tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post1684836448528193717..comments2024-03-28T23:20:45.447-04:00Comments on Girlfriends Book Club: What's the Hardest Part of Writing?Writer Wenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16730769794553260336noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-44491493228292348412012-05-27T12:41:17.053-04:002012-05-27T12:41:17.053-04:00Wow, what a compliment! Good for you! For me, I th...Wow, what a compliment! Good for you! For me, I think the hardest part of writing is nailing the opening. Those first few lines, that first paragraph/page - that's the hardest part. Once I get those down, the rest just seems to fall into place.Margay Leah Justicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15490126898758440254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-82969739086817173462012-05-27T08:00:51.913-04:002012-05-27T08:00:51.913-04:00Judith - Ah, I can understand that. A lot of us wh...Judith - Ah, I can understand that. A lot of us who have kids at home and constant interruptions think the isolation would be terrific, but I've experienced that, too, and know that the need for human connections is powerful. Thanks for commenting!<br /><br />Rashda - Yes, that pesky middle! I agree with you. It's part of the plot structure issue I've struggled with.<br /><br />Bonnie - "Keeping things moving with some tension" Yes! So critical, and writers who get that are already ahead of the game. Thanks for coming by!Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794791220323089387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-48927838289708856702012-05-26T16:35:21.425-04:002012-05-26T16:35:21.425-04:00Great post, Ellen! I'm with you--story is hard...Great post, Ellen! I'm with you--story is hard, or plot. Keeping things moving with some tension. I love language so much I digress, but I'm getting better at knowing what I need to cut.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-50159149507445824922012-05-26T11:44:56.618-04:002012-05-26T11:44:56.618-04:00For me it's slogging through the middle betwee...For me it's slogging through the middle between the excitement of the beginning and the climax.Rashda Khanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04803134396969891096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-42885614600007957952012-05-26T10:20:57.743-04:002012-05-26T10:20:57.743-04:00Great blog post, Ellen! The hardest part for me, ...Great blog post, Ellen! The hardest part for me, as a writer who does this full time with a variety of projects in my home office, is the isolation. Especially in winter when you might not venture outside until it's dark, and then feel like a vampire when you do. Lunch with friends is the antidote, better than a garlic necklace.Judith Fertighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06005973124543959617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-5060126547801574702012-05-26T07:39:21.218-04:002012-05-26T07:39:21.218-04:00Steve - Great to see you here! Getting distracted ...Steve - Great to see you here! Getting distracted is a huge issue for me, too, though I can't say the Devils/Rangers game has ever pulled me away. Lol. <br /><br />Chris - Yes, I know that it can be so trick with a complex plot. Good luck with book #3, and let me know if you need more info about the webinar.Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794791220323089387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-13790632879694979122012-05-25T23:58:45.198-04:002012-05-25T23:58:45.198-04:00I agree with you. Ellen. To me it's plot. Unti...I agree with you. Ellen. To me it's plot. Until I have a sound plot in my mind, something solid, with strong character GMC, I am not satisfied. I enjoy creating twists and turns in the story so, in order to jive for me it needs to have a high level of complexity which requires a tight plot. <br />Thank you for the webinar information! That is timely. Book #3 is in need of some plot TLC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-65765497936518998752012-05-25T20:39:42.186-04:002012-05-25T20:39:42.186-04:00the hardest part is getting started and staying th...the hardest part is getting started and staying that way for a sustained amount of time without getting side tracked like right now for instance I am listening to the Devils/Rangers game on the radio when I started out writing some on the old novel that seems to be never going to ever get writ.Steve Hansenhttp://tqrstories.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-75936973849993584142012-05-25T20:33:33.597-04:002012-05-25T20:33:33.597-04:00Suzanne - I've always been in awe of people wh...Suzanne - I've always been in awe of people who write entire manuscripts by hand!<br /><br />Kadi - Thanks for popping in! Have you ever tried arranging your post-its on a posterboard divided into acts? That might be helpful in letting you visualize your story.<br /><br />Bobbie - Appreciate the kind words, and I think we can all relate to the story taking a different turn once you get into it. For me, that outline is always a fluid document. :)<br /><br />Clara - Glad you signed up! My webinar will definitely be addressing how to deliver the reader to a satisfying destination in the denouement. Hope it helps!<br /><br />Amy - Really appreciate that! Thanks for coming by!!Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794791220323089387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-60796255944321384442012-05-25T20:15:25.291-04:002012-05-25T20:15:25.291-04:00Great post and great comment conversation. Thanks ...Great post and great comment conversation. Thanks for fueling the fire Ellen.Amy Bourrethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09282391142545297965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-84710693451774789192012-05-25T19:40:43.505-04:002012-05-25T19:40:43.505-04:00I signed up for the webinar several days ago and a...I signed up for the webinar several days ago and am looking forward to it! The hardest part for me is the denouement, always. Invariably, I feel like I've left my reader deflated and a little ripped off.Clara Chandlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16536538430502011754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-73844893745388254432012-05-25T19:40:02.980-04:002012-05-25T19:40:02.980-04:00The hardest part for me is plot development. I may...The hardest part for me is plot development. I may plan for the story to go one way, but once I start writing it doesn't flow. <br /><br />Great Blog today, Ellen! And you are a wonderful story teller.Bobbie Bandynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-28187706670504643602012-05-25T15:48:14.533-04:002012-05-25T15:48:14.533-04:00The hardest part of writing for me is plotting. It...The hardest part of writing for me is plotting. It all sounds so good in my head, but when I put it on paper, I think.... This doesn't make sense...