Skip to main content

I'm gonna be honest....

....and say that this writing journey is going to be tough. I recently read a blog post (forgive me for not remembering where, if you see this and it was you, please let me know so I can credit you!) in which the writer of the blog was asked to talk to someone about writing a book. Basically, the person who called didn't really want help exactly, what she wanted was a free pass to agents, publishers etc.

I have never been the type to want a free pass - I like to work my ass off to achieve.  However, I did understand the feelings of the person seeking advice, only to completely dismiss it because, obviously, she knew better. In the past, I have felt like I didn't need advice from others. Mistakes were passed off as being "my style," but really, they were just mistakes. Granted, most of these dismissals happened in my youth, and I am only just now getting back to fiction writing. But I was definitely guilty of biting (off!) the hand that was trying to feed me.

I read a reasonable amount of fiction, and I have been scavenging through writing blogs like a crazy person for the last few days. What I have come to realize (or realized ages ago but didn't want to admit) is that I was just too lazy to learn before. I thought my "talent" would be enough to get me through, but in reality, there is still so much more I need to know.

So, this is me being honest, and saying that part of my writing journey is going to involve learning, and hopefully sharing any useful bits of advice or self-learned lessons along the way. I suppose this is lesson number one. Never be afraid to be honest, and don't ignore the advice of people who want to help simply because you are too proud.






Labels:

Comments

  1. Clare24 January 2012 at 14:26

    While I completely agree with everything you said, and think its important to know the difference between having your own style, or just being plain arrogant/ stupid by not listening to advice, I think it's a double edged sword.

    If you get too bogged down with the rights and wrongs of writing early on, and you're too focused on what publishers, agents etc. look for you'll never get anything done.

    Yes there is a time to look at your mistakes and learn how to improve your writing.

    However, there's also time to JUST WRITE.

    Often I find myself poring through writing blogs reading tips, tricks and advice, only for me to then lose faith in my own writing and achieve nothing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon24 January 2012 at 14:32

      Oh, I have no plans to abandon writing in search of learning new skills. :) My point with this post was merely to take responsibility for past writing mistakes in order to clear the way to start afresh. :D

      And now it actually is time to just write...but sadly it's for the day job lol!

      Delete
  2. Clare24 January 2012 at 14:40

    Oh, I didn't think that for a minute. And perhaps what I said was as much for my benefit as it was for yours.

    I like the idea of take responsibility for past writing mistakes in order to clear the way to start afresh. :D

    LOL gotta pay the bills somehow, eh?!

    I'm writing fanfiction of all things! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kyra Lennon24 January 2012 at 14:42

    Hee hee, I just figured you know how bad I am for obsessing! :p

    Yeah, I think this whole blog is going to be a fresh start and I am really looking forward to it!

    Yup, but it is a horribly slow day today. Might have to work some of Saturday to make up for it :(

    ReplyDelete
  4. Clare24 January 2012 at 14:55

    LOL I can be just as bad, believe me!

    A fresh start is a great idea. :D I hope it continues to motivate you.

    Damn. Having to work on a Saturday sucks. Hopefully it won't come to that, and the week will pick up.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Charlotte Rains Dixon24 January 2012 at 15:56

    I've had a couple of those "free pass" calls myself. I applaud you for being willing to plant yourself in the chair and learn what you need to learn to write a novel. And blogging about it along the way will help!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon24 January 2012 at 16:01

      Thanks! I think it is definitely time I got more honest about what I need to do to make this novel work. I know it will be challenging, but the worthwhile things always are.

      Thanks so much for commenting, I have been reading your blog on and off for a long time and I really enjoy it! :D

      Delete
  6. Angela Cothran25 January 2012 at 17:43

    I think there is something quite empowering when you learn ways to improve that you thought you were already good at. Pride really is like a lie we tell ourselves. It really is true--The truth shall set you free :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon25 January 2012 at 17:56

      Absolutely!

      Since seeking a little advice and applying what I've learned, I can already see huge improvements in my work, so it must be a step in the right direction! :D

      Delete
  7. Cassie Mae26 January 2012 at 08:29

    There is so much to be learned online! And so much support! I was always the opposite, thinking I wanted to do this but I couldn't afford nor did I have the time to go to school for it.

    Man were my eyes opened! So much advice and so many things I could've never learned if I had just given up. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon26 January 2012 at 08:40

      Time was another issue for me, I must say. Working full time made it difficult to even write, let alone learn lol.

      But yes, there is a LOT online to learn and so many amazing people!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

IWSG: Performance anxiety

Welcome to the August edition of IWSG, hosted by the amazing Alex J.Cavanaugh ! So, as most of you know by now - because I haven't shut up about it LOL - my first novel, Game On, has been released. The blog tour officially starts next week (YAY!) but I find myself becoming increasingly nervous. A blog tour not only highlights my book, but me. What if people don't like me? What if my guest posts suck, and everyone thinks I'm boring? If I can't engage people in 300 words on a blog, they probably aren't going to pick up my book. And then there's the "what happens next" question. I plan to make Game On into a series, which feels a bit arrogant of me. I don't know how many people are going to like the first book, should I really be planning to keep the series going? So far, Game On has actually been incredibly well received. I've had great reviews, so maybe I shouldn't worry about people not liking it, but what if Book Two isn't as goo
81 comments
Read more

First Fight/First Kiss Blogfest

Yay, it's blogfest time! Many thanks to Danielle and Jackie for hosting! Here are the details: Share your 1 st FIGHT and 1 st KISS scenes in your MS’s or WIP’s. Crack open your current project or dive back into an old one. We want to feel what your characters feel. From the sting of their first fist-to-the-face to the tingling taste of their first kiss. Today is First Fight day, and I wanted to bring you a small excerpt from my NaNo novel which centres around Jesse Shaw, one of the characters from Game On. It's a bit rough, and a bit vague - mainly because I wrote it quickly, Jesse's voice still needs work, and this fight in full would be packed with spoilers, but hopefully it gives enough info to make sense!   Just to clear up a small thing - Georgia is Isabelle's twin sister. :)   ** “Izzy,” I said. “You know the right thing to do.” Isabelle looked down at me with those big brown eyes, and my insides twisted with guilt. Right away, I realised
79 comments
Read more

IWSG: Am I doing it right? And does anyone care?

Happy IWSG Day! This genius idea created by Alex J. Cavanaugh is a place for all of us insecure writers to gather together to talk about our worries, and cheer each other on. Check out the full list of participants here ! Think right now about your favourite writers. How do you feel when you know they have a new book being released? It's usually something like, "HURRY UP, I CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE!" right? And also, think about when one of your super talented blog buddies announces they've got a book coming out soon. That is even more exciting because it's someone you know, someone you may have seen struggling to reach their goal of publication. Someone you've seen go through the rough times, and have finally made it to where they want to be. I can tell you that when Jolene Perry, or Nyrae Dawn announce a book release - I bounce up and down like a crazy person! These two awesome ladies are writers I absolutely adore for their ability to write so natural
98 comments
Read more