Why haven’t I posted since January? Because this novel has taken precedence over everything. The Gloria brain wants to do nothing else only write the book. The Tasheenga brain wants to be on here having fun and a laugh with her old buddies, and doing stuff on the internet like other normal people.
There’s no point in having a blog if you’re not connecting with other bloggers on the Facebook groups, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and others that I’ve had to completely abandon. The FB app has been disabled on the phone because it’s a distraction. It’s not as easy to waste time on FB if the only way in is via the laptop. But, social media is how we connect with other bloggers and writers, and we can’t let that go. Balance Gloria, balance.
The biggest thing that Glo and I have discovered about writing your first novel, is that it takes a very long time. Initially we were thinking two years maybe, but we didn’t realise how much time would be spent actually learning how to do it – properly. It has to be done right or not at all. At least we both agree on that much. And then there’s all the research.
Anyway, I’ll tell you what’s been happening. The last four months have been a lot about learning. Glo enrolled on a writing course, (Try Groupon for a deal) and wouldn’t let me help. I was put away again like some disease. She even started taking extra vitamin supplements thinking that would get rid of me forever. I ain’t going nowhere!
After getting through the first two modules, she realised it would be best to complete all fourteen modules before writing any more scenes. Right decision I have to admit.
We were missing a lot of important stuff. Some things we had covered but they needed attention. Not all our chapters had their own mini-plot. We didn’t know what a zinger was…even though we did use some. Dialogue beats needed extra attention. Some of our similes were not great. We had to lose a few ‘coulds’ along with a few other unnecessary words.
The biggest problem for us at the moment is the protagonist, Rose. I think we have to demote her…to a supporting character. Or get rid of her. She’s a bit dull. Glo wants to keep her as the protagonist because she was the seed of the whole story idea before pen was ever put to paper.
Well, I think Flossie should be the protagonist because she’s more interesting than Rose, and she’s in our heads 24/7. We’re at 20,000 good solid words of draft two, and Rose isn’t even born yet. It’s all about Flossie. She’s involved in the hook, the inciting event, the key event, and the rest. I sometimes forget that she’s not even real. I even want to meet her in real life. We’ll see!
Nancy is the antagonist. She’s gonna be brazen and I can’t wait to get stuck into her. Glo will try to rein me in a bit, I just know it. I’ll be writing all the juicy bits and Glo will be delete delete delete – in case the readers might think she’s not right in the head or something. I’ll talk her round though. (At 3am every night for a week.)
I’m not sure yet just how bad Nancy will be because I haven’t got the whole way into her head yet but when I dare to go there, I have Sacha Black’s ‘How to Craft Superbad Villains. 13 Steps to Evil‘ in my kindle at the ready. Check out her website. When you sign up to Sacha’s mailing list you’ll get her free 13 Steps to Evil Cheat Sheet too. She knows her stuff!
At the moment we are reading Rachel Thompson’s 30-Day Book Marketing Challenge. Yes I know we don’t have the book finished yet, but apparently we have to market ourselves first. Bit tricky that….who’s head gets that role? Gloria’s or Tasheenga’s? What if I get the chop completely because of this book? What if Glo discovers some mad remedy on the internet called, How to Kill your Alter Ego Forever?
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Gloria McBreen 
I’m impressed! But don’t get TOO caught up in all this stuff that the internet tells you that you have to do – I have never been on a writing course in my life. I just wrote, as did many before the internet existed. I enjoyed this blog post and read every word instead of skimming to the end, like I do with many, which shows you can write in such a way to hold people’s attention. Trust in your own creativity, too, and good luck!
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Terry thank you so much. I suppose I have that fear that it won’t be good enough, if I don’t put absolutely everything I have into it. But you’re right, amazing books were written long before the internet. I remember reading somewhere, (it may have been on your blog) someone asked you a question about your writing, and you said you just wrote and realised you could write. Something to that effect. I can’t remember the exact question but that small comment has never left my mind Terry. Thanks for reading.
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I’m finding it so hard to write blog and write novel and live my life as well. Also I thought I was doing ok with mine till I was told I have too many characters, to much going on and actually my 37000 words content is more then one book. This is very hard work! I’ve also purchased an author website domain just need to pay for hosting… there’s so much advice on line.. I’m struggling now, writing an author website too… This is a steep hill, good luck with it! Just keep going and one day you will get there!
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You’re right; it is hard work and so much to cover. I’m not going to beat myself up any more about lack of blogging though because right now the focus has to be on finishing the novel. Feeding the family and showering has to happen sometimes too!! You’re doing well with 37,000 words. Stay with it. Were you given this particular feedback by one person, or a few people? My character Flossie has me thinking that I might split my story in two – part one and part two. AND…. if I don’t fit in all the initial plans I had for Rose, it may have to be a sequel. But I’d be happy with that.
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Yes it’s hard to fit everything in! It was the opinion of my writing group that I have to much going on. I thought I was doing alright! How many words have you written?
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Okay. Are you comfortable with the group? Do you trust their opinion? Maybe get the opinion of someone outside the group. Someone interested in science fiction. They might tell you the same thing, or maybe not.
I wrote my first draft of over 50,000 words during nanowrimo 2017. My second draft is at 20,000 edited words. Draft one is just a mess of a jigsaw! I’m enjoying it though.
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Wow you have done well! Yes I do trust their opinion, but I’m feeling disappointed because I thought I was doing well but i’m now having to re think it all.
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Aw try not to worry. Sure I had to change so much of mine. I think its all part of the process! A bit like a torture chamber….🤣
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Yes I know exactly what you mean.. this writing lark is such hard work! X
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As a maybe budding writer this intrigued me. There’s so much I do not know! Thanks for letting me in on some secrets.
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Hi Paulette. There is a lot more to it than I first thought. But it’s all very possible to achieve and it really is just about learning as you go along. As Terry Tyler advises in a comment here, don’t worry too much about all the information and advice out there. I’m going to try not to from now on. Let me know if you decide to take the plunge.
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