It has been two days of outlining and fleshing out my characters and two days of actually writing for my new WIP, The Beholder, and I already have 1,000 words! That may not seem like a whole lot but I am happy with it because it is 1,000 words more than what I was accomplishing on my series this past month.
Tag Archives: author
Taking a Hiatus on my WIP Series
When it comes to writing, I have a “I’m not quitting” mentality this time around. It is very important to me to zero in on this ever-changing craft and publish my own stories to share with the world. I am not, by any means, taking a hiatus from that dream. However, this series that I have bouncing around in my head has too many flaws for me to deal with and stay confident. It is a story close to my heart and I will not put it to sleep for good but it just needs to take an afternoon nap right now. Since I have never fully completed a manuscript, not even a rough draft version of one, I think the concept of a three book series with a lot of subplots going on is overwhelming me. I have been spending way too much time trying to sort and outline and plan and NO time really writing. And even after all the planning work, I still feel like key elements are missing from the story. So I feel the best thing for me to do right now is put it aside and regroup.
Friday First-Novel-Attempt Blues: The Curse of the Tree Novel
So here is where I am at with my first attempt at a novel. Wait…let me re-phrase that. I have had many attempts at a first novel so, really, here is where I am at with my first attempt at a novel I am forcing myself to finish. That’s better.
My novel right now is a tree. Let me explain. I have the core idea with roots firmly planted into the ground. I have my main characters developed in my head and they are wonderful little darlings. The base of my novel is strong and thick and ready to take on anything. It sounds like my novel is in a wonderful place then, right? Why the heck am I complaining?? Continue reading
500 Words: Short Story
“Are you sure this is a good idea, Meg?”
My mother looks at me with both concern and disapproval. She holds up my inhaler so I know exactly what she’s talking about.
I give her a subtle nod as I take off my warm-up track suit and start jogging in place.
“This could be the day,” I say. I’m not sure if I say it for her benefit or for myself though.
“You said that exact same thing on the last race and look how that turned out. They had to carry you to the medical tent, Meg.”
She puts the inhaler back in her purse, exasperated.
“I can’t give up.” I reply, “You know I’m doing this for Lynn.” Continue reading
Similes Exclusive to the World You Are Creating
I am a big fan of similes. Like, the biggest. If they ever became rock stars, I would be one of the crazy girls waiting backstage to see a glimpse of them, holding up my big glittery/neon/heart-covered poster that read “I love you Similes!” and crying profusely when “As” or “Like” touched my hand. So yeah, I have a thing for similes.
I don’t think I need to school you on what similes are, but if I did, I would say they are used to compare two different things using the words “like” or “as”. I will even provide you examples created by…you guessed it, ME.
It fell from the sky like the last firework on the fourth of July.
The corn rustled and hissed as they pushed through it, like they had awakened a thousand rattlesnakes all at once.
He threw down the stone as if he had been holding a hot coal and ran as fast as his wobbling legs could carry him.
SEE!!! I love them. Continue reading
The Disease of TMI
I currently am very sick. I have succumbed to a disease that has shattered my ability to write. I want to share this disease with you in hopes that you will be able to withstand the infection that seems to be spreading amongst novice writers like myself. This is the disease of TMI or, Too Much Information.
What this disease feeds on is our yearning as beginners to gather up all of the little trinkets and golden nuggets of information that prestigious published authors want to toss out on the road for us to pick up in scraps. Or literary agents who blog or Tweet occasionally and try to throw us a bone while we fuss relentlessly over our query letters and outlines. Or the countless marketing tactics out there to draw in naive and hopeful new writers with workshops and how-to books that will make us “the next best-selling author.” Continue reading
J.A. Ward Writes 