I feel like I'm writing the next Wuthering Heights. My MC has been miserable, she's gettin' a little better, but I don't know where to take them next (the MC and the antagonist--unknowingly so-- have run away together)
so far, it's been a mess of flashbacks, boring jobs, and death. I feel like I'll need well over 50,000 to make this complete. It's literary fiction, so for those of you who know how that goes (generally plotless...)
I just can't accept the fact that's it honestly hasn't been hard to get the word count going. I just can't accept the fact that I've written myself into what feels like a dolorous hole. It's my first novel, and THAT is certainly something, but how can I feel better about this?
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11,014 / 50,000
Nov 24, 2008 - 21 25
I just can't accept the fact that's it honestly hasn't been hard to get the word count going. I just can't accept the fact that I've written myself into what feels like a dolorous hole. It's my first novel, and THAT is certainly something, but how can I feel better about this?
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Well, I think you answer your own question: It's your first novel, and it is certainly something. Most people talk endlessly about writing, but never quite get to the point where they get their ideas on paper.
A lot of writers fret about whether or not they're "real" writers. Well, real writers really write, and that's just what you've done. Maybe what you've written needs some work, but that's always the case with a first draft. You should be proud of your accomplishment.
50,224 / 50,000
Nov 24, 2008 - 22 02
Well, I think you answer your own question: It's your first novel, and it is certainly something. Most people talk endlessly about writing, but never quite get to the point where they get their ideas on paper.
A lot of writers fret about whether or not they're "real" writers. Well, real writers really write, and that's just what you've done. Maybe what you've written needs some work, but that's always the case with a first draft. You should be proud of your accomplishment.
Exactly. Right on.
With Anticipation
2005 "Two Truths and a Lie" literary fiction
2006 "Slipping the Tracks" literary fiction (Winner)
2006 "Exit, Pursued by Bear" literary fiction (Non Nano novel)
2007 "The Dream of Safety" literary fiction (Winner)
2008 "Insufficiency" literary fiction
40,230 / 50,000
Nov 24, 2008 - 23 30
This is the first time I've tackled the whole 50k challenge. i've done some writing before, of course, but nothing like this. Since my character is first person and likes to wonder around a lot, whenever I feel like there's a dull moment I just make him meet random people that tend to be overly eccentric. It's a really fun little writing exercise in itself. It gives you a break from a dragging character for a sparkling new character that doesn't have to be around for very long if you don't want him to (makng it easy for editing later). And, as I've found lately, if the random character is inserted in the right moment and given the right words he/she can become the perfect twist to your plot that you were looking for ^_^
Raving eccentrics don't really have a place in Wuthering Heights, but then you seem like you're trying NOT to write Wuthering Heights so you might try throwing in a speck of light or curiosity into your character's world. Maybe that would keep your MC from being so Heathcliffian.
Hope this helps.
J.
50,551 / 50,000
Nov 25, 2008 - 07 44
That's exactly how I feel! Like it's an exercise... in a good way. I've never written this much before, in my life. My MC likes to wander around too with her little tendency toward insomnia, so whenever there's an especially dull moment I spice it up with the latest description of the abandoned street she lives on, or something... haha. I have been kind of introducing new characters that make it more interesting, but I'm at the point where I need to make the climax happen, wrap it all up, and save the rest for a huge editing process.