Today has been a pretty hectic day. I felt stressed and
overwhelmed. But when I took some time to just calm down and deal with things,
it struck me. Why Murees, are you stressing yourself out over a word count when
clearly there is a lot of other crap you should rather be worrying about? The
personal crap aside, I realized that I was putting pressure on myself to stick
to a word count to make editing cheaper, and so that I didn’t have too big a
book. But the truth is, this story is bigger. There’s more going on and it just
won’t come in under 100 000 words as I’d hoped. It might even be closer to 110 000.
I’m the one in control of production (creation of my books),
and I should give myself more freedom to write the book I want, even if it is
bigger than what traditional publishing standards allow. This is my book and I
can make it as long as I need to tell the story. Besides, I’m sure my readers
won’t mind a bigger book. The stress and expectations were coming from myself, and
nobody else. I was messing with my own head. So, I shifted focus once more and
now my attention is on the story solely for now. That is why I loved writing
and reading in the first place. The story is the most important thing for me. I’d
forgotten that.
I had made myself a promise, that I would do things my own
way. So why would that not apply to the length of my books as well? Why can’t I
do this my way too? I have found that making mistakes, and taking risks is the
only way I learn. Simply doing as others do or say is great for others, but it
had only ever steered me wrong. So, yes, I will be going with a longer book and
doing it my way, as Frank Sinatra had once sang. I have to trust my gut and
follow the story.
So, do you always trust your gut and do your own thing, or
do you go with the tried and trusted method? What is new with you?
Do it your way! No pressure. Then you'll enjoy it more.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex;)
DeleteYes, with being in control of every aspect of your own book, its do it your own way now!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Thank you Romance Reader.
DeleteHi Murees - definitely do it the way you're comfortable with ... do not follow the crowd - unless you trust that crowd ... only you are in control of your life and goals - cheers and good luck - Hilary
ReplyDeleteVery true, Hilary, thank you.
Deleteyou can't do it another person's way...
ReplyDeleteAgreed, thank you, Mac.
DeleteYeh for story and for big books! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Madeline. I like big books too.
DeleteYou do have to do it your way. I usually do things the way that feels right. When I don't, I regret it.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I regret it too. I focus on what feels right these days too. Thank you, Janie.
DeleteI spent the day at a book festival and was chatting with other writers and we all agreed-- if we're not having fun doing it, do we even want to do it? Write to please your soul too. A contented self is priceless.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully said, Elizabeth. Thank you for this. I needed to hear it. Sometimes I forget to have fun too. It definitely wouldn't be worth it if it stops being fun.
DeleteThank you, Carol.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about a story just being bigger, no matter what your head says. You'll figure it out. (And I offer inexpensive editing services. *wink wink*)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Misha. I know about the editing, I just have to figure this story out first;)
DeleteWoman! So first of all, I nominated you for a little something in my September post...and then never made it here to say anything. *fail* LOL. Secondly, I hear you! Personal expectations are seriously the key to feeling balanced and calm. Something I'm struggling with too. You know, my first novel ended at 140K words? On early drafts. By the time it had been through the smoothing and editing (7 drafts later), it was only 90K. I think we have to allow the length for creativity in the beginning, and it's only when the story is really in the finishing stages that there's room to chop. BUT, that said, you're right. Some stories are just longer, and that's okay. More joy for the readers, eh?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Crystal. No worries. I should've stopped by your blog. Thank you for your support and advice.
DeleteHi Murees. Just be true to yourself and follow your heart. Trust your instincts. Wishing you best of luck and hope November will be filled with calm.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicola. I'm learning to be true to myself more and more.
DeleteThe older I get, the more I trust my gut. I think it's a learned skill for some of us. Happy November!
ReplyDeleteHappy November to you as well!
DeleteYou have to trust your instincts. And do what is best for you and your book. All the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you. All the best to you too.
DeleteDon’t pay attention to word count. Just write the story. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chrys 😉
DeleteYep, you have to tell the story from beginning to end. It doesn't matter what the word count is. You have to tell the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteI recently had a critique on my novel and one of the things the editor said was to not use unique spelling to show dialect. The spell all the words out. I really questioned this. I asked another editor at the conference her thoughts on showing dialect and she said it was rather controversial in MG, but I should go with my gut. I'm going to leave the dialect in. (My way...)
Your experience is proof why one has to just go with your gut. Your way does make more sense. J.K. Rowling gave Hagrid an accent and thus spelled certain words different during his dialogue. Thank you for your support, Sharon.
DeleteYou have to follow your gut and instincts.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Absolutely. I've learned that the hard way😉.
DeleteI think you are right...you have to tell the story that is in you and not worry about the word count. You may find things to add or delete when you do go back over your finished first draft. I over write for picture books all the time.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the 4th draft and am currently rewriting it. Thank you for your support, Sharon.
Delete