tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post8047846122442631908..comments2023-04-30T15:55:35.969+01:00Comments on Susan Elliot Wright: THE WRITING LIFESusan Elliot Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-48784817530511495042014-10-08T18:09:19.120+01:002014-10-08T18:09:19.120+01:00I abandoned the first one because I started it bef...I abandoned the first one because I started it before I was really ready to write a novel. I did a better job of the second one, but it was pointed out to me when I started an MA in writing, that while I could clearly write and while my characters/setting etc were very good, I didn't actually have a story....Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-80555300922576698522014-10-08T14:56:17.408+01:002014-10-08T14:56:17.408+01:00Interesting that you've abandoned novels. Deep...Interesting that you've abandoned novels. Deep down I've known this one wasn't working for a long time. I question whether I'm even a novel writer at all! Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10680813337238122710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-21186178259049914822014-10-08T10:36:15.381+01:002014-10-08T10:36:15.381+01:00As you probably realise, that should be 'you&#...As you probably realise, that should be 'you've' rather than 'youth' - it's the speech recognition software I have to use because of my RSI. Should have proof-read a bit closer!Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-86574270691037204932014-10-08T10:34:45.140+01:002014-10-08T10:34:45.140+01:00Yes, I think you're right – I can miss one day...Yes, I think you're right – I can miss one day, but if I miss two, it tends to stretch into an unplanned break that's very hard to come back from. Very brave to have given up on three novels! A difficult decision, but quite liberating when you know it's not working. I've abandoned two – one at 20k words and one at 40k – definitely the right decision!Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-2117065204647214582014-10-08T10:13:49.187+01:002014-10-08T10:13:49.187+01:00I find if I don't write every day, I'm doo...I find if I don't write every day, I'm doomed! A break never works for me - even if I write words that I know I hate and know I'll delete, just being with the characters and listening to them every day seems to help.<br />I've also learned to listen to ME. I have roughly 3 novels that hit the 30k word count and I knew I was flogging a dead horse. Instead of thinking, 'What a waste of time' I now give up and move on to writing the right novel instead.Amanda Eganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03107950894507528876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-71362036640541096342014-10-08T10:00:51.652+01:002014-10-08T10:00:51.652+01:00Yes, me too! October always seems to be a busy mon...Yes, me too! October always seems to be a busy month. Danuta is lovely, isn't she? I very much enjoyed meeting her. So sorry to hear you're stuck on your novel. It's horrible, isn't it? I totally understand. I have had quite long 'stuck' periods in the past where I have truly thought I couldn't possibly finish the novel. But then something happens, I start thinking in a different way or I just keep trying different things, and suddenly there's a possible way through. Good luck with yours – maybe after a break, where youth focused entirely on short stories, you'll feel better able to get back to it. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-73173907946307054662014-10-07T15:19:53.302+01:002014-10-07T15:19:53.302+01:00Would love to be able to attend the workshop you&#...Would love to be able to attend the workshop you're running, Susan, but October is such busy month for me this year. I've also met Danuta Reah (at Harrogate Crime Writers' Festival). Isn't she lovely? I was very fortunate that she helped me to workshop the opening scenes of my novel last year. As for stuck days.. I think I'm permanently stuck on my novel. I know the feeling about not being able to even open the document. I really don't feel as if I can get back into mine at all. I've lost faith in the whole project. I'm happily writing lots of short stories while I contemplate whether I'm capable of ever finishing a novel. Good luck with the new direction yours is taking. Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10680813337238122710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-40793190729514965822014-10-06T17:42:10.376+01:002014-10-06T17:42:10.376+01:00Horrible, aren't they? We need 'restorativ...Horrible, aren't they? We need 'restorative' times!Susan Elliot Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07330077083045451606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196270920705499712.post-16053275545114126542014-10-06T17:33:31.889+01:002014-10-06T17:33:31.889+01:00Oh those stuck days!! Glad you had a great restora...Oh those stuck days!! Glad you had a great restorative time at the festival.JOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.com