Time to start re-writing

After three years on a Creative Writing course my productivity in writing has plummeted and my motivation has been sapped, why is this? In the first year I was all fired up - I went to a writing group albeit for only a few weeks before it got too cliquey - I wrote my first novel (The One Hundred and One Arabian Nights - 130,000 words) as well as a few short stories and co-wrote a film script which, despite certain people's comments, I thought was a great and original idea. However then came the second and third years and real life seemed to have taken over; the need for money and a proper job, the fact that I had to think of a new idea for a story for each module drained my imagination and enthusiasm. It had its plus sides though, I definitely have developed as a writer though I feel more conscious when starting a new story, my grammar definitely improved, I realised what areas I was strong in etc. but the passion I first had was drained out of me. Was I getting too old? Had I found other interests? Did my confidence in my writing plummet after some bad feedback and the rejection of my novel? I can't really pinpoint one thing but I used to get such a thrill when writing especially if it was something that I would read out in class or someone else would - to think someone would read my words as I had read the works of my favourite writers was something that really excited me. But after three years has that novelty worn off? I have to confess that it has, to see my name in print would still excite me I'm sure but perhaps I've become more realistic that I won't suddenly become the next J.K.Rowling overnight. In the past I've snubbed writing magazines, competitions even blogs and websites thinking that I didn’t want to waste my time on small fry when I could write a novel, get an agent and then a huge advance from a publisher that would allow me time to wallow in luxury. Alas dreams are harder to make into reality than they are to imagine them. But after a lot of thinking and some interesting and insightful talks by lecturers I’ve realised you’ve got to build your profile up in this modern day internet age. The publishing world is changing, like musicians used to come to fame and recognition through underground movements and word of mouth now they come to fame through the use of the internet sites like MySpace and YouTube excel trends that would normally take many years to occur. The same with writing. Publishers and agents look online for 'the next big thing' if you can get your name out there and recognised it means that by the time you do come to hitting the big league you can have something behind you to give your submission more weight and credence.
So after this long winded explanation of my current writing situation I have now been inspired to take up the struggle anew! Projects long put off should be put into motion once again, I want to rediscover the joy I had for writing as a form of escapism, of developing a skill and craft to a professional level and producing a piece of work I am proud of. It’s true that whenever I write - and I mean a good 2,000 words here not just the odd random sentence - I feel good. It's hard to compare but I feel like I have achieved something important in that time it’s like when you do exercise except it’s an exercise of the mind.
So let’s make a plan projects to undertake and start -

Do more work on this blog and post more regularly

Set up a facebook page and maybe even a "professional" writing account
Research more into online magazines and competitions
Get into the habit of writing - short stories and plays at first

Continue my second novel and finish it in a rough draft Summer/Early Autumn

Re-draft again and again my Arabian Nights novel

Submit my stories to different magazines

Improve my skills by remembering what I have been taught and improving upon it



Wish me luck!!