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Enjoy the journey

29/10/2012

2 Comments

 
Picture
It's a few years since I decided to write a novel. Carrying around in my head that alternative reality and typing all those words felt at times overwhelming. I imagine those people who decide to train for a marathon have similar periods of wondering what on earth they were thinking of.
For some writers and runners, one is enough. Nowadays, everyone has an opportunity to publish too. The internet is the writer's best friend. However, if you want to get a novel published in the traditional sense then to some extent the internet has made it more difficult. But you could be thinking, she would say that, wouldn't she? As she's still not published. True, but you'd be wrong to think I was miserable.
My writing journey has been amazing. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. My first novel feels a long time ago and embarrassingly bad but it wasn't altogether awful. I can look at it now as I do a student's. There's promise and good ideas but it needs work. I didn't know the craft of novel writing then (and I've still much to learn) so I'm rewriting it from scratch. It'll be my fourth novel and I already feel more settled in myself because without a novel on the go, I feel a bit bereft.
The journey of a novel is long and will take you to an interesting destination. If luck gets on my train, then maybe my destination will be publication but I'm keeping my eye on the splendid view along the way.


2 Comments
Elizabeth Ducie link
30/10/2012 03:54:17 am

Wonderfully positive attitude, Cathy - and good advice for those of us who are taking the same journey.

Reply
Cathie
30/10/2012 09:03:51 am

Thanks, Elizabeth. It hasn't exactly been party party all the way, but the kind and generous people I have met as well as the constant delight in learning how to write more competently has made it very worth while. Although, having said that, it would be nice to earn a little money at some point!

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  • Home
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    • 2024 Exeter Novel Prize
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    • 2022 Exeter Story Prize & Trisha Ashley Award >
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    • 2019 Exeter Story Prize and Trisha Ashley Award >
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