It's great to be excited about writing again.

I have been working on my second manuscript. Thinking things through, sending the first part through a critique group, enjoying the creative process, getting irritated that I don't know what should come next, or since I think I know what should come next if that is really what I want in that particular location, reading a book on how to make the best of your story by putting the right things in, in the right place, in the right amount. (boy that was a long sentence that my critique group would tell me to fix right away.)

Anyway, I have read over it and over it many times, and have discovered that printing it out and actually being able to see it on paper is so much different than just seeing it on the computer screen. I have been reluctant to print it since I don't want to waste the paper or ink on something I'll have to throw away eventually, but I must say, it has been really helpful.

I'm seeing the story with almost fresh eyes. And once I finish tackling the last 20 written pages, I feel like I know where to take the story again. I knew where I wanted it to end, but there are a few places throughout that have just sort of been cloudy to me. Now with the help of the book I read, (Larry Brooks, Story Engineering: the Six Core Competencies of writing) I know that it isn't in terrible shape, but with just a few tweeks and rearranging a couple of things, it has lots of potential.

My goal is to get the entire thing finished by June 15th. So I'm going to do that by writing every day for at least 30 minutes. And then I'll do the 15th through the 30th on an edit. Then I'll put the thing away for a month and work on something else so when I come back to it, I'll see it through new eyes, and do another edit.

It's great to be excited about writing again.

Laura

Writers need other writers.

So I got to go to a writers conference last weekend. It was very good.

There were classes on all kinds of things relating to writing. Some were about the mechanics, plot, character development, conflict, and so on. Others were about blogging, (which I missed since I unfortunately couldn't be in two places at once). Some were about adding romance to your story, some were about how to get published. Some were about how to write the perfect villain, and believe me that was a fun class. There were panels from actual agents and editors who answered questions about what will get your manuscript out of the slush pile, and what will be thrown away before they even get past the first page.

The thing that amazed me the most about all the conferences for writers I've been to is that writers are normal people. Even the best selling ones. They are kind and want others to succeed so are very willing to share the tricks of the trade. They cheer for you in your successes, and also help you move past your failures, since they've been there too.

I really think every writer needs to have other writers to be their friends, mentors, supports, and even their critics. No one knows a writer like another writer. Family and friends are definitely important, but a writer needs more writers to associate with. I'm so glad I'm starting to meet more of them.

Laura

ps. here is a link to another writers blog who interviewed one of the presenters. Check it out here.

I'm on twitter.

I really am.

So what does that mean? I don't know, but I'm going to find out. Maybe someone will teach me. Maybe someone will follow me. Maybe I'll be in the world of tweets without much to tweet about. Maybe I'll tweet too much and people will stop following me.

What ever it means, I'm ready to experience it all.

If you have advice, or knowledge or something else to share with me about twitter, like where and how to follow you, make a comment and let me know.

lauradbastian is my twitter name.

Laura