Insecure Writers Support Group – January 2013

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Firstly, thank you soooo much for all the entries on yesterday’s post. You guys are amazing! Fantastic stuff! I haven’t replied because I don’t want to influence the hubster in making his decision, so at the moment I’m keeping stum! When he makes his decision on Sunday I can then have my say lol. I’ll announce the winner next Monday (7th).

Right, now where were we…..I won’t be posting on Wednesdays normally, apart from once a month 🙂

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IWSG Day, created by the brilliant Alex J Cavanaugh seems to come round so quickly every month, but I’m not complaining 😉

I don’t often share how I actually feel on my blog, so IWSG Day is an opportunity for me to have a day of self pity and wallowing lol.

Sooooo, I’ve just started the complete rewrite of But Not Forgotten, which is now The Last Word Cafe. I spent most of the Christmas break flitting from 3rd person to 1st person, weighing up the pro’s and cons, and basically making a decision….which I then changed a week later lol.

I started thinking about my own reading preferences, went back over the last few books that I’ve read. And it seems to be that I like reading first person POV, so it would make sense to write in it wouldn’t it? But, what made me decide to go for 3rd person was the fact that when I write in 1st person it just sounds like me. Who was it that said find what you’re good at and use that to your advantage? Someone in my Faber class told me she loved my voice or rather, my characters voices….Ok, well, if that’s the case it looks like the novel will be in 1st person and expect some very strong South East London (pronounced SOWF EAS LUNDUN) accents 🙂

So yep, the decision has been made (thank gawd!) and I’m now on day 3 and feeling nervous….because I so want it to work and I’m terrified that it won’t *bites finger nails*

Terrified seems like such a strong word, but it’s true. I want to come away from the Faber course feeling I’ve achieved something, that it was worth it. I will not fail and will have my novel completed by June. I’m trying to stay positive about the Agent pitch I’ll be doing in June….but, lol 😉 Still, I guess I should take comfort in the fact that last year the best piece of work (in our tutors opinion) wasn’t taken up by any of the agents!

I can do this can’t I? Or am I completely delusional? Lol

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42 thoughts on “Insecure Writers Support Group – January 2013”

  3. You can do it! I struggled over my POV, and then decided to stick with 3rd . . . that’s where I started my story, it fits because I jump heads every few chapters, and well . . .it just seems to work for me with the novel I’m in right now. I think every writer has to choose what works best for them. I’m a huge fan of 1st, so I’m glad you’re writing that way . . .I’m just not there at the moment myself. Have fun, write, enjoy!

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  8. I tend to be the same with these sorts of creative decisions – I have an idea that strikes me as brilliant and just right for the story, I think about what I’ll have to change around to make it work, then two days later I realise it was a bad idea all along!

    Personally I find that writing in first person tends to help me develop a strong sense of the narrator’s character, but at a cost to the other characters.
    Every option has it’s advantages, and, unfortunately, it’s down sides…

    There’s nothing wrong with having an occasional day of self-pity, and judging by what you’ve done so far you seem to have earned it.
    Good luck finishing off the book!

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  11. I’m so glad you decided to go with 1st person. You have such a light and irreverent voice–it just jumps off the page and makes me smile whenever I read it. I think you’ll do great with Last Word Cafe, and I’m looking forward to reading about your progress!
    (I like the new layout on the blog too. 🙂 )

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  12. I know it’s 2013 now, but I just nominated you for Blog of the Year 2012 – I hope you will accept – do pop over and have a look at my blog for the rules. Happy New Year!

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  14. Guess what Vikki. Are you read for it? You can do it. And, I can do it. We just have to put in the work. And, if you need any help, let me know. 2013 is going to be a good year. I can’t wait to see what we can do.

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  15. I’m quite sure you can pull off first person, once you get into the flow of it. And I agree with others: your “voice” will be one of your strengths.

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    • Thanks Pauline and that’s a very good point. The first 1000 words I did on Tuesday the hubster said was a bit boring, but yesterday’s 1000, I felt, flowed much better (he hasn’t read that yet though lol).

      Awwww, thank you, I just need to believe that myself 😉

      Xx

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  16. One thing’s for sure – if you don’t try you won’t know! Deadlines are good but don’t let it stifle your creativity or make you feel restricted. Nothing is a waste of time – maybe you won’t be ready by June – does it really matter if you’re not? What you’ve learned along the way will be invaluable. x

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  17. 1st person for me every time – esp. in the novels – I can do 3rd in a short story – dont worry ’bout your voice or your eveil ywin – imagine you’re a child again and play out your fantasy games when you take every part join it with all the people you have known and you’ll find different voices just leap in. The old man on the corner, the child who fell over, the neurotic mum, the newscaster – they are inside you – go girl go with the 1st person:),

    i can take a south london – just – but I’m from North of the river!:)

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  18. Of course you can do this. Just show up every day and dig in. I’m working on several pieces right now that are in first person. Fortunately, each character has a very distinct cadence, so they don’t leak into each other. I’m also working on one piece in close third, and sometimes it’s a little hard to pull out the lens — but since I’m switching POVs within the book, it gives me more flexibility.

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    • Hi honey, Happy New Year!

      Oh no!!!!! And there was me thinking you were just having a little break over the holiday!

      Glad to see you back online 🙂

      Awwww, thanks Florence….yes, we will BOTH have a FABULOUS 2013, deal? 😉

      Xx

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