I can't wait to see what your story is about. May I be a beta-reader please?
I have to say I agree about the drain of time in writing for Substack. It pilfers time when I should be writing the latest novel. Nevertheless, it IS writing and the structure of a column is still the same as a novel, with beginning, middle and neatly tied up end, I suppose. It is also a discipline to turn up every week which I needed a nudge on.
But I am more laissez-faire now - I don't panic to get a book out every 12 months. I get one out when it feels right. The relief is enormous.
Just write, don't chastise yourself. Do it because you want to, not because you feel you HAVE to. If you don't write each day, honestly, it doesn't matter. What matters is that when you do write, you love every moment, words feel like gold nuggets and time flies, and when you read back what you've written, you can't quite believe you've created characters, a scene, a life.
My first ever novel still sits in a box in the office. It's the one that everyone must write before they can become deadly serious. My first published novel took three years to write. But I learned so much from the consultancy who worked with me.
And just so you know, the editing process is THE most amazing experience. You can see the novel being diamond-cut as you work your way through with a good editor. I love editing my novels even more than actually writing the initial story.
Wow, Prue, this is so kind of you to offer. I would be very honoured to have you read the beta version!
I absolutely hear all your advice; I am on a roll these days with working on the book, so I will grab that time and enthusiasm whilst I can.
I agree with your observations about Substack being both a distraction and a place to keep showing up to write with a deadline. It has been an effective tool for me to develop my writing practice, and it has allowed me to meet so many wonderful other writers around the world like you!.
I am so impressed by the number of novels you have written-I doubt I'll ever get past this one, but never say never, I guess. I've only read two of yours; I'll get back onto more soon!
And I do love editing too; I spent most of my professional life editing other people's words rather than creating my own. I look forward to the point where I have enough to start shaping and cutting and honing, and can't imagine how wonderful it will be to have a talented editor guiding and feeding back to make it better. That sounds wonderful...But first, the first draft!
Sabrina, if ever you want some consultancy on your work, try Cornerstones Literature Consultancy in the UK. https://www.cornerstones.co.uk/ I owe them so much. If you want to know more - let's email.
Hear, hear to Prue's comment, especially the needed reminder that churning out Substack posts is real writing. And very important. If I could transfer my Substack blog skills to my book drafts, I'd be in a lot better place. They do help though and every kind of writing is practice, practice, practice.
Very clever mind tricks! But, as we know, the only one that works is not a trick: "Butt in the chair." I'm sure your story will come to light someday. Writing it is an exciting journey, especially, as you say, the characters get to know each other and you get to know them. Perhaps you also find that half or more of your brain lives in your story as you carry the characters and situations with you.
I don't use the ticky-tacky box trick but I have set myself a deadline to complete the vomit draft. I spend way too much time piddling around with an Excel spread sheet that has each chapter with a title or descriptor of contents, word count, time period, and the next steps (e.g., write the darn thing, revise totally, incorporate Marty's comments, cut most of the farmerette section, etc.). I told myself I'd finish by March, a chapter a month, until yesterday when I added another chapter. Then I'm not looking at it for a month.
Then I start the second shitty draft.
I loved the last image in your post of the pelicans. Beings taking flight and going to a destination whatever that is. Only I think they know where they're going better than we do :)
I had the same "realization" as you did about the time spent between the Substack posts and the book. If I inversed the time, I'd be a lot farther along. However, the Substack posts are so much more enjoyable to write. And shorter. With pictures. And readers. And comments.
Best of luck, courage, determination, and inspiration as you check off those boxes.
Thank you once again for your very insightful comments, Andrea! You are certainly ahead of my on this journey and of course with a much more difficult task, your book being non-fiction so you have to have the facts right! And interesting. And tell a compelling story. That's a lot!
And agree with you that the story occupies a lot of space in my head, during the days and evenings. Practically everything turns into a sort of research example or question to consider. The most fun is putting on a playlist for the time period and getting my head right into the time and place. It really helps and is so fun until I start singing and then bouncing along instead of writing.
But as you say, sitting down to focus on writing is the most important. I have been immensely helped by these two writer's hours a day when I commit to not dancing or checking emails and I make myself sit and write. And it always happens!
Wishing you luck in maintaining those invisible walls so you can keep focused on your project too!
I think the most important sentence that I read in your piece was, "this story keeps drawing me back to tell it." That is a good thing! Perhaps by following that draw, the rest will fall into place, and you will have fun along the way. Hope so!
Thanks TIm. Yes, the story is absolutely pulling me along and brings me back to it over and over. And so far I am enjoying the ride. I appreciate the encouragement.
