I feel like I’m repeating information. Or that all my writing is a word vomit. I hope this feeling goes away. It doesn’t help that I was out tonight and by “out” I mean more…
Source: A night out and some progress
Tag: life
Paranormal
Lately, I have been going through the multiple files on my (other) flash drive and through my idea notebook and all the other mediums I have for keeping track of all the ideas in my head. During this search, I came to a realization that most of all my stories lean toward the paranormal type of genre. I say most because I have two maybe three fantasy stories, two science fiction stories and the rest are paranormal ideas.
However, I have been researching the market in order to get my book publish, sending out query letters, and seeing what time of books are being read. I know it’s a tough market for anyone to sign a contract with a publisher but it happens and it’s awesome. The paranormal market is very tough to get into too. There are a lot of amazing books out there that fall under paranormal. Paranormal romance isn’t a big thing for me because, although I have a subtle romance subplots in my stories, it doesn’t encompass the entire story.
Ultimately, I don’t think I can write anything else but paranormal (at the moment). Something about the whole concept – I just can’t get out of my head. Characters and scenes just appear out of nowhere even though they don’t belong to a particular story. Sure, I want to write some fantasy but I don’t think that would be any time soon. I think it is because of this that I sometimes doubt myself. Should I try writing something else that isn’t paranormal? Self doubt just keeps piling up.
Sure eventually, I go back to my writing and I get hyped up again and keep working hard. The paranormal genre just has this hold over me. I just can’t over the element with magic and awesome creatures. I have an addiction and I just can’t stop. In a sense, I feel confident in my writing but in another sense, I just want to burn it because it is no good. Thinking about it now, it’s not like I would ever compare my manuscript with someone else’s work. To me if just one person liked my book that would be great.
So why do I keep writing?
Because what else am I supposed to do with all these ideas?
Life as Experience
“Write what you know.”
Many of us find this advice in articles on the web or in magazines. It isn’t a bad piece of advice but it can act as a double edged sword. What if you don’t have a lot of experience in traveling or gardening or martial arts but you’re writing about these topics?Do I have to sign up for a martial arts class? Do I have the finances to take that gardening class or to travel? For the majority of people, the answer will be “no” most of the time and that’s okay.
We can ask an expert or look online for information. We can go on forums and read what people say about vacation spots. Thanks to the Internet, there are way for us to explore the world without breaking the bank. Who knows, maybe on day you’ll be the one writing about martial arts and gardening tips. In this way, we won’t be restricted or bored of writing what you know. It’s not always boring because life experiences can be very valuable in adding texture and depth in a story but at times, this isn’t always the case, and so it is a good thing to have some variation.
This past week I attended a Disturbed concert and yes, it was amazing. This was also my first concert and it was totally worth it. Now, you’re probably wondering by I bragged a bit but I’m getting there. On Wattpad, I read a lot of books aimed at young adults and most often than not, there is a chapter or a scene where a characters goes to a house party and they talk about all the sweat and the lack of space. A concert is not different – not really. The raging music and the crowd of people are on the mark. I can use my experience of going to a concert in my writing because I have lived through it and maybe I don’t write about a character attending a concert but the experience can be tweaked to fit another scenario.
Whether good or bad experience, it doesn’t really matter. There is nothing easy about life and if it was, I don’t think it would be very interesting and exciting. So, you can write what you know and you can look up things you don’t. I’ll leave you with one piece of advice. Next time you go to a concert, bring ear plugs. They won’t cancel out the noise (not that you would want to) but your ears will be grateful.
Updates on Life
I didn’t post anything Friday because I was without WiFi for an entire week and I had no signal on my phone. In order to compensate, I’ll post something today and continue with my regular schedule on Friday.
A few months ago I finished my manuscript and edited as far as I could with a lot of help by my friends. I am happy to say that I sent out a few query letters a couple of weeks ago and I’m waiting anxiously for a reply. Or in some cases, no replies at all. It’s not like I don’t have much hope but I’m being realistic. A contract isn’t going to land on my lap though a girl can hope.
Thinking back on writing this novel, I started it writing during NaNoWriMo 2012 and I was able to finish. After three years a few months, I was able to finish the rewrite and it’s been such a long journey. I never thought I would finish because school had its priorities but somehow I made it to the end. So, now I’m writing the second book and preparing for the long road of rejection and writing but it is a good feeling. After all, I don’t want to be anything else but a writer.
Dabbling in the Art of Writing 