Every week I post a link to all of my writing prompts I've posted in the past. I'm not sure if anyone has ever looked at the link, but I have prompts dating back to the end of May, some really good ones, some even I couldn't find inspiration in.
As this past week as me completely friend from work and life in general, this week's prompt is a free for all. You guessed it, any old prompt is game. Maybe something will speak to you now that hadn't before. You never know until you look. All the prompts can be found here:
All Monday Writing Prompts
I've got my eye on those Andrew McMahon lyrics I missed, a few weeks back. This is the week of second chances as far as prompts are concerned, and I hope I don't waste it by Friday.
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Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday Writing Response for August 28, 2009
Okay, so I didn't do as much work as I intended for this week's prompt, but I did do some, so I consider it an accomplishment!
I went back and read a story I'd started in high school, titled Generations. Great title, I know, but I was 17, so give me a break. The basic plot of the story was that a son moves back in with his aging father after his mother's death, bringing his 17-year-old daughter with him. Together the three of them learn what it is that they're supposed to get out of this life, overcoming their personal struggles. I still like the general idea of the story, if I could ever get it out on paper. Rereading it, though, I was surprised at how many adverbs I used, especially attached to dialogue tags. Everything was "Riley injected quickly," "Brad said sullenly," etc. For me, most of this was remembering what I liked about the plot, though I could tell my writing had improved in the years since I'd written it.
So, taking a stab in the dark, I attempted to rewrite the beginning. This isn't perfect by any means, and in revision I probably wouldn't keep it, but it's a start.
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At 37, I did not expect to be attending my mother's funeral.
It was always a possibility. Of course, someday your parents pass on and you're sad and you miss them. But you're never ready for it.
And I didn't expect it to come so soon after losing my wife. Becky. My high school sweetheart, the mother of my daughter, Riley.
Mom loved her to pieces. She'd held my hand throughout the funeral, Riley tucked against my other side. She'd cried with me, when i sat there in the emergency room and had the doctor tell me there was nothing more he could do.
Now Mom was gone, too.
I glanced over at the passenger seat. Riley stared out the window, hands playing with her charm bracelet. She'd grown so much in the year since Becky died. I could see traces of the gawky girl with too-long legs, but that was fading more and more by the day. Some days it seemed like I didn't know this woman she'd become, even though I saw her every day.
I went back and read a story I'd started in high school, titled Generations. Great title, I know, but I was 17, so give me a break. The basic plot of the story was that a son moves back in with his aging father after his mother's death, bringing his 17-year-old daughter with him. Together the three of them learn what it is that they're supposed to get out of this life, overcoming their personal struggles. I still like the general idea of the story, if I could ever get it out on paper. Rereading it, though, I was surprised at how many adverbs I used, especially attached to dialogue tags. Everything was "Riley injected quickly," "Brad said sullenly," etc. For me, most of this was remembering what I liked about the plot, though I could tell my writing had improved in the years since I'd written it.
So, taking a stab in the dark, I attempted to rewrite the beginning. This isn't perfect by any means, and in revision I probably wouldn't keep it, but it's a start.
---
At 37, I did not expect to be attending my mother's funeral.
It was always a possibility. Of course, someday your parents pass on and you're sad and you miss them. But you're never ready for it.
And I didn't expect it to come so soon after losing my wife. Becky. My high school sweetheart, the mother of my daughter, Riley.
Mom loved her to pieces. She'd held my hand throughout the funeral, Riley tucked against my other side. She'd cried with me, when i sat there in the emergency room and had the doctor tell me there was nothing more he could do.
Now Mom was gone, too.
I glanced over at the passenger seat. Riley stared out the window, hands playing with her charm bracelet. She'd grown so much in the year since Becky died. I could see traces of the gawky girl with too-long legs, but that was fading more and more by the day. Some days it seemed like I didn't know this woman she'd become, even though I saw her every day.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday Blog Post: Preparing for NaNoWriMo... Maybe
Every year, I say I'm going to do NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month. The idea is that, during the month of November, you write a 50,000 word novel from start to finish. The goal is both daunting and entirely doable at the same time. It breaks down to roughly 1,600 words a day, which isn't a hard goal to reach. I did a modified version of NaNoWriMo to finish And You Tell Me I Am Home, and while I didn't write 50,000 words, I did keep up the pace until I was finished. It took me a month and a half, but I finally - finally! - had a draft finished.
