When you mentioned the case of george Saunders, on finding his own voice and feeling comfortable with the way he writes, that was a huge inspiration. Of course, the way you persevere with your own writing process and you achievements, was also inspiring. Cheers!

Comments:
1. What have I already done to advance my skills? When in college (1970) I took a creative writing course focused on poetry, submitted to a publication called “GOB”, had several poems accepted, eventually served as an editor on that publication. Had works accepted by the Literary magazine in both HS and college. Took courses from Writers Digest University (Fiction Writing, Novel Writing). I’ve read probably 50-60 books on writing (my favorites were by Larry Brooks (Story Engineering, Story Physics, Story Fix) although I also enjoyed “Writing the Bones”. I have read hundreds, probably thousands, of books of all kinds: classics, novels, poetry, biographies, scifi, mysteries, romances, literary, thrillers, westerns, horror. Favorite authors have been Chrichton, Michener, Koontz, Orson Scott Card, A. Merritt and dozens of classical authors. I have “studied” some of them for pacing, character studies, plot lines.
2. What makes me most proud? I truly enjoy writing for the sheer pleasure of seeing something that seems worthwhile emerge. I enjoyed reading my poetry in public years ago and on a radio for an hour or so. I have enjoyed self-publishing (poetry, short stories, non-fiction and essayish) although I have not followed through with public readings or an internet presence to promote these. I’ve enjoyed NaNoWriMo novel-writing for the last two years (The Smell of Truth, Shattered) and writing novels the two years prior to learning about NaNoWriMo (Colors, Hardstone). I submitted Colors to one publisher and received my one and only rejection and I had an ex-editor from a big publisher, my daughter in law, read Hardstone and although she did make some grammatical corrections, she admitted that the character did not engage her (and I can see that in retrospect).
3. Questions/struggles: I find that can write moving moments that elicit empathy and can develop what seems to me complex characters (often too many lately), but have difficulty developing dark antagonists and action scenes. I don’t do badly with dialogue and I can create or envision a strong and dramatic premise that is capable of supporting the plot of a full-length novel. I can write 50K words of a novel in a month within a four-part architecture, but when I write at that pace, I do not spend time on pacing, engaging the reader, character arcs etc. In my current work, I know what has to happen theoretically, but have not attacked it in a sufficiently concrete way to see if it actually works. I don’t mind investing the time to go back and rework it, and I find that each day I get new insights as to how the theme is weaving throughout the story plot. I watch the patience my wife has when she works on a quilt or on a knitting or crocheting piece, sometimes tearing out a completely finished work because she finds a section that was not done properly, and reworking it, and it encourages me to apply the same diligence and careful technique to my writing. I would like to edit the drafts of these 2-4 novels and submit them to traditional publishers to be published and I don’t mind spending the time to do it well. At this point, even I can see major flaws to work on. When that is no longer the case, then I may consider seeking professional help to further polish each story. I appreciate these three videos and I thank you for making them available.

Your videos were excellent! I look forward to hearing more from you.

Vickie Owens

Thank you, Joan, for sharing your knowledge in such a generous way. It warms my heart to see writers helping writers.
As a writer uncertain of my abilities, I fear i have overdosed on “how-to” books. I seem to be paralyzed. I am such a self critic that I never finish anything. I believe I have done a good job of taking advantage of workshops, classes, etc., because i live in Spartanburg, SC, a true literary town. Throughout the year Hub City Publications brings in authors for readings at the indie book store Hub City Book Shop; Hub City sponsors writing classes at the Spartanburg Library throughout the year; and Hub City puts on Writing in Place, a writing conference held at Wofford College in Spartanburg every summer. I participate in as many as I can, and I always learn from them. Such a wealth of opportunity for writers doesn’t exist in most hometowns. I am so proud of my city! Yet, I wonder if I’ve created a monster, a perpetual student who busies herself with classes, workshops, critique groups, books on how it’s done, and the like, but who never gets around to writing anything, and if she does start something, never finishes it because she’s stumped on the plot or the writing just seems so amateurish that she tears it up in disgust and embarrassment. Having a few short stories published added to the mix, since that was years ago, and nothing’s been accepted since. Maybe I’m self sabotaging. If I don’t finish, I can’t submit. If I don’t submit, I don’t get rejected.
Thanks again for your wise words. You have given me much to think about.
Betty Snow

The confidence building of no time for editing and revision is also worth attempting.

In 2004, I started writing a “spiritual” blog during the 12 Holy Nights between December 25 and January 6…Christmas and Epiphany in the Christian view. I wrote each message in the mood of each day in the moment. I just had to trust the inspiration. In spite of the occasional typos, it’s worked and I have a loyal worldwide audience who have followed me for years. This is creative nonfiction. However…the forgiving good enough, no time for revision success had made me reluctant to do the hard work of producing a book.

I recommend the show-up and deliver confidence I have developed over 13 years of success. But I know to produce my books I need a different confidence…the confidence of revision.

Joan, these videos have been very grounding. Thank you.