FIRST CHAPTER

I have decided to read as many first chapters of bestselling authors, as I can find and see if I can learn how to write a good, if not great first chapter.

Why? Because I know my book is good, it has potential. But I also know that my first chapter does not really pull the reader in. And with querying you only have a few sentences to get that agent to like your work or they will politely say ‘’No’’ and send you a nice rejection letter.

So that is my plan. What about you? Do you have the magic first chapter or are you looking for the secret magic formula too?

EDITING

A year ago editing was new to me and fun. Fast forward a year and suddenly editing is the devil. Crucifix anyone?

Though, I have come to accept editing. It is necessary even though it is painful and appears time consuming. But it is important to take your time editing. Do not rush to finish.

I have 8 drafts to date of my first novel. So perhaps if I had given it to my strictest critique partner (brother) in the beginning, then I would have spent a year editing one draft instead of a year editing 8 different drafts. I would have saved myself a lot of time, effort and patience.

I have found that editing can be very draining and thus you should find a way to make editing fun. Fun? Are you insane woman? No, but seriously. You have to find an approach that doesn’t leave you gloomy. Find or do something that lifts your spirits, like a reward system. I personally love using different coloured stationary when I edit, like bright pink post it’s and multi coloured highlighters and stuff like that. I don’t know why but stationary makes me happy.

So basically take your time with editing, even if it takes a year. Rather focus on doing a good job then finishing quickly. And don’t forget to make it fun.

DARKNESS

The darkness comes into my life and takes me. Every fibre of my being is chilled and I can feel nothing but emptiness.

Loved ones appear distant and unapproachable. All wish to help, but instead aids the darkness in its powers.

The darkness easily consumes me. I can no longer see light anymore. My mind has darkened to thoughts of anger and despair. My heart blackened like tar.

The darkness takes me and I know that this time I will not return. Every breath I take feels like torture. The darkness takes me and I can fight no more.

CHARACTERS

As I was editing my first novel, again, I started thinking…How much info do you have to include into your characters profile when creating them?

I personally don’t go into extreme detail when creating my characters. I don’t write down what books they like, which music they are into or what their political views are. I just know what their personality should be like. Even their look is something I struggle with. But at least I know what I don’t want them to look like. What I usually do write down is their eye colour, hair colour, height, weight, type of body build and personality traits.

I spend quite a lot of time trying to figure out the storyline before I start writing but I confess, I don’t go too crazy when developing a character. Bad planning on my part? Maybe, but I don’t like reading a lot of narrative, using 10 sentences to describe how thick a man’s bicep is or using half the page to describe how gloriously the lady’s hair blew in the wind. I personally read one or two sentences and then skip the rest.

Of course when the story develops I add more info, but I can’t tell beforehand where the dialogue will take me or what exactly will be said. Characters tend to take me on a journey. They take hold of me and before I know it they are the one’s telling me what to write and do and not the other way around. So I won’t know that pink is my leading lady’s favourite colour till she tells me so later on and I don’t know that my leading man loves Metallica when I create him. He too only tells me when it is convenient for him. Typical!

So how much time do you devote towards developing your characters? Do focus on giving your characters tons of info before writing or do you add it in later like me?

BLOGGING - yay or nay

Like many, I too was sceptical of blogging when I first started. I was and still am extremely paranoid. But once I started blogging I realized how great it was to write about things that were on my mind and often have people comment. Regularly offering help full advice or fantastic words of encouragement.

I have made many wonderful friends and still make new ones daily, thanks to blogging. For without the support of my fellow bloggers I would not have made it through some of the toughest times.

So I say ''Yay'' to blogging. It might not be to every one's taste but I cannot fault it.

PS! My A=Adventure post is also on my blog. Don't know why it didn't show up as published but I did post it. In case anybody wanted to read it. Just saying.

ADVENTURE!

To many the word ''adventure'' does note evoke strong feelings of terror or the sudden flow of never ending tears. But for me, the before mentioned factors are very true.

I am afraid of the unknown and I am an absolute control freak. So Naturally I was worried sick about the A-Z challenge and you know what? Once I calmed down I got some great ideas.

Which brings me to the conclusion that A-Z is actually a good source of adventure for me. How you ask? Well I might not be living on the edge here but I am going outside my comfort zone and I still get to have some sort of control in the end so...yeah, I'm a freak (big smile).

So here is to adventure...Hopefully I can push myself a bit more and do something completely spontaneous! Ha! Ha! Not.

Thank you to Arlee Bird and the wonderful A-Z team for making this great challenge possible.

PROBLEM SCHEDULING POSTS

I have been having some problems scheduling my posts, because I was being a bit stupid, so I apologize if there has been any confusion about posts appearing and then quickly disappearing. My bad.

So what was the problem? Oh, nothing. Just me continuously typing in the wrong time digits. See! I told you I was having a stupid moment.

Anyway,I hope everyone gets a good night's sleep. See you all at the A-Z challenge!