Help me welcome prolific writer Morgan Mandel. Morgan is sharing her “don’t” writing list. Leave a comment and share your list of writing don’ts.
Don’t Do What I Do by Morgan Mandel
I’m a disorganized author, and not proud of it. I know better, yet I continually break so many
common sense writing rules, I wonder how I get anything done. By some miracle, somehow I seem to muddle through and my books happen. Maybe they’d happen sooner, though, if I followed what I know I should be doing.
Here are some of the don’ts that I do:
1. Don’t start the day (your free time if you have a day job) by reading and responding to e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and other online sites before proceeding to your Work in Progress. I confess to not applying discipline, and goofing off way too much, when my energy should be focused on writing.
2. Don’t begin writing a book, stop and start another without finishing the first. I am so guilty of this. To my horror, I now have five works in progress, and my brain keeps inspiring me with new ideas. Aren’t five enough? Last year I decided to get my books done in the order I’d started them. I did finish one that way.
Since then, I discovered a thriller I’d not finished five years ago, and it’s already got 15,000 words to it. Should I complete it first, or the western romance NanoWriMo I didn’t get done three years ago? Or, Always Young, the last of the Always Young Trilogy which I’ve already promised and must deliver? Then there’s the sequel to my romantic comedy, Her Handyman, which one of the secondary characters insists I write. Also, over the summer I started a controversial political thriller, which I’d love to get done. I’m wondering which one will win the race. At this point, they’re all tied.
3. Don’t edit your manuscripts first, instead of writing them. One reason I lag behind is my inner editor keeps telling me to get everything as perfect as possible on the first draft. I need to shut that inner editor into a dark closet and not let it out until I’ve reached the end of the first draft.
4. Don’t forget to get out of your comfort zone. I find it exceedingly easy to invite guests to my blogs, and promote them. What’s really difficult is to be a guest on someone else’s blog and tell people about myself and my books. Well, I’m here today, and that’s a good start.
What about you? Do you follow one or more of my don’ts, or maybe you apply others which delay the completion of your books?
BIO:
The versatile Morgan Mandel, former President of her local RWA chapter and once Library Liaison for Midwest MWA, writes thrillers, mysteries and romances. Her most recent release is the Blessing or Curse Collection of short stories, which is the sequel to her full length thriller, Forever Young: Blessing or Curse. While the first of the trilogy focuses on the dangers to one main protagonist, the sequel studies the relationships of five test subjects taking the Forever Young pill.
Morgan’s ever popular Girl of My Dreams, is a reality show romance; and her more recent romantic comedy, Her Handyman, features a handyman, a crazy canine and a rich, quirky artist.
Morgan’s romantic suspense, Killer Career, about a lawyer’s dangerous career change, and Two Wrongs, Morgan’s debut mystery, are both set in Chicago.
For more about Morgan and her books, check out her website, blog, Facebook Page, and Twitter at @MorganMandel.
Thanks for inviting me to your blog, Kathleen. I'm happy to say that since I wrote this post, I've made some progress on A Perfect Angel, the sequel to Her Handyman, and am now past the 10,000 word mark. I give myself pep talks everyday to keep going until it's done, because there are plenty more waiting to see the light of day.
Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com
I thought you were writing about me, Morgan. I break all four of these rules, too. The one that causes me the most pain is beginning more than one ms and having trouble finishing either one..or three. I really hate that. I will try to do better.
Number three is the one I have trouble with. I spend a lot of time editing as I write. I tried not to, but then I usually end up with a story that heads in too many directions. I also used to be able to work on more than one manuscript at a time, but not any more. Your post has given me a lot to think about. Thanks for being my guest today.
Celia, I guess it's not in our nature to write responsibly, but we can only try. lol
Kathleen, your blog is lovely. It reminds me of spring, and I need such reminders on these alternating snow and below zero days here in Illinois.
I make all those same mistakes, Morgan.
Morgan,
You give excellent advice!
Thanks for stopping by, Jacqueline. I'll have to admit I try many times to follow number one, but there's a voice in my head that says, "Check emails and blog comments first and get that out of the way." Then before I know it, an hour or two has gone by and I haven't written a word.
That may be so, but you are so much more productive than I am, Marilyn!
Thanks, Jacqueline. If only I'd learn to follow my own advice!
Kathleen, That's also part of my problem. I like to get things out of the way and clear the deck, so to speak. Unfortunately, the deck can never be completely cleared. More keeps popping up!
I do all the same things–but I don't consider them mistakes.
1. I slay my email and get my basic Facebook communication out of the way first thing. Knowing they are hanging there for future attention is annoying.
2. I always have several books in progress at the same time as well as editing jobs. When I can't move ahead on one, I shift to another. When I go back to the first one with fresh eyes, I am newly inspired.
3. Several famous authors recommend rereading your previous chapter or chapters before starting on the next one. I write in several different voices, depending on the work, period, location, etc. I have to reread–and edit– before moving on to capture the rhythm and voice of the character. (Okay, I am a compulsive editor. Mea culpa.)
4. The very bet things I've done are when I have pushed out of my comfort zone. We'd NEVER have written our mysteries or our historical novel if I hadn't. Heck, we'd never have written our memoir either!
"The rules" only work for the person writing them. Each of us has to find what works for us.
Lorna, you were successful in making me feel less guilty!
Gee, I only do three of the above four. I usually stick to writing one book at a time.
Checking my email often is something I wish I could control. As for my Facebook page, I don't get there often enough.
The internet is my guilty pleasure. If I get stuck in a scene I'll flip over to search for something, all in the name of Research, of course. An hour later I'll have followed link after link and forgotten my original intent.
I have to leave Facebook until after I've achieved my word count goal each day or I'll wander aimlessly through Facelandia forever. Makes you wonder what Shakespeare would've done if he'd had the internet to distract him.
Enjoyed your post. Maggie
I guess it's looking at the glass half full or half empty. So, Morgan, maybe you're (we) not doing anything wrong after all.
Your post has generated some great comments, now if I could only get off the internet and finish my writing goal for today (I haven't started yet).
You're a better person than I am, Marilyn!
Yes, it's amazing how I'll set out to do something on the Internet, forget what it was, and do so many other things instead! It is very distracting!
Kathleen, apparently many suffer from my same afflictions! We are all doomed to do things the hard way!
Hand up. I'm a rule breaker! I do write the first draft without editing, but otherwise … well, I guess I stick to my own rules for the most part and that's good enough for me.
As long as you're happy, Ella!
Thanks again for inviting me to your lovely blog, Kathleen!
You are welcome anytime, Morgan. Best of luck with your writing.
Morgan,
Lately, I've been way too guilty of #1 on your list and I know why. Spending time on Facebook, etc. and replying to emails is fun and it is necessary – to a degree. It's a great way to promote my books, staying in touch with friends and making new ones. But here's the kicker: it's also a great way to delay writing. 🙂
Too true, Patricia. It's a great way to unwind, also procrastinate!
I'm guilty of reading my email first…before I start work! Aarrgghh!
Heidi, Join the club!
I think we should all chill and have a glass of wine.