In September I joined up with Tristi Pinkston for a BIAM challenge. I was quite excited to join the group and motivate myself to get some serious writing done.
When I started, I knew what I wanted to write, and had even done most of the outlining on it. Well, I learned very quickly that too much outlining kills my desire to tell the story. But I kept plugging away at it. I hit about 9000 words when I realized there was more to the problem. I did some more looking at my work and realized that I was telling it from the wrong point-of-view. Once I started thinking in a different POV, the story came alive for me.
It was a little frustrating to put the 9000 words away and start again, but I think the story will be better for it. Of course, as soon as I figured that out and started working in that direction, I had to put all writing aside to be with my family while we coped with tragedy.
Now I am back and having a hard time getting into the writing groove again. (There is a lot of wisdom in the advice to write every day.) So here I am at the end of the BIAM challenge with 9000 words that I won't use, and 2484 that I might use. I didn't get as far as I wanted to, but I did learn quite a bit about the story and how I write best. So all-in-all, the month was well spent, and I think I can sit down and get on with the novel that is just crying to get out.
I will be signing up for NaNoWriMo next month, and Tristi is doing another BIAM in January that I am looking forward to. I love to keep challenging myself, and doing a BIAM is a fun way to do it.
8 comments:
Well, if it helps . . .
I wrote two whole books in the wrong POV and ended up going back to change it. Sometimes we don't know how to approach a story until we really get into it.
Hey good for you for going for the challenge. Life does seem to get in the way of my word count quite often too. I always feel so good when I can write though. I am also a SAHM and so we have to pat ourselves on the back constantly and say, "Hey, that concoction dripping off the high chair might inspire a sci-fi adventure someday!"
I agree - a great challenge and a month well spent. Can't wait to read your story when it is full-told!
If we don't take the challenge, we'll never know if we can do it. It is all a learning process anyway. Every day is a good day if I have learned something.
My WIP has changed POV more times than I care to admit. It will probably change at least two more. :-)
Doing the BIAM was great, as much for the opportunity to learn about other writers as the motivation to write consistently. Good luck with NaNoWriMo, and I'm also planning on being at Tristi's come January.
Way to go, Stephanie. You accomplished a ton, word count nothwithstanding. Just uncovering the layers of what the story needs is huge.
Unfortunately, I need to put it aside for awhile as I finish getting another one ready to submit. But I will get back to it soon.
I'm happy to have you as a fellow cheerleader and inspiration. Even though I didn't complete my full goal in the BIAM challenge- I still did it. Because of that I'm finally in my groove.
Keep up the good work.;) I look forward to reading up on your progress for the book you are submitting as well as the your WIP. Good luck!
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