Oh wow, what an awesome approach, Sabrina! I love what you're doing - kudos!!! 🙌
I first came to Substack because I wanted an outlet where I could practise my writing and engage with other readers and writing so that one day I might tackle the book project I'd like to do. In fact writing on Substack IS now my writing project!
I've read books about how to write books, and I'm a greedy reader of the genre of my own one-day book, but the prospect of actually writing it freaks me out. 😂 Having said that, I'm hugely enjoying practising the craft in my weekly newsletters, and it brings me such joy!
So happy to hear that writing your Substack brings you joy: it certainly brings the rest of us great joy! You have TWO substacks really, so that is quite a load. And a big bunch of delighted readers.
My thinking is always that your body/the universe signals to you that you are ready to do something, in that it feels like it is more frustrating to NOT do the thing, rather than to just go ahead and do it. Even when you 'think' you are not ready, your body winks some way and lets you know to just try. I'm guessing at some point you will just try and write that book, or back into it, or sidle along by the side and whoops! There will be the first draft! ❤️
Thanks Jayne, I am excited in a this-is-a-marathon, not a sprint sort of way. You have been down this road before so you know the ups and downs still to come, and how this is the probably one of the better (=most naive) part of the journey. But ticking the boxes helps!
This is inspiring Sabrina! I so love the concept that the first draft has to be written so that the rest of the drafts can come from them. That the first draft will be read by no one but you. What freedom that provides! Like Amy, I’m so looking forward to reading your story one day.
Thank you Martha! I remember so well the first time I read Anne Lamott's book Bird by Bird where she described shitty first drafts. It was a revelation. And STILL I need reminding to not fuss about how the words come out to begin with. I hope you and Amy have a lot of patience! 🤣.
I can't wait to see what your story is about. May I be a beta-reader please?
I have to say I agree about the drain of time in writing for Substack. It pilfers time when I should be writing the latest novel. Nevertheless, it IS writing and the structure of a column is still the same as a novel, with beginning, middle and neatly tied up end, I suppose. It is also a discipline to turn up every week which I needed a nudge on.
But I am more laissez-faire now - I don't panic to get a book out every 12 months. I get one out when it feels right. The relief is enormous.
Just write, don't chastise yourself. Do it because you want to, not because you feel you HAVE to. If you don't write each day, honestly, it doesn't matter. What matters is that when you do write, you love every moment, words feel like gold nuggets and time flies, and when you read back what you've written, you can't quite believe you've created characters, a scene, a life.
My first ever novel still sits in a box in the office. It's the one that everyone must write before they can become deadly serious. My first published novel took three years to write. But I learned so much from the consultancy who worked with me.
And just so you know, the editing process is THE most amazing experience. You can see the novel being diamond-cut as you work your way through with a good editor. I love editing my novels even more than actually writing the initial story.
Yours in penmanship...
Wow, Prue, this is so kind of you to offer. I would be very honoured to have you read the beta version!
I absolutely hear all your advice; I am on a roll these days with working on the book, so I will grab that time and enthusiasm whilst I can.
I agree with your observations about Substack being both a distraction and a place to keep showing up to write with a deadline. It has been an effective tool for me to develop my writing practice, and it has allowed me to meet so many wonderful other writers around the world like you!.
I am so impressed by the number of novels you have written-I doubt I'll ever get past this one, but never say never, I guess. I've only read two of yours; I'll get back onto more soon!
And I do love editing too; I spent most of my professional life editing other people's words rather than creating my own. I look forward to the point where I have enough to start shaping and cutting and honing, and can't imagine how wonderful it will be to have a talented editor guiding and feeding back to make it better. That sounds wonderful...But first, the first draft!
xx
Sabrina, if ever you want some consultancy on your work, try Cornerstones Literature Consultancy in the UK. https://www.cornerstones.co.uk/ I owe them so much. If you want to know more - let's email.
Many thanks! I'll check them out!
Hear, hear to Prue's comment, especially the needed reminder that churning out Substack posts is real writing. And very important. If I could transfer my Substack blog skills to my book drafts, I'd be in a lot better place. They do help though and every kind of writing is practice, practice, practice.
Of course you need the perfect pen and piece of card! Paper goods, writing equipment, such fun.
Ah my long-time fellow stationery fan! Our love for school and crafting supplies has carried us through a long life! ❤️
🙌
Very clever mind tricks! But, as we know, the only one that works is not a trick: "Butt in the chair." I'm sure your story will come to light someday. Writing it is an exciting journey, especially, as you say, the characters get to know each other and you get to know them. Perhaps you also find that half or more of your brain lives in your story as you carry the characters and situations with you.
