Novel My novel torn to pieces and in need for advice

My parents never actually tore my work to pieces, but I did loose an entire novel when my hard disk corrupted (at that point I didn't save anything onto USBs unless it was finished product- don't ask) and so my advice is: start over. It will be time consuming and you may be frustrated, but pick up the pieces and write the damn thing over again. Only this time keep it safe and keep it secret.

 

I'd just like to add my condolences for having lost a piece of work you were so obviously attached to in such a horrendous way! There are times when I truly understand the reasons why I love to sit alone with my writing so much. One of those reasons: Other people suck.

Have you thought more about going back and re-writing the piece that was destroyed? Personally, I think that might be a good idea even if it is painful to a certain degree, which I'm sure it is.

 

Well you did write it, so you most definitely remember the basic plot and your favorite scenes. The thing is, I don't know if your first draft was finished or not, but if it was, you would be moving on to a second draft. That's what I'm doing right now, and I noticed I am pretty much re-writing EVERYTHING. So, even if it was not finished, you could just start a second draft, though it will be extremely hard to do without the original mc, but re-writing is an option I think. Sorry to hear about this...

 

I know alot of muslim people whose parents wouldn't go tearing up their work even if it went against their religion or cultural beliefs.

This particular person's parents did, but that doesn't make it more acceptable in my eyes - though I do understand that they have the right to be offended by certain things, there are still other ways that they couldv'e delt with it.

Nineteen to me just seems a little bit too old for their parents to get involved, no matter what culture they've come from.

But anyway, this isn't about parents, this is about how best to get started again.


So like I said, keep writing away from home and use libraries and computer cafe's to write your work and store it on USB keys. If it's not allowed in the home then fine, but you're an adult and you are entitled to express your creativity in writing however you please outside of your parent's home - just keep writing and improve your skills. It might be frustrating, but atleast you won't make the same mistakes again this time around.

 

Whilst their actions may be largely based on superstition, I highly doubt it. Of the Muslim countries, and even as far as places like America are concerned, the OP's country has historically been, and still is, relatively liberal in comparison with its neighbours, and from my own knowledge its inhabitants reflect that. As a result, the OP's parents had no right to destroy that novel, so I encourage you not to give them a penny (or, well, the equivalent ) of the money you earn from writing (if I was you, I'd make money just for the sole purpose of not giving them any).

As for how to get started again, just do it. Let them keep destroying it, if they get their hands on it. Think of it as practice to make even more money to not give them, even if that isn't actually your intention.

 

I'd love to say that's awful and I can't imagine parents doing that sort of thing, but I always kept my writing notebook hidden in my backpack as a kid because I was afraid of exactly that.

Anyway, what got you enthused about writing in the first place? I recommend finding a new but similar muse. Find something that inspires you to write and go back to it whenever you lose your energy.

 

I can relate if your parents are religious... Mine were uber christian, the holy roller types, they would have probably done the same thing to me if I had been writing about vampires, of course I moved out not long after I turned 18, because of the controlling behavior.

There is one thing that most writers are able to do, whether you have lost your motivation or not, write what you know. Write about your life, in a fictionalized way though. You could add vampires in later if you wanted.

Learn to hide your stuff better. I used to use my dresser (pulled the drawers out -- there was a bottom to each of my drawer shelves-- and I would put notebooks or letters under my drawers.) I taped a cereal box to the bottom of my dresser ( it had a low enough bottom that it wasn't visible from across the room) and put stuff in there. I cut a hole in the bottom of my box spring and put stuff up inside of it. I used to have boxes of old toys in my closet, those always made for a good hiding place. Sometimes plain sight works two, a notebook covered with a magazine outside page works pretty well as long as they are in a bookshelf in your room.

A friends house, one's who's parents don't search though their stuff, is also an alternative when you want things to be kept safe and you trust the friend.

You can't read vampire novels? How about going to the local library to read? You don't have to check the book out, read it at the library. It should only take you a couple of days with several hours of intense reading to get through a book.

If you're not 19, then this next bit won't apply to you yet. But, get a job and move out. Find some friends who need a roommate, or find a room to rent until you find a place to share with someone.

If you're under 18, then you're just going to have to stick it out until you are 18 and can move out. Don't cause waves, act the part, and write in secret.

Better yet, go ahead and try to write something more friendly to what your parents beliefs are. If they are christian of some sort, then try writing a teen novel about a demon fighter, think Buffy the vampire slayer for christians. Just don't put any steamy scenes in it, maybe only kissing, but even that has to be appropriate.

Don't get depressed cause your parents are jerks. It happens. No parent is perfect, they are flawed human beings like the rest of us. Write because you must create. Otherwise all efforts you attempt will fall short, because your motivation to create is missing.