Like Charles & Stewart, I find that life sometimes interferes with blogging. It's got a lot of nerve, if you ask me.
As it is, I'll be off for a while. Hopefully getting well and getting my a$$ kicked by God and the Devil. Sometimes, I really think they ought to be begging our forgiveness for letting us live. Other times, it's just good to be here.
See you in a few weeks.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Get Real
I've probably whined--I mean, blogged--about this before, but one of Steve's recent blogs and something I did the other day brought it up again.
See, I've been looking through my many works-in-progress, trying to figure out which one to focus on (get out of my lazy funk and finish something already) and I came across something interesting. I hadn't touched a number of my files for some time, and some of the ones I'd remembered as being good, were fairly blah--a few even downright bad. But there was one that I remembered as being boring crap, which actually held my attention and made me care about the characters in just a few pages. I was surprised, because I had abandoned that work some time ago on the basis that it was too boring.
After some contemplating, I realized why I thought it was much better than the others upon re-reading. It was written from real emotion, based on deep feelings that I had experienced, and that made it ring true. The situation was complete fiction (a selkie and a summer cottage) but the emotion was real, and that made all the difference.
Everywhere, I find the advice to "dig deeper" - go for the gut emotional appeal. It takes courage to do that. I find it very hard (being such a coward and all.) I've abandoned other works because the emotional toll was so great, and I'm a little suspicious that may have been what was truly behind my abandoning the selkie story. It wasn't boring - it was painful.
So I applaud those of you who dig deep, look closer, pull out the hard truths and put them out there for everyone to see. Good on ya.
See, I've been looking through my many works-in-progress, trying to figure out which one to focus on (get out of my lazy funk and finish something already) and I came across something interesting. I hadn't touched a number of my files for some time, and some of the ones I'd remembered as being good, were fairly blah--a few even downright bad. But there was one that I remembered as being boring crap, which actually held my attention and made me care about the characters in just a few pages. I was surprised, because I had abandoned that work some time ago on the basis that it was too boring.
After some contemplating, I realized why I thought it was much better than the others upon re-reading. It was written from real emotion, based on deep feelings that I had experienced, and that made it ring true. The situation was complete fiction (a selkie and a summer cottage) but the emotion was real, and that made all the difference.
Everywhere, I find the advice to "dig deeper" - go for the gut emotional appeal. It takes courage to do that. I find it very hard (being such a coward and all.) I've abandoned other works because the emotional toll was so great, and I'm a little suspicious that may have been what was truly behind my abandoning the selkie story. It wasn't boring - it was painful.
So I applaud those of you who dig deep, look closer, pull out the hard truths and put them out there for everyone to see. Good on ya.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Turn to Page 123
Some other blogs I read (Amy Knupp, Edie Ramer, Michelle Diener) have a tag going on that I found interesting.
The premise is this:
You turn to page 123 in your work-in-progress. (If you haven’t gotten to page 123 yet, then turn to page 23. If you haven’t gotten there yet, then get busy and write page 23.) Count down four sentences and then instead of just the fifth sentence, give us the whole paragraph.
Now, I'm not going to be so cruel as to tag people, but I'd love to see what you're all working on, so if you'd care to share, please do so. I'll get it started by posting the paragraph four sentences down on page 23 of one of mine (called Chimera Falls).
(It's rather a shame where this landed, because I love the bit just before it, but I'm following the rules here.)
---------------
The door opened immediately and Bernie’s head appeared. “Honestly, Meghan, why in the world didn’t you just knock on the door instead of yelling like that?” Her aunt looked up and down the street quickly as she opened the door a little wider. “The whole neighborhood probably heard you, and here I am trying to tell everyone you’ll fit in just fine…” she grabbed Meghan’s arm, “now don’t just stand there gaping at me, come inside.”
---------------
Your turn!
The premise is this:
You turn to page 123 in your work-in-progress. (If you haven’t gotten to page 123 yet, then turn to page 23. If you haven’t gotten there yet, then get busy and write page 23.) Count down four sentences and then instead of just the fifth sentence, give us the whole paragraph.
Now, I'm not going to be so cruel as to tag people, but I'd love to see what you're all working on, so if you'd care to share, please do so. I'll get it started by posting the paragraph four sentences down on page 23 of one of mine (called Chimera Falls).
(It's rather a shame where this landed, because I love the bit just before it, but I'm following the rules here.)
---------------
The door opened immediately and Bernie’s head appeared. “Honestly, Meghan, why in the world didn’t you just knock on the door instead of yelling like that?” Her aunt looked up and down the street quickly as she opened the door a little wider. “The whole neighborhood probably heard you, and here I am trying to tell everyone you’ll fit in just fine…” she grabbed Meghan’s arm, “now don’t just stand there gaping at me, come inside.”
---------------
Your turn!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
The Monkeys Want Cheeseburgers
Dreamt of herding hungry monkeys. It was not nearly as difficult as trying to raise a pretty, hormonal fourteen year old girl in a time and place where blow jobs are considered on par with holding hands. They don't count, dontcha know. (Thank you, Mr. Clinton.)
