I’m learning to write — part one
Some of you may have read previous posts on my blog davidmckwrites.com where I talk about the steps I took in 2019 to become a writer.
In those blog posts, I mention giving up my management role and moving into a low-level, part-time role, so I could be the writer I’ve always wanted to be. I also talk about the importance of calling myself a writer, to make this part of my identity.
Yet there was much more to becoming a writer than merely calling myself a writer.
I knew so little about being a writer. I needed to research how to be a writer, to find resources, and to develop my writing skills to help me be the best writer I could be.
I decided that I would only research the information I needed at that time. By this I mean, I would only research editing when I was ready to start editing. I would only research pitching to agents and publishers when I was reading to start pitching my novel. This decision helped me not get too far ahead of myself while writing my first novel.
At this early stage of my writing career, my research focused on how to write, the pitfalls to avoid, and how to remain focused while writing.
I completed several online writing courses to learn the elements of writing, such as structure, language and plot. I also completed courses in specialist subjects — like dialogue and character development — to ensure I had a solid basis on which to build my story.
I joined Twitter to build a writing network around me, from all over the world. This gave me access to advice and information from other writers’ experiences: the highs and lows of their writing processes, their publishing adventures (whether traditional or independent), and their witty banter about their struggles in being a writer.
I also joined a couple of local writing groups through Meetup. This gave me the opportunity for in-person discussions about writing, with writers of varying experience. As writing is a solitary process, I hoped that having a social outlet with other writers would help me stay committed to my own writing goals.
But the main thing I did, was write.
While researching and completing online courses, I continued to write.
While reading what other writers were doing, I continued to write.
When I hit a blockage in my story and didn’t know how to resolve it, I continued to write (I figured I could fix it later).
When I was getting tired of thinking about my story 24/7, I continued to write.
After six months of pushing myself, I completed the first draft of my first novel: 86,200 words, 320 pages. All written by me. I couldn’t have been prouder.
Next, I did what my research advised — I put my novel away and tried not to think about it. I let it ferment, to hopefully turn into something heady and intoxicating when I came back to it in a month.
While my novel was percolating, I began working on my next writing project - a five-novella series. It just so happened this coincided with the start of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). While my novel matured I wrote the first drafts of the two novellas, building on the momentum completing my first novel had given me.
At the start of December, I put the novellas aside and pulled my novel from the dark. Now it was time to start editing!
Look out for I’m learning to write — part two: 5 things I’m learning while editing my first novel.
