Insights on Writing the First Draft.

 Insights on Writing Fiction the First Draft

Writing fiction is like taking a magical journey, much like the path you walk when walking the dog--make sure you look where you're stepping! 

On a lighter note, you get to create whole new worlds, give birth to characters, and spin yarns that captivate readers and transport them to new realms of imagination. It’s like playing God but with a pen instead of a lightning bolt.

For most authors, writing fiction starts with a “Eureka!” moment. From this tiny spark, a story blooms, taking shape through hours of brainstorming, exploration, and the occasional bottle of wine. Each author has their own unique approach to the creative process, drawing from personal experiences, observations, and the vast tapestry of human emotions to breathe life into their characters and worlds.

In addition to creating memorable characters, authors must master the art of storytelling. It’s like baking a cake, but instead of sugar and flour, you use plot, pacing, and narrative arc to create a delicious literary treat. The journey of a well-told story is a rollercoaster of emotions and revelations, like riding a unicorn through a rainbow.

Of course, the path to writing fiction has its challenges. But through perseverance and dedication, authors overcome these obstacles, trusting in their creative instincts and embracing the process of exploration and experimentation. Many authors find solace and inspiration in the rituals and routines that shape their writing practice, like drinking coffee, taking a walk, or yelling at their significant other dog.

Writing fiction is no joke, but the journey can be a lot more fun than you'd expect. Forget about the lone writer typing away in a dimly lit room - authors need feedback, support, and a good laugh to stay sane. That's why they turn to beta readers, editors, and fellow writers, who help them polish their prose, develop realistic characters, and prevent them from going completely bonkers. So, if you want to be a writer, remember this: you're not alone, and you're not crazy - well, not completely.

The art of writing fiction is like a roller coaster ride - it's exhilarating, unpredictable, and can make you feel a little queasy at times. But hey, that's all part of the fun! 

Aspiring writers, prepare yourselves for a wild ride filled with plot twists, character development, and the occasional existential crisis. So buckle up, grab a snack, and let's see where this literary journey takes us!

Louise Wise also writes under the pen name T E Kessler.

If you have a story to share about your experience in the world of e-publishing, you are invited to submit a guest post to this website. The platform offers a unique opportunity for you to get free promotion for yourself and your book. If you are interested, please send an email to info@louisewise.uk.

GUESS WHAT? YOU’RE AN AUTHOR!

A Day in the life of...

Cindy McDonald

Over the course of twenty-six years I was very comfortable with my title: Miss Cindy—dance teacher/choreographer, and after a long and successful career, I decided to make a change. In 2011 I published my first book, DEADLY.COM. I became an author, a writer, a storyteller. Problem was that I still thought of myself as a dancer/choreographer. Nothing had changed and I didn’t give it much thought until I attended a wedding—it was the day that everything changed…

I had just retired from my dance school in May to focus on writing my books, and on a very hot day in June, my husband and I attended my dear friend’s daughter’s wedding. It was an outside wedding and we took our seats waiting for the ceremony to begin when another friend sat down next to me. She asked about my new release and how it was going, and we chatted casually until it was time for the bride to make her appearance. I didn’t give it another thought. After all, I was still just Miss Cindy the dance teacher/choreographer, and then as I approached the cookie table a woman tapped me on the shoulder.

“I didn’t mean to listen in on your conversation,” she began, “but did I hear you say that you are an author?”

I probably looked at the woman like she had just grown another head. What? Am I a what? It was the first time anyone had called me that! It was the first time anyone had even uttered the word. Author…author… I must’ve stood there for well over fifteen seconds staring at her like an idiot because she cocked her head to the side and said to me, “I could have sworn that I heard someone ask you about a book that you’ve written. I love to read, and I’ve never met an author.” Skeptically, she repeated, “Are you an author?”

It wasn’t computing. Yes, I wrote a book, and I had said book published. But I’m a dance teacher, a choreographer, I couldn’t possibly be an …um… author. Finally, my husband spoke up, “Yes, Cindy wrote a book called, Deadly.Com. It’s a murder suspense book. Do you like murder suspense books?”

The woman’s face lit up. “I love murder suspense books! Where can I buy it?”

Yet still I stood there like a total moron, still contemplating her very first question: are you an author? At last I managed to speak. I said, “Amazon… you can buy the book on Amazon.”

Tickled pink that she had actually met a real-live honest-to-God moron… I mean, author, the woman gathered some cookies and returned to her table. My husband turned to me and said, “Well you totally blew that. If she’d have asked you about the dance school, you would’ve given her a business card, directed her to the website, and told her all about it. She asked you about your book and you were clueless. You’ve got to get better prepared, Cindy. She was a potential customer.”

