tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post3611449898537399484..comments2024-01-18T00:32:55.427-06:00Comments on my cozy book nook: TSS: Summer ProgressMollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08414201637917215413noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-27416726935980398092010-07-13T09:53:32.420-05:002010-07-13T09:53:32.420-05:00CB has some excellent points. Too often, high ach...CB has some excellent points. Too often, high achievers tend to expect their first draft to be perfection and this stops them from actually writing. The first draft of any book is always GARBAGE. A novel isn't written until you get to the re-write portion. And re-writing certainly takes much longer than 12 weeks.<br /><br />I would throw the 12 week thing out the window. You won't be able to find your narrative voice unless you sit down every single day (no exceptions) and spew out all the garbage that will be your first draft. Don't think, just let the garbage flow onto the page and don't even think about how it would read to other people. <br /><br />Once you do that, you'll have something to work with and then you can allow your perfectionist side to come out as you re-write and re-write and re-write. <br /><br />It's gonna be great, Molly! And it wouldn't surprise me if one of your characters ended up with a loved one having medical problems....so much of an author's current experiences end up, however briefly, on the page. :)<br /><br />ps....prayers for you and your mom....caring for a loved one in times such as these is stressful for all.Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04873109350235219509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-91113743038557906372010-07-11T23:14:44.586-05:002010-07-11T23:14:44.586-05:00It looks like you struck a nerve with this post, M...It looks like you struck a nerve with this post, Molly - you did with me, anyway! For one thing, I'm also a realist who is often viewed as a pessimist :-).<br /><br />You may not be where you thought you'd be on the novel right now, but the personal breakthrough you've had is progress of another kind, and equally worthwhile.<br /><br />I'm sorry about the strain of your mom's health situation - good luck with that!Florindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09789402061034734894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-14230939535246281822010-07-11T22:21:21.254-05:002010-07-11T22:21:21.254-05:00I'm sorry to hear your mom is back int he hosp...I'm sorry to hear your mom is back int he hospital, Molly - I can truly empathize.<br /><br />Re: being goal driven and sucking the joy of the journey - well, you and I must have hatched from the same egg! *laughing* I am happy to say that I am working on this and have found some success as I've edged toward the 1/2 century mark! I especially find my quilting to be something which I truly enjoy every step. You're on the right track...and you should definitely enjoy the journey...that is what life is all about!Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14332796775305098552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-71031078264649822252010-07-11T20:52:03.370-05:002010-07-11T20:52:03.370-05:00You write such great advice Molly...now listen to ...You write such great advice Molly...now listen to it and quit putting so much pressure on yourself!! Isn't it funny how we put ourselves under so much stress and we wouldn't dare ask that of another person??? Take care of yourself, write when you can, and enjoy the ride!! Now if I could only follow my advice to you!! LOL!!!Stacihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07600979915661464945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-72481146984670580602010-07-11T18:51:36.747-05:002010-07-11T18:51:36.747-05:00"I become so fixed on the goal and the deadli..."I become so fixed on the goal and the deadline, that I suck all the joy out of the project."<br /><br />When I read that, I was like "Oh my gosh, that sounds like me!" (lol) I've really lightened up though. Julia Cameron's workbook, "The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity" started me on the road to chillville. I couldn't be exactly like she was asking, but I estimate I've relinquished control by 50%. :) <br /><br />A couple months ago, I realized I was getting back in that mind set and backed up, re-evaluated, and adjusted my way of thinking. <br /><br />Even though you are making these discoveries about yourself, take a moment each day to tell yourself you did good. You might already, but this is an area I lack in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-45757898719663527722010-07-11T17:00:23.921-05:002010-07-11T17:00:23.921-05:00Hope things will turn out well for your Mom. And f...Hope things will turn out well for your Mom. And for your writing. I've started writing as well, and it's slow going as I procrastinate. This may well mean it would take me 8 years to write a book instead of three :) Hang in there.Harveehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03490108303790217277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-43460789203447405792010-07-11T16:09:42.219-05:002010-07-11T16:09:42.219-05:00I am very goal oriented too, and can drive everyon...I am very goal oriented too, and can drive everyone else crazy with it, so I can totally relate to it. <br /><br />We're struggling with my dad's health here, so I know how hard that is as well.bermudaonionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10726401178972099557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-33051045358756669972010-07-11T16:09:42.220-05:002010-07-11T16:09:42.220-05:00I've begun three novels and completed one. I ...I've begun three novels and completed one. I never took any of them through a second draft so they're all still in a file cabinet in the basement. But they were fun to work on. <br /><br />I was most productive when I made writing part of my daily schedule. Up an hour before I had to leave for school so I could spent 60 minutes writing every day. It worked.