This Fish Needs A Bicycle

Promise. And I hope I get to follow thru on that.

promise.

Trust me -- just start writing, and keep writing. Let the story tell you what it's about.

"We are made to perisist. That is how we know who we really are." -Tobias Wolfe

So who you gonna' be?

;)

Here's a schedule . . .

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

My first novel will be terrible, but it will be done on December 1st.

Or you could start with a list and see where it deviates. I bet Tolstoy used a list (for all those character names!)

[puts hand over heart] I promise. It would be a great thing and totally worth it (the book as a purchase, I'm saying).

And there are schedules to writing - time schedules, anyway. Like the whole "write for an hour each day" or something. As for subjects and how to weave them together into the book itself, that I'm a little cloudy on. But if you need inspiration or random ideas, I'm a good random idea generator.

I second the nanowrimo.org thing. I may have picked the absolute worst year to do it (the boyfriend is in the process of becoming the ex, work is crazy, I have no money, and I'm 3,000 miles from home) but I want to be forced to write.

At the very least, maybe participating will get you spewing out words. One or two of them have to be usable, right?

it's funny that you mention the yellow wallpaper. just yesterday, i was thinking about that book. and i remember vividly her description of becoming one with the yellow wallpaper and the yellow roses. i read that book almost ten years ago.

Damn. I was totally going to suggest NaNoWriMo as well, but several people have already beaten me to it.

You should give it a shot. I am, and lord knows that I am no fiction writer. Who knows? The next great American novel has to come from SOMEWHERE, right? :)

Put me in for two! One for me, and one for my mother, who always knows how to appreciate a superb book.

Go for it Fish! I agree with the schedule idea. Just set some time aside and see where your pen takes you. I promise I'll buy whatever results.
: )

Why not just make a book of lists? You've had enough practice...and half the work is done(ok barring all the stuff you crossed off)! Then you can have a series of spin off books "Lists you should have done yesterday", "The list of places I leave my keys", or "The list of ways to deal with Lisa without going to jail". You could have you're own section in the bookstore!

"Just start to write" is the lamest advice I've ever heard. A plan of attack is the least that is called for. This being an advice-free zone, let me merely make a few suggestions, based on what I plan to do with my own project:

1. I have a plot in mind, and now I'm just thinking about the big picture and considering the best way to tell it.

2. I'm going to create a list of characters and write a whole lot about each one (even things that won't make it into print). Novel-writing isn't becoming someone else, it's stepping into their shoes for a while. I must know how they feel and smell first.

3. I'm going to write an outline of how the story will unfold. I'll keep it loose, because it will change as I go.

4. I'm going to stick a certain point of view. This and other technical things that most people don't realize makes a story readable.

5. I will only show it to people (in prepublication form) who aren't "fans" of mine, because then I know they'll be honest with me. I will also be prepared to write, rewrite and rewrite again. If I have a plan of attack and am focused on what's important, my revisions won't be so painful.

One last tidbit: I have a copy of "The Writer's Handbook" (1998 edition, sue me). It has excellent advice on starting novels, short stories, nonfiction books. Also has a number of markets that will buy good work. It says magazine writing can actually be more lucrative because there are more opportunites for becoming published.

Good luck, Fish! I would probably buy your book ... if it's good.

Tex: Call it lame if you want, but, I did just as I was advised. I sat down, started writing (with no plan in my head) and now have 3,500 words hacked out. In one boring afternoon at work.

So far, it's been pretty solid advice.

Organized by color (ROYGBIV) ? :-0

My clothes are organized by dirt — hangar, shelf, floor of closet, floor of bedroom, floor of laundry room.

All hail Roy G. Biv.

You might want to try national novel writing month.

and I just thought of something! If you publish you'll have to sign it Fish Bicycle or tell us your name, otherwise how are we to find it!!! I promise to buy it too. I love your word voice.

Although The Yellow Wallpaper is a great story, I'm sure you could out-do it a hundred-fold. ..not because you'll go crazy, but because it will be great!

And yes, I'll certainly buy your book.

Who says you have to write a novel with a beginning, middle, end and actual plot? Have you read "Idiot Girl's Action Adventure Club"? It's pretty much just little random things that have happened in the author's life. And it is the funniest thing I've ever read. It's written much like a weblog, only she gets royalties!

Put me on pre-order list.

Hey T-Bone (T-Bone?), blow me. Last I heard, 'Just start writing' (AT LEAST QUOTE ME CORRECTLY) seems to be working for Our Little Fish. She's writing. You're planning. And self-promoting.

One can talk (or blog), or one can actually do something. I'm for moving things forward, making things, trusting intuition -- and editing later. I sagely encouraged Fish to do the same. She is. She rocks.

Like a shot!

P.S. I think you should drop the word "never" from your vocabulary. What you say is what you are, so long as you actions make it so.

yes, i promise.

hey Fish i know it was a no advice zone here but you know, i think Texas has a point. writing the first 5,000 words or even 10,000 words never is a problem for people who really want to write - it's finishing the NEXT 90,000 words that kills most people off...and for that, i think a plan probably is necessary AS you write...

if you publish, please please do tell us! will buy!

My point is, writing is less about the writer and more about the story. There are millions of great writers out there who produce a bunch of words for their own sakes. It doesn't make for great writing.

Hey, if sitting down to write without some sort of plan, research, character development works, super! For me, I just don't have that much time to waste.

It's silly to me, and also a waste of my time, when people consider light suggestions as criticism or party pooping. Just trying to help. Sheesh.

Oh, and just for Benjamin: "never" is when you'll have something to write that I'll want to read.

There are 100,000 words in a novel? Damn, there goes any plan I would ever have of writing one. :)

Yo T, the "never" was for Fish. 'Lil power of positive thinking for her. But I'm the oft-linked, oft-quoted Musical Stanger, and your stuck in the comment zone. So whatever. I'll write for major publications, you blog, and plan. (Insert maniacal laugh here.)

;), Benjamin

Yes, B. "Blow Me" is a geniously executed literary device. You're so full of yourself, it's a shame you're not limber to satisfy your own little needs. Touting your own "writing" isn't self-promotion, though, is it? Your own words help bury you as every word is another pile of dirt on your head.

Anything worth writing is worth doing at least mostly right the first time. That means forethought, planning and plotting. This isn't the only way (or even "my" way), it's the proven way. National Novel Writing Month is a neat project, but it rarely produces anything useable, even in heavily edited form. Going about it that way is often destined to produce nothing of value. Let's be realistic, Musical Stranger. Your "writing" isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Mine will be.

Boys!
Tex, if this is going to turn into a penis swordfight, could you take it outside?

You win. I'm sad.

:(

Not worth taking outside.