A look behind the scenes of writing a novel
I have spent the entirety of last month thinking I was going to finish my novel, only to discover I was still in the middle of the journey. This month.
Talk about a disappoint – or is it really?
This is a posting series where we go behind the scenes on what I’m currently working on, what has happened the last month and what my goals are.
This is to give you the best insight into what to expect from your own journey. But before we get to it, I have a small favor to ask.
If there’s anything specific you want me to talk about. It could be my thoughts behind a certain decision or why I’m doing something.
Whatever it may be, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or send me an email. I’d love to adjust and share as much information to give you the best possible starting point on your journey.
Old deadlines turn to new ones
I’m working my way through my Italia draft. A story about siblings who have lost their parents and have to fight their way through a war-torn Sicily. Oh and the city? It’s controlled by criminal groups.
I’m currently on my last stretch of editing and preparing for feedback. Going at about 4 pages per day.
If you remember from the last status, the plan was to finish by the end of February.
Did that happen? No.
Was that an overestimation from my side? Oh yes.
By the end of February, I was 10 pages in, going at a pace of 2 pages per session – To my defense, I didn’t expect myself to re-write every detail like I do now.
Does it suck that it took longer? Absolutely.
Am I happy it did? Absolutely.
It’s something I still laugh about, but it was a moment of realization.
How could I have been so off, yet so motivated to do work?
Turns out, when you build something as dynamic as a novel, things will appear. You’ll find yourself needing to add, remove or change stuff everywhere, and before you know it, you’ve either added or removed 10 pages.
That’s what happened to me.
I was stuck at page 10 for what felt like a week, but in reality, I just kept adding page after page. And in the time where I expected myself to be halfway through the novel, I had added 20,000 words instead.
So yeah things are great.
I’m currently 92 pages in and enjoying editing like never before.
What you work on isn’t entirely random
The purpose of this post is to give you some insight into my writing, but why try to spice it up with some advice as well.
As an aspiring writer, something I wondered about, when I saw other authors, work was always. “How do you choose which novel to write on?”
And now I have people ask me.
Funny how times change – right?
I never found out how others do, but my answer is quite simple, I work on whatever is next.
“Huh?”
I’m yet to reach a point where I’m completely fixated on a genre or a story, I just want to write. And as a result, I want to give every one of my drafts a fair chance to see the light.
I always have a few drafts laying around. This happens because I alternate my working: I’ll write a novel, then I’ll go through edit another, rinse and repeat.
I do this to make sure my writing stays sharp, but also to make sure I incorporate the elements have learned during the previous phase.
That’s the nice and formal explanation.
If you want the honest explanation:
After editing for 6+ months,I’m dead tired and my itch to write is similar to a mosquito bite. It’s the only thing that occupies my mind and I just want to let my writing flow.
A novel is based on more than just feelings
As I have said before, when you are just starting out as a writer, there’s so much more to think about than just finishing a novel.
You need to connect with a story and want to tell the story like it’s a life critical job.
Without it, you won’t get any new fresh air to your lungs. But as you’ll notice when you breathe after holding your breath for a long time, you need to do it again – and again.
It’s that kind of drive you need to have.
It needs to be such a natural thing that you won’t just do it once; you need to do it again, and again until you’re back to normal.
This is such a natural thing for me.
Doesn’t matter if it’s a new storyline or different genre, I enjoy writing.
I enjoy seeing my ideas turn to words, build characters and put emotions into words, but what I’m even more excited about is seeing my works comes to life.
Therefore, once I start on a novel, I don’t have a problem working on it. Instead, I build a connection with it. A connection that means I need to finish it.
I can’t exactly tell you how to achieve this, but what worked for me what to remove my focus from the small elements like genre, audience, and sales, and turn it on simply writing the story.
By focusing on telling the story and giving the audience something to awe about, I removed the perfectionist eye, judging my every move. It’s a small move to help you keep working on a novel until it becomes something you just need to get out there.
What’s the future from here
My number one thing in the world is setting myself challenges.
Not only to improve, but to put myself into uncomfortable situations.
And of course, I also need to do it in writing.
The plan was initially to publish the novel at the end of the year, but to make things more interesting, I decided to move the deadline up to mid-November.
This puts pressure on the plan, and I need to finish the editing phase no later than the end of May.
Do I think this is doable? Yes.
At this point, I’m getting a pretty good idea of what I’m capable of during a day, but instead of just leaning back, I’m keeping myself at the fire.
After editing, it’s time for a round of feedback.
I want to find at least five readers that’ll be happy to go give feedback on what works and what doesn’t.
This shouldn’t take much more than a month.
From there it’s another two months of editing before feedback again, this time with the goal of hitting around 10 readers.
Then it’s time to design, find marketing material and decide on a way to publish the book.
And that’s how it’s to be an aspiring writer.
Writing is a never-ending train and if you want to see it to end, then I recommend you take it one step at a time and at the correct times. This will make your life easier and, in the end, help you navigate the complex net of writing decisions.
The importance of flexible goals
It’s funny, the thing that I set out to achieve is never the only thing I achieve.
I thought I would finish the novel in three months, editing done in four months and then publish the novel in less than a month.
There have certainly been personal things that has delayed me, but talk about an eye-opener.
I did write the novel in three months, but the same can’t be said for editing.
I worked hard, but every session proved I had lots to learn.
Both in skill, but also in mindset.
And now, 8 months in, I think I have finally learned the importance of flexible goals.
To succeed as a writer, you need to have the mindset to change your goals as you go. Things will happen – you’ll get delayed, you’ll have an off-day, or there’s something you need to attend.
No matter what it is, if you are too set on a specific goal or deadline, then you’re on a path of self-destruction.
If you take anything away from this post, let it be this:
You might have a good writing system and a perfect writing routine, but there’s no guarantee you won’t get delayed.
For one reason or another, and if you aren’t equipped to take a step back and review your goals, you’re just making it worse for yourself.
The condensed insight
I’m still amazed at how much you can improve in a month, and I have added 20,000 words or 50 pages to my work.
The final deadline has been moved up to mid-November, and I have realized how a flexible mindset is the way to a smoother writing journey.
I’m still enjoying my time, still getting better, and I’m getting towards the end goal. Even if it’s slow, I’m still further ahead than I was the day before – and that’s what important.
That’s the update for this month.
What are you currently working on? What are some of the eye-opening experiences you have gone through? I’d love to hear your story in the comments. Or if that isn’t your think, then send me a mail.
Until next time – Hope you have a productive and creative day.
Your writing buddy,
Jack