January Round Robin: What I want-need-should accomplish writing in 2016
The Round Robin topic this month is what we wish (want? need?) to accomplish this year in the way of writing projects. Oh, boy! Robin, you have hit this nail on the head!
Several (I decline to remember or look up how many) years ago I started a contemporary romance novel which I have yet to finish. I stopped at page 60. There’s no reason why. I had all the usual suspects lined up and ready to race to their inevitable happy conclusion.
The heroine: Two or more (details! details!) generations back, her family and the hero’s began feuding. Eventually, her family’s accomplishments (there’s that word again) paled in comparison to that of the hero’s. But she’s got her education, owns a rare book business, holds a certain status in the community and does her best to keep her interfering family at bay. She doesn’t think she needs the forbidden fruit offered (once again?) in the guise of
The hero: He’s running the family business from a safe distance away and is only in town this time to help his dad celebrate a milestone birthday. (I’ve even forgotten which one!) Dragged to the library’s annual pumpkin patch sale by his brother, he busies himself in the used book room and comes face to shapely legs with the girl his family has told him was—you’ve guessed it—forbidden fruit.
The villain—or is she?: The hero’s mother is tired of his wandering, too-good-for-where-he-came-from ways and decides that it’s time for him to settle down and for them all to put the past to rest. But first, there’s a little retribution to be paid.
The plot: (There’s a plot?) Oh, yes! Two slim volumes on being the perfect bride/groom. Our heroine has one and craves the other. Now, I wonder… who do you think has it?
Of course, there are the minor details to fill in: The feud. The two slim volumes I started writing.
What obstacles are in my way to finish this opus? Uh, me. You know all about it, fellow authors: Butt in chair. Fingers on keyboard. Go! It’s okay if it’s unworthy the first time around, except I always consider that a waste of effort and want to do it right the first time. Perhaps that’s my main obstacle. It’s not that I’m a perfectionist—far from it!—it’s that I’m lazy and don’t want to do my work over again.
The Great American Romance Novel is calling. I need to get to it. Thanks for the reminder, Robin.
To read what other authors have on their to-write list, please visit the following:
Victoria Chatham http://victoriachatham.blogspot.ca
Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.com/2016/01/23/writers-to-do-list-for-the-new-year/
Skye Taylor www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Diane Bator dbator.blogspot.ca/
Beverley Bateman beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Connie Vines http://connievines.blogspot.com/
Bob Rich http://wp.me/p3Xihq-Bm
Rachael Kosinski http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Hollie Glover http://www.hollieglover.co.uk
Helena Fairfax http://helenafairfax.com/2016/01/23/setting-goals-my-writing-projects-for-2016-and-some-advice-required/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com/
Labels: Round Robin, works in progress
posted by Sisker @ 6:34 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Kay, in that situation I read what's there as if it had been written by someone else, until the story warms up for me. Then I write in effect short stories that will fit into it, anywhere, in various places. I call these plugins. The trick then is to join the plugins up into a connected narrative.
The advantage is that you are writing what you find fun and exciting, and this will unblock you.
:)
Bob
Having many works waiting and not quite in progress, I sympathize, but I believe inspiration comes when you are ready for it. Good luck on your project. As an aside, I found if you have that many pages, the story is half finished rather than half incomplete...and finishing is always easier than starting.
I can relate, I have a few of those stories lying around - maybe next year.
I wish you luck with the story it sounds interesting.
Hah! Butt in chair. Fingers on keyboard. Then you have to make them work. I love it when non-writers blithely say 'I could write a book'. Mm-hm. Yep. Sure you can. Go for it! Hope you get your book done - it sounds a really good story.
Sounds like a fun story - so get cracking!! You know you can do it.
It's about time someone wrot the Great American Romance novel for our time, altbough The Great Gatsby, Raintree Couny and even Gone With the Wind will be hard to beat. I hope you're able to tackle the old novel and plot with new enthusiasm. I have the same experience with a short story. Sits there for years, half-written. Why do we do this?
Good luck with your writing. Maybe 2016 will be THE YEAR.
Hi Kay, sorry it's taken me until today to get down the list to your post, but it was worth the trip! I love your synopsis and may try a similar pared down version for my current wip to see if it installs a little more urgency. Happy writing and all good wishes for 2016 Anne Stenhouse
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