Thing is, NaNoWriMo is always in November, which is a hard month for me. Not only because of the holiday and family obligations everyone has, but because I work in a mall and everything goes insane from Black Friday on. The last thing I want to face after a long day of angry Christmas shoppers (don't kid yourself, you are all angry) is a blank computer screen and a 1,600 word deadline.
Right now I'm thinking of ways I could make this manageable. Reorganzing my writing to routine to accomodate the beast, and then I could return to regularly scheduled programming once November ends. These are my ideas so far:
1) Writing practice. Instead of writing about a random prompt for 20 minutes, that time could be spent working on the novel. This way I'm assuring that for at least 20 minutes every day, something gets written.
2) Modify this blog. If I shift down to a post a week and maybe an excerpt if the writing goes well, I can turn that time into writing. I would then return to the regular posting schedule at the end of the month.
When all is said and done, it's not a difficult schedule to keep. It's just a lot of pressure for those 30 days, trying to get everything done in time. Who knows if I'll even be able to finish? At some point I feel I need to make the attempt.
And I still have two months to plan for the beast.
Thing is, NaNoWriMo is always in November, which is a hard month for me. Not only because of the holiday and family obligations everyone has, but because I work in a mall and everything goes insane from Black Friday on. The last thing I want to face after a long day of angry Christmas shoppers (don't kid yourself, you are all angry) is a blank computer screen and a 1,600 word deadline.
Right now I'm thinking of ways I could make this manageable. Reorganzing my writing to routine to accomodate the beast, and then I could return to regularly scheduled programming once November ends. These are my ideas so far:
1) Writing practice. Instead of writing about a random prompt for 20 minutes, that time could be spent working on the novel. This way I'm assuring that for at least 20 minutes every day, something gets written.
2) Modify this blog. If I shift down to a post a week and maybe an excerpt if the writing goes well, I can turn that time into writing. I would then return to the regular posting schedule at the end of the month.
When all is said and done, it's not a difficult schedule to keep. It's just a lot of pressure for those 30 days, trying to get everything done in time. Who knows if I'll even be able to finish? At some point I feel I need to make the attempt.
And I still have two months to plan for the beast.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Monday Writing Prompt: Revisions
One of the best parts of being a writer is going back and rereading old stuff you've written. Maybe it's a few weeks old, a few months, maybe even yeaars. I'm always surprised by it - by what doesn't work, and by what really, really does. I recognize it as my writing, though it feels at times like someone else wrote it.
Take a moment this week to go back and read something you've previously written. Take note of the bad lines, yes, but aslo the really good ones - you should be proud of these. Instead of tossing the entire draft out, save the lines you really like and try to rewrite the scene from them.
The idea here is not to tackle a full revision - though if it works for you, more power to you - but to see if your old writing can spark anything new. Maybe it will take you in an entirely different direction, a new twist on the same story.
I have every intention of working this prompt this week. Cross your fingers, and by Friday I should have something to show you!
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Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Take a moment this week to go back and read something you've previously written. Take note of the bad lines, yes, but aslo the really good ones - you should be proud of these. Instead of tossing the entire draft out, save the lines you really like and try to rewrite the scene from them.
The idea here is not to tackle a full revision - though if it works for you, more power to you - but to see if your old writing can spark anything new. Maybe it will take you in an entirely different direction, a new twist on the same story.
I have every intention of working this prompt this week. Cross your fingers, and by Friday I should have something to show you!
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Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Friday Writing Response for August 21, 2009
I fail as a writer.
For the record, I love this week's prompt. Absolutely adore it. The lyric ones are always my favorite and this one was centered on my favorite artist. But time slipped away this week, and I have nothing to show for the days that passed between today and Monday, when I put the prompt up. I started looking for an apartment, scouring the Internet and Craigslist, seeing a few impromtu places. (Neither of which are going to work out, I'm fairly certain.)
And, as such, it's now Friday and I have nothing to show for it. This just adds to my already pretty rotten mood today. I do have another snippet from my writing practice, a piece of a new scene from the Imperial Story - that much, at least, I managed to get done. No comments expected on this piece; it's mostly up to prove that, yes, I did do some writing this week.
