I’m always on a writing journey. I have a lot of half written books (fiction and non fiction) and even more story ideas in their own blank document.
A few days ago I unexpectedly came up with a hook or theme to tie together a lot of stories I’ve been saving for years. I had sat down at my computer with the intention to write, and then it all kind of just fell into place as a concept.
I started writing a little. Writing Then I looked into my Evernote folder where I’ve kept little notes and anecdotes. I copied them in. I checked the word count. Over 8000 words!
I had a series of posts on my personal Facebook profile about something a few years ago, so I downloaded my Facebook archive and copied those posts into the book.
After writing for some more time, playing with chapters, trying to make sense of it all…I checked the word count.
And woah. I was over 14,000 words.
From zero words that same morning. This is without context, without stories, without entire chapters, without some emails that I could copy and paste for more stories… I kind of shocked myself! I have the potential for an ‘actual’ book here. With the right amount of work, I could reach a commercial word count and approach publishers. Woah! How did this happen?
Of course, now I actually have to keep writing it. And work out if it is actually any good. And work out what type of publishers take this kind of book.
And write it.
It’s so true that things happen when you least expect it. Or when it’s unplanned. Like learning to drive. One day I just kind of started learning. I wasn’t planning to write this book when I sat down a few days ago. But that’s what came out. Stages in life (and writing) just happen sometimes.
Now if I could only learn to be patient as things unfold, and not get ahead of myself.
Are you a patient person? Have you ever had something just click and flow?
That is the thing I most love about writing – when it is not a chore and every word writes itself 🙂 Good luck with the manuscript in progress.
It’s nice to have a day when it all just flows!
Ooooooh how exciting! I look forward to seeing where you go with this. All the best xx
Thanks 🙂
I have a few unfinished manuscripts in a drawer – it took me over twenty years to finally find a story that I knew could actually become a complete book – and that’s the one I’m working on right now…
I think I always had the ability to write a book – but I never had the right idea for a story – that was incredibly frustrating to me – I think I almost gave up dreaming of being a published author a few times – I’m so glad I kept at it…
I figure it doesn’t matter what I write as long as I keep writing. Ideas and how you use them will change over time, as does what is commercially viable, but eventually it clicks.
Wow that is impressive, and nice to feel like you are on a roll. I have a 90,000 word memoir manuscript that I’ve written, and rewritten. I will do something with it one day, or not! (there are some excerpts on my blog if you want to take a look). Visiting via IBOT, and off to have a poke around your site.
Wow 90,000 words is really impressive Kathy!! Have you approached publishers?
BIG moment – go for it!! If this is what your heart is calling for, then don’t let anything stop you!
Now I just have to dedicate time to it!
Sounds like you need to get that office space sorted asap so you can finish writing it!! 🙂
Haha I do!
How exciting! It’s amazing what happens when the time is right. I look forward to seeing how your writing journey goes 🙂
Very exciting 🙂
How exciting and what a great idea. And yes now you have to slow down and go through the other boring parts of writing a book!!! Keep up the good work x
It’s the boring parts where I fear I’ll abandon it 🙂
That’s very cool.I say just write it all out and see where you end up. Don’t stress about the rest of it; just get the story down 🙂
Good advice – I just need to focus on story and the rest can be worked out later.
I always get the best ideas as I’m trying to fall asleep or sometimes when I’m dreaming. Lately I’ve started writing notes so I’ll remember them later on. It’s great when you get that spontaneous inspiration and the words just flow out.
I never quite wake up enough to capture them at that stage! It’s a skill haha.
That is amazing and wonderful! Good on you! I hope you stick with it and push it through to some publishers.
xx
Thanks 🙂 It’s pushing through the ‘boring’ bits now that might test me a bit 🙂
Woohoo, sounds like you found your writing mojo! I find the best blog posts come out of my head when I least expect them, whereas the ones I plan always sound better in my head than they actually come out. One day I might get committed enough to test that theory with a book!
Mojo majorly found! I find my posts work the same way. I’ll note down an idea and by the time I write I think it’s total crap 🙂
This sounds so great! The only time I’ve ever had the words “flow” well is occasionally writing uni essays. It’s a good feeling! Can’t wait to see what you’re writing when you decide to share it 🙂
At least if it flowed during essay time it was a bit less stressful 🙂
Well done! Nice that the words are all gelling together. So wish I had time to write at the moment! Bask in your achievement!
I only have time because I’m working part time at the moment – taking advantage of it as much as I can!
I love it when that happens and awesome work on getting 14,000 words! I was quite amazed at what I managed to get through NaNoWriMo last year. Now I just need to get back to the story and work out what I am going to do with it.
I have never ‘won’ NaNoWriMo…November was always just a bad month! Moving house, new jobs, assignment time…it always seems to happen smack bang in the middle of NaNo for me.