No sooner do I commit myself to writing...

than I start to feel anxious that it will all go horribly wrong, the novel-writing that is, and I will look foolish and people will laugh at me!

And that's if I manage to even write a novel.

What happens if nothing happens?

That is much worse, to me!

Anyway, I read a newsletter today that highlighted the very same anxiety I felt after publishing the first blog entry yesterday. And, with permission of the publisher Paul Myers of Talkbiz News, here is the corresponding excerpt that gave words to yesterday's anxiousness. (He's talking about a semi-famous internet marketer, Armand Morin. Now Armand is more than able to sell his internet marketing skills, but far less experienced when it comes to his completely new career of being a Country singer...)

Begin quote:
First, it shows you that action is a better habit than you might have thought.

Armand is famous for getting it done. Love him or hate him, he's constantly creating. And I'd bet that without that habit, and the resources it brought him, the album would never have
been made. It doesn't matter if you like it or not. It's Armand's dream, and he's going after it.
Will it work out? No-one knows. The only guarantee you get in life is what happens if you *don't* try. That's the meaning of the quote that's been at the bottom of every issue for pushing
10 years now: "100% of the shots you don't take don't go in."

Have you got a goal you haven't gone after?
http://www.talkbiznews.com/austin.html

Go look at that again.

If you've got a dream you haven't chased, get a copy. Listen to it and think about what it takes to make it happen. Making an album is putting yourself on the line, asking to be judged. What that takes is guts. Think about that. Then take your shot.
End quote

Thank you, Paul

PS I'm writing a blog, too

This will also be about writing a blog about writing a novel, too.

But it will not get any more introverted / incestuous / 'up itself' than that.

I promise

Begin Here!

I'm going to write my first novel.

Soon.

I have no idea what it's about yet. I am not a published author. And I don't really think I have a book in me.

It's just...

I am going to write my first novel. Soon.

And this is all about my journey from unpublished wannabee to published author in, say, 8 months time!

8 months?

Well, okay, I'm going to start writing my novel in 8 months time.

The truth is, I've started writing my novel today. I'm going to use this blog as an aide-memoire, as a prompt to action, as a reason to write... something, anything!

(I know, I can hear the groans already! Don't worry your little (or big) heads, i'm not interested in writing rubbish, not even if it means I become a millionaire and heavyweight American, and French actors star in the movie version of the book. Ahem!

I have little chance of achieving this, but my sights are set at books like Love in the Time of Cholera or The History of Love. Now those with big or small heads are not going to be offended if I knock out summat to read like that, are they?

Fat chance, I know.

But, aim high etc.)

So, back to the script, or the the scribbles on my scrap of paper! Where was I? Ah, yes...

I'm going to write my first novel. Soon.

So what are the first things to do then?
1) Start a blog. (Check.)
2) Buy a Site Build It! website. (Will do soon.)
3) Begin logging my progress as a budding wannabee of thousands of budding wannabees. (Check.)

By the way, call it bad or sloppy writing style but I happen to be a fan of the open and close bracket. (Don't worry. They won't bite. I'm sure they get a good write-up in Eats, Shoots & Leaves.)