Actually I don't believe in "writer's block" in the way people traditionally define it. At least not for me. I believe that other people believe in it and I suppose I should feel more sympathetic towards them, but most of the time when I'm going through something like writer's block it's more out of sheer laziness on my part than anything else and I assume if a writer really buckled down, they'd get over it.
However. That is not to say that I don't get clogged now and then. And this I am sympathetic about, because I feel it always stems from a reason. And if you look at that reason, you can unclog yourself and start writing again. There are two types of clogs: idea clogs and flow clogs.
Idea clogs happen when you can't think of anything to write about. I would suggest that you have an idea before you sit down to write, coming up with one on the spot can indeed be difficult. The trick is to be sponge. Open yourself to material while you are reading, watching TV, listening to the radio, talking to your friends and family. Soak it all in and if you have the glimmer of an idea, ANY idea, WRITE IT DOWN. It doesn't have to be good now, you just don't want to forget that you had it. The act of writing it down will reinforce it in your memory and while it's there in your head it will bump and mingle with all the other ideas you have and eventually when you need to squeeze something out ideas will come.
Or if this doesn't work and you still have trouble thinking of ideas, there are all sorts of writing prompts that you can use. Or you can pick some technique a favorite author uses and try and imitate it, starting with the technique first rather than an "idea."
This probably isn't very helpful, because I don't usually have a problem with ideas. I have more fantasy novels in my head than I'll probably be able to write in a lifetime.
The other type of clog is the flow clog. This happens to me a lot. It's happening to me right now actually. This is what happens when you are writing something and for some reason you lose the thread or the spark and it stops flowing. For me this state results from one of two things. Either I have just lost focus and/or are avoiding writing for some reason that has nothing to with the story at all or there is something wrong with what I have written before or what I am planning on writing that my subconscious recognizes needs to be fixed before I continue. Sometimes if I identify to myself what the problem is and promise to fix it later, I can continue. Sometimes I can't.
This is where strength of will comes in. If it is a lack of focus, I just have to buckle down and do it. If I sit in front of the computer for two hours and actually try to write, word WILL come, probably close to 2,000 of them, it it's a work in progress, but if I don't give myself that time because I'm not focused the words don't have a chance. If it's a problem I see, there may be something to letting my subconscious stew on the problem for awhile, but eventually, I have to again actually sit down and focus on what the problem is.
Writing is hard. Anyone who doesn't think so hasn't tried it. But blaming lack of progress on "writer's block" instead of taking responsibility for your process, will not help you move forward. Identify what kind of clog you have and start plunging! Take control of your writing. It might be slow at first, but eventually, the flow will come back.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Thursday, January 12, 2006
I had New Year's resolutions...
but I'm not sure what happened to them. Ok, so I'm still on my diet, but this is only my second week. It's too soon to tell if I'll really be able to stick with it. But I paid for 3 months of the Weight Watchers online service, so hopefully... And anyway, I like putting in the numbers.
My other one (and more important than losing weight) was to finish my book. Have I done anything about that? No.
My third one was to keep saving money so I can move out.
And I also want to do theater again, but I don't think that one was ever official. I think I just assumed that would happen on its own. But I had the chance to audition for a show this week and I didn't. The fact that I didn't really have a song ready is not a good enough excuse, because I SHOULD have had a song ready.
Graduating has not given me the satisfaction I thought it would. It was my focus, especially this final semester after my boyfriend and I broke up. Now, I feel like I have no focus.
I should have focus. I want to finish my book and send it out to agents, right? Yes, but once I do they might reject it. I've been trying to do this (get published) for awhile now and after submitting my first book, I thought I developed a thicker skin. I'm afraid now that this is not the case. This is my most original and best written (at least it will be after I edit it) book. If this doesn't get accepted, I don't know that anything I write ever will.
But I won't know until I try right? Can't live life without taking risks, without opening myself up for being hurt. That wouldn't be living. I have to remember that.
My other one (and more important than losing weight) was to finish my book. Have I done anything about that? No.
