After 37 years of saying I'm going to write a novel....

[lurkedtoolong]

I'm actually going to do it. As long as I can remember I've said that I wanted to write a novel. I've started countless stories and given up two or three days in. Part of it has been laziness and lack of preparation but the biggest problem is lack of confidence in myself. I keep asking what if my writing is no good? What if no-one likes it?

Thanks to my wonderful DH talking everything over with me and making me actually come up with a plan I'm now seriously excited and getting on with it. I've set myself an approximate word count and a rough daily target of 2000 words.

I suppose I'm just telling as many people as I can so that it's actually real rather than just something I do in secret so can give up on easily.

[TunipTheVegedude]

This is brilliant. We can nag you if you like.

The main thing to remember is that a first draft is allowed to be as imperfect as you like. Switch off your inner editor and just write your words, don't be tempted to start worrying or criticising what you've written.

What genre is it?

[lurkedtoolong]

Nagging is always welcome.

I'm doing my best at just writing and writing and not worrying about how polished it is at the moment. Any editing can be done at the end of the process. I've even changed one of the locations from the first chapter and not gone back to correct it.

It's a kind of thriller, but not a out and out crime story.

[KeatsiePie]

Hi! Congratulations on getting started!!

Just found this forum. I'm working on a novel too. Some days (today) it is very hard, sort of unendingly hard, but I don't want to stop at all, just wish I were better at pushing through the blocks

I don't normally do word counts, but about how many pages per day is your goal?

[lurkedtoolong]

Thanks, it's all very exciting. You must feel it too. Haven't hit any real blocks yet but only been going a week. I'm expecting to come up to a block at some point though.

It works out at about 3 and a half. I'm on day 8 and page 30. I'm not strictly sticking to my targets but if I don't have any then my natural laziness will lead to me wandering off. A target helps to keep me on the straight and narrow.

[KeatsiePie]

30 pages is incredible! Seriously. I am a slow writer (you don't want to know how long I've been working on this) and I think that's terrific.

I wrote 4 pages yesterday. I wanted to finish this chapter today. I really hope I can. I have been trying to feel my way along but I just can't seem to see what needs to happen here, it is maddeningly elusive and the characters feel recalcitrant. But hey! Perversely, it's a great joy to do. I'll get there.

[GW297]

You can't be as slow a writer as me! Op - good idea to tell everyone you're writing a book. Top tip - it is much harder and takes much longer than you might think! Good luck!

[mrsfiddymont]

Well done on getting started, wish it was me .

Rubbish at links but this came up on my twitter sarafurlongburr.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/self-doubt-writers-worst-nightmare.html

[TunipTheVegedude]

What's stopping you, MrsFiddymont?

[mrsfiddymont]

tunip lack of creativity . I have met authors through my work (some very well known) and I just don't think I am intelligent enough, I sometimes struggle to even string a sentence together, seriously.

[TunipTheVegedude]

Do you think all authors are intelligent?

That Hilary Mantel, when she came on here it was evident she had a brain the size of a double decker bus, but they can't all have, surely?!

[fackinell]

Well done, Lurked.
I'm writing my second one and know only too well the confidence issue. It's so easy to get distracted, isn't it. Some people find it easier to chapter plan. Is that what your OH is doing with you?

[mrsfiddymont]

Tunip The one's I've met are . Hilary Mantel was awesome!

[lurkedtoolong]

Thanks for nice words everyone, it's good to chat to people also in the same situation.

fackinhell I've never chapter planned before but this time DH sat down with me and suggested that I do that, it's been a huge help.

I don't really want to be a big, brainy "literary" writer. I'm sure I'm not brainy enough for that. But to write something that someone else likes would be amazing.

[fackinell]

Same here, good luck and keep us posted!

[Ahlaam]

Lurked - How are you getting along now? I'm sure you're more than capable so keep at it!

Lovin' this section of MN!

[daiseehope]

Good luck, I hope you inspire me xx