Dust It Off Bloghop: What I've Learned from this WiP



I'm here with the final day of Theresa Paolo and Cortney Pearson's three part Dust It Off Bloghop.

Before I share my get to what I've learned from this WIP, I'd like to thank everyone who read and commented on Saturday's post. The positive response Kyra and I got for the excerpts were again overwhelming, and very encouraging. It now seems very likely that we're going to start work on this project again in the next few weeks, inspired by how well it's been received so far. Thank you for the kind words, it's greatly appreciated.

Without further ado, onto today's post.

Post what you learned from this WiP

Oh goodness, I've learned so much.

The first thing is that I can write in first person. Before this WiP, I'd never written in first person, but Kyra said it offered a lot more chances to get inside the character's head, so I gave it a try. I found I quite enjoyed it, and while I still prefer third person, I have another project written in first person too.

I also learned how fun it can be co-writing with someone. If you're lucky enough to have found the right person – which I've been blessed with (♥ you Kyra) – it's an awesome experience. You can bounce ideas around, and explore areas you might not have discovered before. Plus, a new person brings new perspectives and life experiences to add to the story. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and combining strengths can lead to some really great writing.

I've learned that if you shelved a story, and it's still in your head six years later, it might be worth revisiting. Sometimes a story gets put to one side, not because it isn't good, but because other things take precedent. That doesn't mean the story was rubbish and should be given up on.

In addition, I've learned that time away from a story, and growing as a writer, really changes your perspective. When recently looking through this WiP, I have so many new ideas for the plot and characters that I didn't have six years ago.

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24 comments:

  1. Well, this looks interesting! I'm apparently coming in at the end of a 3-part blog hop, but I would agree that you learn something from everything you write, whether you finish it or not. And it's great to see a shelved idea come back with so much vigor!

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    1. Thank you. Yes, you do learn something with everything you, that's why I think you should never see a shelved story as a bad experience. I'm very excited about this ideas coming back to life.

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  2. So glad you guys will be resurrecting this!!! :)

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  3. I've never made a solid attempt to try co-writing a story, but you make it sound like a lot of fun. If I ever get the opportunity to give it a whack, I think I might.

    I like what you said about shelved stories. Just because it's been a while doesn't mean the story was bad, it just means it might be worthy another look.

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    1. Thanks for you comments.

      If you ever get the chance to co-write, and find the right person, I'd defiantly go for it. It's a lot of fun.

      Even if shelved stories aren't worth reworking, they're at least worth looking at to see what you can learn from them. When a story stays with you for so long, it's probably worth another look.

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  4. Good lessons. I prefer 3rd person too, but its fun to stretch writing abilities.

    .......dhole

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    1. Thank you. It's good fun stretching your writing abilities.

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  5. Aww, I love you too! <3

    I agree with all of this - in fact, I don't think I have anything much that is different to write for my own post lol!

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  6. Writing in 1st person is my favorite. 3rd is much harder. It's good to try new things.

    Good luck with the story--it sounds like you're bringing itback.

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    1. Each to their own, I suppose. I find third person much easier than first.

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  7. It's wonderful that you had a great experience co-authoring. I know it can be tough to do. I prefer third person too, but as you learned, first person does have certain positives.

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    1. Thanks for your comments. :)

      It certainly does, and I especially feel that it lends itself to romantic stories.

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  8. I have to repeat what I just wrote over at Kyra's blog: the pair of you make such a dynamic duo, I would be thrilled to read any collaboration between you!

    I think it's a tremendous blessing to have someone to bounce ideas off of and write with. That kind of support is rare and worth its weight in gold!

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    1. Thanks for your kind words, Jay. Hopefully one day we'll be able to share this story with you. ;)

      It really is a blessing, I'm very lucky to have Kyra in my life.

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  9. I love that you got to write with Kyra, I think that's fabulous! And that you're getting new ideas. It really is beneficial to take some time away from a WIP no matter whether it's shelved or ready to query. That new perspective really helps. Thanks so much for participating with us!! :D

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    1. Thanks for your comments, and the wonderful job you (and Theresa) did hosting.

      It's fantastic to have these ideas, and a new direction for them again. Hopefully we can make something from it. :D

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  10. "I've learned that if you shelved a story, and it's still in your head six years later, it might be worth revisiting. " << THIS! Perfect!
    Glad you guys decided to give it a try ;)

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  11. Taking time away from a manuscript definitely helps give perspective! I know I was able to do a lot of inspired editing and rewriting on my first Russian novel last year, a decade after completing it, because I'd had so much time away and was really reading it with new eyes, rediscovering these characters and all the twists and turns of the various storylines. I'm glad now I put the sequel on hiatus for that decade and started again from memory and with my notes last June, since I was able to have storylines and take it in directions I never envisioned when I was only 21.

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    1. Thanks for commenting. Yes, new perspective after time away is a great thing. Especially as, like you said, your direction changes, and you envision new things, as you get older. My writing has changed a great deal in the last ten years.

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  12. First off I can't tell you how excited I am that you and Kyra are going to give it another go. I loved the pitch and the excerpts and knew from the minute I finished reading them this is a book that needs to be given a second shot. Going into this hop I hoped it would spark interest in WIP's that are sitting and most likely shouldn't be. Good luck. And please keep us updated.

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  13. Thank you. We're very excited about giving the story another go. :)

    And thanks for the kind words about what you've of the story already. It's encouragement like that, that's inspired Kyra and I to give it another shot.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this entry, and comment. I really appreciate it.