Date Your Computer and Finish Your Novel

by: Rosemarie Aquilina

So, you want to be a writer? 

Then write. Don’t look back.  

When I decided to write and finish my novel, I stopped talking about it, and I found the time. I decided to date my computer. I looked at my life and scheduled my date in. I dedicated my lunch hours at work to writing. I closed my door, turned off my phones, and enjoyed my lunch date with my computer. I wrote with a goal, like I was training for a marathon. My goal was one page. I never beat myself up about not meeting my goal. I recognized that writing, was the overall goal. And I wrote. At times I wrote a sentence, a paragraph, a page, then it grew to several pages. Words always landed on the page. On the occasions my job trumped my ability to write over my lunch hour, I wrote during any other break I had and if I couldn’t take a break, I built in back up writing dates: after my shower while my hair air-dried, the hour before I fell asleep instead of my usual television show, I awoke an hour early, I brought home take-out and wrote during my normal cooking and clean-up time. Once my novel took on a life of its’ own, and I got into the rhythm of writing, I found that I couldn’t miss my writing dates and my “characters” woke me up in the middle of the night to write. 

Nine months later, the first draft of my novel was finished.

Rule One. Make a date with your computer and never stand it up.

I treat my writing like eating, bathing, training for my military physical fitness test, and my daily beauty regiment. I fit writing into my life because I am serious about writing. If you want to write and keep talking about it, but never find the time—please talk to your reflection in the mirror or talk as the water pounds against your words in the shower because, I, and I suspect others you talk to, are tired of your mantra without seeing serious action. I want you to think about this: In the time it takes to talk about how you’ve always wanted to write, what you’ve thought about writing, and why you want to write, you’ve had enough time to draft a paragraph and begin the writing journey. 

I now find that because I used this “training” method, my writing has taken over and easily fits into my life rather than me fitting it in. 

Hopefully, I’ve motivated you to begin, but that is not enough. You must continue. 

And, for the record, I’m what they call a pantser: I don’t outline, like planners do. I write and develop my story as I go. However, I do have a general idea of my storyline in my head; on occasion, I will make a one page handwritten statement of my story idea so I don’t lose focus. If you are an outliner, a planner, my process still works just keep moving forward to completion then write each chapter accordingly. I believe all writers are both pantser’s and planners because writing is a work of art and there are always elements of surprise even to the author. 

Rule Two. Never rewrite until you complete your work. 

I do not rewrite what I have written. I do not look back. I finish. While I write my novel, I find it is not the time to redraft. Any redrafting causes me delay and confusion. Until I reach the end of the novel, I do not redraft. I keep moving forward. I do take notes along the way. I use Track Changes and place New Comments in the margins to remind me to verify a fact, tie in something, re-mention a fact, etc. I keep character notes and research in a separate document and somethings that I often refer to at the end of the novel, for quick reference—for ease of consistency regarding characters, timeline, place, etc. When you are finished this will assist you in your next draft and will help any editor you work with. 

Rule Three. Take time to reflect upon what you have written by doing something completely different for two to four weeks. 

I am finished. I step away for a few weeks from my finished work. I may relax for a few days, but I usually prefer to write something, anything, to keep up the writing-adrenaline. It is important to step away from the finished work so that when the revision process begins I can red what I have written with a fresh perspective.  

Rule Four. Learn the rules of your genre.

Each genre has its “rules” whether you like them or not, including word length. I familiarize myself with the rules before I edit, revise and tighten. Even if I think I know the “rules” I revisit them because industry standards change, especially because of the changes in technology. 

Before I edit, I listen to my work anywhere I can. As I drive, cook, get ready in the morning, etc. I take notes on what doesn’t seem clear. There are programs and/or settings on your cell phone and computer that allow for voice reading. It isn’t perfect, but it works to hear the words you’ve written. Then I begin the actual revision process. I cut, rewrite, rewrite, and rewrite. I clean-up, tighten, and make certain time-line, clues, and character description, is woven throughout my novel. I rectify inconsistencies, gaps, and delete clichés then create my own saying that works.

When I am certain I’ve done my best work, and I’m proud of it, I find a good editor. Then, I edit again, in most cases another one to three times to ensure my writing is up to industry standards—which is different than what I learned in English class. I have found it is not enough that my friends and family love my work. I need a trained editor who is brutally honest, who is willing not just to slash but to explain why the changes are needed, and who is familiar with the market and my genre. I save money for this. Editing is not free. I have learned over the years who is a good editor for me and who is not. I am very careful at who I choose to work with. Many people call themselves editors and make promises that cannot be true; I am leery of those. I choose editors with a proven record who will be hard on me. I want to learn and get it right. I want to write and be published. I want my readers to enjoy my characters as much as I have enjoyed the process. I know that takes hard work. 

Rule Five. Educate yourself and prepare for submission. 

I prepared for submission. I wrote a strong Query Letter and Bio. I prepared single-spaced and double spaced versions. I prepared snail-mail copies and email copies. I made sure everything was professional, spell-checked and proof-read. I attend writing seminars both on-line and those where Agents are present. I submitted first pages to Agents for comment whenever I could—it is usually inexpensive and invaluable. And I revise again, based on those comments. I am never offended or thin-skinned by negative comments. I learn from them and keep moving forward positively. I attend writing seminars and classes whenever I can. I engage with other writers because writers understand writers and it is a pleasure to talk about what I love to do with someone else who loves to do the same thing and truly understands.

Rule Six. Research Literary Agents and submit.

I submitted, according to their submission guidelines, my novel to Agents I researched who were currently accepting submissions in my genre. And, yes, it took me about one-hundred query letters to find my Agent. Each time I received a rejection letter, I sent five more query letters. I became inspired by the rejections, not discouraged. It only takes one yes. And, it was worth it, because I found the right Agent. And, I never gave up. And, I still I write. I didn’t stop writing just because I finished. My attitude is: If this novel doesn’t sell, the next one will. 

Rule Seven. Write for the joy of it.

I write because I love writing. I love the process. I love the characters, the storytelling, the surprises I find along the way. I write because it is a vacation for my brain. I write for me and it is genuine pleasure if someone else enjoys what I’ve written.