Running a little late with this post. My goal is to have one update per week and I completely missed last week. I could blame work but the truth is that I did not manage my time as well as I should during the week and I was lazy during the weekend. To make up for it, there will be two posts this week. However, do not expect the second one until the end of the week – probably the weekend.
For the last couple of weeks my writing project time was spent in two ways:
1. Reviewing my research (see previous post), and
2. Brainstorming and evaluating novel ideas.
I do not have much to say about number one except that I plan to take the advice from “How to Write a Novel in 100 days” and allot a certain amount of time per day to writing. I think two hours per day, one in the morning and one in the evening, will work for now. I know that is not much but it is something I know I can commit to right now. I can always expand as this project moves forward.
Regarding number two…where to start with this one. I remember watching an online video about creating video games. The video presenter worked in the industry and was giving tips to people interested in a career in video game development. When approached by an imaginary someone who had an idea for a video game, his response was “that is great, but everyone inside and outside of the industry has an idea for a game”. His point was that there was no short supply of ideas and the better approach was developing and promoting the skills that can turn an idea into a great game.
I think the same applies to most mediums of expression including writing. Everyone has at least one idea that they think would make a great novel. Anyone can do it, and I am not degrading the medium by saying anyone can do it. I think it is great. I am happy that we all have a creative streak somewhere within us. However, like the video game example we need more than ideas. The best idea in the world does not equal a great novel. It does not equal a good novel. Hell, it does not equal a novel. An idea is just an idea. It needs to be developed into a novel. I think that is where many potential writers, me included, get stuck. It is easy to get intimidated by that next step. We get an idea, then we get another idea, then another, and nothing is developed.
Lucky for us, the solution is simple. It is not easy, but it is simple. Just get started. Pick something and start running with it. That is where I am now. I have some ideas and I think I narrowed them down to three. One is an idea I am really interested in but I am afraid the narrative will be a little too complicated for me right now. Another idea has a much easier narrative but I am not as crazy about the idea and it is not as developed. The third idea is little of both. I think it is an interesting premise and within the scope of my current ability. I think my mind is made up, but I am not sure. There goes that intimidation again.
No more! My next blog post will be my cut off. I will write a little on each of the ideas and make a decision by my next blog post, which will probably be this Saturday. With a decision made, there will be nothing holding me back from my next step: writing. Well, not exactly writing, more like planning, but we will get to that subject later.
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