Comments on: Overcome Your Book Doubts By Asking WHY

By: Jay Hicks

Jay Hicks — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 22:57:25 +0000

Hi Jennie. I do hope you get this response from me. I visited another WHW post today which had a link to this older article, and it led me to download your writers guide. I devoured it up to no 33 – You are no different to the crazy cat lady down the street. I stopped there for a moment because I just had to share: I am writing about said crazy cat lady! I live in rural small town Australia and in a town not so far away are two such women. One a collector of animals (begged, borrowed, or stolen) who had a penchant for housing them inside her rental home (ducks and all – I know the landlords). The other, an old widow who lives alone on the family farm without electricity. I’ve melded these two into a toned down and delightful, though damaged, elderly woman whose sole purpose in life is to avoid people, preferring to devote her love to rescuing injured or neglected animals. Her problems with the townsfolk are both real and imagined and I’ve had the most glorious fun creating her world and arc. Sometimes it’s the invisible, oft derided people on the margins of society that have the greatest gifts. Cat ladies are not always crazy, despite what people think. Thanks for your insights. I’ve signed up for your newsletter and am looking forward to browsing through your posts (after I do my day’s revision that is). x Jay

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Thu, 15 Jan 2015 03:18:34 +0000

[…] https://writershelpingwriters.net/2014/12/overcome-book-doubts-asking/ […]

By: Cynsational Information & Giveaways | TiaMart Blog

Cynsational Information & Giveaways | TiaMart Blog — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 02:50:16 +0000

[…] Overcome Your Manuscript Doubts By Asking Why by Jennie Nash from Angela Ackerman at Writers Serving to Writers. Peek: “I truly consider that not understanding the reply to why is certainly one of issues that holds plenty of writers again. They know they like to put in writing, they know they’re good at it, they know they’ve a narrative to inform, however they don’t know why it issues to them, or what, precisely, it means to them.” […]

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Why? | sharon p. lynn — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 12:32:48 +0000

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Sun, 14 Dec 2014 09:22:06 +0000

[…] 2. Why you’re probably asking the wrong questions when figuring out your novel…and what question you should be asking instead: Overcome Your Book Doubts By Asking WHY […]

By: Tim McCanna

Tim McCanna — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 03:34:46 +0000

In reply to Jennie Nash.

Thanks Jennie!
You really helped me. I’m just getting back to my manuscript after 6 months of not writing due to depression (I’m bipolar). I was manic when I wrote it in 6 weeks. Now I see that I have a solid beginning, but the story starts to fall apart after the mid-point.
You have graciously provided me with an approach to realign the work.
Thank you so much.
Tim

By: Ann Cassowary

Ann Cassowary — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 01:11:42 +0000

In reply to Jennie Nash.

I know what you mean. It’s that “I really want to keep this line, because it sounds nice, but is it really true?” kind of feeling. (I usually succumb, but my beta readers usually beat it out of the draft.)

I do kind of get what you mean, though. When you first start writing a story, there’s definitely that feeling that you have a wonderful idea and you’re positive it’ll turn into a bestseller. But (especially for novels) it usually doesn’t last.

Anyway, it was an interesting post and I enjoyed it. Thanks again.

By: Jennie Nash

Jennie Nash — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 17:52:46 +0000

In reply to Ann Cassowary.

LOL — I actually look at that line that personified story about ten times and wondered if I should keep it or not. I’m not sure I believe it, either! Does a story want ANYTHING? Yikes — could get pretty metaphysical pretty fast. But I kept the line (Obviously.) I think it has a certain element of truth to it for a lot of writers. For many others, it’s more what you describe: the writer is called or compelled.

By: Jennie Nash

Jennie Nash — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 17:49:56 +0000

In reply to Karen Rider.

Another smart trick is to give yourself permission to stop. Decide that you AREN’T going to write the novel. Decide not to worry about it until, say, February 1st. During that time, if thoughts about the novel come up, remind yourself that you decided not to write that book. And then see how it feels. It might actually be a giant relief. You might actually not want to do it, and letting it go will make room for other passions. OR you might not be able to stand it. You might clamor for the chance to get back to it.

And one other thing — I don’t want to be super salesy here, but check out my Author Accelerator program, particularly Phase 1. Look at some of the testimonials. This 5 week $200 program is all ABOUT clarity and intention and why…

By: Ann Cassowary

Ann Cassowary — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 07:51:29 +0000

Interesting article! I’m not one hundred percent convinced that all writers write because the story begs them to. If that was really the case, writer’s block shouldn’t be as much of a problem. I write because I want to write, which I don’t think is quite the same.

Still, a fascinating read! I enjoyed it. Thanks Jennie!

By: Karen Rider

Karen Rider — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 00:34:08 +0000

I just had to come back to this because I’m going through a phase in which I’m just not sure what I want to write — everything immediately sounds exciting but nothing is sticking, when it comes to storytelling (my other writing life, the one that pays at least some of the bills, the why is obvious (paycheck, and the work is usually quite interesting to me-but even when a gig is not my “most desired project” I still can get through with a good edit!)
Fiction though, the passionate why has to remain felt, somewhere inside myself. Maybe it’s winter doldrums, but right now, WHY is waiting for an answer… this is probably some winding, loopy road I’m just going to have write myself out of, with lots of visits to the digital trashcan on my laptop.

By: Karen Rider

Karen Rider — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 00:27:25 +0000

In reply to Jennie Nash. That was an awesome reply!