Archive for the ‘The Writing Life’ Category

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The Return…

February 26, 2012

Well, here I am! I’m back! So sound the trumpets and let the confetti fall from the sky and get ready to cut the cake, baby…!

What? What do you mean there’s no cake?!

It’s funny how in an author’s life there are big stops and starts and large interior, seismic moments that no one has a clue about but you. Writing is so intensely personal.

I’m returning to my almost-finished novel and in my mind the red carpet should be rolled out and I should be handed a glass of Champagne…

I had to step away from writing for a while, primarily due to work. In my day job I’m a teacher. I get to teach fun things like reading and writing and a lot of my creative energy goes into making that material accessible and interesting.

My novel, which is my own, special, highly personal creative project, suffered from a serous lack of attention.

I thinks it’s mad at me.

I’m going to have to approach it gently, give its lots of praise, as we slowly get reacquainted. What a pretty little novel you are! Such a good novel! We’ll get you all polished up, patch up all the plot holes, get you ready for the grand finale…isn’t that right, sweetums? 

I want to get back into The Writing Life!

Then maybe we can have some cake?!

Posted in Goal Setting, Procrastination, The Writing Life | 3 Comments »

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Breaking Thru Writers Block: “Honey, where’s the kayak?”

August 11, 2011

I spent two weeks at the family cottage up north and was able to break through some serious plot points. KERPOW! I had been struggling with these various knotted, tangled plot nubs for some time, trying to massage and release them, and all of a sudden, they literally unfurled in my hands like rose buds. I got it!

And what was my secret, you ask?

Well, I simply hopped in the kayak, and paddled around the island to the marsh. There I would float, looking at all the water lilies bobbing on the water, listening to the wind in the trees, watching dragonflies land here and there (most of them copulating, one on top of the other) and slapping away the occasional horse fly…

The family cottage is quite remote and on a lake with only a few cottages. In the middle of the week, it’s dead quiet. Quiet enough that you can float in the water, hear nothing but nature, and think nothing but…plot.

The question is…now that I’m back in the big, bad city, how do I recapture that sense of stillness so that I can focus and work through the writing issues I need to work through?

Sure, there’s nature around here. I have a garden. The city has parks. But its just not the same. For one thing, it’s…noisy.

I know I am able to tune the noise out. In the past, I’ve proven myself an excellent mutli-tasker. If you need someone to cook, clean, come up with a character for a scene in 19th century Bath, while simultaneously writing an entry on Facebook & Twitter, reading a library book about a crime in ancient Rome, stopping a fight between a 4 & 6 year old over an old Happy Meal toy that neither really wants and asking the hubby what colour to paint the bathroom…then I’m your woman! I have done it. I CAN do it.

But sometimes I can’t. And locking myself in the bathroom with my laptop while shouting at everyone to BE QUIET just isn’t the way to solve the problem.

If only the kayak would fit in the bathtub…?

Posted in Mom/Writer, Plot, The Writing Life, Writer's Block | 7 Comments »

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‘Write’ Across the Finish Line…

April 23, 2011

I gave myself a deadline of having my first draft finished by the time I turn 40–June 1st. That’s about one month away.

ONE MONTH!

So–I have to make this blog entry short. No time to dilly dally or ramble on. I’ve got work to do!

BUT I did want to drop by here and let everyone know that I got over my little crisis (see my Tweets). A few days I ago I made the mistake of going back over my novel, re-reading parts–and I stumbled across (or fell into) numeorus pot holes…I mean PLOT holes. Naturally, I was horrified. I HAVE TO FIX THESE RIGHT NOW OR I CAN”T GO ON! I thought. A few days of angst ensued. Several helpful folks on Twitter gave me their reccomendations. The general consensus seemed to be to go on. Move on. Unless they are so horrible, so huge, the wholes story falls to pieces, don’t worry about them. Leave em for later.

So I’m going to.

I’m usually a very deliberate writer. I like to lay each scene down, tweak it as necessary so it fits fine, then move on to the next one.