Chasing the Cookbook!

A Day in the life of... 

Joan Porte

As a cookbook author, my methodology is not typical of most writers. I do not have to face a blank screen or piece of paper and will the words out of my right brain. I don’t have to fear writers block. However, that does not make my task any easier than that of the novelist or biographer. In fact, I am not as fortunate as those lucky people are. Every time I sit down to work on a recipe, I face something much more dastardly. It is the memory of the days when I had to chase my mother around the kitchen to try to have her actually write down a recipe for what she was making. Don’t snicker! This is something that can cause flashbacks of horrors for decades.

Members of my mother’s family were of the touch-and-feel school of cooking. If you would ask her how much salt to add to a pasta recipe she would say something like, “Feel it, when it feels like there is enough, it is good.” How do you write a recipe that reads – amount of salt --- to the feel? It can’t be done.

A day in the life of an Author

but not this day!

Pink and fluffy chick lit
Amazon.com
Amazon.UK

Really struggled to get out of bed. Had a late night trying to finish an awkward scene on a novel I’m working on, but ended up playing chess with the computer. This resulted in a tense stand-off with several more games until I was satisfied that the computer was sorry that it beat me in two moves on the first game.

Make coffee, and turn on computer. I can hear it groan. No, that’s my stomach. I haven’t eaten since, er, Saturday (it’s Monday). Funny, I’m as porky as ever. Must be the constant supply of Hobnobs. In the kitchen I pour flakes into a bowl, and top it with milk.

Spooning said flakes into my mouth, I open my email. Spam. Spam. Spam. And more spam. Oh! Win a holiday with one click.

I click. And read. And imagine I’ve won the holiday. I think about the new clothes I would have buy. Would have to buy a new suitcase, too. And lose weight. My dream ends, and the very nice, but very loud Chris Evans declares it’s nine. Already?

I make another coffee, the previous cold, and delete the spam and the holiday. A new email comes in. It’s from a lady whose work I was editing. She’s not happy with the edits. Thinks I was too harsh. Harsh? Learn how to punctuate, muppet!

Another email comes through from an agent I was hopeful on bagging. No, she isn’t going to pursue with my submission after all. I hit the minimize button. Too early in the morning to deal with, and I don’t feel strong enough. Insufficient caffeine circulating the blood stream for a start!

I glug the coffee, but still don’t feel like reading the agent’s email. I wonder about deleting it. If I call her and act like I haven't seen it, maybe she’ll change her mind?

I open last night’s scene. Then immediately minimize it, and click on Twitter. Ah, I’ve several messages and RTs that I need to reply to/thank. Oh no! Kate Moss is trending. Has she died? I click and see that it’s her birthday. I wish her happy birthday.

I go into #wip to see how everyone is getting on with their writing. @Flashgit has managed 5k this morning. I unfollow @Flashgit.

@Bitchfeatures is still editing her  novel. She said she wrote in the whole damn thing in the NaNoWriMo month. I don’t believe her. I report her for abuse.

I type: On second coffee and still can’t get started #wip

Beauty and the Beast
for grown ups
Amazon.com
Amazon.UK

I open up The Scene and re-read aloud to see if it sounds any better. It doesn’t.

Back on Twitter I see if anyone has answered me. They have. @pruebatten suggests I go for a walk to think things over in my head. Good idea actually. The “me time” is very, very important. Note to self – make more “me time”.

I shower and dress, and immediately feel better. I grab my bag and car keys and out I go. Walk? Is she frigging joking! I head to the shops. Nothing like retail therapy for “me time”.

Several hours later, and a lots of pounds lighter (money, not weight – I wish!) I come home. I’ve bought a pair of boyfriend jeans and a T-shirt. I go to dump the bags in my wardrobe, but as I open the door a pair of jeans, with the label still on, fall out. I pick them up and remember I bought them last week. They are EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ONES I’VE JUST BOUGHT!

Bugger.

Back at my computer I check my emails. The agent one is still there and I open it sulkily: “the round table isn’t keen on your concept and doesn’t think it’ll sell”. Round table? What is she, bloody King Arthur?

Welcome to the dark side
of chick lit
Amazon.UK
Amazon.com

I open Twitter to pour out my woes: Rejected again #wip #submission #reject #author Might hit the bottle later.

I glance at clock to see if this idea is doable. Almost mid-day, a little early, even for me!

I notice I’ve lost three followers. Really depressed now. I call my friend and tell her all about my horrendous morning. She can’t really talk because her house was burgled last night, and the police are there taking statements. Still, she could have been a little more sympathetic, selfish cow.

At the computer I open The Scene.

You know, it reads really good now. Think I’ll keep it after all.