Gill Fernandez's Blog, page 7

Author Update

I'm in displacement activity mode today.

Why?

Because this morning I woke up to find my pesky brain had been rethinking one of my works in progress. More on that later. Now, in true butterfly style, I'm going to veer off the topic and tell you how things are going with the latest works. So far - all good news. 'Love Is' is with my editor. 'Runaway' (the first of my free books) is with my beta reader. Everything on schedule. Nice. Look out for further news on both in the next few weeks.

Now back to displacement activity, but first let me explain something. I am what is known in the writing business as a pantser. That's a non-planning author. One who gets an idea and off she/he goes... into the wild blue yonder of re-writes and revisions in abundance. The extreme opposite of me is a plotter - a writer who plans their story, sometimes in great detail, before they sit down to write it. Most writers, I firmly believe are a mix. It's a spectrum. Now, where have I heard that before? I'm digressing again. So time to get back to the opening. Why am I in displacement activity mode this sunny Cornish morning? Because my brain (did I mention it is pesky?) woke me at seven a.m. with a thought about the hero in 'A Girl Like Her'. A new consequence of his actions in Chapter 2. Do I hear you asking, isn't that great? Your brain has been writing the book for you while you were sleeping. What's to complain about?Well, no... it's not great.

The new consequence is logical and right. It's character-driven and realistic. I should use the idea. It will increase the conflict and make what the hero really, really wants even more unattainable. It's a real screw turner. It would happen just when readers might be thinking all was going to be fine with the main characters. It's a bombshell. (Did I mention this is a romance, not a horror story?)So what's bad about it? Nothing, absolutely nothing except that I am probably going to have to bin sixty thousand words and start again.Hence the displacement behaviour. I am doing anything rather than start a new version of A Girl - revision date 11-08-2020. I might even go and do some ironing! No, that is a step too far.But seriously, will I do the re-write?

Absolutely! Because I want my David Nicholls moment.... there is a point in his fabulous book 'One Day' when it looks like the hero and heroine are going to be okay... after years of not quite making it, things are looking hopeful. I sat up reading until three in the morning to reach that point... I can hardly breathe, I'm waiting, this must be the happy moment. They are going to be okay. They are meant to be together - it must happen. Then - a twist... a character-driven consequence and I cried out, NO!So, of course, I am going to re-write 'A Girl'... so that someone, someday at three in the morning will also cry out: "NO!"

Know Your Words

I could feel my blood pressure rising this morning while I listened to a Radio 4 interview. I won't name the person responsible for putting me in danger of a stroke or heart attack but will explain the reason.

STUPID AND LAZY USE OF WORDS!

Yes, I am shouting.

I am by nature protective of words and language and so I should be; I am a writer. Over the editing period of any given work, I accumulate hours of consideration over which is the correct, and most appropriate word to use. I suffer angst over quite simple words and I probably fail most of the time to create the best way of saying something - but at least I try. So imagine the condition of my stressed blood vessels as I listened to the interviewee describe someone as a culprit when the correct word to use was victim! How wrong could one person get their word use?

Add to that the lazy use of verbal ticks (in this instance it was the persistent use of the word 'listen' at the start of sentences) and my blood pressure soared and this was before I had drunk my morning coffee and taken my caffeine boost.

So here is my plea to you. Take care with your words - never use a word if you don't know its meaning and are absolutely sure it is the right one and please, please, please drop the verbal ticks.

Rant over. Have a good week and keep safe and well in these times of COVID.

Calling All Readers

Hi, I hope you have enjoyed looking around my new site. Have you joined the Readers' Club yet? Please do. It's free, hopefully it will be fun, and you get an exclusive free book as well.

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Read between the lines

Reading is the flip side of writing. All writers read. LOTS! One of the things I have learned from other writers is that it is not always what you say on the page that hits the reader. It's the things you don't say or the character ambiguities that a skilful writer will plant in the story that makes the difference between a good book and a brilliant one.

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Writer's block

We all get it sometimes and if you are an aspiring writer you will know this. You may also have seen articles like 'Ten tip to beat Writer's Block.' In fact, it's my belief there is only one way to beat it and that is to keep writing. Writing is a craft and like all crafts, the more you do the better you get. I am not saying it gets easier. Absolutely not. After more years than I am going to admit of writing I can confirm categorically it doesn't get easier. The doubts in your own ability don't go away, the distractions are still there and the urge to undertake a displacement activity is as powerful as ever, but in the end, the only way forward is by writing.

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