Who said this writing thing was going to be easy? Honestly. You just imagine a story, plunk it out on the trusty-rusty keyboard, send it to an editor and Voila - fini - terminar - published.
*hunkers down, glowering at keyboard*
Alright. I thought it would be easy. Stories come to me. They rumble in my brain and make me put them on paper. They fill me with excitement until I have to edit.
I think I might need a new mindset. Excitement. Enthusiasm. Effervescence. Editing. See - they all start with the same letter and the first three sound totally wondrous. Must think fun, joy, fulfillment, pleasure, editing. Hm - doesn't seem to be working. Let's try something different.
Excrement. Evict. Evil. Oh dear. That doesn't make me inspired. Does it make you inspired! And then there's Elsewhere. Which is where I wish I was tonight.
I pulled out some critiqued pages of 'The Other Side.' I've got two characters who have brought along a large supply box on their adventure. They need rope. They open the box and there it is. In my mind's eye, I believe rope is an essential for an adventure. My critiquer thought it 'too convenient' for them to find the rope. I want to pull out my hair. I want to scream. It's little things like that that drive me mad.
And yet, I was near to tears watching the movie 'Master and Commander' tonight. You know what got me? What touched my soul profoundly? It was the fact that the sailors slept in their hammocks and, when they died (either in battle or from disease), they were trussed into the hammock and sent overboard. So basically - they know they are sleeping in their burial cloth. *shudders*
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311113/
It's a little detail like that that wins readers over, I think. So perhaps the position of the rope should be mused over.
I went to bed last night trying to figure out where I was going next with 'Other.' Thankfully, I remembered some thoughts from months ago. They work. I know exactly what I'm going to write. It will only take a wee change in Ch. 12 to make it happen. Then I can go on with the story and not be flummoxed.
Life is flummoxing.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
A Second Look
As I said last night, I am taking a second look at 'The Other Side,' my sci-fi adult novel. I'd had some hard critiques that stymied me, so I put it aside. The character needed an overhaul, according to my critiquer. I couldn't face that challenge. Sometimes, I find I'm a bit weak and sometimes, I'm stronger. I guess this is a 'stronger' time.
I'm so glad I pulled it out. It's good. I know I said that last night, but it's really good. Ch. 11 is where the **** hits the fan. Upon a second look, it wasn't so bad. I was able to change a couple things that made the scene more plausible and the character more real. I'm very happy with where it's at.
So Ch. 11 is done and I'm onto Ch. 12, but as in all things, I've left it at a cliffhanger and I'm wondering where on earth it's going to go now. I have the ending, of course, I make it a point never to start a novel until I figure out the ending - less scary. And I know what's supposed to happen in this chapter, but I'm feeling kind of shivery. I hate shivery. It's what usually stops me from writing. Might be why other writers have taken to drinking. *heavy sigh*
The novel's worth it, though, worth being a little scared. I love the characters. I'm excited by the plot. I can't wait to see what will happen next - but it's like watching a horror movie and the kids see a door and they know they shouldn't open it and I'm in the theater, thinking 'Don't open it,' but they do and there's always a monster or an axe-wielding murderer behind it.
Phew! Ok. I'm going to jump in. That's the only way to do it. Wish me luck!
In the meantime, I signed up for a slew of computer classes at our local library. I do so love the library and all I can learn. They're nothing like when I was a kid. I suppose they had to change to get people to come in and use them. I've signed up for four classes and for a 'coffee' clatch, too. Then I'm signing up for a writers' class starting in January. I don't know the instructor and I might not stay with it, but I thought it best if I broaden my horizons.
Life is horror. *giggle*
I'm so glad I pulled it out. It's good. I know I said that last night, but it's really good. Ch. 11 is where the **** hits the fan. Upon a second look, it wasn't so bad. I was able to change a couple things that made the scene more plausible and the character more real. I'm very happy with where it's at.
So Ch. 11 is done and I'm onto Ch. 12, but as in all things, I've left it at a cliffhanger and I'm wondering where on earth it's going to go now. I have the ending, of course, I make it a point never to start a novel until I figure out the ending - less scary. And I know what's supposed to happen in this chapter, but I'm feeling kind of shivery. I hate shivery. It's what usually stops me from writing. Might be why other writers have taken to drinking. *heavy sigh*
The novel's worth it, though, worth being a little scared. I love the characters. I'm excited by the plot. I can't wait to see what will happen next - but it's like watching a horror movie and the kids see a door and they know they shouldn't open it and I'm in the theater, thinking 'Don't open it,' but they do and there's always a monster or an axe-wielding murderer behind it.
