I’m Deanne. I’m a writer and I’m not normal.
This is not a confession: it’s a boast. I suspect you’re not normal either. Congratulations.
I wouldn’t mind guessing that you haven’t finished any of the stories you started. One didn’t work so you quit and started another. I’m not attacking you. You are not the problem. The problem is the ‘normal’ way of doing things.
The normal way people become writers of fiction has to change. It starts with excitement and eagerness but all too often descends into disappointment, confusion and a feeling of failure. How far through this writing process have you got? And how many times have you cycled through the same stage over and over?
The normal way to write a novel
The normal way to get a novel out into the world is to write it on your own, send it to an editor who rips it to bits and tells you to rewrite massive chunks of it so that it works, then you rewrite it. Again, on your own.
Then you get feedback again. And change more parts of your story. On your own.
Then you do a copy edit and keep changing words and phrasing one way then back to the original. Then you get told you’re telling too much and you need to show more. So you change it. And someone else says the new version is too flowery and you need to show less.
And then… you decide you can’t bear to read the story you were once so in love with even – one – more – time.
Maybe this works for some people. Good for them. Personally, I want to still like my manuscript by the time it’s ready for publishing. I want to enjoy the writing process. There will be sticky patches, sure, but I want to enjoy writing fiction, not do it as if I’m punishing myself for some terrible crime.
I suspect you want the same. Certainly that’s what I’ve found to be true of all my clients.
Writing a novel – how to do it differently
The way I help writers produce a novel that’s good enough to publish isn’t normal. I am proud not to be normal.
The act of writing might be quite a solo thing but that doesn’t mean the process of creating a novel needs to be. You don’t need to guess at whether it’s going well or not. You don’t have to self-motivate all the time. You don’t have to think of your book as a monolith or mountain you’re trying to climb. All you have to do is create it a piece at a time, with guidance, advice and fellowship.
Keep it fun… and get in touch x
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DEANNE ADAMS – STORY COACH AND MENTOR
As a Story Coach and Mentor, I help writers to tell irresistible stories. I offer courses, memberships and programmes to suit beginners, developing writers and those ready to become the writer they’ve been trying to be for years.
Learn how to ‘Show more than you tell’ in your writing with my free workbook – your guide to an engaging storytelling style. You can also follow me on Facebook for more tips to support your writing journey.
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