Welcome to the IWSG for the month of November.
I'm reaching the end of my 2019 Italian and French odyssey where I've been researching locations for my novels. I've many stories to tell at a later stage.
For today's IWSG I've handed over my blog to my buddy, Lynda R Young, pen name Elle Cardy. Knowing first hand some of Lynda's writing journey I asked her to enlighten us more today. I, for one, am always intrigued by the writing process and how writers reach publication. It's a long and winding road for most of us mere mortals, and instant success for others.
Follow Lynda along her long and winding road.
Alex's awesome co-hosts for the November 6 posting are Sadira Stone, Patricia Josephine, Lisa Buie-Collard, Erika Beebe, and C. Lee McKenzie!
For today's IWSG I've handed over my blog to my buddy, Lynda R Young, pen name Elle Cardy. Knowing first hand some of Lynda's writing journey I asked her to enlighten us more today. I, for one, am always intrigued by the writing process and how writers reach publication. It's a long and winding road for most of us mere mortals, and instant success for others.
The Ways Writers Evolve, by Elle Cardy
Writers evolve over time. I started writing in my early teens with rose-coloured dreams of making a living by clicking away at one of those old fashioned typewriters—you know the ones that destroy your nails? Honestly, how can anyone write a book on those contraptions? Yay for computers.
As a teen I was hopeful and immortal. Fears? Doubts? What were they? I wrote close to half a million words of epic stories. I polished the first book as best I knew how. Then I sent the massive tome off to publishers and agents and waited for success to come knocking...
Crushed dreams. Been there anyone?
I didn't give up. I got to improving my chances. I learned how the industry worked -
- I read how-to books,
- attended workshops,
- connected with other writers,
- got feedback on my work.
With all this outside input, I started to see where I’d been going oh so wrong. This was when the fears and doubts really kicked in. To counter them, I stuck to the rules as if they were law, and I changed my work to suit every opinion that came my way.
I sucked the life out of my writing.
It wasn’t until I gained the confidence to write what I wanted, the way I wanted, that I started to breathe life back into my writing. By this time, I was armed with knowledge of the markets, the rules I could break, and what it was I truly wanted.
And so...
Wielder’s Prize was completed and sent out with joy and confidence that this is a great read full of adventure and high stakes and everything I love in a book. (If I do say so myself).
As writers, we are an insecure bunch. Not only do we need to hone our craft, find our support network, get feedback, we need to also learn confidence—the courage to ride our story vision to the end, the bravery to get those pieces of ourselves out there to be judged, the grit to write what the story needs.
How have you built up your confidence? What’s your writing evolution been like? Anything like mine?
If you’re looking for an action-packed fantasy adventure to read, try Wielder’s Prize by Elle Cardy, the end product of my years of evolving as a writer.
Wielder’s Prize is available in paperback and ebook on Amazon (ad links) and Goodreads.
Here's the blurb: Jasmine’s whole life is a lie. It isn’t until she’s snatched and forced to work on another ship that she learns how much of a lie it has been. Not only can she wield, but she’s a danger to everyone if she can’t control her magic. And worse: there’s another out-of-control wielder out there who wants her dead.
Elle Cardy is the pen name for Lynda R Young. She is an author, editor, game developer, 3D artist, graphic designer, photographer, gamer and so much more. Wielder’s Prize is her debut young adult fantasy adventure. Having lived in Sydney most of her life, she is now a relative newcomer to sunny Brisbane where she lives with her sweetheart of a husband. Twitter, Instagram, Website and Blog.
Thanks for coming by and reading about Lynda's writing journey. Share your journey in the comments.
Go HERE for more IWSG posts.
Thanks, Denise, for having me!! I hope you are having an awesome time!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome at my blog anytime, Lynda. Your story will encourage many others, I'm sure. Yes, I'm having a great time, thank you. I've been posting regularly to FB but I know you people with books out only have time for promo, LOL. One of the best things is I've been managing to re-write for 2 hours a day.
DeleteYeah, I pretty much don't do FB anymore.
DeleteBrilliant to hear you've made time to rewrite.
It's true that the more we learn about writing, the more it can inhibit us if we let it. You found your writing place though.
ReplyDeleteI have, indeed :)
DeleteLOL! I remember sending out chapters of my second novel. They all returned with a no thanks, even thought the story scored very high (especially in character development) with Writer's Digest's contest.