I don't use the ticky-tacky box trick but I have set myself a deadline to complete the vomit draft. I spend way too much time piddling around with an Excel spread sheet that has each chapter with a title or descriptor of contents, word count, time period, and the next steps (e.g., write the darn thing, revise totally, incorporate Marty's comments, cut most of the farmerette section, etc.). I told myself I'd finish by March, a chapter a month, until yesterday when I added another chapter. Then I'm not looking at it for a month.
Then I start the second shitty draft.
I loved the last image in your post of the pelicans. Beings taking flight and going to a destination whatever that is. Only I think they know where they're going better than we do :)
I had the same "realization" as you did about the time spent between the Substack posts and the book. If I inversed the time, I'd be a lot farther along. However, the Substack posts are so much more enjoyable to write. And shorter. With pictures. And readers. And comments.
Best of luck, courage, determination, and inspiration as you check off those boxes.
Thank you once again for your very insightful comments, Andrea! You are certainly ahead of my on this journey and of course with a much more difficult task, your book being non-fiction so you have to have the facts right! And interesting. And tell a compelling story. That's a lot!
And agree with you that the story occupies a lot of space in my head, during the days and evenings. Practically everything turns into a sort of research example or question to consider. The most fun is putting on a playlist for the time period and getting my head right into the time and place. It really helps and is so fun until I start singing and then bouncing along instead of writing.
But as you say, sitting down to focus on writing is the most important. I have been immensely helped by these two writer's hours a day when I commit to not dancing or checking emails and I make myself sit and write. And it always happens!
Wishing you luck in maintaining those invisible walls so you can keep focused on your project too!
I think the most important sentence that I read in your piece was, "this story keeps drawing me back to tell it." That is a good thing! Perhaps by following that draw, the rest will fall into place, and you will have fun along the way. Hope so!
Thanks TIm. Yes, the story is absolutely pulling me along and brings me back to it over and over. And so far I am enjoying the ride. I appreciate the encouragement.
I enjoy traveling with your mind as you nudge your way through this. It must be a great story. Can’t wait to read it!
Thanks Amy! In my HEAD it is an interesting story. We'll see how it comes out onto the page :).
Oh wow, what an awesome approach, Sabrina! I love what you're doing - kudos!!! 🙌
I first came to Substack because I wanted an outlet where I could practise my writing and engage with other readers and writing so that one day I might tackle the book project I'd like to do. In fact writing on Substack IS now my writing project!
I've read books about how to write books, and I'm a greedy reader of the genre of my own one-day book, but the prospect of actually writing it freaks me out. 😂 Having said that, I'm hugely enjoying practising the craft in my weekly newsletters, and it brings me such joy!
So happy to hear that writing your Substack brings you joy: it certainly brings the rest of us great joy! You have TWO substacks really, so that is quite a load. And a big bunch of delighted readers.
My thinking is always that your body/the universe signals to you that you are ready to do something, in that it feels like it is more frustrating to NOT do the thing, rather than to just go ahead and do it. Even when you 'think' you are not ready, your body winks some way and lets you know to just try. I'm guessing at some point you will just try and write that book, or back into it, or sidle along by the side and whoops! There will be the first draft! ❤️
Awwwwwww!
Awwwwwww!
And you’re SUCH an inspiration, Sabrina! ❤️
🤗
Ticking thing off lists (or boxes) is one of favourite things in the world! Good luck with the new story, it's an exciting place to be!
Thanks Jayne, I am excited in a this-is-a-marathon, not a sprint sort of way. You have been down this road before so you know the ups and downs still to come, and how this is the probably one of the better (=most naive) part of the journey. But ticking the boxes helps!
Oh! I am absolutely delighted to hear that you are writing a novel! How very exciting and I can’t wait to read any part of it you care to share!
That is so kind Patti. Thank you for your excitement! I hope to share bits when I get closer to something that feels somewhat more polished.
This is inspiring Sabrina! I so love the concept that the first draft has to be written so that the rest of the drafts can come from them. That the first draft will be read by no one but you. What freedom that provides! Like Amy, I’m so looking forward to reading your story one day.
Thank you Martha! I remember so well the first time I read Anne Lamott's book Bird by Bird where she described shitty first drafts. It was a revelation. And STILL I need reminding to not fuss about how the words come out to begin with. I hope you and Amy have a lot of patience! 🤣.