finish my novel

I finished the first draft at the end of 2007 and am currently working on the 2nd draft with a mentor I hooked up with via London’s Literary Consultancy. Due to work commitments I can only manage about 2 writing sessions a week and aim to complete about 500 words in each session.

All I have is a chapter, and I think that’s pretty good for a person my age. I’ve changed the main character’s name 3 times, each time trying to avoid unnaturally uncommon names. I’ve changed the plot several times, and the opening sentence a dozen times more. I hope that some day, maybe when I’m 20-something, I’ll get it done.

It’s going better since I started my outline. Now I write new scenes instead of rehashing and fixing the old ones. I’ve gotten more disciplined about working on it and I don’t dread it anymore. The trick is, it takes at least an hour to get in the writing flow. Go for two hours at least. In the meantime I am revising and submitting my stories. I do something every day for my writing.

It is so frustrating when you can write (so they tell me) but with not enough time to actually get into the rhythm of writing regularly enough to make it all come together. I first started nearly twenty years ago, but something was wrong that I could not pin down: I have now changed the setting, and the time period, and I think I might be ready to go…

Hang on – does that make me one of the oldest people on here?

I’ve been working on my novel for nearly five years—was a final project for my masters’ degree. Though it gets better with each draft I almost despair of the work being done. Sometimes too I worry that I’m spending so much time out of my life on it instead of on other things, though the truth is I can “find” time that I am “wasting” in other areas.
I love the novel but the rewriting is tough and sometimes a drain. But I am determined to finish it, even with all of the revision it needs. I want to be proud of my novel, and of my achievement. I would appreciate advice on time management as I need to probably block time every day to work on it while getting on with the business of living my life.

well, well, well,....It’s something I have to live everyday with : I’ve started my first novel about 4 years ago…....and I still haven’t taken the time to finish it ! It’s like everytime I want to do some writing, something has to come up and then I just give up and feel ashamed and very disappointed with myself ! I want to change it. I know I can ! It’s just a matter of will and I have to remember that writing a novel is like giving birth to a child – - -> meaning : you don’t stop in the process !

P.S. I’ve found some good advice out here on 43 Things and I’m now going to see what they’ve got on NaNoWriMo.org :) wish me luck !

It took five years from the conception of the story (I was 12) and I had no intention of making the story into a book until my freshman year of high school. I’m a senior now, and I’ve finally finished it. It took me about four months to write, beginning to end, and I wrote compulsively. It took so little time because a) I’m insane, and b) because this was my fourth attempt at writing it. There will be another three books in the series after this one, and I have plenty of parts for all of them written. I write compulsively, and it’s probably what I enjoy doing the most. I daydream about my stories during class and I cancel plans with friends to write when I get the itch.
It wasn’t all that hard to write it, but it just took a long time. It didn’t seem like it took a long time as I was writing it, but looking back, it was a long time. Once I had the idea straightened out, the actual writing was a snap. Apparently everything you write as a teen sucks though, so hopefully I’ve written enough that my book isn’t complete crap.
It’s a great feeling to look through everything, all 95,000 words, and think, wow. I really accomplished something =)
Getting it published…well, that’s proving to be the hardest part of all…

Like most, ive got it all planned out, the characters, the dramatic ending, the plot twists…
I just need to sit my a$$ down and write it!

After settling into new jobs, here I am experiencing emotions that drive me – DRIVE ME to writing again.

I did not realize how much this human experience inspires me. I keep finding little corners of philosophy that get larger and larger when explored.

I was worried about feeling uninspired for awhile.

Today I realized the situations I must put myself in to be inspired. I also have to make appointments to write, and now that is happening.

This is, perhaps, at the expense of time with loved ones, and the decision is difficult.

It is a balance.

I am just glad to understand now what exactly inspires me to write. I will always be able to get there.

I was considering submitting chapters or short stories based n chapters to this monthly contest. Yes, that will help my writing to stay on track.

I should find more sites with advice and tips, and maybe a community.

Lately I’ve been having so much trouble with writing my novel. It just seems so…fake. Unrealistic. I’ve been doing my writing exercises, and some parts come so easily, easier than breathing, and other bits are coming as slow as mud.
5,000 words.