Comments on: Oops I Did It Again

By: Suzanne Jones

Suzanne Jones — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:28:31 +0000

I agree with Joni - you help the rest of us so much by writing about your writing process and the things we should and shouldn't do.

XX

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:09:39 +0000

Joni – wow, what a lovely thing to say! You made my day, you know that? Not to mention the days of the Sisters too! I’m so pleased my ups and downs are useful to people. Having a down day today but you’ve perked me up no end.
Anyway, detailing my problems and solutions is the librarian in me wanting to give everyone as much info as they can. Though of course, sometimes what I think are solutions turn out not to be, so don’t take my word as gospel. But yep, if you’re suffering saggy middle ms syndrome and you want to add some more characters, could be all you need to do is to go deeper into the conflict. Depends, I guess, on what you’re writing.
Anyway, glad myself and the Sisters can help!

By: JoniB

JoniB — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:14:35 +0000

Jackie – I know at times you’ve experienced some of the lower points of being a writer but I have to say I’m so glad you have…..Now don’t take that in a bad way because you are one of those enormously generous people who are brave enough not only to share how you feel but also what went wrong. And THAT’S why I so grateful; I’m about 3/4 of the way through a rewrite of my ms (rewrite inspired by you and your Sassy Sisters) and I just started to introduce a character to facilitate a bit of external conflict when the memory of one of your blogs set off the alarms. I went back and read your wise words, came back (did a Maisey *delete delete delete*) and whamo focussing on the internal conflict has made the story SO much stronger. Please keep up the good work – you and your gal pals are becoming my oracles as I struggle with the mechanics of these manuscripts.

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:31:34 +0000

Joanne – Yep, I’m a bit like that too. I’m desperate to reach the end ’cause I’m worried that if I don’t get there quickly, I’ll lose interest entirely! But yep, that’s what editing is for. 🙂

Aideen – well, m’dear, you were the one that gave me such sage advice initially and I have taken it to heart. Yeah, there has to be conflict because, as you say, if there isn’t, why would you want to read about it? But the conflict doesn’t have to be all there immediately – the attraction can be the initial driver. And really, that’s all I need for this story. Dunno why on earth I keep chucking other things in there. You make it sound so simple… I’ll cut and paste your comment and stick in my wip so I remember. 😉

By: Aideen

Aideen — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:18:24 +0000

Jackie,

My problem is forgetting that at some point if I'm lucky, other people are going to be reading my book. Which means all the stuff I know in my head is no good being kept there, I need to share! I honestly do forget to keep the reader informed at all times and isn't that just plain silly? Talk about writing to please myself!

At least now you have an idea of what is possibly holding you back and that can only be a good thing. In real life we agree to go out on dates because there's an attraction there, sadly in romance world we need that attraction to come with a conflict big enough to fill Santa's sack.

It's funny in a way because when I met my husband I was a single mother to one lovely little boy but at no time did I doubt in our relationship because if Andrew didn't want my son, then I didn't want Andrew. Simple as. It was never an issue thank God but I know if I'd been the heroine of a good old romance novel then our conflicts would have been enormous! I guess what I'm trying to say, in my usual dizzy Aideen way, is that sometimes Fiction is harder than real life because if it wasn't, who'd want to read it??

Don't overcomplicate, have them fancy the socks off each other, just make sure one of them wants what the other can't give. Simple, right?

Irish luck as you tackle Niamh and the man 'doomed' to be the one, LOL.

By: Joanne Coles

Joanne Coles — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:59:53 +0000

At the moment my biggest mistake is rushing. I am so desperate to reach the end I forget all the little things that should be in the middle and so my characters motivation isn't as clear as it should be.

I know these can be added in when polishing, but I struggle to keep going when I already know the ending!!

Yes, I desperately need patience and stamina. Story of my life ...

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:14:15 +0000

Lacey – actually, sometimes there is. I hate unpicking macrame too. 🙂

By: Lacey Devlin

Lacey Devlin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:53:25 +0000

I feel your pain 🙂 Ain’t nothing wrong with lots of macaroni and a macrame 😉

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:29:18 +0000

Ju – that’s true. At least I went with my instinct this time which was to recognise that something wasn’t right. Still didn’t know what it was till I’d had a talk about it though. What I have to do now is to recognise it BEFORE I write! 🙂

By: Ju Dimello

Ju Dimello — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 06:36:05 +0000

I would say, good that you have found / recognized your pet peeve. Now, you have to be on the lookout to ensure you aren't making the same mistake ;) - which IMHO, is easier.

Before you club me, let me explain.. I meant, it is easier than not knowing what the consistent mistake is in the first place :)

In my case, I'm still trying to find that out..and then I can probably roll up my sleeves to pluck out that weed ...