I will come back to this prompt. When I do, I'll let you know.
---
We could just see the figure approaching us now, dressed in fatigues, blending in with the woods surrounding him. It was hard to tell for sure, but this wasn't an Imperial uniform I'd ever seen. "We have you in our sights," Briyant called into the woods. "Put down your weapon and I give you my word this will go over peacefully."
"Like hell I'm putting down my weapon, just as soon as you lower yours." There was something familiar in that voice, like I'd heard it before, but I couldn't put my finger on where. "That's my vehicle you all happen to be poaching and my friend who's still in it, so don't think I won't shoot you if I feel like it."
"No one's poaching anything. We're travellers. Came across the wreckage, looking for survivors." Briyant's voice was steady, but I still reached for my own gun, preparing myself for what might happen if this ended badly. "Come out, and we can discuss this like men."
"Discuss?" The man laughed, taking another couple steps forward. I could see he was definitely wounded now; one leg was twisted behind him, dragging along the forest floor. How he managed to walk at all was nothing short of a miracle. "You'll kill me, loot the vehicle, burn the remains. I've seen it a dozen times. You don't scare me."
For the record, I love this week's prompt. Absolutely adore it. The lyric ones are always my favorite and this one was centered on my favorite artist. But time slipped away this week, and I have nothing to show for the days that passed between today and Monday, when I put the prompt up. I started looking for an apartment, scouring the Internet and Craigslist, seeing a few impromtu places. (Neither of which are going to work out, I'm fairly certain.)
And, as such, it's now Friday and I have nothing to show for it. This just adds to my already pretty rotten mood today. I do have another snippet from my writing practice, a piece of a new scene from the Imperial Story - that much, at least, I managed to get done. No comments expected on this piece; it's mostly up to prove that, yes, I did do some writing this week.
I will come back to this prompt. When I do, I'll let you know.
---
We could just see the figure approaching us now, dressed in fatigues, blending in with the woods surrounding him. It was hard to tell for sure, but this wasn't an Imperial uniform I'd ever seen. "We have you in our sights," Briyant called into the woods. "Put down your weapon and I give you my word this will go over peacefully."
"Like hell I'm putting down my weapon, just as soon as you lower yours." There was something familiar in that voice, like I'd heard it before, but I couldn't put my finger on where. "That's my vehicle you all happen to be poaching and my friend who's still in it, so don't think I won't shoot you if I feel like it."
"No one's poaching anything. We're travellers. Came across the wreckage, looking for survivors." Briyant's voice was steady, but I still reached for my own gun, preparing myself for what might happen if this ended badly. "Come out, and we can discuss this like men."
"Discuss?" The man laughed, taking another couple steps forward. I could see he was definitely wounded now; one leg was twisted behind him, dragging along the forest floor. How he managed to walk at all was nothing short of a miracle. "You'll kill me, loot the vehicle, burn the remains. I've seen it a dozen times. You don't scare me."
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wednesday Blog Post: New Notebooks
I'll be the first to admit, I'm a creature of habit. I buy new things all the time - pens, journals, CDs, you name it - and I still go back to what I know works. I'm not sure if it's a comfort thing or what, but when I try something new, I freak out a little.
I'm doing this with notebooks, too.
In the last week and a half or so, I've changed two of my everyday notebooks: my kickaround notebook, which I discussed in last week's post, as well as my writing practice journal. Filling two notebooks within such a short span of each other is thrilling, no doubt. As is writing on the first blank page of a new journal - so full of promise and wonder and all that jazz people talk about but you never really believe until it actually happens.
My new kickaround notebook is a hardcover journal, with grid lines instead of lined paper. I'm adjusting to the grids better than I thought; it's helping me make sure my left margin stays in a straight line. What's bugging me is that I can't fold the cover back, like I could with my last notebook, which had a spiral for the spine. I'm used to folding it up and propping it up wherever I can to write, especially at work where there really isn't such thing as "desk space." I'm finding myself clearing away people's drinks just so I can get some room to set the journal down. I've had a few days, but it's still weird to me.
For the writing practice notebook, it's a big hardcover notebook from Borders, one of the basic black ones that's perpetually on clearance though they've had tons of them for years and years and years. This is the first time I've found something to even consider using that notebook for, so that's good. It's just - plain, for my tastes. I'm not sure how the spine is going to hold up when I'm filling page after page.
