Yep, I wrote another book!
It seems I listened to my own advice of writing everyday to get me over the finish line for a second time, even if it meant neglecting my blog these last few months (sorry blog 😔)
How did I manage to write a book in 4 months, instead of 4 years this time?
I write because I make the time, but also, I used all the learnings from book 1 to give me the kick up the butt to write book 2, with the help of a writing course. But maybe more on that in a future blog.
So, how does it feel to say I’ve now written TWO BOOKS?!
How it feels to write another book
There’s no greater, more satisfying feeling than writing those complete two words at the end of a draft, only this time, it felt… anti-climactic.
I want to tell you I jumped up and down, but it was on a Thursday morning at 8.03 before work. I finished, closed my notebook, and headed to work to write some more for the day – but not for my own book, unfortunately.
You’ve got to enjoy the journey! Since March, I’ve been grafting before work in my local Pret 3 times a week writing what my pen, mind and hand will allow.
The writing journey so far
Before I even wrote my first book, there was another one. During the lowest time of my years at university and on my placement year, I would dream of becoming an author, holding a book I’d written in my own hands… only it hadn’t happened yet. Oh yeah, I needed to write the damn thing!
With book 2, I’ve taken a slightly different approach: instead of writing it using my Scrivener app, I started out on a Curtis Brown Creative Writing Course. All it took was one module to kickstart my novel – and I haven’t revisited the course since… good or bad? Meh.
I’ll get back to it, I’m sure – I mean, I paid for it and still haven’t viewed it all! Stay tuned…
How can you write a book?
I know how hard it is to write. Getting going is the hardest thing.
If you’re looking for inspiration, the simplest advice I can give you is to get typing / writing. It doesn’t matter if you think it’s poop – you get through the poop to get to the gold.
You want to be a writer? You’re writing: you ARE a writer.
You want to be an author? Think about how badly you want it. Get writing! There’s only so much us writers can control.
However, I’d say enjoying the journey is probably more important than the end result. The thing keeping me going is hope.
I haven’t been rejected yet; only from competitions which have been a soft way of letting me down easy. I know how competitive it is out there – the competitions alone had THOUSANDS of entries!!
Rejection = Redirection.
What’s next?
Book 3, I hear you murmur?
Of course, but first, it’s the dreaded book 1 edits! I’ve been through a couple of rounds already and had my beta readers give feedback which was INVALUABLE! I’m on my final round before handing it to my fiancé. After, I’ll give it a final eyes-over based on his feedback and then start getting it ready to submit to agents… I can’t believe I’m near this stage!
We’re anything but thorough over here!
In short, my writing and editing process so far has been (for Book 1):
- Write draft 1
- Draft 2
- Share with Beta Readers
- Draft 3 – incorporate comments from Beta Readers
- Share with fiancé
- Draft 4 – final review
- Final read by me
- Write agent letter and start submitting!
Then I’ll entertain myself with book 3 soon… How exciting!
How’s your writing going?
Lizzie's Week 