My NaNoWriMo Q&A…Three Months Late(r)

 

As many of my friends know, I have about a trillion email addresses yet only check one of them regularly. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the address Bob at Webucator wrote to. So, as a consequence, I’m rather late in responding to his kind request to write a piece for NaNoWriMo. Thank you for your patience, Bob! Here goes;

What were your goals when you start writing?

I just needed to get the story out. The one buzzing around in my head, keeping me up during the early hours.  A wonderful, yet crazy time- when the words come thick and fast and writers block existed nowhere in my  vocabulary.  I’d simply bask in the utter joy of sitting at the computer and placing thoughts onto a screen.  A clever sentence, witty paragraph, powerful chapters; it would all flow so effortlessly.

Of course a very first draft is mostly rubbish. 

BUT… it’s rather easier to edit garbage than, nothing.

What motivates you to keep writing?                                                                                                      books

The thought that at the end of this particular journey, someone on the other side of the world will (hopefully) be touched by my words, even moved.  This in turn (at least in my head)  is confirmation that I’m not indeed spouting nonsense and another human being can actually take something positive from what I have decided to share with the world.  

 

 What were your goals when you started writing? What are they now?

 In the beginning, my goal was to get this, something, anything, published. To become a published author.  Fast forward to now, with four published works under my belt – the goal remains the same;  a) transport contents of head onto computer screen b) get it published. Added to that, I have to make sure I’m constantly improving and growing as a writer. One day, I fully expect to read through my first novel and squeal self righteously; ‘Did I really write that sentence?’  

 

What motivates you to keep writing?

My passion for writing never dims. There are times when I procrastinate like crazy though.  Suddenly more interested in watching the latest reality TV show about toilets instead of writing.  But, ultimately,  I find immense joy in seeing my thoughts come alive on a computer screen and then inside a real life book, with pages and everything!

 

 What advice would you give young authors hoping to make a career out of writing?

 Young and old- never give up! There may be people around you, not as supportive as you’d like, but the trick is to see this as THEIR problem. Perhaps you’re doing something they’ve always fantasized about and it’s rather bothersome that you’ve actually taken the steps to make writing your reality.  It’s easy to say; ’I’m writing a book,’ but to actually sit down and complete one is true commitment to a dream.  Surprisingly, some of the strongest barriers can actually come from ourselves.  Planning your story and reading a hundred; ‘How To…’ books is okay, but when this goes on for months and then years- there’s a problem.  My advice?  Get out of your own way and start that novel.

NOW!

 

 Lola J

 

                                                                                                                  

 

 

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