Drawing from the Well
Scenes Arranged: 2
Total Scenes: 151
I’ve finally hit a roadblock. I need something to tie this scene together (which will inevitably tie it to multiple other scenes in the book) but I don’t know what that “something” is. I may have to press pause on this scene and chapter and move on to some other stuff so my brain can chew on this. I don’t like it, but this “thing” I need has become really important in my mind to a couple of characters’ interactions so PAUSE for now.
Filling the Well
That Hideous Strength: 12%
Sightwitch: 32%
20 Editing Tips from Professional Writers: 4%
Jessica Jones: S2E8 of 13
Yep. New book. I got it for free from ProWritingAid (which is an awesome site for writers) so I’m going to check it out. It’s only 25 pages so that’ll give me another tick mark on my #ProjectBookworm2019 list today.
Polishing the Well
Nothing of note here. Wednesdays are busy days so it’s hard to have anything noteworthy or extraordinary happen. It was just Hump Day. WHOOP WHOOP!
Well Chat
Learning from the Greats and the Goofs
Can you tell I like paired alliteration?
I’ve read many times on Twitter from successful authors that it is important to read a lot as a writer. This is especially true for reading within the genre you’re writing. To that end, it is important to read the examples of great fiction alongside the non-examples.
Many people wonder “Why would I read something if I know it’s no good?”
Great question! We all learn from failure (a whole topic for another day). As humans, we learn very little from success. Encountering pitfalls shows us the way NOT to go as much as it redirects us to the proper path. Thomas Edison went through a thousand designs of the lightbulb before he found the right one. Did that dissuade him? No. Did it temper his excitement for harnessing electricity? Quite the opposite. When asked how he felt about failing so many times, he responded that he had not failed but rather found a thousand ways that didn’t work.
That we could all have such a positive outlook on out shortcomings.
So what does this have to do with writing? Well, going back to reading, you can learn lessons from your peers, those writing in your genre. For example, when I read YA fantasy, I pick up on the quicker pace and higher amounts of action that I like but I also pick up on the angsty pining that I don’t like. I’ve found examples of things I like as well as non examples. So I include the examples and avoid the non-examples. When I read some adult fantasy, I notice the complex magic systems, foreshadowing, and circular callbacks but I also notice profanity and slower pace. I use the good and avoid the undesirable.
In the same way, reading the greats gives you something to strive for. You want to write fiction like your literary idols. But reading the dross that doesn’t pique your interest also helps point the way to things you should avoid in your own writing. Plus, sometimes dross is fun to read because you can just unplug your mind and ride the wave of words. It’s important to relax once in a while too.
I know this is a short one, but I’m starting research for a blog series coming up soon so these will get a touch longer. Catch you tomorrow.
May the tide carry you to safer shores.
BSG