Phew! Ok. I'm going to jump in. That's the only way to do it. Wish me luck!
In the meantime, I signed up for a slew of computer classes at our local library. I do so love the library and all I can learn. They're nothing like when I was a kid. I suppose they had to change to get people to come in and use them. I've signed up for four classes and for a 'coffee' clatch, too. Then I'm signing up for a writers' class starting in January. I don't know the instructor and I might not stay with it, but I thought it best if I broaden my horizons.
Life is horror. *giggle*
Monday, December 2, 2013
Drained
I am feeling pretty drained right about now. I spent the day with my daughter and her little one. The dogs (three) bark and fight and play and generally destroy the house with their goings-on. Pippin loves these playdates, but I find them grueling. At last, the dogs settle down and we three girls giggle about all sorts of things.
I tell them the tale of the turkey. My daughter is aghast, as well she should be, but we end up howling about it and remembering other 'turkey' events from the past.
Here's the tale: I called a dear friend and we got Chinese and returned to my house. She brought along her turkey carcass so I could make soup. The dog was pulling his leash, I was carrying the turkey on a platter, and holding on to a bag of groceries and, of course, the dog pulled on the leash, my arm went flying, the turkey slid off the platter and onto the sidewalk. I stood still, stunned, until I began to laugh. Life is too short to not laugh at such a wondrous 'Laurel and Hardy' moment. My friend gasped and recovered. Thankfully, she didn't drop our Chinese take-out.
We took the turkey inside, keeping the dog away from it, and washed it. I put it in a big kettle on the stove, hoping to boil away any germs or whatever. I can't believe I did that, but a good turkey carcass should not be wasted. I'll let you know if I die when I eat it.
The evening, filled with laughter and camaraderie, ended with watching the movie, Howl's Moving Castle. It's one of my most favoritest. Sometimes I'm afraid to share something as personal as 'Howl' is to me. My friend loved it. It is a gorgeous movie, full of wisdom and joy, and a good ending.
After another giggle, I came home and entered the last of the paperwork data on a spreadsheet. The papers are now in the 'file' folder. I don't know if I'll even bother filing them. They are out of the way and they are easily accessible.
I didn't know what to work on tonight. I was going to pull out 'Blue' and edit the next couple of chapters, but I felt the Muse calling me towards 'The Other Side.' Besides, my editor had called a week or so ago and begged me to continue writing it. My goodness! I am so grateful I listened.
Do you ever have those moments where you read something you've written and are stunned by its beauty or whatever? Well, that's what I had. 'The Other Side' is really scary. I had goosebumps as I read it. I was so overtaken by its passion and intensity that I can't begin to write the next part. I stopped reading at the end of Chapter Ten. Too intense. I'll read the rest of it (only a couple chapters left) and then start writing the next chapter, Chapter Twelve. I am beyond enthused. I am stunned and astounded at how good it is. I know I quit because there were a couple problems with the main character, but those, I think, can be easily solved. I'm so glad I started work on this one.
Tonight, I think, I will find it hard to sleep for 'Other' will definitely haunt me. But that's fun, too. I'm sure the Muse will speak to me as I lie in bed.
Life is haunting.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347149/ (Howl's)
PS - the turkey story is as good as the one from 'A Christmas Story' and only appropriate to use as this is the 30th anniversary and I live in the place where it was filmed.
http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/
I tell them the tale of the turkey. My daughter is aghast, as well she should be, but we end up howling about it and remembering other 'turkey' events from the past.
Here's the tale: I called a dear friend and we got Chinese and returned to my house. She brought along her turkey carcass so I could make soup. The dog was pulling his leash, I was carrying the turkey on a platter, and holding on to a bag of groceries and, of course, the dog pulled on the leash, my arm went flying, the turkey slid off the platter and onto the sidewalk. I stood still, stunned, until I began to laugh. Life is too short to not laugh at such a wondrous 'Laurel and Hardy' moment. My friend gasped and recovered. Thankfully, she didn't drop our Chinese take-out.
We took the turkey inside, keeping the dog away from it, and washed it. I put it in a big kettle on the stove, hoping to boil away any germs or whatever. I can't believe I did that, but a good turkey carcass should not be wasted. I'll let you know if I die when I eat it.
The evening, filled with laughter and camaraderie, ended with watching the movie, Howl's Moving Castle. It's one of my most favoritest. Sometimes I'm afraid to share something as personal as 'Howl' is to me. My friend loved it. It is a gorgeous movie, full of wisdom and joy, and a good ending.