<br /><br />I use multi-colored post its and litter my desk with them. Each color represents a subplot. It helps to see where I should add or remove content.Kadi Dillonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13116722373269269331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-85309932538245912152012-05-25T15:27:45.488-04:002012-05-25T15:27:45.488-04:00For me the hardest part is the typing up the manus...For me the hardest part is the typing up the manuscript,---believe it or not !!! I'm a slow typist and also I tend to write at least half of a novel in a spiral notebook... Yes,---that way I can write my story anywhere my purse goes ! I get a lot written this way, but when it comes to all that typing up the extra material... Ugh,--- even the thought of it !!!!!!!!!Suzanne Antoinette La Forcenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-59809311515104074842012-05-25T13:46:07.007-04:002012-05-25T13:46:07.007-04:00Shonell - What a terrific response, and I love tha...Shonell - What a terrific response, and I love that you found a method that works so well for you.<br /><br />Sela - Good to see you here! For me, the pacing comes together in rewrites. (First time through I often make things move too quickly.)<br /><br />Marlena - Big thanks and the kind comment and for sharing! I'm excited about the webinar. :)<br /><br />Laura - Sending good luck wishes your way! And thanks for the shares.Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794791220323089387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-71350101590782662322012-05-25T12:24:19.321-04:002012-05-25T12:24:19.321-04:00Fabulous post as always, Ellen! Interesting, we su...Fabulous post as always, Ellen! Interesting, we suffer from exactly the same thing--though I'm still waiting for said agent/editor/Hollywood to inform me that I'm strong at story! Now I'm off to share your fabulous post, and great giveaway!Laura Spinellahttp://www.lauraspinella.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-26006053727347112452012-05-25T11:25:59.461-04:002012-05-25T11:25:59.461-04:00Ooh, this is so fabulous you are doing the webinar...Ooh, this is so fabulous you are doing the webinar! Story structure is the great architecture of literature. Sharing this now!Malena Lotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17989944242640005848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-57630305241731187862012-05-25T11:22:07.892-04:002012-05-25T11:22:07.892-04:00Ooh, this is so fabulous you are doing the webinar...Ooh, this is so fabulous you are doing the webinar! Story structure is the great architecture of literature. Sharing this now!Malena Lotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17989944242640005848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-35067509404779868582012-05-25T10:43:25.277-04:002012-05-25T10:43:25.277-04:00Yes! Structure is so hard for me, too! Getting the...Yes! Structure is so hard for me, too! Getting the pacing right and learning how to get those subplots and themes in there without bogging down the whole thing. Makes me wish I was a plotter sometimes. Then...nah. ;-)Sela Carsenhttp://selacarsen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-75556866615146336882012-05-25T10:32:38.617-04:002012-05-25T10:32:38.617-04:00Great post! I have to say that usually, there real...Great post! I have to say that usually, there really isn't anything about the writing itself that is hard for me. Once I'm writing, it's a great, fun, fast-paced time for me. What I MUST do before I write the story, however, is visually write and edit, then outline the story. On the few times that I have not done these things prior to writing, EVERYTHING about writing is hard for me.Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-26981899150222575472012-05-25T09:48:35.095-04:002012-05-25T09:48:35.095-04:00Mary - Thanks for commenting, and I really get how...Mary - Thanks for commenting, and I really get how hard that is. I think most of us are inclined to dump all the backstory right at the beginning, which of course is the worst place for it. It's tricky!<br /><br />Christa - Thank you for registering! I hope you enjoy it and find answers to all your questions. :)<br /><br />Marissa - Good to hear from you. I think moving forward in a linear way IS interesting, as the reader wants to know what happens next. My two cents! :)Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794791220323089387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-79724449551562455712012-05-25T09:43:58.821-04:002012-05-25T09:43:58.821-04:00Agreed-- plot is a tough beast to tame. I also fi...Agreed-- plot is a tough beast to tame. I also find it difficult to move around in an interesting, non-linear fashion within a larger linear narrative (beyond an occasional flashback).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-20222769476832572262012-05-25T09:41:49.038-04:002012-05-25T09:41:49.038-04:00I just registered! So looking forward to learning ...I just registered! So looking forward to learning about something that slays me with every story!Christa Allanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12620389675433700944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-89198225283635498342012-05-25T09:40:47.485-04:002012-05-25T09:40:47.485-04:00I have trouble remembering to include backstory. I...I have trouble remembering to include backstory. I just want to move forward, forward, forward. What's next? What's after that? And while that sounds like a good thing it leaves my characters looking like cardboard cutouts and my readers find it hard to care what happens to them. <br /><br />Also, semi-related, when I do include backstory, I have a hard time parsing it out slowly to fit the larger needs of the story. I have to work really hard not to throw a big data-dump at my readers first thing.<br /><br />So, basically, I'm saying that it's all or nothing with me.Mary Akershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05190983234403757377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-67044255585949944692012-05-25T09:25:47.741-04:002012-05-25T09:25:47.741-04:00Jessica - That's SO true about endings! That&#...Jessica - That's SO true about endings! That's why I try to deliver the reader to a place where the character's arc feels like a destination.<br /><br />Sheila - Thanks so much. And yes, it's a bitch devil!!Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794791220323089387noreply@blogger.com