Working on a Novel, Part 1

I have not submitted any articles to Triond for almost a year, although I did checked in to read some of the articles from my list of friends.  The reason I took time out was because, reading articles and commenting on them on a daily basis, became a convenient way for me to excuse my lack of progress on my novel.  

Is my novel finished?  No, but I have completed 350 pages of a first draft which might not otherwise have been the case.  

Also during the year, I wrote a number of songs; including a skit on the Irish Government Ministers – all of whom pleaded innocence, for having in any way, caused the economic crisis the country faces.

My experiences, in working on my novel in progress, have been interesting.  I am not a workaholic, in fact, when it comes to writing, I am an expert in procrastination.

It is often said the we each have a novel in us.  This may well be true, but getting it from where it is happiest – floating around our brain cells – to setting it down with pen and paper or keyboard, is quiet a different matter. 

So I thought I would share the trials and tribulations of my efforts and review my progress or lack of it.

I sought guidance while I wrote.  Plenty abounds, in books, by way of the Internet and if you are lucky enough, by having direct contact with a published author.  

Tips and advise on writing both help and hinder, that certainly was the case for me.  

In my next few articles I will review these tips in the light of my own experience.  As previously noted, I am not a prolific writer, in fact I am a lazy git, so these articles will not arrive day on day.

If during the day, I have worked on my novel and also made progress, however limited, on a series of short stories I am writing, then I will reward myself by writing an article on Triond.  I will not presume the reader will feel as rewarded but here is hoping.  

The first tip to be tackled; write about what you know.

Bye for now.

Check out my youtube video:  An Irish Government Ministers Lament