ReplyDeleteUrgh...querying... so not good for a writer's confidence ;)
DeleteYours sounds like it might be a very common evolution for writers. Overconfidence, shattered dreams, the rules leaching out the life, leading eventually to a more balanced self-confidence. It's a hard road, but you are not alone!
ReplyDeleteI think too many of us give up too soon, or talk ourselves out of it. I say, keep going, keep writing, and remember to love what you do.
DeleteI can’t imagine using a typewriter anymore either. Or mailing query letters and submissions.
ReplyDeleteSo true that we need to find out confidence to write what we love. Congrats on your book.
The world has changed, but the journey is still mostly the same. At least now we have more options.
DeleteIt's so easy to let others dictate what the writing should be and lose the writer's own unique voice, especially for young people.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the book and all the very best!
So true. And thanks :)
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI so relate to what you have shared. I'm at the stage now of gaining confidence to ride my story vision until the end and the bravery to... As you have said: we need to also learn confidence—the courage to ride our story vision to the end, the bravery to get those pieces of ourselves out there to be judged, the grit to write what the story needs.
Thank you for visiting Denise's blog . You have greatly encouraged me.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
That's so brilliant to hear :)
DeleteThanks for sharing your story. I think many authors will be able to relate. Whether we start out with confidence or not, in the pursuit to hone our skills we are likely to reach some level of insecurity trying to stick to all the rules and please everyone. Once I realized that my writing isn't for everyone but for just the right audience, it helped me move forward.
ReplyDeleteYes! Trying to please everyone is a mistake.
DeleteFascinating interview! I haven't found that reading craft books suck the voice out of my writing--quite the opposite. Learning the craft has sharpened my voice. That doesn't mean I follow every bit of advice, of course. Writing is an art, and artists will always disagree about how to make art, or what even counts as art. Happy writing in November!
ReplyDeleteAnd because it's an art, it's so subjective.
DeleteHappy writing to you too.
Thanks for sharing your story. Certainly makes all 'rules' not so strict.
ReplyDeleteIt's still important to learn the rules, of course. ;)
DeleteI'm so glad you persisted, Lynda. I enjoyed reading Wielder's Prize.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee :)
DeleteI love reading how writers got to where they are. You have interesting backstory, Lynda.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jacqui. It was a long road, but I got there in the end.
DeleteGreat post and true for me, too, although my journey was different from yours. Also, I forgot to say that husband is a sailor and sometimes talking to him is like learning another language.
ReplyDeleteHa! I'd believe that re your husband. I'm sure I still got stuff wrong, but no one's perfect ;)
DeleteEvery step of your journey seems utterly familiar. Yeah, we've all been there. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Olga
DeleteIt can be stifling to try and follow every rule we read - and some do contradict each other! I think the golden rule has to be go with what works for your story - and you've clearly done that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that, Nick :)
DeleteHave to find what is right for us and go with it indeed. The more you delve the less one may ever do. Sooo glad I don't have to use a typewriter.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, typewriters are awful.
DeleteCheck check check and check--about decoding writing--and the last almost made me quit!
ReplyDeleteHi Lyn...
ReplyDeleteStill on my journey... What a ROLLER COASTER RIDE... Agent love the query and then reject the book. NO reason. UGH so frustrating. Happy to see you are well on your way with your wonderful new book. ALL the best!
Your time is coming Michael. We'll all be there to cheer you on!
DeleteI felt free-er before I learned about the "rules." Some are understandable, other are made up by those who think they know everything. (rant over, lol) So glad to read how other writers write.
ReplyDeleteI once read that the only writing rule was that there were no rules. Love it.
DeleteTypewriter! I feel old just saying I remember learning to type on one.
ReplyDeleteMy writing journey has stagnated. I don't think it has stopped, just been interrupted for a while. A lot of ups and downs makes it difficult to just keep plugging away. What a fascinating journey you have had Lynda.
Hi Denise - waves vigorously.
Hi Donna. Hope your domestic situation has sorted! You'll be fine. Just got to have patience!
DeleteLynda, I love this post. It's so well-written. I can hear your voice and feel your pain and frusrations as a beginning writer. As for typewriters... I remember them very well. Unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteBlue
Hi Denise - you've been away and had a great time ... I hope all is well at home as the fires sounds exceedingly dangerous and so sad for many.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading Lynda's book ... just a delight - I'm sure it'll do well - and there's a great future for more stories around Wielder's Prize - and I love the cover.
Cheers to you both - Hilary
I don't think we ever stop evolving, but as we get older we maybe evolve in a direction that suits us rather than someone else. Glad you found your confidence. Great post!
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