Finding the energy to complete a book

When you have no drive whatsoever to write but you have a book that needs to be finished. Maybe your editor is waiting on the final draft or you have yourself on a timer and you need to get it done.

Whatever the case is, you need to get this book done but you have no energy to do so.

Most of the time when you come to this point, you are two or three chapters shy of a completed manuscript. So how do you get back on track?

My advice, you really can't. As I stated in "The Writing Season" articles you can not force the writing season. Either you feel it or you don't and when you force a book or story yourbook will not come out right. Remember- "Good things come to those who wait" So you simply need to wait.

Wait until the story is ready to come out of you. If you wait you may have a HOT :) ending that will leave your readers wanting more. So if you are in a situation where it needs to get done and you CAN'T wait, go to a place or get in a mode that will allow you to easily slip into the season. Go to a book store. Go to the park. Be around someone or something that you know gets your juices flowing.

BUT! Don't force it! It's the worse mistake a writer can make.

Before we end today's blog...

Be a Guest Speaker on The POV Lounge. Do you have some tips and advice on writing, marketing, editing, publishing, etc. We want to hear your advice and tips. http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/guestspeaker.htm

Signing Off,
Dominique Watson

How to deal with Writers Block

Have you come to a point in your novel where you have no more? You simply can not figure out how to continue the story. If this is you, first put the book down, leave the computer, put the pen or pencil down. Walk away and refresh your mind. Come back to it in a few hours, a day, a week or a month. But just leave it alone. Take your mind completely away from it and I promise you, if the story is promising a new idea will come to you.

Another suggestion that I mention A LOT is create an outline. This helps for Writers Block or times when you have to leave the book for some reason and you need to come back to it later. When you do this, this will help remind you where you left off so you can pick up right there. Outlines should be done before you start writing the book.

Writers Block is so natural. But's also the one thing we as writers HATE! It seems like we can't seem to shake the feeling of being lost from our writing. Or a feeling like we will never write again. Sometimes your brain just needs a break. That's all. So take the break and get back to your writing later. Sitting at the computer screen will not help. Just get up and walk away.

Before we end today's blog...

Do you have a writers question? Looking for advice and tips on a writing subject you have not seen here yet? Contact me and I'll answer it here for you!http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/yourrequests.htm

Signing off,
Dominique Watson

The Point of Views in a Novel

When writing a novel, its important to know all the point of views especially when you are trying to figure out who's telling the story. Some people like to say that all of the point of views are hard but I believe they are easy if you study them and you understand how to come from a different point of view when telling a story.

The first point of view I will speak about is First Person.

First person is spoken from the main character; the person who is in the story and living out the events as the happen or have happend. This point of view is spoken from "I" "As I woke up the next morning I heard a loud knock at the door"

Note: If the events have already happend, it's called First Person Past. Still spoken with an "I" If the events are happening as the story is told, it's called First Person Present.

If you are writing a novel and the main character is speaking, you as the writer will write from an "I" perspective in your main characters voice.

The second point of view is Second Person Past and Second Person Present: In the second-person POV, the author casts the reader as narrator. This is the Point of view that tends to be the hardest because the writer is not writing from an "I" POV, they are writing from a "You" point of view. Yes very confusing.

Example:

"When you woke up the next morning, you heard a loud knock on the door. (This is past)
"As you open your eyes, you can hear a loud knock on the door." (This is present)

The next POV is Third Person which is fairly easy. Most of the time a writer has the narrator tell this type of story. This POV you would use "he" "she" or "They" This story has nothing to do with "you" or "I"

Example:

"As Tiffany woke up the next morning, she heard a loud knock at the door."

When picking a POV it's important to know how you really want to tell the story. Yes, you can switch the POV's up in a story (fiction) novel. But make sure it's not confusing. If you start the story off with the "I" POV and then go into the Third Person POV (Narrator), that's ok. I've done it several times in my book. I do this when there's something I need to reveal to the readers but not the main character.

Most people would use the Second Person POV when telling s short story, writing an eassy (although you are not supposed to use the word "you" in an essay), in an article, poem or report. It's not very common to use the Second person POV but it really depends on how you want to tell your story and how you want it perceived.

Before we end this blog...

Be a Guest Speaker on The POV Lounge. Do you have some tips and advice on writing, marketing, editing, publishing, etc. We want to hear your advice and tips. http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/guestspeaker.htm

Signing Off,
Dominique Watson

Is it important to have an agent?

Some people wonder if they need an agent to get them in the door. I think getting an agent is just like trying to find a publishing company. It's hard and takes a long process to find what you need. The question really is which path of publication are you taking.

I'm currently instructing a class for this topic and we speak briefly on agents. If you are publishing a book that you feel needs to get into the right hands to be a success, an agent is the way to go. Agents will get your manuscript into the right hands and get you the right deal. Some publishing companies are not even accepting submissions unless you have an agent.

An agent is the middle man between you and the publisher but again, you must determine what your publication path is. If you are publishing through POD then you don't need an agent. You don't have to sell your book. All they want is your money.

But to give your book the professional push you need, getting an agent is the way to go. I will advise that you search and look around before deciding on an agent.

Here's a website I found about agents. You will want to read this: http://www.sfwa.org/beware/agents.html

If you are looking for an agent, look here: http://www.writers.net/agents.html

Before we end today's blog...

Today is the last day to submit your events for this weekend: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/writersweekendform.htm

Signing Off,
Dominique Watson

Building your confidence to showcase your work

For as long as I can remember, I've never been afraid to display my work. I've always been confident in my writings and what their story told. Of course, I always had quite a few spelling errors but I was never afraid to let someone read my work.



Not all writers are like me. Some love to write but don't have the nerve to show anyone. If you are looking to get published, write a best seller, you must first work up the nerve to show your work. You don't have to join a contest or yell it to the world that you have a new writing. Start small. Join a small group that allows first time writers to display their work. Or begin a blog. Invite certain people to read your blog and then when you get the courage to branch out, you can post more or take the next step to join contest or bigger groups. You can always start as small as to letting your family and friends read your work first.



What's most important is that you love your work. Once you have the confidence in what you do, it won't really matter what other people have to say. So start small and build your confidence that way. In no time you will be able to post in major gruops and networks and then get your work published.



Before we end this blog.....



Do you have an event going on this weekend? Submit your event to Writers VIP Weekend and let us help you get the word out about it: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/writersweekendform.htm



Be a Guest Speaker on The POV Lounge. Do you have some tips and advice on writing, marketing, editing, publishing, etc. We want to hear your advice and tips. http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/guestspeaker.htm



Signing Off,



Dominique Watson

What service are you looking for?

Looking for a particular service? From A Writers POV put together a short list of services for all writers.

Check them out below:

*SOUTHSTATE PARALEGAL SERVICES LLCparent company forOpen Book Ministries (http://openbook.design.officelive.com/default.aspx)

*Multimedia Reporter/Writer

Cherrie J. Webb

http://www.cherriewebb.com/



*VIP Editing

vip_editing@yahoo.com

*ScrappersWorkshop/ScrapKitty Design

http://www.scrappersworkshop.com/

custom graphics and web design/management; Photoshop classes

*STORY EDITING, LINE EDITING, & MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE.

http://www.learn2writeright.com/

*RVC & Associates**New website under constructionReviews, PR, coaching services, manuscript critiques, Freelance Writing

Look out for a new list next week!



Before we end this blog...



Do you have an event going on this weekend? Submit your event to Writers VIP Weekend and let us help you get the word out about it: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/writersweekendform.htm



Signing Off,



Dominique Watson