Maybe it's just me, being resistant to change. I don't want to let the slightest little thing ruin my writing experience, because I'm sure those thoughts are all in my head. We'll see how it goes over the course of the next few weeks.
I'm doing this with notebooks, too.
In the last week and a half or so, I've changed two of my everyday notebooks: my kickaround notebook, which I discussed in last week's post, as well as my writing practice journal. Filling two notebooks within such a short span of each other is thrilling, no doubt. As is writing on the first blank page of a new journal - so full of promise and wonder and all that jazz people talk about but you never really believe until it actually happens.
My new kickaround notebook is a hardcover journal, with grid lines instead of lined paper. I'm adjusting to the grids better than I thought; it's helping me make sure my left margin stays in a straight line. What's bugging me is that I can't fold the cover back, like I could with my last notebook, which had a spiral for the spine. I'm used to folding it up and propping it up wherever I can to write, especially at work where there really isn't such thing as "desk space." I'm finding myself clearing away people's drinks just so I can get some room to set the journal down. I've had a few days, but it's still weird to me.
For the writing practice notebook, it's a big hardcover notebook from Borders, one of the basic black ones that's perpetually on clearance though they've had tons of them for years and years and years. This is the first time I've found something to even consider using that notebook for, so that's good. It's just - plain, for my tastes. I'm not sure how the spine is going to hold up when I'm filling page after page.
Maybe it's just me, being resistant to change. I don't want to let the slightest little thing ruin my writing experience, because I'm sure those thoughts are all in my head. We'll see how it goes over the course of the next few weeks.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday Writing Prompt: Andrew McMahon 1
Writing up a response on Andrew McMahon last week reminded me of a prompt idea I had a while back: Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate lyrics. I'm biased, I'll admit; I happen to think he's a brilliant songwriter and all around great guy. The lyric prompts are one of my favorites too, mostly because I never know what I'm going to get out of them. The hardest part this week was choosing which lyrics to include!
Here are the lyrics:
- I'm gonna hang the sun above your bed and soak your hair in bleach. (Jack's Mannequin, "Miss California" - not sure why I love this one so much, but it strikes me every time)
- My life has become a boring pop song and everyone is singing along. (Jack's Mannequin, "I'm Ready")
- Without you I don't sleep, just dream. (Jack's Mannequin, "Last Straw")
- You live the life you're given when the storm's outside. (Something Corporate, "Watch the Sky")
- She's praying to Jesus, she's pulling the trigger. (Something Corporate, "Me and the Moon")
- Thought I was lost, but I was stranded. (Something Corporate, "Fall")
Take these and run with it - see where they take you. My favorite part is when a prompt manages to surprise me, as I hope it does with you. I hope to have something Andrew-worthy by the time Friday rolls around.
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Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Here are the lyrics:
- I'm gonna hang the sun above your bed and soak your hair in bleach. (Jack's Mannequin, "Miss California" - not sure why I love this one so much, but it strikes me every time)
- My life has become a boring pop song and everyone is singing along. (Jack's Mannequin, "I'm Ready")
- Without you I don't sleep, just dream. (Jack's Mannequin, "Last Straw")
- You live the life you're given when the storm's outside. (Something Corporate, "Watch the Sky")
- She's praying to Jesus, she's pulling the trigger. (Something Corporate, "Me and the Moon")
- Thought I was lost, but I was stranded. (Something Corporate, "Fall")
Take these and run with it - see where they take you. My favorite part is when a prompt manages to surprise me, as I hope it does with you. I hope to have something Andrew-worthy by the time Friday rolls around.
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Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friday Writing Response for August 14, 2009
I had originally intended to write something new for this week, but the words proved harder to find. I tried to write about Star Wars, but found that the words reminded me of the essay I wrote back in high school. While they still remain as true today as they did when I was 17, as a writer, I wanted to go with something new and fresh.
So, instead, I give you this little snippet from my writing practice, about musician Andrew McMahon. He's the frontman of Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate, and aside from being a huge fan of his music, he's a really nice guy and I take a lot of inspiration from him. He fought leukemia and won. His lyrics are profound and amazing and I wish I could write half as well as he could.
Fangirling aside, he's one of my heroes. Here's some of the reasons why.
