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Jule Anne Lindsey

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Floodgates

I wrote my first manuscript a year ago. It was a YA number, and I still love lots of things about it. In fact, I may at some point return to doctor it up a bit. The thing is that it was my first, and we all know how that normally goes. With our firsts, we are passionate and frenzied. We can look and look at them and see no room for improvement because they are perfect. A year later and several months apart and it has all changed. I can see the problems now. I'm just too busy to get to it right away. You'll see why.

My second manuscript followed quickly after the first. It was completely different than the first, though I had the same passion as I did with the first. The pages came pouring out of me. The story was telling itself. In fact, I couldn't wait to get to my keyboard and see what would happen. (I didn't have the discipline to pre-write and outline and work through the story first). I just had to answer the questions, What if? What if? What if?

My third (yep, but wait there's more) novel was another YA this time a suspense. LOVED it too. I should mention at this point that I continue to love every manuscript more than the last. I should because I am learning. Statistically speaking, they are each bound to get better from experience. Also, as I write I am reading, researching learning.

My fourth and fifth novels were written in tandem. That is not a joke. IN TANDEM. One fantasy and one satire. How's that for two ends of a spectrum. They are finished now as well.

So, I have written 5 novels each falling between 75-85,000 words. I feel as if I have gone completely insane with the onslaught of a sudden mental illness. Writing. 18 months ago, I had no interest in becoming a published author. I wrote when I did for different reasons. Today, I can't stop. I pray for a day or two of writers block. My mind is plotting and scheming all day everyday. I even spent an hour at church on Wednesday night trying to determine how to kill a character.

Where has this all come from and now that I have allowed it a small opening, am I done for? Writers out there, do you feel the same way? Do your fingers ache to tell a tale, any tale, all the time? Mine do, and I love them all. It's like the honeymoon phase with my husband (which also perseveres) I am giddy-happy-excited to write, BUT, and there's always one of those, I worry that I may turn up on medication. The floodgate is now open.

35 comments:

  1. I know what you mean! I call it writer's binge. I'm almost finished my first ms, and i can't wait to write another, and another...lol! Well done on writing 5 novels, what an achievement! Good luck with your journey :)

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  2. I know what you mean as well! It's seems like the best time for me to do my plotting and such is in the shower, while my hands are in auto pilot and my mind starts roaming, thinking of the best scenario or thinking of the most dramatic and meaningful kill/death for a certain character. It sounds terrible, I know. I hope I don't turn up in an asylum. I can imagine myself being interrogated for killing off "fictional" characters (they seem real to us, don't they?).

    5 novels? Kudos to you! Your fingers love to type, so don't stop! =)

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  3. Oh you've got it bad ... Welcome to the writing club! I love it when the story seems to be telling itself, it's a great zone to be in. Happy writing to you :)

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  4. Wow, I'm impressed! Are you trying to publish? It sounds like a lot of work!

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  5. I know exactly what you mean. I'm currently NOT working on a novel and I feel that there is honestly something missing. Writing takes me to another world, it is so exhilarating.

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  6. Thanks for visiting my blog. I am now a follower. I mostly write children and YA stories.

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  7. Thanks for visiting my blog! This was such a great post, I'm really impressed. I get so frustrated because I'm constantly scribbling away in my notebooks and never seem to make the time to complete the thought I have. Major kudos to you for completing 5 novels!

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  8. Hey Julie! Thanks for the add! I'm currently working on my first novel, and it's not easy. But, wow, 5 novels? That's so awesome. Good for you!

    New follower now!

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  9. Keep on going! I haven't seriously sat down to write yet, but it's the dream! I wish you luck - thanks for swinging abour my blog!

    -Linds, bibliophile brouhaha

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  10. Sounds great! I'm not a writer but I enjoy the results of a writer's labor!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and following. I'm now luck number 13 on yours. :)

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  11. wow congrats! I have recently realized that I am reader not a writer, but I do admire the work!

    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! yours looks great! =D

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  12. Don't ever think about wanting writers block, even for a day or two!
    I haven't been able to write anything for a good 3 months now and it kills me to think of all the work I could have done in that time.

    Chazz

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  13. Wow Congrats! I'm actually glad to read this! Writing seems to be a passion for you.. an escape. Everyone has one ( : Thanks for visiting my blog! I'm following you now.
    http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.com

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  14. Thanks for visiting my blog. WOW...you've been busy. New follower. Have a great weekend.

    Jennifer @Book Noise

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  15. LOL I am a new writer but I find that I have several stories going through my head at once... is that normal? :)

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  16. i have two short stories but i dont want them to be published, just want them for posting on my blog or anywhere else.


    thanks for visiting my blog and im a new follower!

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  17. I admire your passion! It sounds like you have a lot of stories in you waiting to come out.

    Keep the faith!

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  18. this is the best place to be in loads of story and ideas, even if it makes u feel crazy its better than no story or idea.

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  19. Thanks for stopping by! I don't write (would love to, but don't) I think you'll find loads of support and ideas and lots of friends and help right here :) Wishing you lots of creative ideas and dreams and a wild imagination!

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  20. I am currently writing a non fiction but at the same time my mind of filled with ideas for fiction... I think it is awesome to write different genres! You go girl!

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  21. Thanks for stopping by and following! I’m an aspiring writer myself and agree that the journey is thrilling and a bit trying. Best of luck getting published!

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  22. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog!
    I am returning the follow! :)

    Best of luck to you!!! Have a lovely weekend!
    Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf

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  23. Thanks for hopping by! Wow, what production!
    Very impressive.

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  24. Julie Anne-Thanks so much for the follow and the kind words! I'm your newest follower!

    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Kristin
    MyBookishWays

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  25. hey, how's ur day been going? just a new follower stopping by and loving ur blog! i'd love it if u visited my blog at www.sabaawesome.blogspot.com, thx!

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  26. What? Wow, I can't believe you've written 5 novels in a year and a half. That's amazing.
    I should think you'd want to pace yourself... like running a marathon, you may sprint out the first gate, but you'll wind yourself for the long haul.
    But, it sounds like you're a writing dynamo, especially if you can keep up that kind of volume!

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  28. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Wow are you ever busy. I look forward to reading something that you have written!

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  29. Good luck with your writing! It certainly can be all consuming. I have files all over my comp with new story ideas just waiting to be gotten to. some times I write a chapter on them here or there, but I try to keep my main focus on what is next in line for being published. It depends on the mood I'm in! haha Thanks for dropping by my blog too! :D I'm a follower!
    The Delusional Diaries

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  30. Perseverance is key. I too am a writer, just working and waiting and hoping. Best wishes to you!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  31. Thanks for stopping by. It sounds like you have a gift! That is a lot of writing in a short period of time. Good luck with your efforts. I'm thinking that if you have the manuscripts it wouldn't hurt to submit them....

    I thought I might like to write something but I get "tongue tied," just can't get anything down that sounds right. Soooo I just enjoy the fruits of a writer's labor. :) I'm a new follower.

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  32. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Good luck with your writing and I hope to be reading something with your name soon :-)

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  33. Thanks for hopping by my blog. I'm a new follower of yours. I want to be a writer, but can't always seem to see my stories through. I intend to work on a novel that I was writing a few years ago this summer. Hope to finish it.

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  34. You sound exactly like me! I still love my first book, which was part of a series (I even wrote a few drafts of the sequel). But I lost interest in it as I moved away from YA fantasy to modern day settings. I miss the characters from the first book. *starts sobbing*

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