Classic Stories and Modern Tales
Okay, so I came here to write something real. But writer’s block (hooray! How am I going to start my new novel soon?). I’m watching The Martian (just finished the book, yes!) and drinking a glass of wine instead.
So instead, I’ll ask you, my followers, a question.
For you writers, what is your favorite genre to write?
For you readers, what is your favorite genre to read?
Are any of you book snobs? (I am.)
I’m going to a book sale tomorrow!
So, rather than using this blog to whine about my life some more, I thought I might try to get to know my followers a little bit. I might do this every once in a while, post questions so I can hear from you. So let’s start:
Friends for me. Or 30 Rock. Or Parks and Rec. Or The West Wing. I don’t know.
When I read interviews of authors I admire, they always talk about how they “always knew they wanted to be a writer.” They talk about the stories they used to write anywhere and everywhere, ever since they were little. And I love stories like that, I really do.
But I am trying to be a writer, and when I think back on it… It was when I was 13 or 14 that I got the writing bug. THAT’s when I started planning stories and writing with friends and writing on school bus trips by the light of my iPod. I always (and this is where my self-doubt comes in) wondered why I didn’t start sooner. Would I be a better writer if I had started sooner? Can I be considered a writer if I didn’t start sooner?
There was a period of my life where I didn’t write. When I was in the 5th grade, I failed some state standardized writing test we had to take (Have I mentioned I hate standardized tests?). They made my mom do writing workshops with me. They threatened to put me in remedial writing classes, even though I was in advanced reading classes. I remember feeling embarrassed and awful that I wasn’t a good writer. I remember the sick feeling in my stomach that gave me. It wasn’t until 7th or 8th grade that I was able to pick up writing again.
This week (it’s spring break, weeee!), I was helping my mom clean out my old bedroom when I stumbled upon it. The evidence that maybe I have always been a writer. In the top drawer of my old dresser was stowed away autobiographies, reports, silly stories about my friends and made-up characters, and newspapers that I created (about the solar system, about trips to grandma’s house), all written before that terrible 5th grade test. I had forgotten all about them.
And I wish I had taken pictures to post here. My silly stories with my terrible handwriting.
I know it’s dumb, to find this kind of thing validating, but it’s nice. It’s nice to see how far I’ve come and how far I have yet to go.
I’m finally revising my novel. This is a pretty big deal because the only thing I have EVER revised is a story I have been writing with a friend. And even that is just checking for continuity. This time, though, I am trying my hand at actual revision.
Ugh, it’s hard. I mean, not to sound whiny or anything (my last few entries have been incredibly whiny), but it’s sooooo hard. I thought I could get it done in a month, but with the amount of mental energy it’s taking, it’s going to be so much longer.
I’ve never ever been good at the revising. Editing, sure. But once I have written something, it’s written. I don’t like taking scenes apart and rewriting them again. This story, though, needs some plot fixing. It really does. So I am going to need to do that. I wrote this novel two years ago, so getting back into the headset of these characters is difficult. How do I make it work? How do I make it consistent?
I guess it’s just frustrating. At the heart of everything, I am a perfectionist. I want it to be perfect. I know it never will be, at least not with me. I’ll nitpick and nitpick. I just have to figure out where to stop.
Another list by Elizabeth Doherty (yes, this is what today’s to-do list looks like… with commentary)
I make one of these every day. Can you tell why I lovehate lists?
A list by Elizabeth Doherty
*insert I threw it on the ground gif*
To be continued…
I’m just tired, guys. Do you ever feel this way?
I was going to blog tonight, BUT I am finally watching last night’s episode of The People vs. OJ Simpson and it is intense. Of all of the Someone vs. Someone movies/TV shows I’ve seen this week, this one is definitely my favorite. SO INTENSE. I can barely focus.
I mean, I lived through this. Kind of. I was young, but was it really like this? I think I am going to do some research when this is done. I always do. Because I’m a nerd who likes to point out historical inaccuracies.
Are you watching The People vs. OJ Simpson? What are you watching?
I hate revisions.
I mean, I can do a simple edit just fine. Change a few words, fix some spelling errors. But once I get something on paper (or computer), that’s it. I can’t imagine going back and completely changing scenes and plotlines.
For me, once it’s there, it’s there. I know it’s not perfect, but it’s hard for me to envision it any other way. Am I supposed to be? Is there a way to make this easier?
I always dread doing revisions. I always feel like I am doing them wrong. Change should come quicker, easier. Should I be enjoying it?
Am I the only one who feels this way?
I feel like I am losing my mind. (Maybe it’s just because I’m exhausted. Are Tuesdays more exhausting for anyone else than Mondays?)
I’ve always been a little ditzy ( a lot according to my family), but this week I seem to have misplaced my brain. Where do I find it?
© 2024 Elizabeth Doherty
Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