It’s been while since my last update, and honestly the thought did cross my mind to blow this off, but that wouldn’t be very helpful now would it? For the 1 of you out there that might read this, trying to figure out if you want to try writing, posting my process could be beneficial. Regardless, it serves as accountability and motivation for me, so here I am. Okay, enough rambling.
Since my last update, I have officially started writing my first novel. Exciting, I know. I decided on a topic that I’m knowledgable about to make the process a whole lot easier – bikers. At first, I cranked out a handful of pages out of sheer excitement and so I could honestly say that I had officially started writing. Then I hit a wall. I got stuck in one spot for months and didn’t know what to do about it. I ended one scene but wasn’t sure how to get to the next one. A writer friend advised me to skip ahead and start writing the next scene, then I could always go back and bridge the gap between the two once my mind was back on track. That’s all it took.
In the last 2 months my progress has really taken off. Initially, I set a soft deadline in my head of 1 year from start to finish. Realistically I don’t see myself hitting that goal and I don’t have a back-up deadline in mind, but with the progress I’ve made recently I think I could finish this in the not-too-distant future. The secret is to just write. That was a key point in my last update, but evidently I forgot somewhere along the way. Write something every day. It doesn’t have to be much at all, but by writing every day then hopefully you can keep your brain in a sort of rhythm and stay connected to your project.
A problem I’ve had is going spans of time between writing, so then when I try to pick it back up I have to re-read what I have done to refresh myself and know what has happened already. By the time I finish re-reading everything I’ve run out of time to write anything new. By staying connected, you won’t waste that time and will be able to make a lot more progress in a lot less time. Basically what I’m trying to say (again) is, “just write.”
Another issue of mine is simply staying focused. My brain is constantly wandering to new ideas, making it very difficult to stay on the task at hand. I have tried to use that as an advantage but it’s very tricky. When I do get in a rut and am not sure what to write, then it can be refreshing to let my mind wander to other projects and new ideas. Once I get them all down, then I can return to my novel reinvigorated with a clear mind. I do try to limit how much I work on side projects though to only brainstorming and prewriting – I really don’t want to have 3 novels started, because the likelihood of finishing any of them drops significantly and even if I do finish them it will take 3 times as long. That seems to be my biggest problem – I think I’m more of an “idea man” instead of a “take care of business” kind of guy. Coming up with new ideas is no problem…sitting down and writing it all out (boring stuff included) is the hard part. (Though I assume that’s not a problem that only I experience.) Currently I have ideas for 6 novels and 4 unfinished short stories. Yeah, I know.
I guess I need to take my own advice, and just keep writing.
Thank you, that is all.
CK Fiction 
Hey there! Thanks for the update Chas, no matter what I am one of your biggest fans! Good advice for all, once upon a time I wanted to be a write, too. I was pretty good at short stuff, but I too suffer from an inability to focus, and lack of consistency.
I’m so proud of you. You always had so much passions to add to your many skills.