---
If I am to name one man as my hero, it would be Andrew McMahon, not only for his music but for who he is and what he's done. He's three years older than me, 26, same age as Josh. When his music comes out, it speaks of things going on in my life now, even though he lives in an entirely different world than me. And he's a cancer survivor, diagnosed with leukemia the day he finished recording Jack's Mannequin's debut album, Everything in Transit. He's a fighter and an artist, an activist, and everything in between.
Everything in Transit, is, simply put, the album that describes my life. Granted, it speaks of drug use and other moments that don't apply to me, but the overall feeling of the album does. On one level it's a breakup album, detailing how he processed losing a long-term relationship. On another it's a transition record, adapting to the end of one phase in life and learning to start another.
That's the aspect of the record that still speaks to me, even though it came out four years ago this summer. I hear different things now than when it first came out. "I'm Ready" is a good example. Thinking it was a good song but not his best, I usually bypassed it in favor of more melodic tracks like "Bruised" and "Dark Blue."
"I'm Ready" speaks of a life at a crossroads, not knowing where to go next. And that is exactly where I am right now, and I'm not sure when I realized it. "My life is a boring pop song and everyone is singing along" became an anthem for me. I was determined to believe that I am ready for this next phase of life, that I can take this next step. Now, when that song comes on my iPod, I never turn it off.
So, instead, I give you this little snippet from my writing practice, about musician Andrew McMahon. He's the frontman of Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate, and aside from being a huge fan of his music, he's a really nice guy and I take a lot of inspiration from him. He fought leukemia and won. His lyrics are profound and amazing and I wish I could write half as well as he could.
Fangirling aside, he's one of my heroes. Here's some of the reasons why.
---
If I am to name one man as my hero, it would be Andrew McMahon, not only for his music but for who he is and what he's done. He's three years older than me, 26, same age as Josh. When his music comes out, it speaks of things going on in my life now, even though he lives in an entirely different world than me. And he's a cancer survivor, diagnosed with leukemia the day he finished recording Jack's Mannequin's debut album, Everything in Transit. He's a fighter and an artist, an activist, and everything in between.
Everything in Transit, is, simply put, the album that describes my life. Granted, it speaks of drug use and other moments that don't apply to me, but the overall feeling of the album does. On one level it's a breakup album, detailing how he processed losing a long-term relationship. On another it's a transition record, adapting to the end of one phase in life and learning to start another.
That's the aspect of the record that still speaks to me, even though it came out four years ago this summer. I hear different things now than when it first came out. "I'm Ready" is a good example. Thinking it was a good song but not his best, I usually bypassed it in favor of more melodic tracks like "Bruised" and "Dark Blue."
"I'm Ready" speaks of a life at a crossroads, not knowing where to go next. And that is exactly where I am right now, and I'm not sure when I realized it. "My life is a boring pop song and everyone is singing along" became an anthem for me. I was determined to believe that I am ready for this next phase of life, that I can take this next step. Now, when that song comes on my iPod, I never turn it off.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday Blog Post: Replacing Notebooks
As I write the draft of this blog post, this is the last entry I will be writing in this "kickaround notebook." It's the Paperchase one I covered in stickers from works and I'm sure it's seen better days; I may have to tape the cover back in place to preserve it once I'm finished. It took me a little over a year to finish this one - the first page is dated May 8, 2008.
It's still satisfying to fill a notebook, at least for me. I like being able to riffle throughthe pages and see all the colors (I used a different one every day, pens are my weakness), the half-finished scenes, my notes to myself. This notebook in particular has bits and pieces of my novel, And You Tell Me I Am Home, as well as snippets from the Imperial Story. I'm quite proud to retire this baby, giving it a good home on my shelf.
This means, of course, that I had to pick out a new journal to use as my "kickaround" notebook. Rather than buy a new one, I raided the collection in my cedar chest - at some points, it's better than going to Staples. I found three nice leather bound journals, gifts from various people (my Uncle Joe, my Aunt debbie, and ex-boyfriend Caz). One was a gift from Mrs. Keane, my senior year of high school - the cover is emblazoned with the words, "We are the hero of our own story." These are the journals I want to keep in perfect condition, not let get bounced around when I carry them everywhere. It was good to remember than I had these journals waiting for me, waiting to hold the perfect project.