<br /><br />May I suggest looking at your first novel as practice. That could take some of the pressure off. The second novel, or the second draft, that's the real thing.<br /><br />Hope your Mom is back up to speed very soon.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06906212382849291562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-49247388142949832262010-07-11T15:34:12.874-05:002010-07-11T15:34:12.874-05:00I can't believe you actually expected yourself...I can't believe you actually expected yourself to complete your first novel in 12 weeks! That seems impossible if you ask me. Creativity is an organic process, and I do think you have to enjoy the ride AND deal with whatever life throws at you. At the minimum, take the time to write at least 30 minutes a day. Surely that is something you can stick to.<br /><br />And best of luck with your mom. I'm sure that is really difficult.Jennershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08044537551139633301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-6204974999349565862010-07-11T14:44:50.871-05:002010-07-11T14:44:50.871-05:00Good for you!! Your excitement about your novel is...Good for you!! Your excitement about your novel is palpable--and infectious. Float on that joy and see what happens (I predict good things).<br /><br />Hope all goes well with your mom, too.dshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07616750784052488695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-3629157187439808142010-07-11T14:20:34.024-05:002010-07-11T14:20:34.024-05:00Like you, I've always been my own worst enemy ...Like you, I've always been my own worst enemy is the area of placing too many demands and high expectations on myself. I'm better lately, and it sounds like you are on your way to making changes as well.<br /><br />Hope your mom can recover and that you as a result will have less stress in your life.<br /><br />Have a great week Molly.(Diane) Bibliophile By the Seahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10519875632878992728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-37932076370076448032010-07-11T13:52:27.089-05:002010-07-11T13:52:27.089-05:00Sorry to hear that your mom is continuing to have ...Sorry to hear that your mom is continuing to have so many problems. <br /><br />You sound like maybe you have hit on the first step for all of the over-achievers--admitting that there's a problem! Trying to balance the drive to meet the goal with enjoying the process along the way can be tough.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05554217416500328610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-67043063636263687542010-07-11T12:24:31.052-05:002010-07-11T12:24:31.052-05:00This sounds like a huge personal break-through... ...This sounds like a huge personal break-through... congratulations!! Hope they find the right balance for your mom's meds - as you know too well, it can be tricky until she's there.JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-63223710921475429102010-07-11T11:16:33.576-05:002010-07-11T11:16:33.576-05:00I think I probably said this last night as well, b...I think I probably said this last night as well, but you are in good company with me. I am the classic over-achiever, and only since I quit working have I attempted to change the way I live my life. Ah to let go! To understand what demands are placed upon us, outside of our control, and the ones we place unnecessarily on ourselves! If you are able to enjoy the journey of this project, I am sure you will have a better end product AND you will likely write again!Sandy Nawrothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-33545960789238200412010-07-11T11:01:12.672-05:002010-07-11T11:01:12.672-05:00I have exactly the same problem - it is amazing ho...I have exactly the same problem - it is amazing how the joy and anticipation of setting out a plan or project dissolves into recriminations over how little progress you have made. It helps, sometimes, to see it happening to someone else - I finally found myself saying to my mother, "At the end of every day you beat yourself up about every item you haven't completed on your To Do list, but you totally ignore all that you HAVE accomplished. 3/4 of this list is crossed out!". Be sure you give yourself credit for all the things you do get done; I find that it makes it easier to preserve my enjoyment of projects. <br /><br />Hang in there!Sycorax Pinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07734754573631273474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736127069847988207.post-50587763487059130502010-07-11T10:33:49.482-05:002010-07-11T10:33:49.482-05:00We could be sisters of the soul, Molly. I, too, lo...We could be sisters of the soul, Molly. I, too, love to set impossible goals and then actually try to meet them (often doing so to the detriment of my mental health).<br /><br />However, I have recently returned from a trip to France and I concur with you....It is refreshing. <br /><br />I will not go back to the way I was. One more time. I will not go back....Deb Nance at Readerbuzzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12128529491888701996noreply@blogger.com