My third one was to keep saving money so I can move out.
And I also want to do theater again, but I don't think that one was ever official. I think I just assumed that would happen on its own. But I had the chance to audition for a show this week and I didn't. The fact that I didn't really have a song ready is not a good enough excuse, because I SHOULD have had a song ready.
Graduating has not given me the satisfaction I thought it would. It was my focus, especially this final semester after my boyfriend and I broke up. Now, I feel like I have no focus.
I should have focus. I want to finish my book and send it out to agents, right? Yes, but once I do they might reject it. I've been trying to do this (get published) for awhile now and after submitting my first book, I thought I developed a thicker skin. I'm afraid now that this is not the case. This is my most original and best written (at least it will be after I edit it) book. If this doesn't get accepted, I don't know that anything I write ever will.
But I won't know until I try right? Can't live life without taking risks, without opening myself up for being hurt. That wouldn't be living. I have to remember that.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Best Books of 2005
First, let me just say that when I came up with my list of books that I read in 2005 and that were published in 2005, the list was not very long. With school, I haven't had the chance to read as much as I'd like. But that will surely change now that I don't have homework to worry about. Therefore, I have limited myself to five books. Obviously these are taken from books that I actually read so no doubt I missed some wonderful books.
1. Chainfire by Terry Goodkind
I have been an admirer of the Sword of Truth series since I first read Wizard's First Rule year ago. That said, some of the books are better than others and it's a long and complicated series. For the first books Goodkind says that he didn't know what was going to happen in the next book as the wrote. I believe this more for some of the earlier books because there is evidence of this in the plot, but nevertheless there is an overarching storyline in the form of a villain. Anyway, I was disappointed with the last installment Naked Empire because of all the preaching that took place in it. Because the later books especially do seem to grander scheme, this one didn't seem to stand on its own as much and I felt lacked forward momentum. Chainfire is completely different (the cover design changes to go along with this). Because of the conflict in this book the focus of the story changes. I thought it was a brilliant problem to throw at Richard and Khalan. I couldn't put it down and there is a definite question of whether things will work out, which is sometimes missing from the other books because Richard and Khalan are both such strong, resourceful characters. If you haven't read Terry Goodkind before, start with the beginning. If you stopped reading after a few books, you may be able to pick the story up again with this one, but like I said, it is a complicated series. But this one is worth reading them all for.
2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
You've all heard about this book by now. Rowling is a master at plot twists and this one has them, but the book feels less complete than the others of the series. I've only read it once (shame on me, I know!) but the book was rather traumatic to finish because of the ending and the wait and the inevitable let down once I finished reading it. I feel the same after most "events" in my life from holidays to being in a theater production. I do plan on reading it again soon. I thought in comparison to other books Harry learned a lot but did less. But I guess the last couple of chapters make up for that. And of course I was thrilled with the romantic developments. Overall, Rowling as done it again and added another fantastic installment to her series.
3. The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold
Anything by this author is wonderful. I highly recommend reading everything she's ever written. The only reason this book isn't higher on the list is because I thought the climax could have been paced better.
4. Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn
Shinn is a subtle writer. It is a nice change from a lot of the other writers out there. The main character keeps her secrets for most of the book from the reader and the other characters. Religious prejudice, political intrigue and romance woven throughout. I thought the love story could have been more center stage, but I guess I'm not subtle! lol. Anyway, I highly recommend.
5. Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobb
A new world for the popular author of The tawny Man series. This first is a coming-of-age story set against a world where there is conflict between two societies the "civilized" and the "primitive." The story is told in first person POV and follows a young man through is childhood on the frontier, his encounters with the Plainspeople and their magic, and his experiences at the school where he trains to become a soldier. I'm looking forward to seeing where the series goes.
I also recommend:
A Brother's Price by Wen Spencer
At All Costs by David Weber
The Prodigal Troll by Charles Coleman Finlay
Biggest disappointment of the year:
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
I still think the concept is intriguing, but the voice and style distanced me from the main character too much. I wasn't able to read very far before putting it down. From the hype that the book got I was expecting something much more exciting. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish the book at some point, then maybe my opinion will change.