I ended up choosing a hardcover journal, nothing fancy, but the paper inside is of a good weight and it will hold up to a lot of abuse. This notebook lasted me 15 months; the next one should be able to do the same. I'm excited to write on that very first page, to fill another notebook with my thoughts and words. It's been too long since I've started something new.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way - this elation, this thrill. It's one of my perks to being a writer, and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.
It's still satisfying to fill a notebook, at least for me. I like being able to riffle throughthe pages and see all the colors (I used a different one every day, pens are my weakness), the half-finished scenes, my notes to myself. This notebook in particular has bits and pieces of my novel, And You Tell Me I Am Home, as well as snippets from the Imperial Story. I'm quite proud to retire this baby, giving it a good home on my shelf.
This means, of course, that I had to pick out a new journal to use as my "kickaround" notebook. Rather than buy a new one, I raided the collection in my cedar chest - at some points, it's better than going to Staples. I found three nice leather bound journals, gifts from various people (my Uncle Joe, my Aunt debbie, and ex-boyfriend Caz). One was a gift from Mrs. Keane, my senior year of high school - the cover is emblazoned with the words, "We are the hero of our own story." These are the journals I want to keep in perfect condition, not let get bounced around when I carry them everywhere. It was good to remember than I had these journals waiting for me, waiting to hold the perfect project.
I ended up choosing a hardcover journal, nothing fancy, but the paper inside is of a good weight and it will hold up to a lot of abuse. This notebook lasted me 15 months; the next one should be able to do the same. I'm excited to write on that very first page, to fill another notebook with my thoughts and words. It's been too long since I've started something new.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way - this elation, this thrill. It's one of my perks to being a writer, and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Monday Writing Prompt: Your Heroes
I finished reading Julie & Julia over the weekend. It's a quick, funny, fascinating read about two of my favorite subjects: cooking and online blogs. My copy is dog-eared in all sorts of places for quotes I like and ones I want to turn into away messages on AIM. This is definitely a book I'd recommend for a quick, summer read.
Julie Powell's admission of how much Julia Child changed her life got me thinking about who my own heroes were. In Julie's case, it's not even someone she'd ever met, but someone who had an impact over time, over the course of her project - trying to cook her way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
I have several heroes, people I respect, who have moved me. Andrew McMahon from Jack's Mannequin is a big one, but there are others - Mrs. Keane, my English teacher in high school; Tim Parrish and Robin Troy, my creative writing professors from college. People have an impact, and most of us don't even realize it. This week, write a few words about one of your heroes, big or small. This is not necessarily something for anyone else to read, though you can share it if you wish, but for you, to realize what these people mean in your life.
By writing about people, I ensure, once and for all, that I never forget about them. I always have that piece to look back on, to capture how I felt in that moment in time. Your pieces don't need to be very long, as long as they're honest. I'll let you know how my attempt went on Friday.
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Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Julie Powell's admission of how much Julia Child changed her life got me thinking about who my own heroes were. In Julie's case, it's not even someone she'd ever met, but someone who had an impact over time, over the course of her project - trying to cook her way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
I have several heroes, people I respect, who have moved me. Andrew McMahon from Jack's Mannequin is a big one, but there are others - Mrs. Keane, my English teacher in high school; Tim Parrish and Robin Troy, my creative writing professors from college. People have an impact, and most of us don't even realize it. This week, write a few words about one of your heroes, big or small. This is not necessarily something for anyone else to read, though you can share it if you wish, but for you, to realize what these people mean in your life.
By writing about people, I ensure, once and for all, that I never forget about them. I always have that piece to look back on, to capture how I felt in that moment in time. Your pieces don't need to be very long, as long as they're honest. I'll let you know how my attempt went on Friday.
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Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Friday Writing Response for August 7, 2009
Okay, so first off: Character profiles turned out both good and bad. The good news, I did finish one complete profile - for a character completely outside of any story I'm currently working on. The bad news, Zeke's profile is started, but not finished. I'll admit, it's actually rather frustrating, the fact that the novel is no longer talking to me like it used to. I think it's been too long since I've worked on it consistently, not in fits and starts. Maybe it's time for another read through, just to refresh myself on the material. We'll see.
For now, I'm just going to post a bit from what I did get finished: descriptions of Zeke's appearance and personality. More so for my reference than anyone else, but I still find it interesting to get an in-depth look at a character, especially as a writer.
