Since getting laid off back in February, I’ve really embraced my blog. I’ve made an effort to write something every day with the idea that I want to keep writing — to keep sharp and to be able to have ideas flow.
At times (such as today), it’s been tough.
Though I have a list of ideas I keep and check in on at times, there are just times I don’t feel like writing. Or I start and can’t flow (again, such as today. I wiped three posts out earlier as it didn’t work for me).
But one of the main reasons I’ve been doing this is to force myself to write everyday to try and get myself ready for a bigger project — writing a book.
I don’t plan on having the next New York Times best seller by any chance. But I’ve always wanted to write a book. I have the idea and I’ve written down a rough copy of an outline. I’m going to tweak that some and soon start on the big project.
But…
When writing a book, everything I have read points to making sure you write every day. It make sense, too. You don’t want to get flowing for a couple of days and then have a block and put it aside only to have that continue. Forcing yourself to write every day makes sure you get something down on paper, even if you decide to get rid of parts as you continue to write.
That being said, I’ve had a harder time with the outline and the basis of the story. I know the beginning. I know the characters. I know the ending. It’s the middle that’s screwing with me. I have ideas, but I just can’t seem to get things right in my head on shaping the story. I think it will come, however. I don’t really want to start the project until I know what direction I can go with it.
I do know I can handle this project. Several years ago, I wrote a full screenplay (still hidden away, re-written twice and one day possibly an attempt to sell it…). In the end, I want to self-publish my book and probably submit it to Amazon to be used on the Kindle. I don’t expect to make a lot, if any, of money on this book, but I want to do this as it’s something I’ve wanted to do.
That’s my next step.
But for now, I need to keep finding ideas for this blog. It’s giving me my daily writing, which is much needed!
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com.