Wednesday, November 6, 2013

IWSG: Trying Something New

 
Wow, I really don't know where October went. Halloween is typically a busy month for bloggers and those who write paranormal. Had a really good time, though.

Today is Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. Thank you to Alex Cavanaugh for hosting, and his helpers at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group for co-hosting: CD Coffelt, Tina Downey, Isis Rushdan, and Michelle Wallace!

This is probably silly, but I'm going to say it anyway. My latest insecurity has to do with writing something new. Since I'm writing a series, I write the same characters, with the same themes. I have two books published, and a third of my novella series completed - but they're with the same characters. I know them. I'm comfortable with them.

Well, me being me, I've said that I'll participate in an anthology with my Untethered Realms group and I'm sort of freaking out. I don't know what to write. I've only written the Indigo Eady Paranormal Mystery series! What if I'm not able to write other characters? What if I do write something new and the characters are the same as in the series? I really want to write something new, perhaps a prequel that would work as an introduction to a new series...

Like I said, it's just silly, but any advice you have is welcome.

What about you? Any insecurities this month?

29 comments:

  1. I'd only been working on one book for almost 10 years. I just started a new project but it's going slow because I haven't looked at a blank page in so long. I finally just started writing. And it did work. Hope you figure out how to get going too.

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    1. Thanks, Natalie. I actually started just writing down notes. The more I wrote, the more ideas I got. It was very exciting!

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  2. I love exploring new characters, so I can't help. Except to say, it might help to have the story in mind before you populate it - sometimes the characters develop from the situation. Good luck though!

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    1. Annalisa, that's a great idea. Just started writing story ideas and now I feel better about what kind of characters I might need to tell the story.

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  3. Time On Her Side, a short story is out there. So yeah...I've got insecurities. It didn't help that my biggest fan and critic read it. My dad. He wanted to know where the rest of the story was.

    As for writing something different...doesn't scare me. I've got more characters and issues than you could shake a stick at. You can do this. I know you can.

    Hugs and chocolate!

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    1. LOL, some people do have that reaction to short stories. Thanks, Shelly :)

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  4. I have the opposite problem. LOL! You can do it. Just start writing free association-style and something will show up that you like.

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    1. That seems to be the general consensus, River. I'm definitely going to try it.

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  5. I have the exact same problem. I am not good at writing on demand and am totally insecure about the anthology. Glad I'm not alone!

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    1. Julie, I guess that's why we belong to the IWSG! Glad I'm not alone.

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  6. You can write new characters, that's what we do as writers. But I know how hard it is to take that leap and create a new soul. I find that it's really helpful to do freewrites when I'm at that stage.

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    1. I'm hearing freewrites are the way to go. Definitely going to do it, Catherine.

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  7. I started a new project only to abandon it as I am rewriting an older one. You can do it, Gwen, it may look difficult but once you start nothing can stop you.

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    1. I will feel much better after I start, Rachna. I'm a plotster, though, and get totally stressed if I don't have all my ducks in a row. LOL.

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  8. I know how you feel as I face starting something new as well. It's all so unfamiliar. Maybe we can feed off the excitement of the newness though?

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    1. That's right, Alex, you've only written a series, too. Glad to know you're going to continue with your writing. You had great success with the first series, I'm sure you'll do well with the next one.

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  9. Aww! You'll do great with the anthology. Besides, you don't have to write something new, if you don't want to. You can write a short story about Indigo or a side character. You can even pick a chapter from your work that's already written that will fit the theme and tweak it into a short story. There's a lot of options out there. :)

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    1. Wow, thanks for the ideas, Cherie. I will try that if I can't make something new work.

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  10. is there a theme?
    and you can write other characters, you add new ones in your books! do what feels right!

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    1. I think I'll stick with the same theme-ish, Tara. I gotta have ghosts and stuff, lol.

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  11. Find something you enjoy that has nothing to do with your current series and start from there. I was inspired to write 'Briar's Dilemma' through a Snapple Quote on Kelley Lynn's blog about 'Bullfrogs being the only animal that never sleeps'. It got me thinking about what a never sleeping animal would do which eventually led to guardians, princes, evil dolphins and...well since you visit my blog you should have an idea. Anything can inspire you to write something new.

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    1. Sheena-kay, I did think about doing steampunk, which I know next to nothing about. I would like to try something more "dangerous."

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  12. Writing something new can be scary, but also a ton of fun. Let your creativity take over. Characters usually pop up in my head. The bothersome ones I write or at least jot down for later. Ideas and characters can be found anywhere, but a fun way to discover is going through Pinterest or Google Images. Searching for themes such as "girl alone in woods" will bring up a ton of images to boost an idea or character. Check out this! Look at the little girl in red (curly ginger hair) in the woods, hiding behind a tree from a big, burly guy!! https://www.google.com/search?q=images&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=17t7UoidLZHpkAf2hYBI&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=775#q=girl+alone+in+woods&tbm=isch. Sorry for the long link, but I thought it was a cool set of haunting images... :)

    Oh! I suggested another IWSG member contact you about your editing services. :)

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  13. Hi Gwen,

    I do understand you've been eagerly waiting for a comment from me. Or something like that:) I think of writing something new, using a different genre is an exciting challenge. I believe that variety is a great way to get the inspiration refreshed. Enjoy and be comfortable with the idea, my friend.

    Gary :)

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  14. What helps me is starting with a single character. More than plot, start writing them from a personality perspective. Describe them physically, give them attitude, etc. But not as a "list", actually put them in a setting. Could be a coffee house, a subway station--whatever.

    Usually, after a couple of paragraphs I start entertaining myself and think, "This guy would be awesome as a dragon slayer!" … or something. :)

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  15. You will do just fine. E J is right: starting with a single character will springboard the rest of the book in your mind if you just mull in your mind for a time. :-)

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  16. I always worry that my characters will be the same to the reader. So, I try to think of real people to model them after and pretty soon they become their own and hardly ever resemble the real humans I started with.

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  17. I have the opposite worry. I've always written different characters. Yet I'm now planning a trilogy, and I don't know if I'll be able to keep my characters fresh.

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  18. People always seem the same, you just have to get to know them, figure out what they're about ;)

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