Writing Tips — Blog — Victoria Maxwell Author

I’ve been working on my ghost story for a while now. Like, a long while. Longer than I worked on Summer of 1984 or 1966 Forever. Class of 1983 took me ten years to write, so I’m still a long way off it taking that long at least!

I’ve gone through so many phases and stages with this book, like I think all us writers and creatives do with our projects.

Like all relationships creative projects have their highs and lows.

There’s the first meeting, the excitement of a potential new love affair, the first few dates, the first time you get intimate with each other and that realization that you want this to really go somewhere.

And then you hang out, go to the mall, go to movies and parties together, you spend time with mutual friends, and it starts to feel… not so exciting anymore, but you’re in love, so you fall into a rhythm and you go with it, because it feels so damn good!

Some relationships are easy, you know where you stand, you know how to ask for what you want, you can just be yourself and get comfy in your sweatpants and hang out all day every day and it’s all good. You never question if you want to be somewhere else, you know you’re in it for the long haul.

Then there are relationships/creative projects that challenge us, that make us question ourselves, who we are, what we want, why we’re doing it.

I’ve been through a tough relationship with this ghost story. I didn’t fall hard and fast for it like I did with the Santolsa Saga, it was more like a casual fling at first. We’d hang out for a bit, then go our separate ways for a while, then I’d get a message – WYD? (This is what the kids are saying these days, right? What You Doing?) and I’d be like – oh, not much, k, let’s hang.

And then I’d just ghost my ghost story for a while, or tell we should go on a break. I needed my space, time to think about how I really felt, if this was the right relationship/project for me.

And then something interesting happened.

I sweated and teared into the last round of making-this-readable edits, still not really sure if it was any good or how invested I was, and then returned to the beginning of the book for another round of edits and found myself absolutely head over heels in love.

I know I’m in love when you can sit and edit all day and actually enjoy it. This isn’t usually my favourite part of the process!

I’m enjoying making my protagonist a little less obnoxious (she still is a bit, I mean, theatre kids. I was one so I know. They are all at least 10% obnoxious), and in the process I’ve developed a real soft spot for her. She’s a total mess, but aren’t we all? And the love interests, oh my ghost, so much angst I can’t even.

So, what’s the point of this mega essay that maybe two people will read to the end?

Don’t give up on a relationship or a creative project just because it’s hard. Sometimes it takes time to fall madly deeply in love.

But also, you know, pay attention to the red flags your lovers and projects give you, they’re not all worth hanging onto.

But those ones that keep drawing you back in? Maybe give them a chance.

With love,

Victoria

I have a bit of a tumultuous relationship with NaNoWriMo.

I actually just Googled “tumultuous relationship” to make sure that yes, this was a good way to describe my NaNo experiences.

Here’s what Google said:

… a relationship that is characterized by disorderly commotion; mental or emotional agitation.

Ah, yes. That describes it perfectly.

I’ve won some and lost one. I did Camp NaNoWriMo in July to help me get fingers to keys for the final book in the Santolsa Saga. I was aiming for 50k and I reached 38,480. I changed my goal in the last few days so I still technically “won”, but I didn’t reach my goal.

The good thing about being both a winner and a loser is it’s pretty easy to see where you went right and where you went wrong.

OK, enough blabbering on from me. Let’s get into the tips for success!

1. Work out what you want to write

Although I am a big fan of the half way change to a different project, I have had way more success picking one project and sticking with it.

Don’t forget that your project can be literally anything. This year my project is editing the absolute s***-show of my first draft of the third book in the Santolsa Saga - Janet’s story.

Tip - choose a project that really excites you!

2. Plotting

Are you a plotter or a pantser? I am a little of both, mostly pantser, OK, almost totally pantser. But having a basic plot in mind can be really helpful.

For example when I wrote (and won!) NaNo with Summer of 1984 I knew the basics. I knew who was going back in time. I knew who they would meet. I knew the struggles they would have. I didn’t know much more than that until I was writing, but it was a basic outline to work with.

If you’re writing from blank page, at least know the basic premise of your story and the main plot points. Hey, even if they end up changing completely as you write, starting with something is always better than starting with nothing imho.

Tip - start with your main character, their main desire and their challenges to overcome.

3. Time Management

Working out when you are going to write is everything. If you don’t make time, you won’t get time.

So, when are you going to write?

Tip - actually schedule in your writing time. Put it in your calendar like you would for work or a meeting and make it non-negotiable.

4. Self-Care

Do some prep for your own self-care.

Make plans for the following:

What will you do if you get stuck?

What will you do if you freak out and hate your story?

What will you do if life gets in the way and you have to take a step back?

What will you do if you need to prioritise your own mental health?

Give yourself permission at the outset to put your own self-care first. Yes, it’s great to write a novel in a month. But it’s also great to write a novel in two months, or three months.

It took me ten years to write Class of 1983.

Tip - always put your own mental health and wellbeing first.

5. Playlists

I am a big fan of the playlist. I have a playlist for each of the books I have written so far and a bunch of playlists for projects that are kind of floating around in my head.

I love listening to music when I write, but I also like to listen to my writing playlists while I’m taking long walks - it really helps me come up with ideas!

Tip - make playlists for your characters, what would they listen to?

6. Have Fun!

Ha, had to add that corny one at the end there. :P Because if it’s not fun, why are you doing it?

Let us know in the comments below what you do to prep for NaNoWriMo! :D

Love and luck,