IWSG - December

The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh as a place where writers can talk about their insecurities once a month, and receive encouragement and support from other writers. It's such an amazing group, it even has its own website now, which you can visit here.


I'm feeling pretty good about my writing right now, purely because I've just won NaNoWriMo; there's something about writing 50000 words in a month that really makes you feel good about yourself. I even managed to finish a few days early, something I never thought I could do.

My main insecurity dwells within those 50000 words. I have to keep reminding myself that it is a first draft; it's meant to be rough, there are bound to be a lot of problems with it. The ending is the part I have the most problems with; it just doesn't work. It'll be the hardest part of editing, I think; it needs a complete re-write. When I finished the 50000 words it took a while for the happiness to come, just because I wasn't happy with the ending. I can't change the ending, though, without changing things in the rest of the story first. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. 

That said, I really can't wait to get started with the editing. I'm going to let it sit until January, then I'll print it and get a red pen to it. I already have plenty of ideas for the edits, and I know the biggest problems with the manuscript. The hardest part will be solving those problems, but I know I can do it. 

Despite its flaws, I have faith in my story, and I believe I can make it amazing. 

Comments

  1. I bet you can!
    In between, start brainstorming other endings. Maybe once you start editing, as you flow through the story, a better ending will present itself.

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  2. Glad to hear that you're feeling good about writing at the moment Laura, you did incredible with Camp Nano and should feel very proud!

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  3. Awe...you beat NaNo, that's definitely something to celebrate. I allow myself the knowledge that all my first drafts are crap, but workable crap. It just takes some elbow grease to get them shiny. You can do it:)

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  4. You won that's very cool Miss Laura. But then you are a good writer and it is only to be expected. I hope you find an ending that you are happy with. Dont get too carried away with rewrites I may not know a lot about writing but as an artist I know reworking stuff too much can kill the spark that was there originally...... I hope all the moving has/is going OK

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  5. My first drafts are almost always terrible, and I generally have to rewrite 2-3 chapters completely from scratch (usually the ending or beginning!). But just having the first draft done is a great achievement!

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  6. I have no doubt you can make your story amazing. I bet it is already close to that even as a first draft! Congrats again on your NaNo success, woo-hoo!

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  7. Congratulations on beating NaNo!!! That is a great feat! Good luck with editing, and you will make it amazing. ;)

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  8. Congrats on winning NaNo! Super, super. Sounds amazing already

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  9. I love the editing part, Laura. Hopefully by then, I have the plot worked out and the characters fleshed fully. If not though, editing fixes it. Congrats on getting there!

    And congrats on winning!

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  10. I understand completely. My first NaNo, I just stuck an ending on it to finish. Wasn't happy with it, but knew it was a first draft. Now I plan to overhaul it all. But tis okay. All my stories go through that to some degree.

    M.L. Swift, Writer

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  11. I'm sure you will, Laura. I think you are right though to let it rest until the New Year, then come back to it with fresh eyes and renewed energy. You might just find that ending becomes all the clearer! Good luck.

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  12. I think that once you start your rewrites the ending will come to you! Hey, like Nora Robert's quote says: you can't edit a blank page. So I think you're in a good place right now. Best of luck with revisions! I'm that phase also… well, I have to start it, but that's my next step too. :)

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  13. That sounds really positive. Congrats on winning, and enjoy the rewriting. I adore my red pen!

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  14. Congrats on winning Nano!!! My first drafts have been a bit like that too, and I think your decision to put it aside is a wise one, although I like Alex's idea too - brainstorming endings for your story while it's "resting" might be a good idea. Meanwhile, you can come up with fun, completely different short stories, poetry, and exciting blog posts! Best of wishes with all that you do!
    And I have faith in your story too. :)

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  15. What an accomplishment!! Congrats!! First drafts are always ROUGH! Very smart of you to give it a month before tackling it. Best of luck to you as you edit!

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  16. You and me, girl- rowing the same boat. It's gonna be heavy duty rewriting and strikes of the red pen in my future. I know we can both do i if we set our minds to it!

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  17. Congrats on winning NaNo. I understand the frustration though. You put so much time and effort into a story, and you know you have to start all over again. It can really make it hard to revisit and revise. Good luck with it.

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  18. 50K is so awesome. Congrats. Nano can be tough especially when you have so many other things going on. Don't worry about the first draft. Soon it will be the final one! Yahoo!

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