I’m still not finish with my Chapter 2. I feel like there is something missing. Is it normal to feel that and spend countless hours finding what it is? I hope so. I don’t want to labeled as crazy. As the title says, I’m doing great. I have about a thousand words in it. I know it is slow but I like to keep it on my own pace.
I’m not a native English speaker. I just noticed that my verbs and subjects is punching and kicking each other. The tenses are tangled right from the beginning. It’s stupid but sometimes it makes me laugh. This fiasco reminds me to keep and read a grammar book at all times. Even though the English Language is littered with kinds and kinds of rules and exceptions. I hope can get a hold of it.
Thanks for reading. Have a nice day!
Glad you’re moving forward, even us natives have problems with english grammar from time to time. Best of luck finishing chapter 2
Sometimes if I feel like something is missing, I leave a little note to myself and move on – later on in the story, it might come to me.
Just keep reading and you’ll pick up on the grammar stuff, no worries. Good luck! 🙂
I have trouble with English and it’s my native language. I have huge respect for someone writing in a language that isn’t their first. Good luck and keep it going.
It’s totally, absolutely normal. Here’s a way past the block: Get out a notebook or any kind of blank paper and a pen. Forget about spelling/grammar/non-native languages. On the first line, write “This is a chapter about . . .” and keeping going, writing snippets and phrases and leaving lots of white space to maneuver. This a screenwriting technique I learned called “spinning down the page”. Do it over and over until you get everything you need. Works for me every time.
I constantly think something is missing as I write, but that’s what first drafts are all about. Onward!
You’ve gotten great advice already, so I’ll just add that it’s a huge undertaking to write anything – from a note to a friend all the way to a full-on novel – in anything other than your native language, so congrats and it sounds like you’ll do quite well with it!
Writing is the same in any language – all of us get that feeling that something is missing. How about writing in your native language and then translating? I’ve a French friend who does that.
Don’t get hund up on trying to make one chapter perfect. Just make a note to yourself about whatever it is that you feel is a problem and then go back and check it again later. Keep moving forward and then take care of it in the next draft!
I rely on my beta readers to find what’s missing–and they always do. Beta readers are invaluable. They can also help you untangle the subject/verb squabbles. 🙂
Good luck toward your goals! 🙂
The English language has so many rules! It’s hard for all of us. So I really admire you for doing this. And I think you’re doing just fine on word count considering it’s slower for you. And like Sharon said, beta readers can really help get things untangled.
amazing writing in a second language – I am impressed – well done and best of luck next week
First drafts are for experimenting. 🙂 If you don’t find what’s missing now, you will find it later- just keep writing.
You’re doing very well with your English, hats off to you! 🙂
You’ll get there. Keep At it!
Some of my ESL students had verbs that punched their subjects, but they produced some excellent writing. Bet you do too!
We don’t have ESL ma’am. But if there was, I will be drenched in sweat.