Me and English lessons never got on… I got chucked out of the mainstream English class and given contemporary literature. No Shakespeare or Keats for me, I read Brighton Rock and A Taste of Honey which meant my eventual love of reading wasn’t ruined by traditional teaching methods.
Becoming a writer has slipped up on me in my 50’s, I was completely shocked and overwhelmed when I achieved my first 50k words in 2010. I am now a firm believer that anyone can do anything if they set their mind to it and learn the how.
Everyone has a novel in them, there’s always a way. I’m often asked how I start, where does the inspiration come from, where’s the story and I ask back, tell me a story, anything, pick some characters and put them in a location. Now, give them something to do. By this time they’ve usually mentioned some names, described the characters and started to put them in a situation where things might have happened to them. Ok, you’re getting there, what’s their background, that will affect how they respond next. Finally, throw a few bombshells (obstacles or challenges) their way, how do they react, what do they need to change to resolve their situation, and there’s your story, job done.
Writing it down, letting it flow, that’s the easy part for me but then came the edit! Editing’s been much harder than I ever expected. Finally, I’ve come to an agreement with myself on how I will do it and it’s getting done, slowly and steadily, 10 pages at a time with lots of colourful fairy cake cases and highlighter pens. I’ve exposed my novels to the blogging world through this challenge and would like you to gently encourage me to keep going and help me celebrate when I finish one of them one day..
My AtoZchallenge posts are about writing, parts of my novels or some research I need to do for them. I’m not allowing myself to write about anything other than topics linked to the books, my books. The current titles that I’m writing about are ‘Bags’, ‘Holiday stories’ and ‘Dream Gardener’.
lynnelives 
All the best on the latest novel you have in you. God bless, Maria
Thanks Maria.
I’m with you in that anyone can do what they want to do if they set their mind to it. Our age shouldn’t stop us doing much. Good for you, for going for your dreams.
You hinting I’m old? tee hee.. feel it today, freezing here! Not sure I’m going for my dreams but still going for finishing that novel in me.. might take a while!
Very encouraging. I think I ought to take the plunge already. Thank you for this post.
Good luck. Everyone can do it, to varying degress of course..
Really encouraging and inspiring post, Lynne. I love how you seek to simplify the whole thing – makes it seem so much more achievable. I’m over 60,000 word in to my first draft and all this inspiration is definitely motivating me to make sure I get back on it after the end of the challenge.
Thanks Wayne. The theory is if I inspire others I can inspire myself too..
Inspirational. My ‘novel’ is just festering and you have motivated me to get on with it and stop procrastinating. It’s life, not a rehearsal!
Hope it works for my own motivation too Linda! Good luck with the novel!
Greetings Lynne,
We just chatted on Twitter. A most interesting and enlightening post. I believe that in writing, it should be done in small, realistic, workable steps. Steps that lead to the end goal. And editing, oh my. All the best with the A to Z. Enjoy the weekend and let’s hope the weather gets warmer.
Gary, your cordial host at the alternate alphabet challenge 🙂
Good to chat! Thanks for popping by and commenting. Yes I need to learn little steps! Tend to jump in and want to do everything in one go! Not very good at doing ‘paced and steady’.
Here’s to a warmer weekend. Good luck with the alternate alphabet!
I am very impressed by anyone who manages to finish a novel. Such a time and love commitment! I am thinking about doing an illustrated story, but nothing like so long as a novel. Good luck!
Ruby recently posted http://rubywilbur.com/the-frog-prince/ for #atozchallenge
Thanks Ruby. Time commitment yes, love? not so sure.. tee hee.. yes I guess it does feel a bit like a romance.. an on, off, on one! Thanks for the luck, I’ll need it and bucket loads of persistence.
Lynne, I loved your tip for editing:
not just coloured pens but coloured cakes too 🙂 Sending all best wishes for your #atozchallenge this year from the Shed with the Chandelier x
Thanks Tracy! Great to see you here and commenting. Don’t get me started on the use of cakes. I use cake cases for editing but have used cakes for self counselling! That’s a whole other blog or AtoZ! xx
I totally agree. Age doesn’t matter if you set your mind to do something. I think it’s fantastic that you’re writing a novel.
Sunni
http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/