Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Okay, I don't know whether to say I met yesterday's goal or not. Here's the deal. All of my chapters currently are running between 3K and 3.5K words. In yesterday's chapter, I got to an end of a scene at 3.2K words. I look at what I had remaining for that chapter and thought it would be best to create another chapter because I estimate another 3K words to write it. In the second draft, I'll go over it again and break chapters more appropriately, but they're broken up write know for easier writing purposes. So, essentially, this adds another chapter for me. Which could be more words. I don't know. I'm just going to get to the end of the first draft in seven days and see what's what.

As a new writer, I'm like a baby just discovering my fingers and toes. As I'm writing this book, I'm paying attention to the way I write, my preferred writing environment, how I write scenes, etc. I've noticed some pretty quirky things about me when it comes to writing.

Like, I can't write in total silence. Silence it "too loud" and I can't concentrate. I prefer to have background voices (TV, people) going on.

I prefer to write by outline. I've heard of authors who just start with a blank page and no outline and just go at it. Okay, I'm in awe of that. They don't know what's going to happen to whom or anything until they actually write it. Now, with an outline, things always change. Some new things/people are added, some characters turn out to be not important at all and are unceremoniously dismissed, some people's personalities changed from the ones I outlined for them. I can handle that, because I have a path. I think I'd have writer's block on page one if I tried to write from a blank slate.

The funny thing that I really noticed just yesterday is that I actually do put myself in each character to write the scene. It's almost like I'm possessed. You know, like in the movie Ghost when Patrick enters Whoopi Goldberg and takes over her body to talk to Demi (I don't remember character names)? And I feel their emotion and record what they're feeling, what they say, and what they do. But I REALLY feel their emotion. For any high intense emotion (anger, excitement,...) my body goes through the feelings: my jaws tighten, my body tenses, I'll type very fast, my heartbeat quickens. If it's a mellow emotion (sadness, sensual,...) my body becomes very relaxed, and my eyelids droop.

I was typing an argument scene last night and when I had stopped, I was breathing hard; my jaw was hurting because I was clenching my teeth together for so long, and my heart was racing. You know, it's probably best that I do write in seclusion. I could only imagine having a male friend next to me while writing and I'm in the throes of the scene and he says something to me and I just reach over and slap him because I'm feeling that emotion at the time. LOL It's just that real.

Well, that would teach him to bother me while I'm writing. Bet he wouldn't do it again. LOL

12 comments:

The Foxybrown Show Tue Aug 23, 09:44:00 AM EDT  

Good Morning Cherlyn,

Welcome to the Show!

I found your blog by reading one of my new favorites "Princess" and I love this entry and I would like to simply say that if you feel good about what you did yesterday, then you have accomplished a GOAL!

which makes you DA SHIT!

Get back to me on the show!

Cherlyn Michaels Tue Aug 23, 09:51:00 AM EDT  

Thanks so much. And yes, I do feel like I accomplished something yesterday. Any day of writing something is an accomplishment overall. So thanks for your encouragement!

TJ Brown Tue Aug 23, 11:02:00 AM EDT  

bit by bit. And I hear you about entering your characters bodies when you write. I don't do it except for seriously meotional scenes.

I usually start without an outline or plot, but I like creating on when the steam runs out:)
Teri

Cherlyn Michaels Tue Aug 23, 12:51:00 PM EDT  

TJ, I think that's so awesome! I admire writers who are able to write without an outline. I'm in total awe!

gbfhbn Tue Aug 23, 01:10:00 PM EDT  

Hi I just wanted to send you a shout... I saw your name on my boy Foxy's site. I, too, am a writer and its hard trying to get started. Good Luck.. I will look forward to reading what you've written. (ps.. any pointers would be greatly appreciated..) lol [might as well try to network at the same time as saying hi ;)]

qt

Anonymous Tue Aug 23, 01:26:00 PM EDT  

I think you definitely met your goal. I cannot wait to read your first novel in September. It makes me even more captivated to see that the writer is actually feeling these emotions before the words can be put properly to script. Yeah, it would be kind of awkward for a loved one though. He'd probably say, uh uh, she is crazy. It would be his loss though. ;-)

LadyLee Tue Aug 23, 02:26:00 PM EDT  

Cherlyn,
I am enjoying reading your entries about your journey towards finishing your book. I too and writing right now and your thoughts and challenges really inspire me to work harder. I hope to buy your book when it comes out in September.

LadyLee

Cherlyn Michaels Tue Aug 23, 03:54:00 PM EDT  

Hey QT,
Thanks for stopping by! I agree that getting started can be a little hard sometimes. Hey, if you ever want to chat about anything, just drop me a line at cherlyn@cherlynmichaels.com!

Cherlyn Michaels Tue Aug 23, 03:56:00 PM EDT  

Hey Court,
Yeah, I think anybody who's around while I'm writing an emotional scenes would definitely have some thoughts about me! See, that's why I refuse to get married until I can get a house large enough to have an East Wing and a West Wing! LOL

Cherlyn Michaels Tue Aug 23, 03:58:00 PM EDT  

LadyLee,
I'm glad that you're enjoying my blog. Feel free to drop me a line if you ever want to chat about writing. :-) And keep at it (writing!). The payoff in the end will give you such a great feeling. :-)

princessdominique Tue Aug 23, 05:24:00 PM EDT  

We all have our own little zones. I have to write in complete silence, BUT I can only edit with the tv going.

Anonymous Wed Aug 24, 09:19:00 AM EDT  

I usually start writing with no plan at all, but I stop to write a synopsis after three chapters then I sort of try to follow that from there, but I don't always, LOL. Everyone has to find their own process.