That's all for now!
1. Chainfire by Terry Goodkind
I have been an admirer of the Sword of Truth series since I first read Wizard's First Rule year ago. That said, some of the books are better than others and it's a long and complicated series. For the first books Goodkind says that he didn't know what was going to happen in the next book as the wrote. I believe this more for some of the earlier books because there is evidence of this in the plot, but nevertheless there is an overarching storyline in the form of a villain. Anyway, I was disappointed with the last installment Naked Empire because of all the preaching that took place in it. Because the later books especially do seem to grander scheme, this one didn't seem to stand on its own as much and I felt lacked forward momentum. Chainfire is completely different (the cover design changes to go along with this). Because of the conflict in this book the focus of the story changes. I thought it was a brilliant problem to throw at Richard and Khalan. I couldn't put it down and there is a definite question of whether things will work out, which is sometimes missing from the other books because Richard and Khalan are both such strong, resourceful characters. If you haven't read Terry Goodkind before, start with the beginning. If you stopped reading after a few books, you may be able to pick the story up again with this one, but like I said, it is a complicated series. But this one is worth reading them all for.
2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
You've all heard about this book by now. Rowling is a master at plot twists and this one has them, but the book feels less complete than the others of the series. I've only read it once (shame on me, I know!) but the book was rather traumatic to finish because of the ending and the wait and the inevitable let down once I finished reading it. I feel the same after most "events" in my life from holidays to being in a theater production. I do plan on reading it again soon. I thought in comparison to other books Harry learned a lot but did less. But I guess the last couple of chapters make up for that. And of course I was thrilled with the romantic developments. Overall, Rowling as done it again and added another fantastic installment to her series.
3. The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold
Anything by this author is wonderful. I highly recommend reading everything she's ever written. The only reason this book isn't higher on the list is because I thought the climax could have been paced better.
4. Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn
Shinn is a subtle writer. It is a nice change from a lot of the other writers out there. The main character keeps her secrets for most of the book from the reader and the other characters. Religious prejudice, political intrigue and romance woven throughout. I thought the love story could have been more center stage, but I guess I'm not subtle! lol. Anyway, I highly recommend.
5. Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobb
A new world for the popular author of The tawny Man series. This first is a coming-of-age story set against a world where there is conflict between two societies the "civilized" and the "primitive." The story is told in first person POV and follows a young man through is childhood on the frontier, his encounters with the Plainspeople and their magic, and his experiences at the school where he trains to become a soldier. I'm looking forward to seeing where the series goes.
I also recommend:
A Brother's Price by Wen Spencer
At All Costs by David Weber
The Prodigal Troll by Charles Coleman Finlay
Biggest disappointment of the year:
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
I still think the concept is intriguing, but the voice and style distanced me from the main character too much. I wasn't able to read very far before putting it down. From the hype that the book got I was expecting something much more exciting. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish the book at some point, then maybe my opinion will change.
That's all for now!
Sunday, December 18, 2005
KING KONG
GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!
It's a long movie, but well worth it. Exciting and touching. I have to admit that it made me cry.
I was fortunate enough to see the original last Saturday and I think that added to my experience seeing this verison, instead of taking away. There are some jokes that you won't get unless you see the original movie and even though I like the first movie, I feel that Peter Jackson's version blows the old one away, but without stomping all over it. The original plot is followed pretty closely, but everything about the new movie is more intense. The action, the characterization, the acting, King Kong (Go Andy Serkis!!!). And like I said, it made me cry, so if you're a softy, bring tissues.
Warning for people who scare easily (or people who are creeped out by bugs and worms): There are scenes that might scare and/or really creep you out. So be warned. There isn't any real blood and guts, but you will definitely be reminded that Peter Jackson originally made horror films.
I think my only complaint about the movie is that there are Heart of Darkness references that I don't think the movie really needed. But perhaps I'm biased because that's one of the books I never finished reading for one of my English classes in high school, so the references pretty much went over my head anyway. lol. But that's a very small part of the movie.
