Wednesday, May 2, 2018

IWSG~The Road To Wisdom & A Favor

I was going through old posts the other day and found this one. I've pasted it below for your convenience. It was a perfect find for me with what's been going on with my writing, lately. In short, I've been working on this manuscript for just over ten months. I'm at the end. I can see the homestretch - the last four chapters. But then, out of nowhere, I realize that I've veered so far off from my original main plot that I must go back to the beginning to restate and reinforce the main plot. 

#GRRR!!!

My brain was already done with this manuscript and had already mentally sent it to my editor. 

After sound advice from some amazing author peeps I know what I must do - rewrite the synopsis alongside the manuscript to see where the holes are and to alter the main plot. Then I can finish the last four chapters and send it off. 

Here's that post I found from 2015. 
(💙And please scroll to the end of this post. I have a favor of support to ask of you.)

***⏯
Writerly Wisdom Wednesdays, posted on the third Wednesday of the month, is a regular meme for writers to share lessons they've learned along their path to publication and beyond. I haven't used it in forever. But I noticed that last year was tough on a lot of us, so I decided to bring it back to the forefront. Feel free to join me! The only requirement is that the post be brief. 

image credit
There are days when all seems bright and airy. Then again, some are filled with doom and gloom. And with the fast-pace of life today, the two can sometimes blur. The one certain we have is the current moment we're living in. Right now. Yeah, that one. Other than that nothing is assured. 

A multitude of variables bombard us each day that influence, affect, and change our activities, goals, attitudes, and motivations. I don't know about you, but every time I think my day is going smoothly WHAM! the unexpected happens. Wisdom: The unexpected really should be expected. 

Although this quote could be relative to many people in numerous different walks of life, it is a hard-fast truth for writers. I could spend a dozen posts on methods of deciding whether to remain steadfast with a manuscript or shelf it; that will be for another day. The most valuable lesson I've learned about writing is that loving the craft will not always feel good. It's sacrifice.

💙Quick plea before I ask my IWSG post question💙

Marked Beauty is a finalist in the 2018 Maine Romance Writers 'Strut Your Stuff' Awards!!! I'm super excited because this is the first local award my work has been considered for. 
Could you take a moment to give my debut YA novel blurb & then cover a 5 Star vote each? Voting is open until May 4th. 
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YRQSRNW 
***Being a finalist puts me in the Reader's Choice round. The three finalist books are not being judged in comparison to each other. They are being judged individually by their own merit, presentation, & book blurb. I can't thank you enough for your support!

So tell me IWSG readers: what's the wisest writing or life advice you've been given? 

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40 comments:

  1. Crystal CollierMay 2, 2018 at 7:55 AM

    It really is a sacrifice. Anything we choose in this life means letting go of other things, and it all becomes a question of priority.

    Wishing you sanity on the tail end of this manuscript!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.A. LarsenッMay 2, 2018 at 12:59 PM

      Thank you.

      Very true statement - "It comes to priorities."

      Delete
  2. Jennifer HawesMay 2, 2018 at 9:36 AM

    Congrats on becoming a finalist!! It's such a wonderful feeling to experience the good side of publishing. A synopsis is a great way to find and fix plot holes. Good luck to you!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Donna K. WeaverMay 2, 2018 at 9:45 AM

    Best writing advice? Never give up if this is truly what you want to do.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Michelle WallaceMay 2, 2018 at 9:52 AM

    There are so many nuggets that I've come across on this turbulent writing journey... but just recently, this one resonated: "Don't compare your progress with that of others. We all need our own time, to travel our own distance."
    Happy IWSG Day, Sheri!
    Good luck with the manuscript!
    Writer In Transit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.A. LarsenッMay 2, 2018 at 1:10 PM

      "...to travel our own distance." I absolutely love that. Thank you for sharing it!

      Delete
  5. Chrys FeyMay 2, 2018 at 9:55 AM

    I've had that happen with older projects. Mostly when I started to revise it, though, and change something and then everything has to be changed. lol Plotting and chapter outlines help me to stay on track.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.A. LarsenッMay 2, 2018 at 1:00 PM

      Yeah, I veered so far off my original main plot that now I think I'll keep this as a book II and take parts that apply to that original plot and make it a book III. It will eventually work out, once I figure out how to put all the pieces together. lol

      Delete
  6. Christine RainsMay 2, 2018 at 10:03 AM

    This is such great advice. I must remind myself often that hard work will be worth it in the end. I voted! :) Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.A. LarsenッMay 2, 2018 at 1:01 PM

      Oh wow! Thank you for voting. I really appreciate it.

      Delete
  7. Beverly Stowe McClureMay 2, 2018 at 10:22 AM

    Writing is not easy, but it's worth every minute when you can finally see The End and know it's done. Good luck to you. I voted.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.A. LarsenッMay 2, 2018 at 1:02 PM

      Thank you for voting!

      Yes, I'm extremely anxious to type THE END.

      Delete
  8. L. Diane WolfeMay 2, 2018 at 10:40 AM

    Like any relationship, some days it just sucks. But if it's to work, we stick with it.

    One thing I heard years ago has always stuck with me - "If the dream's big enough, the facts don't count."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.A. LarsenッMay 2, 2018 at 1:03 PM

      Now that is a fantastic quote. I'm jotting that down. Thank you.