But I don’t have time for that now. I’m going to pretend May is my #nanowrimo. I’m going to finish it in one month, writing, writing, writing, just seeing where the writing goes, just getting it done. I don’t care if it takes a strange turn, and all of a sudden my Regency heroine is an alien and she time travels with Brad Pitt to the 1930′s and has a shoot out with a gangster and dies in Brad’s arms quoting Latin.

Personally. I don’t think that ending is going to happen–I trust my vision–but if it does…I will fix it all later. LATER. Once its done.

So I’m settling into my cozy chair (see comic above) with my laptop and my cup of tea and in those times when I am not being a mom, or running/exercising (my other goal), or being a teacher, I am going to be writing my ass off, ‘write’ across the finish line.

“Get the serum to Nome. Get the Conestoga wagon to the Oregon Trail. Get the first version of your project done from A to Z as fast as you can. Don’t stop. Don’t look down. Don’t think.” From Do the Work by Stephen Pressfield.

Posted in Goal Setting, The Writing Life | 7 Comments »

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Searching for Crit Partners…How? Who? Where? Why?

April 13, 2011

In a few short months (like two) I will be finished my novel. At least that’s the plan. Lately I’ve been writing like a fiend to make this happen, not because anyone’s making me do it, but because I made this #writegoal for myself and I intend to keep it. It’s the whole point of setting a writing goal: so I honour my commitment to myself.

And truly, it seems quite possible I’ll do it…the end is in sight…! *applause* *cheering*

Already I’m thinking about how it will feel to finally cross that finish line, to write the last, pithy line to a 10 year labour of love. I expect I’ll cry a little, do a little dance, tweet it out, facebook it, call everyone I know and shout it to the rooftops: I DID IT!

Then, after about five minutes of that, I’ll turn my attention to stage 2. Editing.

How I wish I could just press ‘send’ and have my novel magically appear in the #1 spot of the best sellers list! But, alas, it is not that easy. After sweating and bleeding out a first draft…I now must sweat and bleed out a second draft.

Editing.

Ok. So I can do a spell check no problem, I can probably even plug enough caffine into my system to work my way though a grammar check (they’re, their, there…who, whom…its, it’s–finding these in a block of text is the best cure for insomnia, I swear!).

But as to the rest of it–I could honestly use some help!

Someone who can read it through and is willing to say more than just: great! well done! I love it! Because they don’t want to make me feel bad.

I need honest input. I need someone who will tell me great, well done, I love it–AND also pick it apart, tear it to shreds, tell me everything that’s wrong with it–so that I can fix it and make it better!

These are the things I need them to tell me:

You said he took off his jacket. So how can he put the letter in his jacket pocket later on?

I can’t understand who’s saying what in this dialogue! Is the the guy? the girl? the dog? Who?!

This scene makes no sense. Why is he telling a ghost story? Who cares?

THEN I can finally see about getting it published…!

So…who do I get to do this? Sure, I can lasso my family and friends into doing it. But there’s obvious limits to that. They don’t want to hurt my feelings, for one. And I don’t want them to feel beholdened to me to do it just because I ask, that’s two.

But if I want someone else to do it (for free), someone I’m not related to or know well…how do I figure that out? Do I randomly select names from the phonebook? Do I put a help wanted sign up at the local grocery store?!

I know Twitter’s writing community is probably a good place to find critique readers, but…and here’s the rub: HOW DO I TRUST THESE PEOPLE? No offence, but I only know you from your tweets, your twitter name and your profile picture (which could be photoshopped, for gods sake!). Yes, I’ve built up relationships with some fabulous people on Twitter …but….but…

Can I ask them for a resume? References?

My novel is my baby! It’s like the first time I sent my child to daycare. It was tough to let go, but I knew I had given a lot of thought into my decision and it was sound. I did the research, toured the facility, met everyone , got references, talked to those who also had brought their babies there before…

Does this hold true to the writing world?

Writers, how did you find your crit partners and beta readers? If you’ve been down this road and survived, can you help a sister-in-writing out here and let me in on your secret?!

THANKS!

Posted in Editing, Publishing, The Writing Life | 8 Comments »

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You Know You’re A Writer When…12 reasons!

