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Mwaahhhhahhhaa! Yes. I decided to tackle writing 50k words in 30 days. And. I decided now would be a most awesome time to begin blogging again. Of course. I’m a writer. I do everything and anything to distract me from ACTUALLY WRITING.
I’m not sure what or how I will chronicle the momentous event this month. So, if you’d like to drop in on my muse, my craze, my procrastination, I’d enjoy a comment of encouragement or two. I’d even welcome words of discouragement and mockery. That’s right. I’m a little sadistic like that.
Bring it. I’ll prove you wrong.
So far:
Day one = 1,940 words
Day two = 1,143
Total count: 3,083
Rambling to the inspiration of “Black Mud” – The Black Keys
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writing and ruminating
“Give yourself time for your subconscious to work…Make lists of every solution to the problem that you can think of. Even if you don’t come up with a solution on your list, it’s a warm up for your head, and you might think of it later (while in the shower or on a walk, etc.).” – Gennifer Choldenko {I found this wonderful quote posted here while reading about the 14-week novel project. Another post for another day)
I really think I’m going to try this. My YA “DANGER” Novel is nowhere near finished and I feel I keep rushing myself. But, when I rush in plotting, writing, not only is it crap (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but I get bored and frustrated with the story. I’m forcing it, and forcing my characters to do things – like smashing Barbie dolls together to make them kiss, even though they may not even like each other.
So, to Ponder, Brainstorm, Make Lists. (I LOVE lists!!) This will also be a lesson for my control-freak nature. What helps you solve the problems in your writing?
Written to the beats of ANIMAL, Neon Trees
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keep up
for my horoscope tells me so:
I will write utter crap and just let the words tumble from my mind to my fingers and sticky-up the keys. I Won’t focus on my limitations! I will go without judging. I will find a productive place later. After the crazy screwed up swirls of ideas and images tangle, twist and crash into one another, bulging at my temples, pulsing under my left eye.
Go! Write Crap!
*created to the tune of My Generation, The Who*
^^^Update: I just wrote 1,045 words of an intense scene. I think I used the word “pierced,” “Twitching” and some sort of bird metaphor like 18 times. But I surpassed my goal of 700 words! Today’s crap session was inspired by Thrive, Switchfoot
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Found while randomly trolling the internet….
- I really like how the author describes AND GIVES EXAMPLES on the importance of and how to use plot layers. Something as basic as everyday living, yet often skipped while writing. https://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/2012/02/plot-thickens.html
- Because I’m still struggling (read: procrastinating, whining and wallowing) I found this blog post helpful:
- https://writetodone.com/2012/02/11/mastering-words-transform-your-writing-weakness-into-strength/
- And in the same spirit of starting and not finishing… https://writetodone.com/2011/06/09/how-to-finish-what-you-start-a-five-step-plan-for-writers/ (will recommend to my young writing students, too, who have trouble starting and starting and starting some more stories.)
Any of these sites speak to you? Please share! I love to hear what my readers are thinking.
This blog post was written to the musical muse of: Chasing Cars /Snow Patrol
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Alyssa Poem ~ protag from The Year of Dangerous Living (my WIP)
Continue reading ]]>Pain is good. Danger is delicious.
Alyssa Poem ~ protag from The Year of Dangerous Living (my WIP)
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The need to be understood. Yep, isn’t this why we pick up the pen in the first place? We want to share our thoughts on life and emotions and feel the connection with the world. We want others to say “yeah, I get you, I totally feel that way, too.”
The pursuit of being original. But, really, it’s scary. Which is why you can’t tell some teen girls or guys apart. The straight hair chalked in pink and blue, skinny jeans, obsession with piercings, nail art and all things skulls. We writers try to mimic what’s safe. What we know is the trend right now. But, that doesn’t work. If you’re the same as the masses, you’ll disappear.
Keep your posse close: We can all learn from the tight pack of teenagers. Despite the drama, teens band together to feed off of each other’s energy and humor and feeling of connection. Writers need their pack of other creatives, too. To encourage and push us on, to cheer our successes and keep us real when the blocks form and the rejection slips come back.
Be rebellious. OK, I would not encourage my own teenager to do this, but of course he will. Afterall, he’s my kid. And he has strong opinions on things. He makes them known. Writers need to make their opinions known, too. This is called our VOICE. Our style. Be honest in your writing. It doesn’t mean writing about the snotty Room Mother not using your craft idea for the classroom party, but going deeper and writing about the neglect she feels at home from her Very.Important.Big.Shot husband.
Be selfish. Again, not something I’d encourage in my son, but as writers, especially if we have kids, day jobs or spouses, our writing tends to drop off our radar. We become crabby, bratty, temperamental (like a teen?) So instead, be a little selfish and SCHEDULE time for writing, even if it means missing one Sunday dinner a month at your in-laws. (you can thank me later!)
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2. Write every day. My music teacher says that it’s better to practice for fifteen minutes every day than to practice for two hours three times a week. I think the same is true for writing. Even if you can only dedicate a few minutes to writing every day, it will become an ingrained habit. Writing will become an integral part of your life. more tips…
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This little community of early-Saturday risers have known the delicious secret of our town’s Farmers’ Market for quite a long time. Since I’ve recently joined the community of early-Saturday risers, the Farmers’ Market has become a weekly morning date for my husband and me. With tasty, fresh results! Peaches, grapes, tomatoes, Door County Coffee (Mmmmm….)
But, it got me thinking, as most things do, about writing. Here are some ways The Farmers’ Market can teach us Writers:
- Fresh is Best. the freshest ideas, like the freshest, in-season produce totally outweighs the mass-produced, convenience packaged ideas (and foods!) Fresh, as in, Do Not try to write the next Harry Potter or Twilight or even 50 Shades of Gray. If you’re quirky, run with it! If you’re a poet, a romantic, a sci-fi fanatic – write your freshest stuff, and rewrite it, caring for it until it’s ripe.
- Presentation is Everything: I kinda feel bad, but not really. Those wobbly folding tables displaying pitiful containers of blueberries, raspberries and a few bedraggled ears of corn. Looks skimpy, gives the feeling of picked over produce, not a lot of love. Present your best work. Don’t send it out or share it until it’s ready. Really ready. And LOVE your work or no one else will.
- No Preservatives: OK, this goes against lesson #2, but there is such a thing as holding on too long. Our stories should not sit and ferment while still in the drafting phase. I know this from experience. There are no preservatives in my novels. And unfortunately, because I lost faith in my first few attempts, when I go back to resurrect them, the tone has changed. I have changed. It’s no longer the same story. And my characters tap their feet, impatient with me.
- Being Outdoors makes EVERYTHING better: Shopping, eating, talking, walking, kissing. And Writing. Write outside a coffee shop. Write while sitting on a bench in the park. Write next to a gurgling water fountain. Write on the train platform. Write on a grassy slope just outside the tents of the Farmers’ Market.