My daughter and one of her lost soul friends are here tonight getting ready for a couple of "hot, hot, HOT" boys to come over to "hang out." (I'll be here the entire time. Loaded gun not optional.)
The three of us just had a long, very open talk about how "badly" they "want" these boys. I suggested they masturbate when they shower to get it out of their systems before the guys show up. (Yes, I really did.) They took that suggestion with varying degrees of humor and horror. The saddest part, though, was after some while of discussing STDs, birth control, self respect, etc. her friend admitted that "sex wasn't really that great." She's been at it for a couple of years. She's also fourteen.
God help us.
My daughter and one of her lost soul friends are here tonight getting ready for a couple of "hot, hot, HOT" boys to come over to "hang out." (I'll be here the entire time. Loaded gun not optional.)
The three of us just had a long, very open talk about how "badly" they "want" these boys. I suggested they masturbate when they shower to get it out of their systems before the guys show up. (Yes, I really did.) They took that suggestion with varying degrees of humor and horror. The saddest part, though, was after some while of discussing STDs, birth control, self respect, etc. her friend admitted that "sex wasn't really that great." She's been at it for a couple of years. She's also fourteen.
God help us.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Serenity
Got this from SQTs blog. River Tam, the Fugitive. Makes sense to me. Just wish I had her graceful movements, then maybe I wouldn't have broken so many bones falling on the ice, tripping on sidewalks and falling down stairs...
 | You scored as River Tam. The Fugitive. You are clever and dangerous, which is a nasty combination. The fact you are crazy too just adds to your charm. They did bad things to you, but you know their secrets. They will regret how they made you.
|
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Block Busters
Instead of working this morning as I was supposed to do, I went blog-hopping. (I figured, hey, the only reason I have to work on a weekend is because no one else did their job on time so that I could do mine, plus, it's only Saturday so I've still got tomorrow, so, well, screw it.)
Anyway, Spyscribbler's blog had a link to this blog about breaking through writer's blocks. Among the comments there were the usual prats who said they never had it, but there was also some useful advice, and this bit:
------------------------
"CREATIVITY" by Martha Graham
There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one you in all time, this expression is unique. If you block it, it will never exist through any medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is; it is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your worth. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time; there is only a strange, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marking and makes us more alive than the others.
--------------------------
Over the past year, I've come in contact with several writers--some in real life, some on the Internet--and most of us seem to suffer the same insecurities and doubts. Some of us wonder if we're wasting our time, if we're any good, even if we should even be writing at all; others believe in their writing but not their ability to market it. Some want to share their stories with everyone; others don't want to share at all. Others, like myself, tend to drift in and out of those all those feelings and more.
Today, I read a short post on a blog that left me in awe of this man's ability to write: Jon Zech. I immediately looked to see if he had books published, but from what I could surmise, he tends to fall into the "only share once in a while" category. That made me sad. I'd like for the world to see his work. I want to publish him. Him, and so many others.
We all have our unique perspectives, our stories to tell. Let's not keep them to ourselves, even if we do think they're less than perfect. I'm glad I finally managed to write some more last night, even it was only 700 words. It's about time.
Anyway, Spyscribbler's blog had a link to this blog about breaking through writer's blocks. Among the comments there were the usual prats who said they never had it, but there was also some useful advice, and this bit:
------------------------
"CREATIVITY" by Martha Graham
There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one you in all time, this expression is unique. If you block it, it will never exist through any medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is; it is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your worth. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time; there is only a strange, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marking and makes us more alive than the others.
--------------------------
Over the past year, I've come in contact with several writers--some in real life, some on the Internet--and most of us seem to suffer the same insecurities and doubts. Some of us wonder if we're wasting our time, if we're any good, even if we should even be writing at all; others believe in their writing but not their ability to market it. Some want to share their stories with everyone; others don't want to share at all. Others, like myself, tend to drift in and out of those all those feelings and more.
Today, I read a short post on a blog that left me in awe of this man's ability to write: Jon Zech. I immediately looked to see if he had books published, but from what I could surmise, he tends to fall into the "only share once in a while" category. That made me sad. I'd like for the world to see his work. I want to publish him. Him, and so many others.
We all have our unique perspectives, our stories to tell. Let's not keep them to ourselves, even if we do think they're less than perfect. I'm glad I finally managed to write some more last night, even it was only 700 words. It's about time.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
In an Odd Space
Discombobulated, waiting for the meds to kick in. Cold hands on the keyboard, eyes throbbing with the beginning of a migraine. Wants to write, but can't think.
Must be the disappearance of Wayne.
I want to write something different, something to match my bizarre mood, yet I'm afraid it will be impossible. I think it has something to do with the space-time continuum shifts as Wayne and Stewart face off in the multiverse. Ice storms, electrical malfunctions and extreme lack of focus are the fallout in our world.
Must be the disappearance of Wayne.
I want to write something different, something to match my bizarre mood, yet I'm afraid it will be impossible. I think it has something to do with the space-time continuum shifts as Wayne and Stewart face off in the multiverse. Ice storms, electrical malfunctions and extreme lack of focus are the fallout in our world.
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