CHARACTER NAME: Zeke McMahon
Physical Description: Zeke specializes in laid back. He's most at home in jeans and a t-shirt, just the right cut for his lean frame and you can be sure all his clothes are neat and clean. His hair is thick and dark; he always kept it long, past his shoulders. HIs mother, a hairstylist, finally convinced him to get a more modern cut. It now frames his face in shaggy layers, accenting his square jaw nicely. He does get a lot of glances his way for his looks, but Zeke is mostly oblivious to it.
Personality: Zeke straddles the fence between being completely spontaneous and erring on the side of caution. He's a "go with the flow" kind of guy, and he only worries about the big things - the state of his relationship with Emma he considers to be a big thing. Zeke tries to do the right thing by his friends, but he's always up for a little adventure. When it comes to people he doesn't know well or is just meeting for the first time, he tends to form an opinion quickly, and it takes a lot to change this first impression. He's also convinced that he's right, in most situations, so when it comes to arguing, he always wants to be the one who wins.
For now, I'm just going to post a bit from what I did get finished: descriptions of Zeke's appearance and personality. More so for my reference than anyone else, but I still find it interesting to get an in-depth look at a character, especially as a writer.
CHARACTER NAME: Zeke McMahon
Physical Description: Zeke specializes in laid back. He's most at home in jeans and a t-shirt, just the right cut for his lean frame and you can be sure all his clothes are neat and clean. His hair is thick and dark; he always kept it long, past his shoulders. HIs mother, a hairstylist, finally convinced him to get a more modern cut. It now frames his face in shaggy layers, accenting his square jaw nicely. He does get a lot of glances his way for his looks, but Zeke is mostly oblivious to it.
Personality: Zeke straddles the fence between being completely spontaneous and erring on the side of caution. He's a "go with the flow" kind of guy, and he only worries about the big things - the state of his relationship with Emma he considers to be a big thing. Zeke tries to do the right thing by his friends, but he's always up for a little adventure. When it comes to people he doesn't know well or is just meeting for the first time, he tends to form an opinion quickly, and it takes a lot to change this first impression. He's also convinced that he's right, in most situations, so when it comes to arguing, he always wants to be the one who wins.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Wednesday Blog Post: On Building Characters
Characterization is one of those writing concepts I understand in theory, but have a hard time putting into practice. While I have no trouble coming up with backstory, plot and complications, I struggle with getting that out on paper. Maybe every writer faces the same problem, getting the words down that they hear in their head. I find that I reveal character through dialogue, and the way they interact with each other. I often skate a fine line between dialogue and prose; I don't think I balance the two well.
I didn't realize the impact characterization had on my overall writing until working on revising And You Tell Me I Am Home. One of the initial critiques I received was that the first half moved too slow, and I figured it was due to a lack of tension between the characters. Once Zeke and Emma start fighting, the scenes started to pile up, get interesting, even for me as I wrote them. Once of the conflicts I'm working on developing is between Zeke and Jay, Emma's ex, and I decided to use character sketches to help.
Jay, since I modelled him after one of my best friends, was easy to write. Zeke, on the other hand, I really struggled with. Suddenly the traits that seemed good enough when writing the first draft - Zeke likes music, he plays guitar, parents are divorced - were nowhere near as complicated as I needed them to be. He was risking becoming a stereotype, and I couldn't let that happen.
In the next draft of the story, I have some ideas of how to broaden Zeke's (along with the others) characterization. I've considered better conflicts, flashbacks, letting the reader in on more of the backstory behind each of these people. As an author, it's my responsibility to make sure each of these characters become real on the page - the readers, as well as myself, deserve that much. I'm sure it will take me several drafts to get it right, but that's okay. I'm learning. And that's a process any writer should always be a part of.
I didn't realize the impact characterization had on my overall writing until working on revising And You Tell Me I Am Home. One of the initial critiques I received was that the first half moved too slow, and I figured it was due to a lack of tension between the characters. Once Zeke and Emma start fighting, the scenes started to pile up, get interesting, even for me as I wrote them. Once of the conflicts I'm working on developing is between Zeke and Jay, Emma's ex, and I decided to use character sketches to help.