      Delete
  9. Jemi FraserMay 2, 2018 at 10:43 AM

    Voted! :)
    I've got a story sitting and waiting while I figure out a big Oops! that needs to be fixed before I can finish it off as well - it's driving me batty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.A. LarsenッMay 2, 2018 at 1:04 PM

      Oh goes! I so get it! This has been driving me batty, too. Here's to both of us finishing our books and finding our sanity again.

      Thank you for voting!

      Delete
  10. cleemckenzieMay 2, 2018 at 11:22 AM

    Great job, Sheri. Congratulations on those awards. You've worked darned hard and now it's paying off. Good for you. Off to vote.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.A. LarsenッMay 2, 2018 at 1:06 PM

      That's very nice of you to say. You know, it's funny. It seems every new writing level I aspire to leads me to the next and leaves me less appreciative of the level I just conquered.

      Thank you for voting!

      Delete
  11. Alex J. CavanaughMay 2, 2018 at 12:20 PM

    Very true! The unexpected shouldn't surprise anyone.
    Off to vote.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.A. LarsenッMay 2, 2018 at 1:07 PM

      When I read that back to myself it makes me laugh. A real play on words.

      Thank you for voting!

      Delete
  12. emaginetteMay 2, 2018 at 2:07 PM

    If anyone can do both at the same time, it's you. Good Luck. Who knows what you'll discover. ;-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.A. LarsenッMay 2, 2018 at 2:41 PM

      This is so incredibly nice of you to say. I'm actually blown away by your confidence in me. Thank you so much! It's writing fuel.

      Delete
  13. Cherie ReichMay 2, 2018 at 2:53 PM

    Congrats on being a finalist! Best of luck with your manuscript!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Angela BrownMay 2, 2018 at 6:00 PM

    Woot! Dancing a jig in advance that you will "strut your stuff" all the way to the win!

    And I love what you shared today. There are so many things that seem unexpected, yet they shouldn't. Something to really think about.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Natalie AguirreMay 2, 2018 at 9:06 PM

    Congrats on being a finalists. Good luck with the revisions. Hopefully they will make those last four chapters stronger.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.A. LarsenッMay 3, 2018 at 9:47 AM

      Thanks, Natalie! It's kind of funny. After finishing the new synopsis, I've realized that I have a new book II that should take place before the original book II I'd had outlined. So I actually have book II set for an edit/revision session - not a complete rewrite, and almost half of book III written. Maybe my original mistake was worth it. LOL

      Delete
  16. mshatchMay 2, 2018 at 9:19 PM

    I voted (love the cover - so pretty!), crossing my fingers for you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.A. LarsenッMay 3, 2018 at 9:49 AM

      Thanks so much, Marcy! I really appreciate the support.

      Delete
  17. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyMay 3, 2018 at 12:29 AM

    Good luck with that homestretch :)
    Voted!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Juneta keyMay 3, 2018 at 10:38 AM

    Wishing you the best. Voted.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Diane BurtonMay 3, 2018 at 1:27 PM

    Congrats on being a finalist. Wishing you all the best.

    ReplyDelete
  20. JEN GarrettMay 4, 2018 at 11:56 AM

    What's weird is how much advice seems to contradict, but in actuality makes sense when taken together. For example,
    "Write what you know."
    "Don't write about life. Your life is boring."
    "Let your life inspire your writing."
    "I hate to break it to you, but you're just not that interesting."
    "You have to write out the boring parts of life - don't do a play-by-play."
    "Just write. Write a bunch of badly written stuff."
    "Start with the stuff from your own life."
    "The real writing is in the revising."
    "Art reflects life, it doesn't mimic it."
    "Writing is easy - just cross out all the wrong words."

    (See what I mean?)

    ReplyDelete
  21. DMSMay 5, 2018 at 8:07 PM

    Congrats on being a finalist. How exciting. I am just seeing this now and the voting is closed. Otherwise I would have helped you out. :)
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
  22. Nick WilfordMay 6, 2018 at 4:24 AM

    I'm so sorry! I got here too late to vote. But I'll send the best of luck anyway.

    That doesn't sound like a good feeling initially, realising that there is so much to change, but knowing it's what will make this manuscript great is the light at the end of the tunnel. I agree, being a writer means a total rollercoaster of emotions from one minute to the next.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.A. LarsenッMay 7, 2018 at 11:54 AM

      No worries, Nick. Thank you for the luck!

      It is nice knowing there's light way down at the end of the tunnel. LOL

      Delete
  23. Sherry EllisMay 7, 2018 at 10:37 AM

    I got here too late to vote, too. Sorry. But I hope it did well. That's so awesome that your book was considered!

    Yep. The unexpected always happens. Like Murphy's Law. I guess you just have to go with the flow.

    ReplyDelete
  24. S.A. LarsenッMay 7, 2018 at 11:49 AM

    This writing advice is perfect, Jen! Thank you for the reminder. I, too, tend to stress over my ideas. I have this deep need to get things right. But sometimes, in order to get them right, we have to get them wrong first. So . . . just get it written. Very wise!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Michael Di GesuMay 9, 2018 at 8:53 AM

    Sorry, Sheri, me, too. I would have voted for sure.

    Congrats on the nomination! I hope it won! Your writing is wonderful and you have already achieved so much, You're already a WINNER!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete

!SPLAT Your Awesomeness! I'd love to hear from you!

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