I finally customized my boring header and I'm happy with the new one. Most of the blogs I visited had such lovely headers and mine was...well,just a header, nothing special. Thing is, this blog has come to be my second home and when I sign in, I want to have a coffee or tea--don't drink none of them--and sit back on the couch with my laptop. Again, for this header, PowerPoint came to the rescue.
I just have to say something more. I love this blog and I love my followers. I never thought it would so much fun to have a blog. I always look forward to your comments. Thank you for your support, thank you for commenting, thank you for following. Now, you know where the kitchen is, get yourselves a coffee/tea too and join me on the couch so we can write those bestsellers...and admire my header:-)
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
The days I feel like destroying the world I've created
Yesterday I skimmed through my synopsis draft. When I got to the end, I realized I was not happy with it--the ending (the synopsis too, but that's a story for another day). That was all it took for me to question the novel I spent almost two years working on, the novel I thought was one of my best. Now, there I was, thinking it was my worst. my husband did everything to remind me I'm a great writer. Well, he is my husband, my biggest fan. What else would he say?
I think the only person that can really motivate a writer, is him or herself. People can only encourage us so much. They can tell us everything we want to hear, but in the end, it's up to us to believe it. Most of the time I'm very good at motivating and encouraging myself, but sometimes, it's just so hard. Yesterday was one of those days.
My husband diligently listed all the reasons he thought I'm a great writer, I nodded--equally diligently--but my mind was far away. In the end, after thirty minutes of nodding and staring into space, I dragged myself off the couch and went to cook dinner. I was still not quite present, it's a wonder I didn't burn dinner. Later, after a hot shower I got it. The wrong man got the girl. I love both of the male characters that are after Nora, my protagonist, but there can only be one Mr. Right. I had given her the wrong one and I couldn't get a moment of peace until I did the right thing. If she's not happy, I'm not happy.
So, that was it really. The rain stopped, the sun broke out from behind the dark clouds, and once again, I was the best writer in my world.
What do you do when you reach your low point(s)?
I think the only person that can really motivate a writer, is him or herself. People can only encourage us so much. They can tell us everything we want to hear, but in the end, it's up to us to believe it. Most of the time I'm very good at motivating and encouraging myself, but sometimes, it's just so hard. Yesterday was one of those days.
My husband diligently listed all the reasons he thought I'm a great writer, I nodded--equally diligently--but my mind was far away. In the end, after thirty minutes of nodding and staring into space, I dragged myself off the couch and went to cook dinner. I was still not quite present, it's a wonder I didn't burn dinner. Later, after a hot shower I got it. The wrong man got the girl. I love both of the male characters that are after Nora, my protagonist, but there can only be one Mr. Right. I had given her the wrong one and I couldn't get a moment of peace until I did the right thing. If she's not happy, I'm not happy.
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| The blockage has been removed and the fountain of my imagination is flowing freely again. |
What do you do when you reach your low point(s)?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The dreaded query letter
I'm one of those writers who dread the query letter (and synopsis), and the more information I read on it, the more frightening it seems.
But at some point every writer is going to have to face her/his worst fear. Two days ago I finally posted a draft on CC. Although I thought it wasn't so bad, after reading the critiques from my respected fellow CCers, I realized just how terrible it was. This morning, I got up early and did a rewrite. The comments/critiques I received had really opened my eyes and helped me create an improved second draft.
I just posted it again on CC for it to be ripped apart and I'm excited. Every critique--even when it hurts--is a chance to improve and a step closer to a sizzling query letter. I love Critique Circle.
But at some point every writer is going to have to face her/his worst fear. Two days ago I finally posted a draft on CC. Although I thought it wasn't so bad, after reading the critiques from my respected fellow CCers, I realized just how terrible it was. This morning, I got up early and did a rewrite. The comments/critiques I received had really opened my eyes and helped me create an improved second draft.
I just posted it again on CC for it to be ripped apart and I'm excited. Every critique--even when it hurts--is a chance to improve and a step closer to a sizzling query letter. I love Critique Circle.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Fictional towns
My novels are mostly set in fictional towns. I just like to let my imagination break out of the box and dare it to soar. "When" I get published, I don't want to get attacked for not getting some part of a city/town/village right.
Here's a pictorial map I created for one of the towns (more like a village really) in Chocolate Aftertaste, the novel I'm currently working on. It's not perfect, but it helps me picture the setting better and I had lots of fun. It took me ages (you have no idea) to create, and I have to admit that I'm proud of my first map:
Here's a pictorial map I created for one of the towns (more like a village really) in Chocolate Aftertaste, the novel I'm currently working on. It's not perfect, but it helps me picture the setting better and I had lots of fun. It took me ages (you have no idea) to create, and I have to admit that I'm proud of my first map:
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| Liz Davis 2010 |
Monday, January 3, 2011
Get back to work
I should really stop blogging and tweeting and get back to my novel. I have a lot of editing to do--getting my main characters to fall in love (gradually).
I've finally figured out how to break the hand of Tom, the male character. A loose kitchen shelf falls on it, fracturing a few bones. Since he's a writer, that's a disaster. That's all I'm going to say for now. I really should get going.
I've finally figured out how to break the hand of Tom, the male character. A loose kitchen shelf falls on it, fracturing a few bones. Since he's a writer, that's a disaster. That's all I'm going to say for now. I really should get going.
Moments of thanks
Life is filled with many opportunities to be grateful. "Not for me," you might say. "Liz, you have no idea how much I went through this morning."
I know there's a lot to complain about. But I believe there's more to be thankful for. Really.
When things go wrong, it's easy to lose sight of what had gone right. Search your life for moments of happiness, the big moments that blew your mind but also those little moments that had fallen through the cracks along the way. Search until you find them. Only then, will you be able to appreciate each day, each step, each breath.
If you really can't find anything, be grateful for being able to read this post, because someone, somewhere would give anything to be able to see, to be able to read.
I know there's a lot to complain about. But I believe there's more to be thankful for. Really.
When things go wrong, it's easy to lose sight of what had gone right. Search your life for moments of happiness, the big moments that blew your mind but also those little moments that had fallen through the cracks along the way. Search until you find them. Only then, will you be able to appreciate each day, each step, each breath.
If you really can't find anything, be grateful for being able to read this post, because someone, somewhere would give anything to be able to see, to be able to read.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
A chance to start over
I'd like to welcome everyone into the new year. May the year bring you all that you wish for yourself--the best.
I'm always amazed at how fast a year speeds by. Just when I'm getting used to writing 2010, a new year starts. I'm not complaining. Apart from adding a year to my age, it's a chance to start a new chapter and correct mistakes I may have made last year. I see this year as a blank slate in this phase of my life. I'm going to travel through it as if it were impossible to fail. On this journey, I'm going to go through my suitcase of choices and pick those that don't leave a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.
I'm always amazed at how fast a year speeds by. Just when I'm getting used to writing 2010, a new year starts. I'm not complaining. Apart from adding a year to my age, it's a chance to start a new chapter and correct mistakes I may have made last year. I see this year as a blank slate in this phase of my life. I'm going to travel through it as if it were impossible to fail. On this journey, I'm going to go through my suitcase of choices and pick those that don't leave a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.
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