…and so I skipped around a bit.
I’m talking about my novel, Blue Moon Baby, and my recent progress in writing it. I started writing it from beginning to end, but then I got stuck on a section, and then waffled about for a while not writing anything.
I have had the entire story mapped out in my head for years now, and I have only recently begun to write it. The whole purpose of this blog is for me to get practice writing, and so I write about a host of different ideas that swarm in my head throughout the day. I also have been reading other writers’ work to see their process, and of course, I read tons of writing tips from people who seem to know what they are talking about.
However, after I got stuck, I decided to jump ahead–WAY ahead–in the story, and share a piece of it that I have really wanted to write for some time. I posted it here on WordPress here, and here, and…<crickets chirping>.
That story is pretty gritty; probably the grittiest part of the novel, and is filled with cussing, graphic drug use, and a bizarre fight scene. I liked it, but I did not get much reaction from anyone out there in Bloglandia. I got a decent amount of views, but only a few like, and no comments.
Was it too gritty? Did it suck? Does anyone actually READ anything on my blog?
I realize that complaining about the internet means I’m doing it wrong, but I am puzzled over this one.
Anyway, if anyone is still reading this far, I must ask this question:
Have you ever skipped around while writing your novel, or do you stay firmly on your timeline?
As I mentioned before, I have the whole story planned out in my head, and I made a solid outline for the novel, but I just felt that this chapter of the story needed to be written. Of course, I realize that everything I have written for the novel will have to be re-written later down the road. Likewise, I wrote “The Fight” in blog form, with lots of back story that wouldn’t necessarily be there in the actual chapter.
I plan to continue this story where it left off after “The Fight” with posts on Monday and Tuesday, so if you are interested, stay tuned!
Happy Friday!
It's a Blog About Nothing 
I’ll stay tuned.
Oh crap! Now I have to actually write it. 😉
I blog so I don’t have to write. I write songs and poems, and they say what I need to say and what needs to be said. I think that writing songs and poems is a lot like skipping around and I don’t have to think in too straight a line. I think if I tried to write a novel, I would get a prize for the worst novel written—ever! I have written a Master’s Thesis, a Doctoral Dissertation, and two Syllabi. I have people all the time tell me that I should write a book about something on which I am expert. The problem is that I am not an expert. What is really clear to me is that while those academic excursions were long enough to get my degrees and teach my courses, they were really boring and way too long for the knowledge and information and organizing skills I possess. BUT, one thing I have learned is that there IS no correct way to write, and the way that works best for you is the best way and it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks on the subject.
No. And, no. I went and read and commented. No it’s not too gritty. No it did not suck. Keep writing! 🙂 Paulette
Thanks! And thanks for reading!
joel
Really dug “The Fight”. Looking forward to more! And I can totally see the benefits of skipping around when writing a novel. You can plan a story in a linear way, but writing linearly I think would only lead to frustration. You may know how the end will be, but not necessarily the 2nd act, or a scene somewhere midway through.
Is there a publishing deal waiting?
No publishing deal yet. I haven’t even looked yet. I feel as though I am still in training. Still honing my ninja writing skills.
I have never read anything of yours beyond this post, though I will look later (it’s 1:35 am and I have a 1 year old >_<) but I'll respond to part of it:
Never be afraid to skip around in your story! I can't express that enough. I think trapping yourself into the timeline all the time can't do any good- you never get to make the story REAL if you don't see it from different angles. 🙂
Thanks for your input. I figure the finished product will look completely different than what’s in my head now, so why not bounce around and cut and paste. Editing the finished product will be more linear, I’m sure.
How’s the writing going? I am stuck too. I find myself in a total state of procrastination! I am going to stay tuned as I wander around your blog a bit trying to inspire you… hey wait.. there I go prograstinating again! Oh well, ya know what they say about birds of a feather!
I write best under pressure anyway. It served me well in college, and I seem to get my posts in that way, too. Now, if only someone would give me a deadline for my novel!
Thanks for stopping by!