You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks

See even I can learn something new. When I started this blog I thought everyone should have the right to there opinion. Now the flaw in that is I wanted people to hold my same opinion.

HA!

Now how have I changed my mind. Well after reading the comments in the flame war I came across this question:

The only question I have is regards to when is it a good time or place to speak about your bad experiences. So many times I’ve come up against “you’re unprofessional” for saying MY experience was bad. When is it okay to say it? Where is it okay to say?

The answer, which opened my eyes:

I think speaking up is a matter of personal preference. At the time you think is right, when the topic is essential for you, and at a place you think you will be heard. If you have issues with your publisher that are important to you and you think important to others (other than “I don’t like my editor because her hair is blue”) you have a right to bring them out publicly. It’s your experience. You can’t worry about what anyone else thinks.

The answer sums up what I've been struggling with myself. It really does come down to personal choice.

To speak or not to speak, that is the question. What's your answer?

The Writing Process

For a while there I thought I had mine nailed down. I get the first line and then I'd write the story like a maniac. And then the next book came along and I stalled out by chapter three. I became more cautious of writing down that first line. I figured if it came back to me--like the old adage goes--then it was meant to be. Of course, that worked only once and then I found myself plotting out the first turning points. Of course after a longer while that didn't work.

So, now I'm on the brink of finishing an unfinished ms and seeing that this process is going to be different, again. Starting smack-dab in the middle of the book doesn't excite me as opening up a blank document. I'm going to have to fall in love with the story to care enough to get to The End. I'm going to have to find a way to get my characters out of limbo.

Strange, but it's the reason why I love writing. Each book is another challenge. What worked before sure as hell isn't going to work again. I hate the same-ol-same feeling. But, I can admit it's irritating to find what works for this book.

So, tell me, do you have a different writing process with each book or has it stayed the same since you first started writing?