February 12, 2011

This week on Twitter, I posted this Tweet:

tried to decorate a room for my Regency novel in my head when I couldn’t sleep last night….#amwriting#youknowyouareawriterwhen

To me, this is perfectly normal behaviour. Who wouldn’t try to decorate the main room of an 1813 Whitechaple fortune teller at 3 o’clock in the morning? But looking at it objectively, I can see that perhaps it is…a trifle odd.

Writers are a unique bunch. In fact, we are heroically unique! In honour of writers everywhere, I have decided to expand my original list of You Know You’re A Writer When…

So, here it is:

YOU KNOW YOU’RE A WRITER WHEN…

1. You will argue the correct meaning of a word with your husband for over twenty minutes

2. You cut out pictures in magazines that best describe your setting

3. You see someone in Wal Mart and think ‘that’s what my character looks like, right there!’

4. You see a couple having an argument as you drive by and you immediately start playing the game: what happens next?

5. While grocery shopping, your characters are talking back and forth in your head. (And they’re so loud, its a wonder you can purchase everything on your list…I call this phenomenon “Writer’s Daze”)

6. You get excited when you find [insert arcane detail here]. For me, its something like a map of the Napoleon Empire or a list of plays from Drury Lane in the 1800′s.

7. Before you go to sleep, you ask your subconscious to provide you with an answer to your plot problem

8. You consult the Tarot for the same (see above)

9. It takes a while for you to proclaim your identity as “A Writer” but once you do, you can’t shut up about it

10. Even the clerk at the local gas station knows you’re trying to get published

11. All your co-workers know what you’re writing and/or your current word count

12. You work through all ‘your issues’ by writing them into a novel. (The story might take place on an astroid colony 1000 years from now but that’s your old nemesis from high school, D.B., getting mangled by a particle beam!)

Writers, am I missing any? Add your own below!

Posted in The Writing Life | 21 Comments »

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Writer’s Guilt

February 4, 2011

I’ve been taking a break from my novel lately. Partly, this is because I had the flu for a week. And partly, this is because we…um…(facial tick happening) we…uh…(eyes are darting around nervously) we really just needed a break.

Alright. You got me. I’m lying!

I’m not taking a break! I’m avoiding the damn thing! I’m running away. I’m In Hiding. I’ve put on my camouflage, I’m ducking and covering and sneaking past the computer on tip toe, shushing everybody: Be Quiet! Don’t wake it up!

And for that I am suffering a serious bout of Writer’s Guilt. Uhg.

Come on. You know that feeling. The I-am-supposed-to-be-writing-but-instead-think-organizing-my-socks-is-infinitely-more-interesting-and-its-not-just-so-my-hands-can-be-busy-while-I–mediate-on-my-plot-problems sort of feeling.

It’s avoidance, pure and simple.

Every writer knows deep inside when they need to take a break from their writing (to let the ideas settle, to gain perspective, to mull things over) and when they are out and out procrastinating.

Why? That is the question to answer. I know I love my characters. I know I love the process of creation. I know I want to finish it. I just can’t seem to get near it right now without feeling like a skittish filly.

Why? Perhaps I’m intimidated by how much work I have left to do. Perhaps my Inner Critic is overly active right now and I’m feeling sensitive.

Still, I need to jump back in. I need to re-read where I’ve been, get back in the vibe, maybe do a bit of free flow writing, just play and let the ideas come, the writing equivalent of jazz.

The remedy? Face my fears, I guess. JUST DO IT.

And I will. I promise. Maybe once this episode of Murdock Mysteries is over…

Oops. Nope. I better take care of this now.

My novel is barking at me. I better let it back in the house.

PS. Writers,  how do you overcome Writer’s Guilt?

Posted in Flow, Procrastination, The Writing Life, Uncategorized, Writer's Block | 11 Comments »

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The Reminder…

December 29, 2010

Posted in The Writing Life | 2 Comments »

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Why Writing a Novel is Like Shopping For A Pair of Jeans…

December 14, 2010

Sometimes writing a novel is like trying to buy a pair of jeans….

With this latest scene I’m working on, it’s like I’ve taken 50 pairs of jeans of all kinds—low rise, boot-cut, sequined, dark fabric, light fabric and acid washed—and dragged them into a small, cramped, badly lit change room to wrestle with. And each time, I’m twisting this way and that, catching every angle, trying to decide—is THIS the one?