Highly recommended!
It's a long movie, but well worth it. Exciting and touching. I have to admit that it made me cry.
I was fortunate enough to see the original last Saturday and I think that added to my experience seeing this verison, instead of taking away. There are some jokes that you won't get unless you see the original movie and even though I like the first movie, I feel that Peter Jackson's version blows the old one away, but without stomping all over it. The original plot is followed pretty closely, but everything about the new movie is more intense. The action, the characterization, the acting, King Kong (Go Andy Serkis!!!). And like I said, it made me cry, so if you're a softy, bring tissues.
Warning for people who scare easily (or people who are creeped out by bugs and worms): There are scenes that might scare and/or really creep you out. So be warned. There isn't any real blood and guts, but you will definitely be reminded that Peter Jackson originally made horror films.
I think my only complaint about the movie is that there are Heart of Darkness references that I don't think the movie really needed. But perhaps I'm biased because that's one of the books I never finished reading for one of my English classes in high school, so the references pretty much went over my head anyway. lol. But that's a very small part of the movie.
Highly recommended!
Friday, December 16, 2005
Reflections on the semester
The semester is finally over. I handed in my last few assignments yesterday and sometime soon the fact that I'm actually finished and graduating will sink in. Until then, I can at least reflect on this past semester and what I've learned.
1. Reading classic or influential writers and trying to emmulate their writing can help you learn a lot. We read Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary, Ernest Hemingway's In Our Time and Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse. I think I got some good material from the exercises I did for class, some of which really forced me to sit down and think about description, which, as one of my weaknesses, was very good for me.
2. When I am distracted by things that are going on (or a person who isn't going on) in my personal life, it is very difficult for me to write anything not required for class.
3. I can be anal-retentive when in comes to completeing homework assignments, especially ones involving improving my own work. This is a good quality when it comes to revision.
4. A query letter and a synopsis are much harder to write than it would seem.
5. Short stories still aren't my favorite thing to read or write, but I do respect ones written well.
6. Getting published is very hard to do and requires not only good writing, but most of the time luck as well. This doesn't keep me from believing that it will happen to me someday.
These are just some highlights. I actually learned a lot more. I'm sad that I won't have the chance to keep learning, but I can't stay in school forever; it's too expensive.
Now I'll have a lot more free time to do things I haven't had time to do, like theater and reading. I can write more and start the huge project which is revision. I need to finish my Web site. I guess once the holidays are over, I'll still have plenty to do, I just won't be graded on it.
1. Reading classic or influential writers and trying to emmulate their writing can help you learn a lot. We read Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary, Ernest Hemingway's In Our Time and Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse. I think I got some good material from the exercises I did for class, some of which really forced me to sit down and think about description, which, as one of my weaknesses, was very good for me.
2. When I am distracted by things that are going on (or a person who isn't going on) in my personal life, it is very difficult for me to write anything not required for class.
3. I can be anal-retentive when in comes to completeing homework assignments, especially ones involving improving my own work. This is a good quality when it comes to revision.
4. A query letter and a synopsis are much harder to write than it would seem.
5. Short stories still aren't my favorite thing to read or write, but I do respect ones written well.
6. Getting published is very hard to do and requires not only good writing, but most of the time luck as well. This doesn't keep me from believing that it will happen to me someday.
These are just some highlights. I actually learned a lot more. I'm sad that I won't have the chance to keep learning, but I can't stay in school forever; it's too expensive.
Now I'll have a lot more free time to do things I haven't had time to do, like theater and reading. I can write more and start the huge project which is revision. I need to finish my Web site. I guess once the holidays are over, I'll still have plenty to do, I just won't be graded on it.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Movies based on...
Two books and a musical
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
What can I say? Awesome!!
Yeah, they had to cut a lot of the book, but I always thought the book was little loose (don't get me wrong, I loved the book, but compared to Azkaban? It was just not as tight.) The movie, though, tension, excitement, dragons, a duel with Voldemort! and Ray Fiennes! I can't even begin...he's so...evil!
