“How’s the Writing Going?â€
It’s one of those questions that writers love and hate. If the writing is going well, we love to talk about the process. If it’s not? Well, it can be a little painful to answer.
No one quite understands the writing process like another writer. Earlier this year, while working on the third book in my The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolfseries, A Threesome Wedding Adventure, the “writing†actually wasn’t going all that great at times. As I’ve mentioned in other posts, I didn’t care for one secondary character much. He was a disappointment to my main character, and not very pleasant. Unlike some villains who are just so fun to write, this one wasn’t.
At home, the writing exists in a sort of vacuum. If I’m on deadline, my husband tends to ignore the overabundance of mess in the household, and will take our daughters to birthday parties, etc. in order to give me time. That said, he never, ever asks those magic words.
Every now and then, my mom does. She’s an artist, and understands the creative process. When I hadn’t talked about my writing a lot, she ventured forth to test the waters.
More than anything, you know what helped? Coming to OCC/RWA meetings. Believe it. Every single Saturday, Brenna Aubrey would look at me and ask, “How’s the writing going?†and we’d talk. She knew to ask, and even that little push helped. Member Nikki Prince has mentioned that knowing she’ll get a rose for a sale also acts as an incentive. We understand.
Coming off the OCC 31st Birthday Bash and the Pajama Parties, and heading into 2013 and our very first Book-in-a-Year push, headed up by Beth Yarnall, who did wonders for the EVA chapter, and the SoCalRWA Conference in March 2013, I’m feeling the love of the writing camaraderie.
November 1 also kicked off NaNoWriMo – a month of insanity where writers all around the world push to crank out 50,000 words in a month. They don’t have to be the best words ever … just a working draft. We have many members of our chapter taking part. Check out Twitter and Facebook, and share in those high word count days, and those that were a bit harder to get through.
And come Saturday, Nov. 10, when we gather together to listen to the magic of Tara Lain and Darynda Jones, remember to turn to the person sitting next to you and ask, “How’s the writing going?â€
Author Details
Author Details
A Slice of Orange started in 2004 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the UK, all across the US to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we feature blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers.
The bright segments of the writing and reading community that make up one perfect entity—A Slice of Orange.
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A Slice of Orange started in 2004 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the UK, all across the US to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we feature blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers.
The bright segments of the writing and reading community that make up one perfect entity—A Slice of Orange.
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So very good to hear the post gave you a boost, Beth. Us writers have got to stick together.
I LOVE this post. Right now the writing isn't going so well. This book has been hard to write and even though I can see the finish line, it feels very far away. Thank you for this post. It was just what I needed. 🙂
Sharon — I have hoping to get you down! Are you in the same chapter as Kat Grant and E.M.? Both have mentioned wanting to come down, too. It'll be a road trip!
I feel the same way about our SF RWA chapter. There were days when I didn't want anyone to ask me "that question" but afterwards, I felt so much better.
Writing can be so solitary. But we do learn and get energy from each other. Wish I could hear Tara and Darynda. Would be worth the special trip south. But I'll be herding a bunch of 3 year olds (my granddaughter's BD party) and trying not to eat all the cake.
Thank you Nikki and Christine. I definitely feel the same way about both of you.
Christine — I'm sprinting in about an hour. My hubby went to a USC game today, and my parents are picking up the kids in about 45 minutes. I'll have a few hour window to get stuff done, and write a little bit!
Saturday, November 10th. I'm definitely there. Are you sprinting today? I'll look for you this afternoon…off for a 2 mile walk before getting back to the words.
Frankly? I don't know what I'd do without my writer buddies, including you, my dear!
*Smiles* You my friend are a great help to me. You have been there for me even before I joined OCC. You make me smile and just as much as the roses you keep me going.
Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do.
If there is anything I can do for you…I am there.
Nikki