Inspirational prompt 7

It’s time for another prompt to help your creative side shine. The following image kind of stuck with me for some time and after searching the web for a while (I didn’t save it when I first saw it, DOH!), I managed to find it and pin it on Pinterest for everyone to see. Though I prefer fantasy settings (as any of you can see if you visit either my tumblr blog or my pinterest board), there are some images that “say” so many things when one looks at them. That, or they simply inspire.

What do you think? Do you see a setting somewhere there or an interesting character? How about writing a children’s story, this time from the cat’s POV? That would be fun, no?

Staying focused while editing

I suck at multitasking. I mean, REALLY suck at it. Sometimes I envy people who at the same time can be on the phone dealing with an important client, signing and inspecting documents, whilst thinking about a problem at home or about the kids, and at the same time (!!) arranging things for an office happening. I wish I had a fraction of that ability. How do you people do that? Seriously, HOW?

When I have to do something, I have to focus every bit of me to make sure it works the way I want it to work. It’s the same thing with my writing. I find it impossible to write and edit other material I have queued for the same day. I think I’m programmed to finish one thing first, as best as possible (my perfectionist side doesn’t always kick in, thank God), and then move on to the next task. What this means is that, now that I’m editing my book, I find it very hard (if not impossible) to write. It’s not that I don’t have ideas. It’s that I feel that by doing one, I rob the other from the time and effort I should be putting into it. Why edit for 4 hours when I can edit for 6? Why write for 3 hours and edit for 2 more, when I can write for 5? Why is it that although I know how important editing is I feel that I should be writing instead? That I’m falling behind? I think my mind is weird or just messed up 😛

Last week I told you about my editing process. I think we can all agree that such a process is time consuming. I finished the first draft in 5 months (I wrote half of it on my cell phone, which is why it took me that much), but I don’t think I’ll have it edited in a year. Two is probably more like it. And in that time? Will I get no writing done? At all? That’s scary.

What about you? Do you write your WIP, edit another work, then read or do you only focus on one thing, no matter how long it takes you? Are you like me or am I the only one?

Inspirational prompt 6

Lets try something a bit different today. I understand that some people don’t get inspired by visual stimuli. Some find inspiration in sounds, others in previously written work, etc.

So today, I’m going to give you a written prompt. Ready?

Come nightfall, the opposite riverbank echoed with the moans of those they left behind.

Ok? Let’s see if this helps you get going. Let me know if it did 🙂

From getting an agent to getting published

I don’t know about you, but I have (or had, until recently) little knowledge of what happens AFTER an agent says yes to a manuscript, and before said manuscript gets published. I’ve never been published before, none of my friends has been traditionally published (except short stories and electronic magazines), so that area was rather vague and hidden behind a misty veil. Have you ever wondered what happens once an agent agrees to work with a writer? A few days ago, I stumbled upon the following article and I thought it’d be nice to share, even if you prefer to self-publish.  If nothing else, it will give you an insight as to what follows the oh-so-desperately-sought-after agent deal.

The article was found at http://writershelpingwriters.net/2015/01/10-editorial-steps-agent-call-published-book/ and it was written by Martina Boon. If you’re aiming for traditional publishing like myself, have a look at it. There’s a lot more happening after the agent says yes than you may have thought. Can you guess what it is?

If your answer was “more editing, Chris?” then the answer is a resounding YES! Because there’s never enough editing for a manuscript. Never! Seriously, folks, read the article.