Nina Jade Singer on Being a Productive Writer Part 2..and Giveaways!

Continued from the post below...

Being a Productive Writer Part 2

There’s a scene in my novel that I came up with during a trip to the beach. Several vendors were set up right by the boardwalk. One of them was a fortune-teller. I thought about how such a setting would work in my story. It’s set in the Caribbean and one of the characters is a witch. I decided then to give her a day job. She became a witch who has a tent on the beach where she tells fortunes.

During your daily commute, or driving to do your errands, make a conscious effort to figure out what you can add to your WIP. A mini recorder you keep in your car can be a good way to make sure none of it is forgotten.

I try to keep index cards in every room of the house. Just doing the laundry usually nets me about 4 or 5 cards of notes. That can amount to about 3 manuscript pages. (Note however that I usually have a lot of laundry.)

So let’s try this. Today, as you go about your day, try to actively think about the current WIP that you’re working on. Or one you think you might start one day. Again, not just the story or plot but actual phrases and words and descriptions. Keep it in the back of your mind.

Here’s the next thing to consider when you try this. How many times throughout the day does the voice of doubt pipe up?

Are you plagued with questions that your words or ideas aren’t good enough? That would be that backseat driver we spoke of earlier. Don’t get me wrong. The backseat driver is of huge benefit later on in this journey. During revisions. But right now, we’re talking about getting the story down. And we need to keep him or her quiet for the time being. The best way to do this is by acknowledging him/her. 

One method that I use is remind myself that this first go-around is a VERY rough draft. In fact, I don’t even call it a first draft. I often do my initial writing on an Alpha Smart Dana. So the first time I jot down the story, I think of it as my Dana draft. You can call it your legal pad draft. Or your Start draft. Whatever name resonates with you and lets your inner critic know that this is not the end product. So they should just quiet down already! Another writer friend basically does her first draft as a series of emails to herself. An ‘email draft’, so to speak.

My inner critic becomes convinced it’s not time for it to speak. She’ll get her chance during revisions. I tackle that phase one scene at a time. Here’s how – the first chance I get once the day starts, I read the scene I’m working on. Often with my morning coffee.

Then I go back to employing all the methods I use when getting that initial draft down. Throughout the day, I consistently try to think of that scene and the ways I’d like to change it when I get back to work.

This tends to make that backseat driver just happy and quiet enough.

In closing, I want to mention one last major point. An important piece to keeping your writing on a steady path is consistency. Write part of your story every day. Or every other day if that’s what your lifestyle demands. But I disagree that it’s a good idea to step away from your story when you’re frustrated or stuck. There’s too much of a temptation to stay away. So my advice is to keep with it till you get to type those two magical words:

The end.

Nina says,

"I have always been fascinated by paranormal fiction. At the same time, I’m a sucker for a good crime drama. You know, like the stories where an honorable and strong cop solves the mystery and defeats the nasty villain. I put those two loves together in my first book - Secrets of the Knight, available from Crescent Moon Press."

Secrets of the Knight

Blurb:

Several years ago life forced Thomas (Bo) Bowden to give up everything, including the woman he loves, and take refuge on a Caribbean island. Little did he know, he was taking the first step to fulfilling his mystical destiny.

Nicole Balian has come to the small island of Trenado to find a missing teenager. She's shocked to the core to find her former lover instead. And the attraction between her and Bo is as strong as ever.

Working together to solve the unexplained disappearances plaguing the island, they find themselves in a frightening world of voodoo and magic. Trenado's history is shrouded in supernatural mystery. The danger they face serves to reignite their love. But as Bo fights an ancient evil that haunts the island, will Nicole be able to save the man she loves? Or will she lose him once again, this time forever?

Buy Link:

Amazon

Nina jade Singer on the Web:

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One lucky commenter will receive Secrets of The Knight today. Followers and commenter’s of the blog tour will go in the grand draw of an Amazon Gift Certificate of US$100.00!

Nina will be with Kylie Griffin, Paranormal Author from 23rd November, see you there! For the full itinerary, check the AUTHOR PAGE!