Jay, since I modelled him after one of my best friends, was easy to write. Zeke, on the other hand, I really struggled with. Suddenly the traits that seemed good enough when writing the first draft - Zeke likes music, he plays guitar, parents are divorced - were nowhere near as complicated as I needed them to be. He was risking becoming a stereotype, and I couldn't let that happen.
In the next draft of the story, I have some ideas of how to broaden Zeke's (along with the others) characterization. I've considered better conflicts, flashbacks, letting the reader in on more of the backstory behind each of these people. As an author, it's my responsibility to make sure each of these characters become real on the page - the readers, as well as myself, deserve that much. I'm sure it will take me several drafts to get it right, but that's okay. I'm learning. And that's a process any writer should always be a part of.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Monday Writing Prompt: Character Sketches
Everyone has a different approach as far as building their characters is concerned. I've mapped out and brainstormed characteristics; I've written scenes and been surprised at what I've found. But one of my favorite ways to learn a character is to make a bio sheet of him or her.
Applications for online, journal-based RPGs are a great example of this kind of biography. When writing, you're forced to think about different aspects of your character, not that just if he has blond or brown hair and likes to play guitar. A well-rounded character has likes and dislikes, weaknesses and strengths, just like a real person does. No one is perfect, and your characters should represent tha as well. After all, the too-perfect characters become stereotypes, at the very least, and they no longer surprise you during the writing.
Your challenge this week is to write one such character bio, either for a new character or one you're struggling with. (I may choose Zeke from And You Tell Me I Am Home, because I don't feel like I know him as well as I should, one draft into the story.) I've provided a version to use here, but feel free to add or subtract categories as needed for your character.
Name:
Nicknames (if any):
Age/Date of Birth:
Physical Description: - Things like height, weight, eye and hair color, what clothing they wear, etc.
Personality: - More than just likes and dislikes; is he friendly, outgoing, shy, etc.?
Personal History: - Everyone has a story, including your characters. What happened to get them to this point?
Family Members/Relatives/Closest Friends: - Flesh out the character's relationships, the important ones at least, even if you never see them in the story.
Philosophy on Life: - Is the glass half full or half empty? Why?
Strengths and Weaknesses: - Everyone has both; remember to keep them in balance. Not everyone can be Superman, after all. But no one is completely bad, either.
The idea here is to flesh out a character, more than you may see in the story itself. It may give you some new ideas to add when a story is stuck in a rut. Remember, just because the reader may not know why a character does something, doesn't mean that you, as the writer, don't need to know it.
If anyone tries this and finds it helpful, please let me know! I'm always curious to see what these prompts produce for other writers. I'll let you know how my character profile went on Friday!
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Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Applications for online, journal-based RPGs are a great example of this kind of biography. When writing, you're forced to think about different aspects of your character, not that just if he has blond or brown hair and likes to play guitar. A well-rounded character has likes and dislikes, weaknesses and strengths, just like a real person does. No one is perfect, and your characters should represent tha as well. After all, the too-perfect characters become stereotypes, at the very least, and they no longer surprise you during the writing.
Your challenge this week is to write one such character bio, either for a new character or one you're struggling with. (I may choose Zeke from And You Tell Me I Am Home, because I don't feel like I know him as well as I should, one draft into the story.) I've provided a version to use here, but feel free to add or subtract categories as needed for your character.
Name:
Nicknames (if any):
Age/Date of Birth:
Physical Description: - Things like height, weight, eye and hair color, what clothing they wear, etc.
Personality: - More than just likes and dislikes; is he friendly, outgoing, shy, etc.?
Personal History: - Everyone has a story, including your characters. What happened to get them to this point?
Family Members/Relatives/Closest Friends: - Flesh out the character's relationships, the important ones at least, even if you never see them in the story.
Philosophy on Life: - Is the glass half full or half empty? Why?
Strengths and Weaknesses: - Everyone has both; remember to keep them in balance. Not everyone can be Superman, after all. But no one is completely bad, either.
The idea here is to flesh out a character, more than you may see in the story itself. It may give you some new ideas to add when a story is stuck in a rut. Remember, just because the reader may not know why a character does something, doesn't mean that you, as the writer, don't need to know it.
If anyone tries this and finds it helpful, please let me know! I'm always curious to see what these prompts produce for other writers. I'll let you know how my character profile went on Friday!
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
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