Yay! I've started my first novel! It's official!

unthoughtknown · Oct 9, 2005

I feel like I need to scream this from the top of my lungs hehe. 'Cause I have been procrastinating for months. On Friday, I FINALLY thought of my idea, and once I acknowledged it - all the sub-ideas started flowing - I was overwhelmed! I am taking it slow... so I've only done 2,711 words since Friday night (it's Sunday night here in Aust). But, I have spent time breaking down each chapter, coming up with general notes and making sure I have an overall plan so that I don't lose the essence of my book. Etc.

Well, I'm excited anyway! :Clap:

Thanks for letting me share it!

pandora9 · Oct 9, 2005

Congratulations! Isn't it a great feeling! Keep working whether you feel like it or not - that's my advice...

Vanessa · Oct 9, 2005

Wonderful News. You're on a roll. :banana:

Wishng you much success.

Bufty · Oct 9, 2005

Excited? So you should be.

A friendly word of advice, Jsando. I read your web site. You have set yourself a task that needs 100% concentration and dedication. Writing a novel is hard graft. The end of the novel is a long way down the road. If you concentrate on writing it and not on telling everybody what you are doing and how it is progressing you will find that one day you will suddenly find yourself typing 'the end' and that is the time for celebrating.

Now, get writing and enjoy it. And if, en route, you hit a problem, share it with us folks and we'll see if we can help. :Clap:

Torin · Oct 9, 2005

Starting is good! Now get your butt in that chair and keep on going till you finish. That's even better!! LOL Keep on keeping on.

Cathy C · Oct 9, 2005

Congrats! Good luck with it. Enjoy the process, love your characters and the story will flow!

AdamH · Oct 9, 2005

Woo-hoo! Good job. Now get that first draft done as quick as you can while the inspiration is flowing. If you get side tracked (i.e. like me), a novel that may take only a couple months to hammer out expands to a year pretty fast.

scarletpeaches · Oct 9, 2005

2,711 is still pretty good in two days, so well done you!

I say it's better to do little and often, than write in fits and starts. You're more likely to lose the thread of the story that way.

Just keep going!

Rhade · Oct 9, 2005

Congratulations!

Now that you have started keep going, write everyday. When you don't feel like it do it anyway. There have been many times when I didn't think what I was typing would be any good, but later when I went back and looked lots of it was great.

Yeshanu · Oct 9, 2005

I'd say write everyday no matter what, but...

(Is that an echo I hear?)

Keep going, jsando! :Cheer:

inanna · Oct 9, 2005

Good for you! :Thumbs:

I'm on the verge of finishing my first novel, and I never thought I'd start either. Your word count looks like a good output to me. I've been following Stephen King's advice and shooting for 1000 words a day. Sometimes I do more, sometimes a lot less, but just like the others have mentioned, the most critical thing is to try for something every day.

It can be a long road, but stick with it and I wish you all the best...

unthoughtknown · Oct 9, 2005

Thanks for all your replies! I'll DEFINITELY be posting here when I run into issues and obstacles etc - this forum will be my saviour - I know it!

Bufty said:
If you concentrate on writing it and not on telling everybody what you are doing and how it is progressing you will find that one day you will suddenly find yourself typing 'the end' and that is the time for celebrating.

Thanks Buffy. I know what you mean. My hubby said the same thing

Must stay grounded... must stay grounded... [repeat til fade]

mkcbunny · Oct 9, 2005

Congratulations!

And in addition to what's been said above, if you have bad times or down times, or you think you are losing steam in spots, don't let that downward momentum stop you. Keep at it. Stick with it. You may have points when you don't know what to do next, or are confused, or feel like [gasp] it all sucks. Just keep going. Sure, sometimes some of what you write is not going to be your best. And sometimes it does actually suck. But those "This whole thing is worthless" days are not ones to judge an entire work by; they're just bad days/weeks and you can get past them.

On the flip side, enjoy the good days and give yourself a pat on the back when you feel proud of yourself.

Cabinscribe · Oct 9, 2005

I am so happy for you!!!!

You should be really proud of yourself!

:Thumbs:

rowriter · Oct 9, 2005

*wave* Yay! I wish you luck and success in this endeavor. Just know you can do it, even when you think you can't. Just keep writing! when you feel unsure, remember this initial feeling of excitement and it will get you going again!

p.s. you have some really nice photos on your website; what a cute doggie!

I also enjoyed the succulent greens and the "normal body functions" pic, lol.

aruna · Oct 9, 2005

Jennifer, congratulations; you have embarked on a long and fascinating journey, make sure you keep focused and one day you'll be writing The End...
:snoopy:

Jusr repeat, every day: Butt in Chair, Butt in Chair, Butt in Chair...

unthoughtknown · Oct 10, 2005

Wow! What a great response. The funny thing is that most of you seem to be so well-acquainted with those pathetic "I am so worthless" moments that we, the fragile writer, are faced with every now and then...

5,900 words done. I wrote an entire chapter on my lunch break today! I haven't felt like this in years... I feel so inspired! I think I am IN THE ZONE (from that other topic hehe)

rowriter said:
p.s. you have some really nice photos on your website; what a cute doggie! I also enjoyed the succulent greens and the "normal body functions" pic, lol.

Hehe. Thanks muchly for checking into the site. My doggie is an angel... ;-)

moblues · Oct 10, 2005

Congrats. You've taken the first step that many fear, and never attempt. Go get it, and good luck.

As Aruna said: Butt In Chair.

Mike

Danger Jane · Oct 10, 2005

Congratulations!

Now. It's really important to keep going with the first draft, and not let yourself get really confused with the inevitable logic-leaps you'll make. Don't worry about them. Not in the first draft. I almost consider my first draft an elaborate outline that's made of prose, and then go back and rewrite and edit until it's clear.

unthoughtknown · Oct 10, 2005

Mdlle. Nancy said:
I almost consider my first draft an elaborate outline that's made of prose, and then go back and rewrite and edit until it's clear.

It's reassuring to hear that because with some of the stuff I have written so far (accepting that they are actually just notes and that I will go back and re-write properly later) - I would probably cringe with embarrassment if anyone read them and thought they were final words. Hehe.

LightShadow · Oct 10, 2005

Congrats. Be patient when it comes to the re-writes, and if you stall when that comes, put it away for a couple weeks, and then come back to it.

unthoughtknown · Oct 10, 2005

Thanks LS!

Still going... 7,163 words - WOO!

stace001 · Oct 10, 2005

Congratulations!!! Being in "The Zone" is great, but it doesn't always last long so make the most of it. I found this website while i was writing my first novel (i'm currently editing my third) and i don't know what i would have done without these guys. A wonderful bunch of people who know EXACTLY what you're going through (good and bad) so take advantage of us anytime. If you have questions, need to vent, want a little pat on the back, we're here. Woohoo for you. Good on you.

scarletpeaches · Oct 11, 2005

jsando said:
Thanks LS!

Still going... 7,163 words - WOO!

Good on ya! Think about editing later - for now, just get it written. You seem to be doing that very well up to now. :Clap:

unthoughtknown · Oct 11, 2005

Thanks! The support here is "fabulous!" ;-)

scarletpeaches said:
Good on ya! Think about editing later - for now, just get it written. You seem to be doing that very well up to now.

Yay! I've started my first novel! It's official!

practical experience, FTW

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