I'm going to see it again at an IMAX theater soon, so after that I hope to have a more balanced review (i.e. less raving and more thought).
Rent
First off, I have to say that I've never been one of those HUGE Rent fans. I have seen it (in Baltimore) and I did like it, but I've never obsessively listen to the soundtrack like I do for say... Wicked. That said, I support all movie-musicals and enjoyed Moulin Rouge (even though it wasn't really a musical), Chicago and Phantom of the Opera.
As for this movie, I thought it was great. There were some music that was cut, but (like in Phantom) it was mostly things that if the genre the composer was working in wasn't totally sung, it would have been dialogue anyway and in the movie is therefore spoken. An example is those annoying phone messages from parents. What has been added are mostly images that form memories that couldn't have been portrayed in the stage musical. I feel they add more depth to the characters.
The music is, of course, awesome. I highly recommend.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
These books (although not this one specifically, I like the later ones better) were hands down my favorites as a pre-teen. I had high expectations for this movie (my #1 to look forward to, even above the above two) and I was not disappointed. As in most movies based on books, it was streamlined a little I felt. There was not as much walking as I remember. There was at least one scene that was changed, but it didn't take away from the experience for me. The girl who played Lucy was fantastic and the Witch was perfect. Edmund admirably goes through his character's process of redemption. I think the young actor will be up to the task of the next few books. Peter and Susan were also good.
I agree with one reviewer who didn't like the cute "old married couple" interaction of Mr. and Mrs. Beaver. Although I wasn't annoyed and found a lot of it funny, the original characters don't need it and the point is that the animals are not cute and funny, they're real people--the movie missed that a little. I also thought the special effects were great, thought the battle swordplay wasn't up to Lord of the Rings standards. But what do you expect when your warrior is a boy? Peter is no Aragorn, that's all, and I don't think there was any way to really make him so.
I think my favorite character in the movie was Mr. Tumnus. I thought the actor (along with costumes and special effects) did such a wonderful job with him.
As for the Christian allegory. I think the movie portrays it like the books did. If you notice it and you are a Christian, it may add an additional layer of meaning for you. If you don't notice it and/or are not a Christian I don't think it should take away from the story. Sacrifice and redemption are not themes limited to Christianity, after all. As far as I can tell neither the book or the movie beats you over the head with it.
Highly recommended!!!
Coming Soon: Revised opinion of the new Harry Potter, King Kong (I recently watched the original movie and enjoyed that) and hopefully, Memoirs of a Geisha (which I haven't read) and The Producers (I haven't seen or listened to the music).
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
What can I say? Awesome!!
Yeah, they had to cut a lot of the book, but I always thought the book was little loose (don't get me wrong, I loved the book, but compared to Azkaban? It was just not as tight.) The movie, though, tension, excitement, dragons, a duel with Voldemort! and Ray Fiennes! I can't even begin...he's so...evil!
I'm going to see it again at an IMAX theater soon, so after that I hope to have a more balanced review (i.e. less raving and more thought).
Rent
First off, I have to say that I've never been one of those HUGE Rent fans. I have seen it (in Baltimore) and I did like it, but I've never obsessively listen to the soundtrack like I do for say... Wicked. That said, I support all movie-musicals and enjoyed Moulin Rouge (even though it wasn't really a musical), Chicago and Phantom of the Opera.
As for this movie, I thought it was great. There were some music that was cut, but (like in Phantom) it was mostly things that if the genre the composer was working in wasn't totally sung, it would have been dialogue anyway and in the movie is therefore spoken. An example is those annoying phone messages from parents. What has been added are mostly images that form memories that couldn't have been portrayed in the stage musical. I feel they add more depth to the characters.
The music is, of course, awesome. I highly recommend.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
These books (although not this one specifically, I like the later ones better) were hands down my favorites as a pre-teen. I had high expectations for this movie (my #1 to look forward to, even above the above two) and I was not disappointed. As in most movies based on books, it was streamlined a little I felt. There was not as much walking as I remember. There was at least one scene that was changed, but it didn't take away from the experience for me. The girl who played Lucy was fantastic and the Witch was perfect. Edmund admirably goes through his character's process of redemption. I think the young actor will be up to the task of the next few books. Peter and Susan were also good.
