a bad case of Spring Fever, folks.  I only have seven more chapters left to conclude my novel, but for the life of me can't muster up the inspiration to write them.  With such beautiful weather, my attention and energy has been devoted to gardening and biking.  I haven't written in at least three weeks.  Every time I walk into the office my computer sits there, staring at me accusingly, bidding me to finish what I started three years ago.  My responsible side wants to comply, but the  more carefree side, won't allow it.  Perhaps I'm suffering from burn out, I don't know, but whatever the case, it doesn't seem like this phase is going to pass anytime soon.  Professionals like Stephen king and Truman Capote recommend that authors write every day.  Although I've never agreed with this approach, after all my down time I am rethinking it.  In the past, whenever I tried to write without being inspired, I turned...