(I ACCIDENTALLY LINKED TO MARIA’S BLOG., SO IF YOU’VE ALREADY READ HER BLOG THIS MORNING, YOU’VE READ MY BLOG, TOO.

Diana’s Diversions: Julie Elizabeth Leto on Getting it Written
This is a great post.

I’d like to add my thoughts to it…

I’ve been writing almost 4 years exactly. In that time I’ve finished one manuscript and I have 2 more half complete and a 3rd in proposal form. (about 75 pages and fully plotted out)

I worked on my complete manuscript for 2 years. I kept going back and revising the first few chapters and not going forward. It really hurt my writing. I became stagnant because I stopped learning the craft. I can’t tell you what a feeling it was to finally finish the manuscript!

Finishing was a big deal…but I think the most important thing is to just write. Don’t get stuck in trying to make your first few chapters perfect. Just write. It makes a difference. Your voice gets stronger with every new scene you write.

Your style develops with every new idea you start.

Your passion for the craft of writing increases with every breakthrough you have!

By the end of this year, I will have 2 more completed novels. I’ve already started playing with another 2 ideas. These ideas didn’t come to me until after I finally finished the first manuscript.

You have to write forward, otherwise you’re just treading water.