(Not) Missing Structure

Hi everyone,

Sorry for my absence. I’ve been going back and forth over my writing process.

I’m working on a new project, but I’m going about it differently. For starters, I didn’t give myself a deadline for the first draft. I am also taking more time to build out each character and their world before introducing them to others. I’m working in a genre I’ve never attempted before, and I’m getting to decide how long and detailed or how succinct I want it to be.

I wonder if when the time comes, will the obsession return? I’m sure as I get closer to finishing the first draft (whenever that will be), I’ll add structure to my writing process and make concrete plans for it. But for now, ideas marinate and complexities present themselves ready to be written into the story. It’s a beautiful time.

Get Your Bearings Month

At the end of 2023, I filled out the month of January in my 2024 planner. I included my goals and the new habits I planned on building, but when the month started, I absolutely floundered through the first week.

From new habits I kept forgetting to implement to working on my new project, it’s been a struggle to reestablish the discipline and tools necessary to get back into the groove of things. I thought I was failing myself and destroying my plans for the year until I realized it was only the 5th. Recognizing that it was still so early in the year helped me relax a bit and stop beating myself up over my mistakes.

I have time to get things straight. Now, I’m happily fumbling through the month knowing that I will get things where they need to be eventually. To everyone who didn’t slide perfectly into their resolutions, don’t give up. Cut yourself some slack, and take baby steps. We’ll get there :)

National Novel Writing Month cont.

Hi everyone,

November is over, and I do not have a stack of papers ready for my editor. I’m not disappointed about not reaching my goal; I got a good start, and starting can be the hardest part. Not only that, I had the time to examine my characters and make improvements to the story’s structure. Participating in the challenge got me excited about my next project and the flexibility I have in crafting it.

In the coming months, I hope I can get you excited too because it’s a good story worth telling. No spoilers yet, but stay tuned.

Take care!

National Novel Writing Month

Hi everyone,

We’re halfway through November and, therefore, halfway through National Novel Writing Month. I’d heard about the challenge for years and even had friends complete it with sequels and everything. This year is the first year I decided to try it, and it is not going as expected. In October, I diligently created a plan, picked a subject matter, wrote prompts for each chapter, and conducted some research to help with the specifics. All of that and I’ve got about 7,000 words down.

I keep waiting for bursts of inspiration, but we all know that’s rarely how writing works. Instead, I get up every morning, do some stretching, sit at my desk, and think. Words eventually come as I think through how I want the book to be received, but they don’t come very willingly. I have, however, received some good insight on necessary changes like narrator voice and characters involved, so it definitely has not been a waste.

Whether I make 50,000 words or not, I’ll still be proud of myself for trying, and I’ll have a nice foundation for my next project. Good luck to all of you out there participating in the challenge. May 50,000 words be just the beginning :)

Hello

Hi everyone!

Welcome to my website. I created the site because I finally did it. I wrote my first book! (I hope you all get to read and enjoy The Meaning of Okay.) A little bit about myself…

I’m a self-proclaimed collector of the most valuable things. I collect people’s stories, shared memories, and the impact of life's changes on us all. I believe that remembering where we’ve been and what we’ve been through reminds us of our inner strength. And sometimes, we desperately need that reminder. I also collect music, notebooks, miniature anything, and, of course, books.

I’ve always been a writer, but I only recently became a published author. The only difference is the latter is terrifying, for me at least. Nevertheless, if my stories can comfort someone out there, the fear of failure is worth it.

Anyway, I just wanted to welcome readers to my new site and say hello :) I hope you stop by again.

-Cortney