Writer's Block!!

For writers we are incredibly clichéd sometimes and I am no exception, yes I have been suffering from the dreaded writer’s block. Now I know some people don’t believe in this, and think it’s just an excuse, which is perhaps true for some people, but I have definitely been going through it, and I thought I’d talk about it, to help anyone who might be going through a similar situation.

So why I am suffering from writer’s block? The reasons, unfortunately, are many fold.  

1)      Expectations, not from anyone else, but from myself. It’s so much fun to write, when it’s just for you, when nothing’s on the line, before you’ve sent out any queries and you realize what a difficult world it is to get published out there. Now that I have a book that’s going to be published by an actual non-vanity/non-self publisher, I suddenly feel like I have to write legitimately, that I have to write something incredible or I will be betraying my past self. Why is it I write such dross when myself from a year ago was eloquent, so quick, so inventive?

How I got over it – I realized that my past self was just as terrible a writer as I am, the only difference being the true magic of Editing. How could I have so easily forgotten that each paragraph, sentence, sometimes even words had been changed, sometimes dozens of times. So much so that nearly every paragraph in my manuscript had changed from its original form. Once I’d stop hold my past self in such high esteem, I was able to carry on.

2)      What I was writing was wrong. There are many different kinds of writers, I know this and what I do is perhaps lunacy to some people ,but I have to do it. You see I’ve written around fifteen openings to my novel, some wildly different, going so far as five to ten thousand words in, sometimes more, before scrapping it. I tried to push on, openings for me at least are the hardest part to write in a novel. But I kept coming back and realizing if I didn’t have a solid foundation I would never feel at ease

How I got over it – I trusted my instincts. It wasn’t working, because my work simply wasn’t good. After so many opening over so many months, I finally got it right and I moved on. It does a disservice to my readers if I write something that is bad, but even more so disservice to the characters whose tale I am telling.

3)      I’m in a different place in my life. I took a long hiatus from writing from the ages of sixteen to twenty one (for anyone keeping count I’m twenty four now) which in hindsight I highly regret. When I was twenty one and I first began planning this story, I was different, younger, driven, with no commitments. Now I’m older, a little more reserved, with probably less to prove than my younger self. I write fantasy but recently I’ve gotten more into science fiction (I’ve recently read Ender’s Game and Ready Player One which I highly recommend to anyone)

How I got over it – I took a long hard look at myself and what I was writing. I seriously considered leaving the project, working on something else, but I never did. I remembered why I was writing this story, how much it meant to me, and where I hoped it would one day lead. I guess the take home message is when you really believe in yourself, go for it because no-one will ever believe in you, or your vision as much as you do. Be your own fan and supporter!!

A few side notes – I have also decided once and for all to keep my writing a secret from the people IRL (In the Real World) for a variety of reasons. As you know I’m a doctor and live in a scientific world, where people simply don’t understand why I would choose to write the adventures of magic and a floating city. That and it’s nice to have something for myself, well myself and those reading this. My friend described me as Batman and herself as Ironman – in other words when she’s published she’ll shout it from the rafters, where as I could count on my fingers the number of people I’ve told.

Also for those reading this, I appreciate you beyond words. I have no real agenda except to connect and learn from other writers and readers. Leave a message or if you want a guest spot I’d be more than happy. There’s plenty of room out on the high seas!

The Privateer 

The Prodigal Blogger Returns

And I’m back

I am incredibly, very sorry for my long absence. All I can say is that it has been an incredibly stressful past few months, but having finished my Finals, I am now a full-fledged member of society! That’s right I am now Doctor VS!! It certainly has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? I have to say years of work, dozens of exams and it all boils down to a single e-mail that says in broad, mundane letters – Pass or Fail. Thankfully I passed and therefore I can now get back to my real life of writing! I will soon get out and start doing some more interviews and hopefully get some awesome guest spots as well!

Now on to more pressing matters. I recently saw the Man of Steel, who for anyone who’s been living in exile in the salt mines of Kazakhstan is about Superman. Now I have to say I really loved this movie, although I am heavily biased being a huge DC comics fan. Now a lot of people didn’t like this film, and I really cannot understand it. I’m not going to go into a lengthy review, after all we here on the seven seas are interested in Middle Grade! But it does bring up one interesting notion – Action.

You see the film was action-packed with some truly astonishing fight scenes. Many people took issue with this, hoping to see a different kind of Superman, the one from the old films who is charming and such, but doesn’t really do anything. This was the kind of Superman I had always wanted to see, one who doesn’t hold back, who actually gets to throw a punch! So how does this apply to storytelling in general?

Well you see action is great, no matter what genre you are writing. Are you writing about spys? Soldiers? Magic? Even a dance off or a race, any kind of competition, there is really nothing that gets people going like two individuals facing off in a head to head competition.

But it actually isn’t that simple, action has to be handled delicately, it has to have a purpose, otherwise it is simply loud, pointless noise. On the other hand in certain types of novels too little action can be a complete hindrance and can really slow down a novel.

So what is the solution? Like all matters of writing there is no full proof answer, it is as always a matter a case by case scenario…saying that though here are some helpful tips.

1)      Especially for younger audiences you need a fun, action scene every so often to move the story along. A good rule of thumb is one chapter action packed, the next a bit lighter. This way younger audiences get really involved and don’t get too bored.

2)      Many stories include magic or supernatural abilities and such. If this is the case then I would say introduce these elements slowly, allow the audience to really understand how your world words, how these abilities work. For example say a hero has invisibility, laser vision and can phase through walls – it might be a cool idea to have him face off against three different opponents that require the usage of each power. Then the last enemy could be so strong he is forced to use all three powers, having mastered them all. If you introduce too many elements too quickly the audience is overwhelmed.

3)      Characters first! Number one rule of any story – characters are first. If the audience doesn’t care about the characters, if they aren’t emotionally invested, they won’t care who wins or who loses!! Take the time to get the audience to fall in love with your characters and then let rip! Your readers will appreciate you far more than if you simply shove action scenes at them!

Happy hunting and it’s good to be back!