PDA

View Full Version : Diary of a Lunatic [second novel]



Khendon Sevon
Jan 24th, 2007, 11:32:54 PM
Writing one novel wasn't enough. It was fun; but, the amount I can do on my own is over. Now it's up to waiting for my readers (friends) to respond to the copies I gave them.

What should I do in the mean time? I could do homework, study, and play video games. There's the possibility of catching up on my reading.

That's all great.

There's no way I'm going to let myself lounge around like that. Pff.

No. It's on to the next one.

If I'm to achieve anything as a writer I need to take my writing seriously. It's important that I don't drop the ball before my "career" (whatever it may be) even starts a-rollin'. That wouldn't do.

So, this second novel is in the works. By works I really mean slow, lagging pre-construction.

I feel like I'm setting my boot against the brim of my skull and tugging hard at the sticky threads that are within. Every fiber of creativity is a fight that requires a firm grip and the ability to stare into the ugly gaze of demons styling themselves as humans. Drops of thick, salty philosophy mingle with a sprinkling of classic literature and the heady cream of pop culture to provide a sinister foundation that can become overweight and collapse into rubbish at the slightest breeze of insincerity.

Okay, maybe that last paragraph was just some writing practice :) But, it is still meaningful.

My outline is three pages long. It covers about 1/3 of the novel in little detail. I have some good ideas; but, it takes a strong line with many beads to make a perl necklace.

The characters are evolving in my mind, reaching a point where I like them. Still, I need to do more soul searching and meaning finding.

There's no time stamp for this part. I can't give myself two weeks to finish the outline. It has to ferment and become subtle and sweet on its own. Sure, I can add ingredients that will help the process; still, I can't synthesize it or catalyze it in a mechanical sense.

This part is the most organic.

Practice helps. So does natural creativity.

Yet, no matter how many stories you (I) write, they're all unique (or should be) and each is a different beast. There are algorithmic ways to write stories; but, those are meant to be losely followed and never strictly adhered to.

So.

I dream, I soak my mine, and, most important of all, I keep on going.

Khendon Sevon
Mar 8th, 2007, 11:57:56 PM
Hah. "I soak my mine."

Aye, yar. My mine is full of diamonds! Shimmering crystals of dollar-enhancing goodness that will put a shine on anyone's face. Err... metaphorically speaking, that is.

School. Kills. Inspiration.

I have so many projects and junk that working on my outline only happens in starts and stops--kinda' like a mistimed cylinder.

I'm going to spend a week skiing in Vermont and being silly with college buddies. Hopefully that'll infuse me with enough inspiration to *looks around in horror* finish? my outline. I want to at least add a significant amount to it.

I can already say that the story for this new novel is much, much better than my previous. I learned a lot of important lessons from writing my first novel. It'll be good to start writing again.

I can't wait :)

Summer will be busy with classes and programming; but, I plan on spending my free time painting a beautiful portrait of silken words swollen with inspiration and creative color.

Yar.

300 Spartans tomorrow! If seeing that movie doesn't inspire me, I dunno what will.

In truth, Touching the Void is more along the theme/topic/general feel of this new novel. ;)

Khendon Sevon
Mar 3rd, 2008, 04:02:20 PM
And, wow. That took forever.

In fact, it took 150 hand written pages and two ink cartridges for my pen along with 62 note cards. (Only re-picked up this idea and evolved it a few months ago after having dropped it for a different idea).

But, guess what?

The structure and basic outline of the novel idea that was born so long ago is finally done.

Now, I just have to do a stronger outline of the chapters and I'm ready to get this beast written.

Lilaena De'Ville
Mar 3rd, 2008, 04:11:50 PM
Congrats! :)

I have my Nanowrimo novel still to finish. :uhoh The hubby is impatient for the royalty checks to start rolling in. ;)

Good luck on getting started on writing it. :)

Khendon Sevon
Mar 3rd, 2008, 11:52:23 PM
Writing will be the easy part ;)

The hard part is getting my outline finalized. I have a first draft of the outline now; but, it'll probably go through a few more before I start actually writing.

There's no rush to do the writing. That's the easy part once everything else is done.

Mu Satach
Mar 4th, 2008, 01:36:17 AM
Ugh... outlines. >_<

Congrats on hammering out the structure! =)

I've got to force myself to sit down and to the same on something I'm working on. Have the 1st act complete, know where the 3rd act should end, it's bridging the gap I keep procrastinating on.

Just need to set aside time each day to work on it, something I don't do very well.

Khendon Sevon
Mar 4th, 2008, 09:08:07 AM
It helps, in my opinion, if you keep a journal with you all day.

Whenever an idea pops in your head or you're bored, open it up and start writing. Or read over what you've written and make comments in the margins.

It's nice for getting down those ideas that flash into your brain while reading or watching TV or a movie.