I agree with one reviewer who didn't like the cute "old married couple" interaction of Mr. and Mrs. Beaver. Although I wasn't annoyed and found a lot of it funny, the original characters don't need it and the point is that the animals are not cute and funny, they're real people--the movie missed that a little. I also thought the special effects were great, thought the battle swordplay wasn't up to Lord of the Rings standards. But what do you expect when your warrior is a boy? Peter is no Aragorn, that's all, and I don't think there was any way to really make him so.
I think my favorite character in the movie was Mr. Tumnus. I thought the actor (along with costumes and special effects) did such a wonderful job with him.
As for the Christian allegory. I think the movie portrays it like the books did. If you notice it and you are a Christian, it may add an additional layer of meaning for you. If you don't notice it and/or are not a Christian I don't think it should take away from the story. Sacrifice and redemption are not themes limited to Christianity, after all. As far as I can tell neither the book or the movie beats you over the head with it.
Highly recommended!!!
Coming Soon: Revised opinion of the new Harry Potter, King Kong (I recently watched the original movie and enjoyed that) and hopefully, Memoirs of a Geisha (which I haven't read) and The Producers (I haven't seen or listened to the music).
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
I think it's working now
I was just about asleep last night when inspiration struck! So of course i had to wake up and write for an hour. The problem was that I was trying to write the story the way I always have, but just alternating viewpoints in one scene. That wasn't working. What I did was take a step back and added some distance, a narrator-type voice at the beginning of the piece and that helped me slide into what I think will work in terms of character thoughts and emotions. I didn't get as far as I would have liked (it was late!) but there was definitely forward progress and I think i now have a section good enough to read in our Virginia Wolfe class on Thursday.
Now, I just need to finish the story while making sure to include some "stillness" description and counterpoint a la Flaubert and Madame Bovary and some layered detail description a la Hemingway. I don't think my language will be the same as Hemingway, necessarily, that might now fit the piece, but I think I can use the technique. Maybe. If not, the other stuff should be enough.
I'm actually getting excited! I'm happy about that because it's been awhile. I always let my personal life have too much influence on my writing life. But I will not bore anyone with all that here.
Now, I just need to finish the story while making sure to include some "stillness" description and counterpoint a la Flaubert and Madame Bovary and some layered detail description a la Hemingway. I don't think my language will be the same as Hemingway, necessarily, that might now fit the piece, but I think I can use the technique. Maybe. If not, the other stuff should be enough.
I'm actually getting excited! I'm happy about that because it's been awhile. I always let my personal life have too much influence on my writing life. But I will not bore anyone with all that here.
Monday, December 05, 2005
So I don't think my short story is working...
Last week I set a goal to either write something new or rewrite something significantly for my class tonight. I started writing a short story that I've been thinking about for awhile now (it covers a significant event in the back story of one of the characters in my novel). I also decided that I would use this short story to display all the nifty techniques we learned in my other class, including the shifting emotional consciousness of Virginia Wolfe's To the Lighthouse.
So far, I don't think it's working very well. I've never written from a more omniscient-like POV before (i.e. shifting from one character's head to another's in one scene). I usually write in third person, but stay with one character for a whole scene. Anyway, I don't like what I have so far. I don't know if that's because I'm not getting the inner voices of the characters right, or if it's too choppy. There's something wrong. Which is all right because I don't have to turn the story in for grading until next Thursday (but that's along with 2 other things I haven't started yet, sigh).
But tonight I have to give what I have writen now over for my other class to look at and pretend they are editors. In a way, that's good, because I may get some useful comments. But in another way that's bad because they might not like it and then I'll feel bummed.
And I've been feeling bummed a lot recently. And for no good reason at all.
