When I began this blog seven years ago, my plan was to write about the process of writing a novel from scratch. At the time, I had read several books on writing but my brain didn’t seem able to apply immediately what I had read. I have an analytical and reflective brain that loves to spin plans and ideas. I also learn by doing, that is, going through the process, learning as I go, revisiting what I am doing, and revising. Thus, I am a slow learner. It takes me time to accomplish what I really want to accomplish. I also have an inventive mind that derives pleasure from working on multiple projects, not necessarily all at the same time, but when I feel a need to work on one or the other.
Since my brain was not in a space for creative writing this month, I decided to apply my spreadsheet idea that I discussed in January and February to the draft of my second novel. It was an interesting exercise. I realized that I had completed a template that I could use for the current drafts of the three novels that I have been working on over the past years. Organization is a different type of work from creative work especially since I already have so many draft chapters written. As any reader can observe, I am not by nature an “outliner.” For me, organization follows creation rather than the opposite.
My Writing Goals for 2024
Continue to develop my poetry and connections with other poets:
Over the past month, I attended the Colorado Poets Center reading by David M. Perkins who suggested that when reading one’s own poetry at a reading, one first read a poem by a poet who is a personal favorite. I enjoy the poetry readings which include an open mike. I met and talked with some brilliant poets after the session.
Finish my first novel and query agents:
Our critique group read about 2000 words of my novel.
Continue to work on my second novel:
I spent some time studying, figuring out, and organizing the five parts into which I will divide this novel using my spreadsheet.
Continue to work on my third novel:
No progress here.
Continue to develop a network of kindred spirits in the world of writing and publishing:
Boulder Writers Alliance: I attended our Happy Hour and met some amazing writers. I organized the BWA Poetry Circle which featured the poet, Katherine Indermaur, who explained her process and read selections from her poetry books. Katherine beautifully integrates research with her writing of poetry.
Denver Woman’s Press Club: I participated in an online Membership Committee meeting and worked on the revision committee examining the bylaws.
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers: I collaborated with the RMFW Conference Chair to advertise the 2024 Colorado Gold Conference. I also attended an excellent four-hour online conference with RMFW. The writer J. Kelly Byram presented on the importance of understanding cybersecurity issues as a writer. Debra Bokur presented on how to stop procrastinating. Carter Wilson discussed the psychology of writers. Terrie Wolf explained how agents and editors work and how to collaborate with them.
Women Writing the West: Our critique group met and critiqued each other’s pages. They were enthusiastic about my pages and gave me good advice.
Document my writing progress through my blog and post it on the seventh day of each month, one blog per month in 2024:
Today is March 7, 2024, and I am posting my third blog of 2024. The days are marching toward spring here thank goodness. Snow may be good for writing time but I am ready to be outdoors more!
Writers who were born in March that I particularly enjoy:
Ralph Ellison, Jeffrey Eugenides, Henrik Ibsen, Mario Vargas Llosa, Jack Kerouac, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Flannery O’Connor, Dr. Seuss, Tennessee Williams
Poets that I love who were born in March:
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Frost, Stéphane Mallarmé, Octavio Paz, Paul Verlaine
laurellecommunications.blog 