I’m writing, I’m writing already!

OK, so yes I am going to post again. It’s been busy mkay? November was a killer month – 52 thousand words on my Nano novel ( tentatively titled Queen of the Deathmatch). A departure for me because it’s a) first person and b) not fantasy. It’s a alternate dystopian future thriller noir with a dollop of romance, er, thing.

And now it’s almost Christmas. Ack! Where does the time go!

So as it’s almost year end, and it’s reflect back on the year time, I am reflecting on how my writing has changed, and why. Especially as I’ve only been taking this writing malarky seriously for just over a year. The why is easy – I found Absolute Write and learned a few harsh truths about the business, and my editor at Samhain ( Deborah, lovely lady) gave me a boat load of solid advice.

So, what have I learned?

I have learned:

That I can write passably well if I put my mind to it.

That some people like the way I write and some don’t. Which is OK. As long as some people do.

I have learned how to write a query. A real one, not a bloody mess.

I have learned / refined how to show not tell, about pacing and not head hopping and…well you get the idea. I have learned that some of the noob stuff I did won’t fly, and more importantly, why.

I have learned ( finally!) some grammar stuff. What passive writing actually is, gerund clauses etc.

I have learned that just because it’s fantasy doesn’t mean it has to be a doorstopper

I am on my way to overcoming my addiction to commas

I have learned that, short stories aside, I seem incapable of writing anything without at least some romantic elements.

I have learned not to gibber quite so much when getting a critique.

And what am I concentrating on for the coming year?

Plot and how to have one. Well alright, not quite, but I’m a by-the-seat-of-my-pantser, so structure is and probably always will be my bugbear. But I’m gonna learn that sucker if it kills me.

In other news, a drill without a drillbit makes for really good tittytwisters. As my work colleague found out to his dismay….Well I only showed him how I could do it. And now he flinches every time I get too close.