Saturday, May 23, 2009

Things to Love and Dislike About Writing

The top three things I love and drive me insane about writing…we’ll start with the three things I dislike (I shy away from saying hate because I had to work hard at coming up with the 3 things I disliked) the most and work my way up to those things I love:

3. Synopsis – I stink at writing synopsis. Figuring out what are the most important aspects of the story that need to be focused on, is really difficult for me. Probably because I think it is all important. I mean, let’s face it, if it wasn’t important, I’d have cut it from the storyline right? LOL But, I get it. There are some details that can be left out of a synopsis that do not affect the storyline at all. Can you tell I’m trying to write a synopsis and it’s not going so well? :-/

2. Editing – If I could just write and never have to edit, writing would be the perfect job. I think that means writing is near enough to perfect to count as the perfect job. And it certainly is better than any job I’ve ever had outside the home.

1. Temperamental muses – It’s frustrating when my muse decides to take a leave of absence without any notice whatsoever. There should be a rule in place that says muses must schedule leave of absences to work with our timeframe. It would make life so much easier, right? :D


Now, the top three things I love about writing…

3. Creation – I love everything about creating new characters. I love learning their flaws, discovering their inner demons and slowly coming to realize what it is that makes them tick. I may breathe life into them initially, but often times by the time I finish writing about them, I realize they had a life all of their own that they allowed me to visit inside my mind.

2. The hours – I create my own work schedule. This can be a dangerous thing, but when the muse is on fire, all I will want to do is write from morning, noon and night. So, sleep becomes a novelty.

1. No legal recourse – I do whatever I want in my stories without any legal recourse. LOL Yeah, that sounds bad, but you writers know what I mean. We can kill someone without really going to jail or facing any consequences unless that’s part of the storyline.

So, if you’re a writer, tell me what are the things you love and dislike about writing?

I hope everyone has an awesome weekend!

4 comments:

Debra Kayn said...

I dislike synopsis, query letters, and waiting to hear back. The waiting part is the worse!

I love letting my imagination take control of what happens. Anything is possible. You are so right when you say we can kill off someone and feel good about it! lol

I'm also weird, because I love the editing process. Although I can't catch it all in my writing, if someone points it out...it's a duh *slap forehead* moment for me.

Sierra Wolfe said...

I agree with Debra, I hate waiting. It is the absolute worst thing about writing for me. I don't particularly care for writing synops, but I'll do that anyday instead of waiting.

I don't mind editing, my only problem with it is sometimes it's hard to switch back to writer mode after I've been editing for a while.

Great post! Got me to thinking. :)

Kathleen Scott/MK Mancos said...

In the immortal words of Tom Petty, waiting is the hardest part!

I used to hate synopses, but since Patrice Michelle told me to use the "how to" on her website, it's been so much easier. I highly recommend it to anyone.

Even though I'm a rabid outliner, I really don't love writing first drafts. I'm the person who would rather go back and add in things and check continuity. There's just something about having a blank page mocking me that intimidates me.

And galleys. I do I hate the galley stage. By that point I'm usually so sick of my story, my characters. Even my humorous bits fall flat. I mean really, how many times can you hear the same joke before it's no longer funny?

What I love?

The sudden epiphany that comes when two storylines merge together or the twists you didn't see coming. Those happy moments when you can sit back and say, "Wow! I'm a fucking genius!"

The thrill of getting an email or call saying, "We'd love to publish your book."

The moment when a character walks into your life and says, "Let me tell you my story."

-Kat

Gracen Miller said...

Thank you for your comments, ladies!

I'd have commented yesterday, but I barely got my post up. Blogger was giving me fits all day long yesterday.

I agree, I do hate the waiting stage as well. I'm in that now and it's driving me bat shit crazy!!!

Kat, I do love the blank canvas. It's exciting to me to start that journey with my characters. And the twists and turns you talked about, they're freaking awesome!

I hope everyone that celebrates Memorial Day has an awesome one tomorrow! Stay safe!

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