Wally Bock’s Writing Edge
Link to Article – 23 July 2012
“Writing a book is a journey of discovery. It’s also a big project that can become a grand accomplishment or a horrid disaster. Here are some things to know if you’re writing your first book.”
A Road Map
If you are, like me, new to writing and publishing your first book, Wally’s article will give you much-needed “baby steps” guidance. His points are still relevant since he published it back in 2012.
Start with his 7 Things, then continue your research as you need for your work-in-progress (WIP).
The Seven Points
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- Writing a book is different
- The book is a living thing
- The book is always right
- The book will surprise you
- Every book deserves re-writing
- Every book deserves professional editing
- Once you have released it to the world, it’s not your book anymore
What I’m Taking Away
As of the date of this blog post, I have at least three novel WIPs (I’ve lost count), and it’s true for me that the book is a living thing. The characters in my WIPs are real people to me. They have personalities that take over when I’m writing. Some are kind and cooperative. Many are stubborn and move the narrative away from my “pantser” outline. My takeway is to let the characters do their “thing”. I can fix plot holes after I complete the first rough draft.
The book will surprise you has astounded me while working on my WIPs. When I’m immersed in the first draft process, with the world quiet, silent around me, the narrative takes off under its own power and reveals scenes or character development aspects that I swear do not come from me. Of course they do; as Wally wrote, my unconscious mind is at work.
Why Haven’t I Published My Novels?
My novels are still WIPs because I enjoy the writing and revising process, a dynamic process, living and breathing on my computer screen. When I post my WIPs for critiques to my online community on Scribophile, I enjoy reading feedback from potential readers of my novels, critiques that suggests changes that strike me as quite brilliant.
My Dilemma
Perhaps I’m like a parent who’s afraid to face the empty nest. Maybe I don’t want to let my “children” go, to live their own lives out in the world.
Maybe Wally’s point number seven, once you have released it to the world, it’s not your book anymore, speaks too much truth to me?
“It IS my book, my preciousssss.”
Your Turn
What say you, gentle reader? If you’re an author who has published your novel, or if you’re a writer with struggles similar to mine, please share your experience in the Comments below this post. Thanks!
Image credit: bloomingmimosa on Pixabay.com