But nothing is FITTING right.

I’ve rewritten this scene a dozen different ways, providing minor alterations to the details (in jean parlance: button fly vs. zipped) as well as major alterations (in jean parlance: skinny legs vs. baggy). My characters have tried arguing, making nice, kissing, witty banter—and now I’ve got him skipping out on the meeting altogether—the heroine is left stewing in her second hand clothes, wondering why the Devil he’s stood her up—.

And yet even that doesn’t feel/fit right…

Sometimes the writing flows and other times it’s like this and I have to try every word on, evaluate, discard. Try another word on, evaluate, discard. Repeat, repeat, REPEAT. Until I have a heap of words in the corner of the change room and I’m storming out in a fit of pique…

Worse than going jeans shopping, I tell you!

Anybody else out there have this problem?

Posted in Flow, The Writing Life | 6 Comments »

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Cursed/Blessed: A Writer’s Existance

November 24, 2010

When you’re a writer, there are really only 2 states of existence.

Writing & Not Writing.

There is no other state of being beyond these two.

The ideal state to be in, of course, is WRITING. This is the bliss, the joy, the goal. Always, you are scheming in the back of your mind: when will I be writing? Maybe after lunch I will be writing? Maybe when the kids are asleep I will be writing? Maybe before I go to my day job I will be writing?

And Heaven Help You if you have spare time, and you are NOT WRITING…

“OMG, why am I watching TV? I should be WRITING!”

For when you are WRITING, you are assuaged. Even if all you are writing is crap, at least you can say: Thank god I’m doing it! I’m WRITING!

It’s the elemental teeter-totter, the unyielding ying/yang tidal pull of deciding to call yourself ‘A WRITER’.

It’s always there, in the back of your mind or at the fore, when you’re shopping or cooking dinner or talking on the phone or at work or walking the dog or skiing or at the computer or whatever. You are always thinking about where you are in that WRITING/NOT WRITING continuum, this eternal push-pull–

Such is the curse/blessing of choosing The Writing Life (or does it choose you?).

‘Curse’ because the demand to write never ceases; the muse is a constant nag.

‘Blessing’ because the joy of writing surpasses all the pain-in-the-butt-ness (for which we thank the muse, she/he deserves a big wet kiss and a box of bonbons…)

And never the 2 modes do we leave…

(I’ve never noticed a third state of existence. Have you?)

Posted in The Writing Life | 6 Comments »

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In Honour of #NaNoWriMo…

November 7, 2010

Twitter is constantly abuzz these days with #nanowrimo business, writers shouting out their word counts with ecstatic glee: 600 words! 1000 words! 2000 words! They’re trying to make it to *50, 000* words by the end of November. They’re racing, rushing, pushing, striving, laying it all down as fast as they can. A full 175 page novel, totally from scratch!

Are you people crazy?!

Don’t get me wrong. I’m in awe! I’ve been chipping away at my novel for the past 10 years. I’ve set my goal of having it done in one year, which, given my track record, seemed pretty reasonable. But you people make me look like a tree sloth, writing/moving in mega slow motion, just hanging upside down, surveying the world with a slow tongue flick…in the time it takes you #nanowrimo folks to dash out 15 pages, I’ve written the letter ‘m’…

I’m flabbergasted by your goal setting.

A month?! You’re going to write a novel in a month?!

I’m not sure how you are accomplishing this. I presume you have:

-disconnected your phone (but not your internet connection)

-called in a month’s worth of sick days

-stocked up on Red Bull and energy bars

-hired a cleaning service

-bookmarked all those on-line fast food ordering services so you don’t have to cook

-placed a ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ sign on your back so those who dare approach you while you’re at the computer know they’d better BACK OFF!

I’m impressed. So very impressed. You’re a  bunch of determined, gritty, impassioned…disheveled, exhausted insomniacs…

Only writers would willingly sign up for a project of this masochistic magnitude. One they’re not even being paid for it. It’s all a labor of love!

You gotta admire the gumption. Writers are the best!

This blog is dedicated to you guys. Best of luck, everyone! I’m cheering for you!

Posted in The Writing Life, Twitter | 2 Comments »

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