Welcome to the Day 4 Check-in!
As a writer, I’ve always had lots of stories swimming around in my head, and with a little luck, they eventually splash onto the page, imperfect and wet behind the ears. That is the hardest part—getting that first draft out there. Then comes revision, that fabulous stage where I have some wet clay in my hands and I can shape it and get it ready for its final big show.
As a writer, I’ve always had lots of stories swimming around in my head, and with a little luck, they eventually splash onto the page, imperfect and wet behind the ears. That is the hardest part—getting that first draft out there. Then comes revision, that fabulous stage where I have some wet clay in my hands and I can shape it and get it ready for its final big show.
Something strange has happened this time around, however. After writing 16 chapters, my poor little WIP felt stagnant. I had fallen into a bog and I wasn’t sure how to pull myself out. Eventually, I started climbing, higher and higher, past what I thought was my best work yet, until I reached the epiphany. My dear little WIP needed a transformation. And so...I’m going to write a graphic novel.
Holy crap! Yes. I actually said graphic novel. Now, I am standing on a springboard 10 meters in the air and I’m about to jump. 1-2-3...GO!
March Madness Wipsters, are any of you venturing into new territory this time around? What brought you there?
I’ve taken the leap and at the moment, I’m still suspended in mid-air. Free falling. Once I get this first chapter done, I’ll consider it breaking the surface and then I’ll be swimming.
If you are just joining us for March Madness, don't forget to stop by Denise Jaden's blog to post your goals for the month and see the list of Prizes. And tomorrow, Carol Garvin continues the madness!
Write on, Wipsters!
Hiya!
ReplyDeleteTransformations are good.
Sometimes you need to see things from a different perspective to find their true essence. Other times, this new perspective helps you get back on course (if you found yourself drifting on a tangent).
Either way, the journey of discovery is always as exciting as it is educational. I always look forward to those pleasant surprises along the way.
Happy Wednesday!
Tonette
You are so right about getting a new perspective. That is one of the reasons I decided to shift gears. I also thought this story would lend itself to the graphic novel approach, so why not give it a try?
DeleteThanks for joining the madness! Happy writing!
I'm also jumping into slightly new territory, Mary Ann. Writing in a boy's POV. So far I'm really enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting and for the inspiring words!
Oh, that is exciting, Denise! I have written from a boy's POV. That challenge for me was to stay true to the character, but not make him artificially "man-like" or too feminine. He's a sensitive soul. His pressures were different, though. I think that's what really changed in the way I approached him.
DeleteSo glad to carry on the madness! Happy writing!
wow a graphic novel- that would be super fun! This time out I'm going back to my strength and doing short stories- one each week if possible- although it's Wednesday and I was distracted by a new story idea. I dislike outlining but I might have to do it to hit my goals. Best of luck to you on your new journey!
ReplyDeleteI love short stories! I haven't been brave enough to try them, yet, that's actually my next project. (way in the distance!) I hope the new ideas blossom into mss and inspire more.
DeleteWelcome to the madness, Sere! Happy writing!
Whee! Yay you, Mary Ann! A graphic novel! I hope you have so much fun with it. :D
ReplyDeleteMy MM project is new-again territory...something I've dabbled in before, but it's been years. So, it feels very new and scary--one might even call it (...wait for it...) MADNESS! haha
Oh, hurray for a fresh start! Now...let it flow and don't try to hold it to an old vision. Embrace the MADNESS! And have fun!
DeleteOoh, sounds so exciting, Mary Ann! **I once went to a SCBWI meeting that showcased manga/graphic novels and thought CROSSED OUT would be perfect for that media.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest thing or more like epiphany moment is I'm not going to dwell on the whole trend thing but just write the best story I can. You can get serious whiplash with all the trends bouncing around or those who make a cause into a just another trend which...
No, I won't go there.
Thanks for hosting, Mary Ann!
I'm totally with you on the trend thing, Kim. I just keep my head in my story. This one just seemed to call to the visual medium so I jumped in.
DeleteRock on!
Bravo on taking that dive! My current WIP is the result of a similar stagnation in my previous project. That one basically nudged me away and told me to come back when I had rekindled my love of writing. "Go work on something you're passionate about for awhile." So now I'm working on my current WIP and am loving writing again! I am learning a lot through this process and am excited to have others to walk with this month!
ReplyDeleteYay for falling in love again! That breath of air can really make a difference sometimes. I'm so glad you are finding that passion for this piece again and we're right behind you.
DeleteSavor the madness!
Hey it's Kelly ;) goals got shifted today as work and plans for my Hubba's 40th took over! Still fee accomplished though and hope to write the a-z out of tomorrow :)
ReplyDeleteWell, happy birthday to the hubs! And I'm glad your with us for the madness!
DeleteBtw Denise I'm also writing my first boy POV and I'm liking it but worry he's not feeling the pressures enough to indicate the stakes. Of course, my last leading lady suffered from paranoia so she was always at a 7-10 level. 7 as her most calm base :)
ReplyDeleteThis is my first check-in ever, so apologies if I'm not doing this correctly! But, I know that feeling of free-falling that you've written about, that deep breath before the plunge - exciting and scary, all at the same time. Wishing you much success on your graphic novel!
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I made my daily word count goal, and mostly convinced my inner editor to play nicely. Mostly... ;)
Welcome to the madness, cat! There is no right or wrong way to do. Just jump in :-) Hurray for making your word count goal! That is where I have the most trouble...stifling my inner critic. I think for now I have convinced myself to let it suck, especially because I've never written a graphic novel before. I'm sure it won't take long for that critic to poke her head out, though.
ReplyDeleteKeep writing and enjoy the madness!
I write educational graphic novels as a contract job for a local company and I LOVE it, and the style, but writing a gritty true graphic novel is high on my writerly bucket list—go you!
ReplyDeleteWith my book that comes out in September, I challenged myself to write alternating first-person, present tense POV—which was scary and new but absolutely necessary to the book. With this new WIP, I'm shifting POV again, and adding in a more complex plot. I admit, people often tell me I have writer ADD, but I LOVE the challenge.
Good luck with your graphic novel!
That's awesome, Dawn! Congrats on the September book. Any tips for a graphic novel newbie? The WIP was my first stab at first person POV, but now it has become the graphic novel, so more of it will show up in illustration, which freaks me out a little but also excites me. Good luck with your new adventure, and thanks for joining the madness!
DeleteI kept putting off checking in, and now a whole day has passed. But I'm here, just to say I continued Tuesday's plot organizing yesterday and did get a little actual writing done. So my absence here meant I was working. (That's my story, anyway!) ;)
ReplyDelete