After another giggle, I came home and entered the last of the paperwork data on a spreadsheet. The papers are now in the 'file' folder. I don't know if I'll even bother filing them. They are out of the way and they are easily accessible.
I didn't know what to work on tonight. I was going to pull out 'Blue' and edit the next couple of chapters, but I felt the Muse calling me towards 'The Other Side.' Besides, my editor had called a week or so ago and begged me to continue writing it. My goodness! I am so grateful I listened.
Do you ever have those moments where you read something you've written and are stunned by its beauty or whatever? Well, that's what I had. 'The Other Side' is really scary. I had goosebumps as I read it. I was so overtaken by its passion and intensity that I can't begin to write the next part. I stopped reading at the end of Chapter Ten. Too intense. I'll read the rest of it (only a couple chapters left) and then start writing the next chapter, Chapter Twelve. I am beyond enthused. I am stunned and astounded at how good it is. I know I quit because there were a couple problems with the main character, but those, I think, can be easily solved. I'm so glad I started work on this one.
Tonight, I think, I will find it hard to sleep for 'Other' will definitely haunt me. But that's fun, too. I'm sure the Muse will speak to me as I lie in bed.
Life is haunting.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347149/ (Howl's)
PS - the turkey story is as good as the one from 'A Christmas Story' and only appropriate to use as this is the 30th anniversary and I live in the place where it was filmed.
http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Surprises
I am not the type of person who needs people to call before they come to visit. If they are polite. I am a good housekeeper, but not a great one. I don't like dust, but sometimes it accumulates. My condo is small and if their are dishes in the sink, it makes the kitchenette look very cluttered. I try to keep the dishes in the dishwasher or in the cupboards, depending upon their condition.
D came over the other night, after a quick call, and we had a blast talking about office politics. We learned quite a bit from each other. In the midst of it, I prepared a surprise tea party. D was delighted with the scones. I told you they taste better after a day or two. No idea why. I'm sure there is some logical, scientific explanation. I don't care. They taste better on day two than day one.
During the tea party, D had a great idea for a scene in 'Cornelius.' She explained it and I howled along with her. She has a great sense of humor and the macabre, which suits her story perfectly.
Even though we weren't there to discuss writing, we always do. It's like breathing. Our books and characters and plots and all the paraphernalia that come with them leak into whatever activity we are about. That's the great thing about running around with authors. We leak and we don't mind. *giggle giggle snort snort*
My dining room table is clean. There is not one piece of paper on it. My last three months of diligence have paid off. We could have a tea party without having to clear the blasted thing off first. I have succeeded. I feel free. I am ready to get back into 'Blue' and give my characters h e double hockey sticks. Ah - memories of childhood.
Now - all I have to do is figure out where I put the blasted MS. Just kidding. It's sitting next to me, but it's a wee bit late to be plunging in now. AND - I refuse to even think about it (get back you thoughts) because I couldn't sleep if I started working on it now.
I'll surprise 'Blue' tomorrow and pull her from her black binder and work on the next chapter. I'm doing pretty well with this. If you remember, I went back to the drawing board, so to speak, and am putting 'my' voice back into it. It feels better. More comfortable with a heavy dose of action and adventure.
Life is good.
D came over the other night, after a quick call, and we had a blast talking about office politics. We learned quite a bit from each other. In the midst of it, I prepared a surprise tea party. D was delighted with the scones. I told you they taste better after a day or two. No idea why. I'm sure there is some logical, scientific explanation. I don't care. They taste better on day two than day one.
During the tea party, D had a great idea for a scene in 'Cornelius.' She explained it and I howled along with her. She has a great sense of humor and the macabre, which suits her story perfectly.
Even though we weren't there to discuss writing, we always do. It's like breathing. Our books and characters and plots and all the paraphernalia that come with them leak into whatever activity we are about. That's the great thing about running around with authors. We leak and we don't mind. *giggle giggle snort snort*
My dining room table is clean. There is not one piece of paper on it. My last three months of diligence have paid off. We could have a tea party without having to clear the blasted thing off first. I have succeeded. I feel free. I am ready to get back into 'Blue' and give my characters h e double hockey sticks. Ah - memories of childhood.
Now - all I have to do is figure out where I put the blasted MS. Just kidding. It's sitting next to me, but it's a wee bit late to be plunging in now. AND - I refuse to even think about it (get back you thoughts) because I couldn't sleep if I started working on it now.
I'll surprise 'Blue' tomorrow and pull her from her black binder and work on the next chapter. I'm doing pretty well with this. If you remember, I went back to the drawing board, so to speak, and am putting 'my' voice back into it. It feels better. More comfortable with a heavy dose of action and adventure.
Life is good.
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