Advice On Finishing A First Draft

Am I the best person to give advice on finishing a first draft? No. Will that stop me from preaching what I don’t practice? Nope.

Take a break.

For my first novel, I took a long hiatus but eventually got around to finishing it.

Just make sure you actually return to your unfinished manuscript at some point.

Edit or proofread.

Sometimes, I’d rather edit than write. My mood bosses me around.

Again, you can fall into the trap of only editing your half-finished manuscript rather than writing the ending to it. Hopefully, making edits will get so painful that you choose the lesser of two evils.

Talk to someone.

We all need a friend who will listen to our problems.

You don’t even have to talk about writing. Perhaps all you need is a little bit of encouragement.

I wish you the best of luck in finishing your first drafts. It’s not an easy feat, but the feeling is like none other.

If you have any advice, feel free to tell me. I need all the help I can get.

I Rather Write Than Talk

I rather write than talk. Of course, I don’t always have a choice.

In social situations, I often wish I was doing something else like writing.

I just want to write. Is that too much to ask for?

I’m in the midst of writing a story. I’m not sure where it’s going exactly, but I feel excited. I’ve been having so much fun following my characters around.

I have every intention to follow them around some more. I know the universe doesn’t always work out according to plan, but a writer can hope for the best.

Honestly, I’m not sure what I’d do if I didn’t write. If I couldn’t.

It’s a lot more fun facing a page than facing a person. There’s no judgement with the former. I can be myself. I don’t have to censor, filter. That’s when I’m at my happiest.

Besides, having an extended conversation with someone can be so much work.

 

10 Things Writers Do And Can Relate To

Writers do a lot of awesome things.

1. Writers write. On the flip side, we also do everything we can to put off writing as long as possible.
2. Writers get ink stains. On everything. No? Just me? I will hold my wallet up proudly for all to see and proclaim my status as a wordsmith. Or just a clumsy child who ruins everything she owns.
3. Writers observe. Not to be confused with stalking. The two are not the same. Obviously, if you write, you would know.
4. Writers talk to themselves. And to their dogs or cats if they have any.
5. Writers make characters suffer. It’s part of our job to.
6. Writers fail. All the time. If you haven’t failed and/or been rejected, who are you? You’re not human. At least, you haven’t taken great risks, lived your life.
7. Writers drink. Coffee, tea, alcohol. We drink it all. We don’t discriminate.
8. Writers read everything. Other people’s books, our own stories. We read a lot of words.
9. Writers play with pens. Click. Click. Click.
10. Writers dream and daydream. Then we dream some more.

Which of these can you relate to?

What To Do When You Don’t Feel Like Writing

Here’s a list of 15 things you can do when you don’t feel like writing.

1. Read. Too many books, too little time.
2. Exercise. Your body will thank you.
3. Walk. Jog. Run. Sprint. Whatever works.
4. Blog. It might inspire your next story. 
5. Game. Have some fun.
6. Relax. Meditate for a minute.
7. Clean. There’s always something that needs organizing.
8. Sleep. Take a power nap. 
9. Talk. Call an old friend and catch up. 
10. Shower. Or take a bath. 
11. Explore. Go somewhere new.
12. Stretch. Yoga, anyone?
13. Journal. Doodle. Scribble. There are no rules.
14. Cook. Bake too. Make something edible.
15. Eat. Take-out is always an option.

Sometimes you have to write even when you don’t feel like it.

#BellLetsTalk

Let’s talk. And listen.

Let’s share. Let’s speak.

Let’s blog. Let’s write.

Let’s read. Let’s remember.

Let’s start a conversation today, continue it tomorrow, and keep one going together.

Silence | What I Love | October 2016

I love silence. I love being silent.

Sometimes I don’t want to talk. More like most of the time. Sometimes I can’t talk. I still remember getting my tonsils removed, and I kid you not, I didn’t mind not being able to speak properly for days.

But I think people who understand my silence deserve a reward of some sort. Thanks for understanding that I don’t always want to talk. That, in rare cases, I physically can’t make sounds with my vocal cords.

I’m not trying to come off as rude. If I do, I’m sorry. I figure it’s better to say too little than to say too much. Or better yet, maybe say nothing at all.

A Rant About Talking And Writing

Talk all you want. But please don’t talk down to other human beings.

Write whatever you want. But don’t write off someone.

Just don’t.

I don’t care who you are. I don’t care who the person you’re talking to is. There’s no reason why you should talk down to them.

Same goes for writing. You can’t and shouldn’t assume superiority on your part or stupidity on someone else’s behalf.

I’m done.

World Suicide Prevention Day

Suicide is an issue that’s really close to my heart for various reasons.

I know everybody and their dogs have probably told you to talk if something is bothering you, but I want to tell you something else.

I want you to try writing about whatever it is that’s weighing on your mind, on your heart, on your soul.

You’ll be surprised.

All the best on this day.

Stay strong.