Ok, bright side. They probably won't hate it. I'm not getting graded on it or anything. I can completely change it if it doesn't go over well. I should NOT let myself get worked up over this. I must remember to breathe.
So far, I don't think it's working very well. I've never written from a more omniscient-like POV before (i.e. shifting from one character's head to another's in one scene). I usually write in third person, but stay with one character for a whole scene. Anyway, I don't like what I have so far. I don't know if that's because I'm not getting the inner voices of the characters right, or if it's too choppy. There's something wrong. Which is all right because I don't have to turn the story in for grading until next Thursday (but that's along with 2 other things I haven't started yet, sigh).
But tonight I have to give what I have writen now over for my other class to look at and pretend they are editors. In a way, that's good, because I may get some useful comments. But in another way that's bad because they might not like it and then I'll feel bummed.
And I've been feeling bummed a lot recently. And for no good reason at all.
Ok, bright side. They probably won't hate it. I'm not getting graded on it or anything. I can completely change it if it doesn't go over well. I should NOT let myself get worked up over this. I must remember to breathe.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Trying not to take it personally...
but rejection sucks.
I knew I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up (remember how short stories aren't my natural form?) but I guess I did. I think the fact that this particular story did well in a recent Writer's Digest competition spoiled me.
It's a strange story because it doesn't have a normal structure or characters, and I have thought of ways to make it more "normal," but I think the coolest thing about it is the fact that it's different and so far I've refused to change it.
So are my author's instincts correct and it should stay the way I have it, even though it might never get published? Or should I work on revising it to fit people's expectations before sending it out again?
I knew I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up (remember how short stories aren't my natural form?) but I guess I did. I think the fact that this particular story did well in a recent Writer's Digest competition spoiled me.
It's a strange story because it doesn't have a normal structure or characters, and I have thought of ways to make it more "normal," but I think the coolest thing about it is the fact that it's different and so far I've refused to change it.
So are my author's instincts correct and it should stay the way I have it, even though it might never get published? Or should I work on revising it to fit people's expectations before sending it out again?
Monday, November 28, 2005
Short Stories
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Short stories don't attract me like novels do. I can admire them. I can appreciate the crafting of a good one. But I don't seek them out. I can't get immersed in a short story like I can a novel. I just don't enjoy them as much.
Recently, however, I've been forced to read more of them while doing research and assignments for my course on publishing and also my other literature class. Obviously, like most MFAs, my program focuses on studying literary fiction, but they are nice enough to let me write whatever I want. Normally I don't get many ideas for short stories. I have a ton of ideas for fantasy novels, a series of contemporary romance novels, and even an idea for a literary novel, but short stories have never come to me as easily.
But now, at the end of the semester when I have a TON of work to do and a novel to finish and revise, I'm coming up with ideas for new stories or ways to revise my other short stories to make them better (which is even worse because the urge to work on those is stronger).
I know what you're thinking. Why should I complain? lol.
< /vent >
GOAL: I have to bring in a short work of fiction next week for one of my classes. I will either write something new or significantly revise something.
Short stories don't attract me like novels do. I can admire them. I can appreciate the crafting of a good one. But I don't seek them out. I can't get immersed in a short story like I can a novel. I just don't enjoy them as much.
Recently, however, I've been forced to read more of them while doing research and assignments for my course on publishing and also my other literature class. Obviously, like most MFAs, my program focuses on studying literary fiction, but they are nice enough to let me write whatever I want. Normally I don't get many ideas for short stories. I have a ton of ideas for fantasy novels, a series of contemporary romance novels, and even an idea for a literary novel, but short stories have never come to me as easily.
But now, at the end of the semester when I have a TON of work to do and a novel to finish and revise, I'm coming up with ideas for new stories or ways to revise my other short stories to make them better (which is even worse because the urge to work on those is stronger).
I know what you're thinking. Why should I complain? lol.
< /vent >
GOAL: I have to bring in a short work of fiction next week for one of my classes. I will either write something new or significantly revise something.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
The thing about school
When I first started graduate school I loved it. I liked using my brain for a change and I took pride in the work I did and getting good grades. I even made some friends. Now that it's my last semester, I still like seeing my friends and using my brain and impressing my professors, but I don't like actually doing the work.
