It seems like every time I write a new book I get to a point where I think I'm the worst writer ever and I'm totally ready to give up on writing and everyone hates me and the world in general sucks. This last book I wrote was no different.
If any of you read my post a couple weeks ago, you know how low I got. Thanks to my husband, awesome comments, and good friends who helped me through, I can now say that I've finished writing my 5th book!
You'd think that after writing 5 books in less than three years writing would be a breeze, but I'm learning all the time that writing doesn't get easier with experience, in fact improving yourself means that it gets harder.
On the same coin, it also means that it becomes more rewarding. I've never been that excited about finishing a book because I normally worry about what comes next, but this time I'm relishing in the fact that I finished when there was a point where I didn't think I would.
Without further ado, here's the premise to my fifth book, THE DEFINITION OF AWKWARD. (I'm not looking for critiques yet, just enjoy it with all it's flaws.)
Seventeen-year-old Shannon O’conner is more than just a social outcast, she’s so uncouth you might find her picture in the dictionary next to the definition of awkward. Being a recluse isn’t the worst thing in the world, except when it comes to her starry-eyed crush on Jeremy Manchester.
Jeremy is everything Shannon wishes she could be―super nice, cute, talented, cute, outgoing, and well… cute. Getting Jeremy to notice her isn’t so easy, especially when she’s trying to avoid the constant bullying Vikki Cartwright and her cronies dish out, but when she falls into Jeremy’s arms, literally, she knows she can’t just sit back and watch him anymore.
There’s only one thing standing between her and Jeremy, Cole Preston. Cole is the most popular kid in school, and he notices Shannon after she’s had a makeover. Shannon isn’t interested in the jock type but her one and only friend, Marie, has it bad for Cole. Which leaves Shannon in the perfect position to help.
Real life love squares are totally not Shannon’s thing, but she wants to help Marie, since she’s the only person who’s been there for her through thick and thin. If only everything would just untangle itself, maybe Shannon can go back to hiding from the world, but true love is never that simple.
Question time! What do you do when it gets hard to write?
23 comments:
Glad you're really excited about your fifth book! And it does get harder. It's like the more you know, the harder it gets. (I guess that's why ignorance is bliss.) But you just have to power through.
Hey, isn't Alex supposed to be giving works of support, not scaring you??? :D
Love the premise. It sounds cute. And congrats on finishing the book. I guess the next post is about the insecurities of querying. *hugs* I can relate to that. We all can.
I love that title. :) This sounds so cute!
Hmm. . .When it gets hard I. . .I'm not sure. Take a break sometimes. Just force myself through other times.
Well done for getting there! Sounds great :-) When the going gets tough, I usually run away and take a break so I can come back to it refreshed!
I totally agree that the longer we write the harder it gets, if only because our standards keep going up. And, really, feedback from crit partners keeps me motivated to write through those bad moments when I think everything sucks.
That's a tough question for me. I feel like it's a never ending balancing act--much like parenting. My suggestion, use your writing goals as your mantra. Be specific and repeat them daily so that helps you stay focused. That's what I do and believe it or not, it helps. :)
Congratulations on finishing your fifth book! That's quite an accomplishment.
Sounds like you have a great book coming out-- love triangles, awkwardness, yearning-- what teen can't relate to that?
The title is awesome and your premise is adorable. I really like the love square thing. Congrats on finishing #5, yipee!
Congrats on finishing #5! It sounds fun. And I love that first line.
When the writing gets tough...I write anyway. ;)
Thanks for sharing about the latest book.
You are so freaking right about it getting harder! I'm on book who knows what and it takes me a week to finish a chapter, lol
Congrats on finishing! Typing The End is my favorite part.
When it gets hard to write, I do the wrong thing. I put it aside for a "short" while, which turns into a long while, until the thought of delving back into that difficult part seems impossible, and then months later something pushes me to buckle down and face it. Then, to actually do it and not find excuses not to I have to get rid of all the distractions I can, or it's not happening.
Lol, I'm sure there's an easier way to do this. I hope to get better at forging ahead the more I write.
Nice work finishing through the self doubt. I love your post about that. It was inspiring for me.
Sounds like a fun book. Look forward to reading it, if I get the chance.
The title is great and I love this fun premise. Don't worry, writing always has it's struggles and congrats.
Sounds like a true chick flick. ;) I want to read it!
It sounds like a great book and fun of awkward drama! Hope I get to read it someday! Congrats on finishing! :)
Alright, I'm already in love with it. Send it over!
you just out shined yourself!!!
What a fun premise! I want to read it! My current novel has a Cole in it and I just adore him. I'll bet yours is just as great. :)
When writing gets hard, I have some fun doing something else I love, then get back to work on my writing. I just have to push through. And I agree that writing never gets easier. I kept thinking it would, and it never does. It never will. That's kind of exciting, actually.
Both Michelle and Sarah have it right. When something gets tough, set it aside, do something else (if it's something fun then it's helps even more) then go back with a renewed determination. The other solution would be PROCRASTINATE!
Congratulations on writing your fifth book, Jennie! You're so right on writing gets harder every time, improving yourself is even harder. I also feel like I'm the worst writer EVER as well sometimes.
Nice, Jennie.
And I totally get that about the writing. And editing. ugh
hooray and hip hip!
sounds awesome! and just like the story, you overcame the obstacles and came to a happy ending, right? way to go!
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