This is a quick update about my latest Work-in-Progress (WIP) and it’s not looking like I’m going to make my deadline.
I know. I can’t believe it either.
I thought I had my book solidly plotted but the further along I got, things didn’t feel right. Events and emotions seemed forced, and it wasn’t the characters talking. It was me, the ringmaster, ordering everyone where to go even when it wasn’t true to the characters established in the first book. And that’s the thing – the characters have to be true to the first book, back when I wrote things without plotting a darn thing. I just wrote.
But things are different now. For one thing, I need a timeline as my storylines are all over the place.
And so plotting, I found, was essential for this book even if it’s a prequel—especially since it’s the prequel—the book that introduces the world more thoroughly through the eyes of a popular side couple. A different world view and one that’s hopefully written through the eyes of a more mature and skilled writer.
Unfortunately most days I don’t feel like one.
Last week, I spent five full days writing 8k new words, changing the beginning completely. Then on the sixth day, I snapped out of my perfectionism problem and went back to the original story and from there, it’s been an uphill climb only because I want to get things right. Some days I write 2k words and other days, only 500 although I’m formulating the events of the story inside my head.
To help me do that, I’ve decided to participate in #inktober2019, an online challenge where you draw something in ink according to a prompt for each day of October. I don’t know if I can make it all the way till the end of the month but so far, the first three days are in the books. If anything, it’s teaching me to accept the works as they are in the amount of time I’ve given myself to finish each drawing (an hour, max)—imperfect and simple. It’s like a reminder for that story I’m writing.
Perfectly imperfect and simple.
Liz Durano 
My daughter is doing this inktober thing! I hope you get the characters in the book to cooperate! Remember people can change their character over time. Life events can promote change. So they may start the prequel not exactly as they finish it. Just saying!! Good luck with this.
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That’s awesome that your daughter is doing Inktober, too! I give myself a set amount of time to finish it, like 30 minutes. That way, i don’t analyze the drawing too much and just enjoy the process. It’s helped me deal with my writing process more because it forces me to take a break.
I finally extended my release date today to November. I always used to worry that this date or that month isn’t good for releases according to this successful author or that big name guru but I’ve finally told myself to stop that. Doing so have run me ragged and so I’m releasing it when I’m ready which is November to my 12 readers 😜
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I think you have 13 readers!😜
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Awesome!
I need to read the continuation of your story, btw!
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Oh that one is done. No intention of revisiting it. lol. Meant to leave readers hanging and also able to fill in the gaps with their imaginations…😜
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