At least some of the work is creative. I have to come up with two short stories. One is supposed to be modeled after something else and one is supposed to include techniques used by some of the authors we've been studying. Which means neither of them have anything to do with my novel. I also have an essay to write, a major revision exercise to finish up and "a reading journal" to make up (yes, I said make up).
I had Wednesday AND Friday off. Did I do any of this work? No, of course not. If I wasn't working on homework, did I write? No. Even though I have only something like 50 pages to go in my manuscript, I didn't write. I spent a lot of time watching TV.
Perhaps this is just normal procrastination. Or perhaps my fear of change is having adverse consequences. School has been such a big part of my life for over two years. It filled up all my time. I never had a moment where I couldn't have been doing something for school. As much as I look forward to having "free time" again, finishing up is going to leave a hole in my life.
The same goes for my manuscript. I've been seriously working on it almost the whole time I've been in school. And after I finish writing it comes the scary, more challenging part. Revision. Now, don't get my wrong. I actually like revision, but it's a HUGE undertaking, especially with the close to 500 page manuscript that I'm going have. Part of the book are pretty polished already (because I got to work on it in school) but parts of it are untouched. And then when I'm finished revising I have to let it go. To send it off to agents in hopes that they like it enough to send it to publishers. Besides the looming fear of rejection, finishing will leave another hole in my life.
Anyway, so I'm procrastinating. Both school and writing. Does one feed off the other? I don't know. But I think it's about time I stop. After all, I have to go back to the real world tomorrow. Both work and school will claim my time.
At least some of the work is creative. I have to come up with two short stories. One is supposed to be modeled after something else and one is supposed to include techniques used by some of the authors we've been studying. Which means neither of them have anything to do with my novel. I also have an essay to write, a major revision exercise to finish up and "a reading journal" to make up (yes, I said make up).
I had Wednesday AND Friday off. Did I do any of this work? No, of course not. If I wasn't working on homework, did I write? No. Even though I have only something like 50 pages to go in my manuscript, I didn't write. I spent a lot of time watching TV.
Perhaps this is just normal procrastination. Or perhaps my fear of change is having adverse consequences. School has been such a big part of my life for over two years. It filled up all my time. I never had a moment where I couldn't have been doing something for school. As much as I look forward to having "free time" again, finishing up is going to leave a hole in my life.
The same goes for my manuscript. I've been seriously working on it almost the whole time I've been in school. And after I finish writing it comes the scary, more challenging part. Revision. Now, don't get my wrong. I actually like revision, but it's a HUGE undertaking, especially with the close to 500 page manuscript that I'm going have. Part of the book are pretty polished already (because I got to work on it in school) but parts of it are untouched. And then when I'm finished revising I have to let it go. To send it off to agents in hopes that they like it enough to send it to publishers. Besides the looming fear of rejection, finishing will leave another hole in my life.
Anyway, so I'm procrastinating. Both school and writing. Does one feed off the other? I don't know. But I think it's about time I stop. After all, I have to go back to the real world tomorrow. Both work and school will claim my time.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
The Beginning
All right. So I've never tried a blog or an online journal or anything before, but I thought I'd give it a try.
I've been writing since I was a kid and I decided over ten years ago that I wanted to be a professional writer. I've written two fantasy novels since then from start to finish (neither of them published) and I'm working on finishing a third that I hope will be more impressive.
But I've been distracted recently. My hope is that writing here about my writing process and about the things that distract me from writing will help. Or maybe I've just added a new distraction. We'll have to see!
I've been writing since I was a kid and I decided over ten years ago that I wanted to be a professional writer. I've written two fantasy novels since then from start to finish (neither of them published) and I'm working on finishing a third that I hope will be more impressive.
But I've been distracted recently. My hope is that writing here about my writing process and about the things that distract me from writing will help. Or maybe I've just added a new distraction. We'll have to see!
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