Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Back To It...

For the last couple of weeks I've been really struggling with my writing. The desire to write seemed to have disappeared. I could see it coming, fought it like a banshee, but in the end, I had to let go. I've had these episodes before. They've lasted as short as 2 days up ten years. This one lasted about a week. Over the weekend I re-started a WIP.

I think my problem is developing myself as a writer. I see my voice, like it, but am convinced it needs to grow. I read my writing, think its good, but I know I can do better. It's an uphill battle. But I know I won't be happy unless I put the effort in and make it a little tougher. But damn, I don't feel like expending the energy. But I will.

So I started a historical. It takes place in 18th century London and is based on the criminal element of the era. It is going to be a great deal of work, the story is dark, the conflicts darker and the research extensive. I'm not very far, but I can see where its going and I'm happy. Sitting down at my keyboard today, I open a new document and start writing a new WIP entirely. This one is a romantica suspense that takes place in contemporary L.A. I don't know where it came from, but I'm writing it more for my amusement than anything else. Writing historicals is like a pressure cooker for me. They are work, not only do I have the research to worry about, but I need to "translate" my voice into a tone appropriate to the story. To relieve the pressure, I work on something on the side, something fun and completely different. The last time I did this, the "fun" project took over and that's the one I've been submitting. Oh well, whatever works.

speaking of submitting, I received a request for a partial today. I had totally forgotten I'd queried this agent. Of course this agent wants a totally odd number of chapters, so none of my pre-printed partials will work. Thank goodness I got a laser printer.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yay for getting your writing mojo back and yay for the request!!

Crystal* said...

Yay on the partial!
And I gave up trying to figure my mind out YEARS ago. Go with it. We have to take it when we can get it.
Grins*

Anonymous said...

Glad you got inspired again. And cool on the request!

Anonymous said...

That's great that you feel like writing again :) Your stories sound awesome. . . both of them. And woo hoo on the agent request :)

Kelly (Lynn) Parra said...

Rene, so glad you're back in the groove! And how exciting about the request--good luck and good writing! =D

Melissa Amateis said...

I love seeing what new background you come up with every day...*grin*

Anonymous said...

Wonderful news on the request! And I know what you mean about recharging the creative batteries. I love historicals, but I've been known to toss around the odd Blaze idea or two. :)

Anonymous said...

Hooray for getting inspired again!!! Isn't it great? :)

Anonymous said...

Cool on the request! I hope your mojo stays put!