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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Projects, Projects Everywhere!



Is it the first Wednesday of November already? That means it's time to add another installment to  Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writers Support Group. It seems like the first Wednesday of October was only yesterday and I subjected bloggie friends to major whinging and whining about my writerly insecurities.

This month instead of whinging I will air my most shameful writerly secret. Here it is, I have way too many unfinished projects stashed under the bed. Five to be exact.  Yes, you read right....Five.  Are you tsking at me and shaking your head. 

I have a tendency to stumble and fall when trying to incorporate descriptives to a story. A weakness of mine. Or as with my latest unfinished project when I tried to write a love scene. I wrote the scene, but was very unhappy with it…so off I toddled to Eason’s/Borders and bought multiple books I felt confident were bursting at the seams with love scenes. My postman was also very busy delivering the many tomes I ordered online. Just as a side note…..my arms are a few inches longer from carting the many shop purchases home.  The postman's biceps also showed noticeable improvement! Now that I think of it, shouldn't he be thanking me?!?

So I read and read and read. This proved quite a helpful exercise, “but”….isn’t there always a “but?” I had this brainwave for Christmas presents. It is writing of sorts if you class creating a keepsake as writing. Which I am doing, because it makes me feel better! I really can’t go into detail as those on the receiving end of this project may be lurking. It is taking much longer than I thought it would. I need to have it completed within the next two weeks, so it will be printed in time. This is proving to be hair pulling pressure.

I decided to take my friend Jim Lawn’s advice and publish my project with Blurb. Jim published his, "The Book of Silence," in Blurb and was very pleased with the results.  "The Book of Silence," is filled with beautiful photographs taken in the Dungarvan locality.  Check out Jim’s Website and peruse his other works. 


Do you have any waiting to be finished projects stashed under the bed.  How many? Do tell….

26 comments:

MunirGhiasuddin said...

Good going! Just be very careful and yes do not ignore the ISBN. I made that mistake and I was not able to sell my book. I did not write it to make money. Therefore I ended up Emailing drafts of the book to friends. It was fun. I am going to look into "Blurb" next time I write a novel. Also my Twitter sign on name is "blrbwatch" ! What a coincidence.
I am not so sure, if you know this, but congratulations are in order for one of our blogger friends ie Michael form SLC Kismet as his book is going to be published in May of next year.

julie fedderson said...

Just 5? That's totally okay. I have ghosts of novels past everywhere--some even on disc and a Brother word processor from 1990. You never know when you're gonna need 'em.

Old Kitty said...

Oh noes!! For the sake of your hairs and for your postman's biceps (ahem!) I hope you finish all your projects! Yay!

Oh but seriously!

WOW!! I love your idea of creating writing keepsakes for christmas gifts!! Yay!!! Awwww how wonderful and good for you!! I have everything crossed that you'll get all of it sorted, sealed, signed and delivered by Christmas! You go girl!!!

Take care
x

Dr. Mohamed said...

I don't stash my unfinished writing projects under the bed...they're in a flash-drive plugged into my laptop. I have 2; I've had them both for 2 years. Yes, it's sad. I know.

J.L. Campbell said...

Ann,

Boy do I know about unfinished projects. I have tons of them that I'm trying to work my way through.

MISH said...

Found you through the blog hop.
It's probably healthy to work on a few projects at the same time. It provides mental variety and stimulation, a refreshing change of focus when moving from one project to another...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I wish I had five unfinished projects! Right now I just have one unstarted project.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I have a few unfinished ones stashed here and there. Two of them have a future when I have time but the others are probably going to expire for lack of interest.

Ryann Kerekes said...

I have to admit, I am a lot like you. I have 5 novels "finished" *ahem* all needing revisions. I HATE revisions and editing. The most exciting part for me is starting with a blank page and getting lost in a new story. I am not going to let myself start anything new until I deal with a few of these...cuz I think there might be some good stuff there.

Manzanita said...

Your poor hair. No more tearing. But postman's biceps.... that will give you great eye candy come next summer. You'll finish in 2 weeks.
P.S. I only have dust under my bed.

Denise Covey said...

Hi Ann!
Do I ever! Two novels that I'm still trying to polish until they can sing by themselves, several short stories etc. Just finding the time...and now I'm doing NaNo, will soon have 3 novels to edit.

Thanks for the Blurb link.

Denise

Jules said...

I have so many unfinished projects the bed has elevated 6". :)

Stopping by to say Hello!
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Luna said...

I have a few unfinished projects stashed away in some binders. Two I will never go back to and the others I might be able to shape into YA books.

Sometimes our interests change or we grow as writers and those ideas don't fit us anymore. Hey, starting all those projects is a hug accomplishment! Think of all that you learned from them.

Good luck with your latest project!

Talli Roland said...

I've got quite q few projects, but they're all finished... perhaps they shouldn't be, as they'll never see the light of day! Nor do they deserve to.

Brigid O'Connor said...

Only 5 projects? Wishing you great success with your new project, it is great finishing something!

LindyLouMac said...

Hi Ann, back from my travels and trying to catch up with all my favourite bloggers. Wishing you all the best with your latest project.

Rosalind Adam said...

I have an 'under the bed' like yours except it's a cupboard in the corner of the front room... but now you've got me thinking about your postman! How big did you say his biceps were?!?

Golden Eagle said...

Um, how many? I've lost count . . . maybe ten, I'm not sure. :P

Good luck with your Christmas project! :)

Unknown said...

I take on a billion projects that I never quite finish. I have plans to finish them though. Glad you do too.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I wish you luck with all of your projects.

Len Lambert said...

I have unfinished projects, too, Ann! I wish you the best on your christmas keepsakes! That's so thoughtful of you to do that for loved ones for the holidays.

A said...

Under your bed? I can't store anything work related in my bedroom or I can't sleep :-)

Mary said...

Enjoyed the post Ann and thanks to you and your postie for inspiration. Good luck with all your projects and may they be finished sooner than you think!

cleemckenzie said...

My unfinished projects are in the closet, top shelf, behind the Christmas decorations. You'd think they'd get the idea that "unfinished" is just the way it's going to be, but no. They hound me anyway. Thanks for the post. Glad to know I'm not alone.

Just hopped on Alex's hop. Pleased to meet you here.

Marsha Sigman said...

I have no unfinished projects except my current wip. I'm not sure my OCD behavior should be admired though. A few of those 'finished' projects are pure crap.ha

And on a flashdrive. Can't chance mistakenly blinding someone with my exessive use of adverbs.

Gyran Gymble said...

I've only got three projects that I take out and look at from time to time. But for scribbly notes about things that are totally going to make excellent books I've just passed 50 pages in my "Some Notes" document