thanks jess

For those who have been reading the previous blog entries, I explained how I am writing my first novel. So I will begin to give some updates on where it stands.

I am currently in the third act of the novel. Which is exciting but also nerve wracking. It’s kinda like when you’re playing Jenga and you build such a huge tower you start worrying if adding another block or two will surely topple the whole thing over.

I have to stop myself every couple minutes from attempting to go back and reread anything. Yes, I have not revised anything. Naturally, I will go back and see about details that I need to know before proceeding forward, but I basically know how the story goes like the back of my hand.

Also, stopping to check or revise anything will only stop me from continuing with the story at hand. Writing in one fell swoop is the key. You can always revise after.

When to stick it out, and when to let it go

So there was a moment awhile back where I ran into writer’s block. An inconvenience for sure, however, I kept trying to write regardless. I would only write maybe 3 words before stopping. That’s how bad it was.

It was mostly because even though I knew what was going to happen next (the big moments), I wasn’t sure exactly how to get there. For awhile, I thought maybe the story wasn’t as good as I thought. Doubt crept in, but I didn’t let it linger. Especially since this story is so important to me.

Which is why I consciously chose to write a sentence or two everyday. One word even, was better than no words at all. For me, I think the marker of a great story is one that you feel is worth telling, or better yet, one sticking around for. I could have so easily said, nah, it’s not coming together and packed it all up. However, I knew what this story meant to me coming in.

If it’s important and meaningful to you, you will see it through. This could also apply to other aspects of life as well. You don’t just give up, you try again. So I got through it, now I am heading to the last leg of the writing journey (currently at 63,738 words, but will probably surpass this in a couple hours as well).

The next update I will have for you all will probably be about the revising process. Thank you guys for listening, and I hope to hear about your own writing progress as well! 🙂