Especially over the last few years, I’ve been developing a style and method of writing that works best for me. In May I tried a workshop that really clicked with how I operate.
First, huge thanks to Candace Havens for her Book In a Month Workshop. This workshop had us writing a book in one month. I’m not going to give away any of the secrets – take the workshop if you want to know. But at the end of the month I had a book written.
Now… I’d done this for NaNoWriMo, so I knew I could do it. But Candy takes it one step further by getting you into the editing of the book as well. And that’s what clicked with me. The first draft is my least favorite part of writing my books. Getting all the ideas in my head down on paper feels like slogging through a marathon in the mud.
I really flourish when I hit the editing where I can breathe easy because the bulk is on paper and now all I have to do is make it better/good. That’s why this workshop worked so well for me. It got me through the first draft phase quickly. And Candy’s tips and words of encouragement, in combination with the accountability I felt to both her and the other writers in the workshop, really helped a lot. Then, the first draft was finished and I could get to the good stuff… editing.
The result of this workshop? Two big results actually. First – Sarai’s Fortune (the 2nd book in the Shadowcat Nation series) is written and on track for a late fall publication. Second – I now have a method that really helps me get in gear and get the book on paper and dig right into the perfecting. I’ll definitely be doing the workshop again with the next book.
If only my poor left arm could keep up. LOL. I’ve had to resort to Dragon software – I speak, it types. Sigh. The things we do for the work we love.
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