Monday, December 13, 2010

A Resolution

So...guess what? I think I'm going to write a novel.
Confession: I'm scared shitless.

Several people lately, including Magen Toole, have inspired me to take the plunge and just write the damn thing, already. So I've made a new year's resolution: write a novel in 2011. I've been wanting to do this for a long time, and this next year might as well be the year for it. But here are my misgivings: I'm really better at the short stuff-- like poetry and short stories. Perhaps it's because I'm good at giving impressions. I write those poems and stories that leave something to the reader at the end, so there's an element of the inchoate there. But long stuff? I don't know. I'm not sure I know how to develop a situation and a character over the span of a novel.  I'm afraid that my characters will be flimsy and/or unbelievable in the end. I'm also afraid that they will be too much like me--i.e. have all my insecurities, all my idiosyncrasies,  etc. Finally, I'm afraid that the book will have no direction, because as scared as I am that I'll write lousy characters, I've always been much more of a character person than a plot person.

Of course, I shouldn't whine. You do always hear about the book that took years to write. And authors saying what lousy writers they are, but what great RE-writers they are. So, maybe I'm in good company, here.

Anyway, for better or worse 2011 is Laura-writes-her-first-novel year. I've decided. And all you poor souls out there are going to have to listen to my fussy self trying to orient herself. Well, alright--you won't have to listen, but you are all cordially invited to do so. Maybe you all can help keep me accountable to the task. :)


“Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” Gene Fowler

13 comments:

  1. GREAT quote by Fowler! :P Good luck, luv - YOU CAN DO IT!!!

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  2. This is so AWESOME! You GO GIRL!

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  3. Good luck Laura. I have the same fear...I've started on my novel and then got interrupted for all the things you've mentioned. I'm just waiting until I am sure of my skills before I work on it again.

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  4. That was me Abbi Nguyen.

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  5. Woo HOO! You are going to do amazing with your creative spirit and literary mastery! I can't wait to buy it when it gets published!

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  6. Aww, thanks so much guys! I'm getting excited, for sure!

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  7. I am officially following both your blogs!

    We have much in common.

    Good luck with your first book! I've been trying to finish one for over a year now. If I don't finish it soon I'm going to hate it. ;) So here's to 2011!

    - Lauren

    Ladaisi Blog

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  8. Here's to 2011, indeed! We can do it together!! What is the premise of you book?

    I'm soo glad you like the blogs, that makes me super happy! I don't post much at the other one, mostly cause I'm not sure people want to hear all my crazy ramblings about my life. But I probably should update it nonetheless. :)I took a looksie at your blog also, and was so pleased to see you're a fellow bookworm! We do indeed have much in common!

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  9. Yes, you SHOULD update it! :P I read it religiously ;)

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  10. That's an awesome resolution!

    It's totally scary but you can totally power through. Awesome. Good for you.

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  11. Ohh, Alena and Lauren...Alas, a catastrophe occurred at the other blog. It got deleted, because of an html disaster. I think I shall make a new one. Sorry for any confusion if you've tried to visit the site. Lol.

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  12. Please save me a signed copy :)

    I have tiny, dysfunctional chracters floating around my brain, waiting for me to go and tell them what to do, but I really suck at developing plots, so they gotta wait it out some more before seeing any action. With that said, I give you props for going for it. Writing is defnitely one of the hardest professions EVER, and I have much respect for writers who have the discipline and generosity to share their gift with the world.

    Good luck!

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