Turning Off My Internal Editor

During today's tea break I read an article in Writing Magazine. It is A Novel in A Month by Steven Chapman. The topic is the annual NANoWriMo challenge about getting 50,000 words in a month.

I am still resisting the urge to revise and edit each chapter of Tuesday's Child before I finish the first draft, so I found the following of particular interest.

"By beating your inner editor into submission you'll soon realise how good a writer you actually are. It sounds contradictory but without that nagging voice beating your every move, you'll focus on plot and character development rather than fussing over the finer details."

Historical Novelist
www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Finding Time For Historical Research

Finding time to research historical facts by reading non-fiction.

Last night my five year old granddaughter had a sleepover at my house. This morning, as a reward for her excellent behaviour for the last month I took her to Gambados, an indoor play area. We were there for two hours. In spite of the loud background music, parents talking and many children having a good time, I got on with my research.

I read and put post it notes with remarks on pages of particular interest. An added bonus were the ideas for the plot and descriptions in my new clean Regency novel, Tuesday's Child.

More on Writing Sunday's Child

Although I haven't finished writing Monday's Child, the sequel to Sunday's Child, I decided to edit the completed chapters.

My research has turned up some facts which need to be inserted.

Also, although I don't write detailed plot plans, I did have the rough details of the plot in mind. However, I had planned a surprise but, as the book developed I decided the reader would guess what it was. With reluctance, because it is painful to make a substantial change, I had to think of an alternative.

So, before I write the last few chapters I need to make sure that the previous ones flow smoothly.

I hope that after so much hard work the novel will be a page turner and the reviews will be 5*.

U is for Understand

U is for Understand

 

Before I submit my novels to my publisher, MuseItUp Publishing, I work with an online critique group and read my chapters aloud on critique evenings at Watford Writers. I am always grateful when a critique comments that they don’t understand something.

 

For example:in my current novel, Monday’s Child, Christies will auction some valuable items. I wrote about the events leading to this at the beginning of the novel but when I referred to it in Chapter Twenty-Two some of my critiquers did not understand the reference.

 

My characters, their motivations, and the plot and theme are clear in my mind. It is for me to make sure that my readers understand everything.

 

Rosemary Morris

Historical Novelist

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk