For much of July, as in previous months, I’ve been concentrating on the usual writing project, so I haven’t posted anything here since July’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, Changes.
Having moved house in the last few days of June into our new home in Nampa, Idaho, we have been adapting from a two-bedroom home to a bedroom and bathroom in my wife’s second son’s new home, bought with some of the money from our house sale. As with our last house, we are still waiting for some items to reappear, especially paintings on the bare walls, to make our room seem more like home.
The UK might have a lower GDP than the US, but back there we were not being driven into poverty by medical bills. No wonder my heart is still in North Wales.
On the writing side, I’m slowly revising my North Wales police procedural, Fates Maelstrom. Having finished a chapter-by-chapter outline with improved plotlines, I continue to revise my 2018 draft. Except I already see too much talking and not enough action. Do I need another murder?
However, I can’t abandon my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights, which remains on hold, probably until there is a just peace and an end to the horrendous war.
Slava Ukraini
Heroiam slava!
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Every month, IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG posts. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
August 5 question – As a writer/author what is something you regret? Or something that you wish you’d done differently in your writing process?
“Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention…“
Correction: I’ve got more than a few regrets, but I can’t list them all.
On the writing front, my biggest regret is starting too many projects and not finishing enough of them. I admit that part of the problem is getting crazy ideas and needing to turn them into a draft novel. Well, after publishing one novel, I produced ten draft novels and two incomplete drafts.
However, looking back, most of these have arisen out of NaNoWriMo. For too many years, I used this to create a new project every year, rather than returning to projects that had mileage. Here’s a chronological list to show the extent of the problem:
NaNoWriMo 2011 – THE LAST LEAF. Developed from an IWSG Anthology entry.
NaNoWriMo 2012 – WYRM BLOOD. Sequel to a thriller penned in 2011.
NaNoWriMo 2013 – TORTUOUS TERRAIN. The sequel to my 2013 debut novel Spiral of Hooves.
NaNoWriMo 2015 – FATES MAELSTROM. Snowdon Shadows series Book 2. Started in 2012, then relocated to North Wales in November 2015.
NaNoWriMo 2016 – EAGLE PASSAGE. My Viking Alternative History developed from an IWSG Anthology entry.
NaNoWriMo 2017 – RUINED RETREAT. Snowdon Shadows series Book 4.
NaNoWriMo 2018 – FEVERED FEW short story collection now revised a year later.
NaNoWriMo 2019 – FEVERED FUSE. The revised version of ‘Fevered Few’, with a revamped title, an amended plot and new scenes. Snowdon Shadows series Book 1.
NaNoWriMo 2023 – FREEDOM FLIGHTS SHORTS Pre-Korean War
On November 2, 2022, I posted #IWSG – NaNoWriMo Challenge, which gives a different perspective on my NaNoWriMo outings. Earlier, in 2019, I also recorded my total word counts each year in Nano Notches.
It’s interesting looking back to realise how many draft novels I regret abandoning when another idea dragged me in a new direction. I even remember draft novels that weren’t NaNoWriMo projects – two, at least:
‘Seeking A Knife’, Book 3 in the Snowdon Shadows series, which is incomplete and needs previous books to establish Sparkle Anwyl. ‘Wyrm Bait’ is the mystery that preceded Wyrm Blood, and I regret filing it away after detailed comments from a reputable and published British editor, who was positive while suggesting a logical approach to the rewrite.
What is my biggest regret… after leaving North Wales? Not promoting ‘Spiral of Hooves’ enough, so I’d choose to work on the sequel set partly in Idaho, ‘Tortuous Terrain’.
While that’s difficult to fix, I can regret and revise Eagle Passage as an Alternative History with current themes woven into a Heroine’s Journey plotline which might be a more interesting sell than yet another police procedural that lacks action.
Or am I totally wrong? Or just getting distracted and confused?
The awesome co-hosts for the August 5 posting of the IWSG are Shannon Lawrence, Diedre Knight, Liza, and Pat Garcia!
Finally, don’t forget to visit other writers via the IWSG site for their invaluable insights on writing:
Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and our hashtag is #IWSG.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Writing Wings 