Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Build-a-Book Lately?

Last week, my husband and I took our twins to a Build-a-Bear Workshop, where the girls had a blast creating their own little furry friends. This morning, while I watched them play with their new toys, I revisited the event in my mind and realized the experience was a lot like novel writing. Take a look.

-Select the animal body = decide upon a story idea/theme
-Choose a sound unique to your animal = pick character traits to create distinctive personalities
-Stuff the animal with fluff = plot/outline, or imagine the main idea of the story
-Add a heart and love = write the first draft with heart, soul, and love
-Sew the animal together = edit/rewrite/edit some more
-Give the animal a fluff bath and grooming = polish and add finishing touches
-Pick out an outfit and dress the animal = pick agents/editors to query and submit novel
-Create a birth certificate for the animal = sign the book contract
-Place the animal in its little boxy house and take it home = the publisher releases the book to the public and readers buy it

Our Build-a-Bear experience was enjoyable and didn’t take long. Too bad novel writing wasn’t as quick. However, one thing to take away from this is that to never lose sight of your goal—you’ll get there—but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the adventure along the way. As soon as you make the experience all about publishing, your writing suffers because your heart’s not in it. Having your novel published is your goal, but before you can worry about that, focus on writing the best damn book you can. Then, the rest will work itself out.

Build-a-Book lately? Where are you in your journey? What’s been the hardest part so far? What’s your favorite piece of the novel writing process?

14 comments:

  1. I love this post. Thank you. :) Right now I am currently trying to write a novel in six months for a challenge. We'll see how that works out.

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  2. Lynnette, I remember taking our college freshman daughter to one of the Build-a-Bear stores with a younger friend of hers several years ago. She enjoyed the experience. It makes a clever analogy for writing a book.

    I'm currently rewriting a large portion of a book under the guidance of my agent. The hardest part of the writer's life for me so far has been the struggle to juggle all the items on my plate. I feel like I'm at my grandmother's annual Christmas feast where her table groaned under the weight of the many offerings. As I did then, I've filled my plate too full and have trouble fitting everything in. I'm trying to find a balance that works for me.

    So, Lynnette, I've shared. Now I'd like to know what's been the hardest part of the journey for you.

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  3. I'm in the reconstruction phase because Teddy was accidentally disemboweled. Trying to re-organize my book has been an issue lately, but this post was a fun reminder that sometimes its best to just go with me heart and let the rest work itself out :)

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  4. Sarah: Good luck with that challenge.

    Keli: That's a fair question. I have a lot of things on my plate, so I can definitely relate. I'd have to say my biggest struggle has been with finding the right way to tell this particular story. I've played with all kinds of POV characters and have deleted most of them now or removed their POV status. I've changed the killer because I learned my writing is best suited as dark romantic suspense and the killer I had just wasn't demented enough. However, I'm finally on the right track. I just need the time to sit down and write. Unfortunately, that's my biggest challenge at the moment. I can critique and edit when the twins are playing/fighting in the background, but I can't write. I have to wait until they go to school, which is only twice a week (if that). At the end of the day, I'm just too drained to think.

    The other major project that's been occupying my time is starting an editing/writing coach business. I've taken classes and now have to research the business side of things. This takes away from my writing time, but it'll be worth it. I miss teaching and I love editing/critiquing, so this will be a perfect fit for me.

    Thanks for asking.

    Lynnette Labelle

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  5. Great analogy. I agree that it should be about the experience. Our writing will show it if all we care about is being published.

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  6. Lynnette, I hope you are able to carve out time for your writing and have fun making your villain, um, darker. I'm and Empty Nester and can't imagine trying to write with two young children around. I admire women like you who create your stories while dealing with the demands (and joys) of mothering little ones.

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  7. Great analogy, Lynette! We do need to find that balance between keeping the end goal in mind and also just enjoying the journey.

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  8. Working on one right now - outline still sparse in the middle, but I'm working on it.

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  9. This is a great post! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Ah yes, build a book. If only it was so easy! I love the writing bit; it's the revision that can sometimes be a real pain! :)

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  11. No wonder I liked that place so much when I was little! :D I'm currently almost done with my actual manuscript, but am slugging through it. Grr.

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  12. LOL! Great post!! There is so much that goes into writing a great book and sometimes I think writers do lose sight of the journey and just want to get to the destination. I do admit, sometimes it is hard not to focus on the destination.

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  13. What a great analogy! I could see the whole process in my mind. Like you said, to bad writing a book isn't as quick as building a bear.
    On my journey I have two unfinished novels. Finishing one and then starting the editing process on it would be wonderful.

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  14. Thanks for sharing where you are on your journey. I always love to read about other writers.

    Lynnette Labelle

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