This is
the second last IWSG of the year. 2015 is now in a hurry to fly by at the speed
of lightening. IWSG is one of the best things to happen to a writer at any
stage of their writing career. The credit for starting this awesome online group
should go to the super awesome and super inspiring Alex Cavanaugh – Author of Amazon
bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars.
Alex is better known as Ninja Captain in blogland.
IWSG
members post on the first Wednesday of every month. Our posts talk about all
our writing worries, fears, doubts, insecurities and anxieties. We also help,
support, advice and encourage other writers. Check the IWSG website for awesome
writing tips.
One of my biggest insecurity and fear is not doing justice to
the story I am writing. Yes, I started my young adult novel. Finally! It's
quite a change from the middle grade novels I have so far written. I am wracked by anxiety. I know that until I finish the first
draft I will be quite stressed out. Every scene I have plotted makes me wonder
whether I am getting the mannerisms of a seventeen-year old right.
Yesterday,
I wrote a rough outline, jotted down a few character sketches and wrote the
first chapter, all with doubts pecking my mind. The doubts were so loud and
strong that I nearly stopped writing.
Later, I decided that to hell with the doubts and anxiety, I will dedicate the month of November to this book. It's my dream to write a love story. And one month out of my writing life is not asking for much. Even if I fail I can always revert back to my children's books.
I wonder how other writers who tackle a new genre or age group manage?Any tips for me on tackling a Young Adult novel?
Generally, I don't worry too much about these things. Let's leave it to the readers, no :P :)
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
One of the things you can do is read YA novels. (Which I'm sure you do!) Compare the voices to that of MG books. There is such a big difference in some areas and more subtle ways they are different in other areas. I don't think I can ever write YA! I'm stuck in middle school;-)
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome you're trying a YA book. Just do the best you can and let your critique partners help you fix the rough spots. I know you'll do great.
ReplyDeleteWrite it and worry about the details later. That's what edits are for. Get the story down and then you can go back and smooth out what isn't right.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're sort of doing National Novel Writing Month but on your own terms. :)
ReplyDeleteLet yourself go, have fun with the story!
Don't listen to your critical brain. That's just your old English teachers talking! :-) You know how to create a story. You've been listening to them all your life.
ReplyDeleteI would say, like any new venture, write the story first, then worry about what needs fixing and finally fine-tuning once you have the manuscript in hand. Some famous writer said the following, but I can't remember who: The only manuscript you can't improve is the one you haven't put on paper. Just write it. I know you'll do a fine job, and all writing you do enhances all other writing you do. You'll know where your MG characters are headed in life once you've written from the YA perspective.
ReplyDeleteYou can do it Rachna but the most important thing is to enjoy it. If you over analyse it now, the story won't spill out onto the paper. Deep breath and let your imagination take you on the journey. In terms of 17 year olds - we were all there and times haven't changed that much :) All the best!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing your own thing. The most important thing is that you're doing it.
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome you are tackling your dream. Go for it!! And don't worry about the first draft. It's not meant to be great. Those little things like mannerisms can be fixed later.
ReplyDeleteI often worry about that, too - that the story will just be okay and not brilliant, that I won't do it justice as you said. Definitely knock all of that aside for the first draft. Get some teens to read it later after some editing to make sure the voice and pop culture references are right. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI worry about that, too, but I say, chase that dream!!! Write it, and worry about the dialogue later. And, when NaNo has you down, go sit somewhere with roaming teenagers and let overheard conversations inspire you. :)
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, I'm so with you!!! But like others said, just let it all out now and worry about editing later, sometimes the best writing happens when we're not overthinking things. (Now, I have to listen to my own advice lol)
ReplyDeleteI go back and forth between fantasy and women's fiction. Extremes. Sometimes its tough, but I just let the story enmesh me while I'm writing it. For however long the session is.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you need not worry at all if you are getting the mannerisms and feelings of "a" 17 year old girl correct and just focus on consistency in the one your are writing. She will be unique, and wonderful. My daughter is 30 now, and she still has girlish moments that are adorable.
I've not tried writing a YA book so can't help there, sorry. Good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteIt can be hard and with any writing or art there are pitfalls. I have found that no matter what kind of art I am doing I can't let myself worry as I am sketching it out. Like the first draft or getting the sketch of a picture down. The best part is revisions to the art will fix any issues just get something down for a skeleton and you are going to be fine.
ReplyDeleteI'm revising a manuscript that's very tough. I can't get it right, but I hope that with each revision I'll uncover more potential.
ReplyDeleteI've been full of doubts when I try something new, but you'll get the hang of it.
I write in three age groups and I don't know how many genres and subgenres. :-D
ReplyDeleteI do get these doubts about my ability to tell a particular story, though. I think all writers do. (Except the slightly or totally delusional ones.)