Anyone up for a novel writing support thread?

[Cel982]

Just thought it might be nice to have a place we could give each other a kick up the bum cheer each other along as we try to get our novels written.

I'm currently on the eleventy-hundredth draft of my first novel - hoping to have it ready for submission in the next month or two. Have been stuck on a niggly plot point for the last few weeks but had a bit of a breakthrough the other night so now the words are flowing again. Am a SAHM with a toddler at the moment so all my writing is done in the evenings when I can tear myself away from the TV. I know, I'm inspiring

So... you?

Hi everyone!
I've only just joined mumsnet and stumbled onto this thread. Hope it's OK to join in.

I've self taught myself to write, starting 9 years ago when my dd was born. I had loads of spare time and found I loved it. I wrote loads of fanfic. I even started to contemplate writing a novel. The only thing is - I have no idea where to start. How do i plan a novel?

Another problem I have is my self-confidence. Writng the fanfic my confidence soared. Then I stopped writing 2 years ago because I had my third child. She is very hands on more than my other 2 were. I have struggled to find time during the day. I have come to accept that if I really love writing I need to sacrifice some of my spare time in the evening. But I'm unsure if I'm any good any more. I did a little free writing the other day - no edits or anything and it was terrible. Back when I was writing before my youngest dd was born and I was free writing, it was kind of good, not perfect but then that's what you expect with free writing.

How do I get back in the swing of things? Any suggestions?

Hi slush have you thought about joining a creative writing club or class to kick start your motivation?

Hi southeast. I have thought about it, and I was going to do it. There was the cool sounding one in the evening at my local college, not much in costs either. However, my partner now works nights and I can't get a babysitter in the evenings. I have been looking for an online one. I haven't got much money to spend on a course. I have no idea what is a good website or not.

Hello. Can I join in please?
I am writing my first book.
I put a few paragraphs on a thread on MN at Christmas and had a number of people say 'you can write / you should write a book' so I am having my first attempt.
I am writing my autobiography first ( to get it 'out of the way').
I am 30K words in but it has occurred to me that it can be turned into a novel.
The idea is that the protagonist (me) sends chapters of her book to a journalist / the Police and they have to work out if it is fiction or reality, ie does the author actually kill the characters or just write about it?
How does that sound?
Not sure what the genre is?
partly autobiography (or based on) partly crime / thriller partly ChickLit (happy ending)

any feedback would be great.

chequeredPasta have you read Ishiguro's When We Were Orphans? It's slightly crimey. The interesting thing about it is that it seems completely all over the place until the very end when suddenly it all comes together quite neatly (both the mystery, the subplots and the protagonist's journey and character development). Most interestingly the protagonist doesn't find the answer at all, he is told by another what transpired which is quite refreshing.

Can I join in too? I'm completely new to writing and am working on a fantasy book for older children. I know the chances of --actually finishing it- ever getting it published are vanishingly slim, but I'm very much enjoying the process anyway.

My main thing is that I want to really commit to devoting regular chunks of time to writing. Because I don't feel like a proper writer (yet?), it feels kind of self-indulgent to spend hours and hours on something which is effectively a hobby. I need to get out of that mindset if I'm actually going to get anywhere though!