Oh wow, I haven't posted one of these in forever. This response is based on a trip my friend Josh and I made to Fort Williams, where there's a lighthouse and really pretty shoreline. There's no actual beach, but the water crashing into the granite cliffs were pretty amazing. This is a snippet of what I got out of it.
---
They wouldn't let him into the lighthouse (which, in Quentin's opinion, was complete and utter bullshit), so he explored the ruins instead. At one point, Fort Williams was a stationed base, mounted guns along one side, protecting the easternmost port in the country at the time. Now it was just crumbling structures and graffiti covered walls.
And there was the ocean. Here there was no white sandy beach and quiet waves; the surf pounded into the granite boulders forming the cliffs. There was a sense of power in the white foam at the base of the rocks, an act of God in plain sight. It was almost like he could hear a woman's voice on the wind, beckoning him to join him in the water.
Every artist was inspired by something different; this view was one of Quentin's favorites. He climbed down to the small rock outcropping, careful to avoid any spot that looked wet, sketchbook clutched in one hand. Let the rich kids have their celebration. This, in his mind, was a better way to spend the afternoon.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday Writing Prompt: Motivation
So I've really been dropping the ball when it comes to writing, these last few weeks. It's not an excuse to say I've been busy, because then it sounds like I haven't made writing as a big a priority as I need it to be. Now that things have settled down some - mostly unpacked in the new place, and one of my best friends in the whole world on his way home after spending a few days here, it's time to get back on track.
Plus, I have at least one reader who remembers to poke me when I haven't posted - Meg, my dear, you are amazing, and thank you for the reminders! ♥
With that thought in mind, this week's prompt is simple:
Motivation.
That's right, find one thing that inspires you do something with writing. No matter how small, if it creates some words for you, go with it. I'm working on a little piece now, based on the lighthouse trip I made with Josh while he was here. We'll see if anything coherent comes out of it.
Wish me luck! And this time, I WILL post on Friday.
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Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Plus, I have at least one reader who remembers to poke me when I haven't posted - Meg, my dear, you are amazing, and thank you for the reminders! ♥
With that thought in mind, this week's prompt is simple:
Motivation.
That's right, find one thing that inspires you do something with writing. No matter how small, if it creates some words for you, go with it. I'm working on a little piece now, based on the lighthouse trip I made with Josh while he was here. We'll see if anything coherent comes out of it.
Wish me luck! And this time, I WILL post on Friday.
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Monday Writing Prompt: In Hiding
So, first off, many apologies for not getting a writing response up last week! Friday was my big moving day and, needless to say, it left me exhausted. I'm not the kind of person who likes to stare at boxes, so most of my time this weekend has been devoted to getting things in order and finding out where the hell I put everything.
I've not forgotten about writing, however. I'm getting back into the routine of my daily writing practice and, of course, posting to this here blog. This week's prompt is inspired by my kitty, Lily, who is currently quite angry with me for moving her into a new place.
The prompt is in hiding. That's right, Lily has not come out of the basement since I brought her to our new home. I got her to come out for kitty treats this morning, but that's it. Perhaps this prompt will work for you - either coaxing a difficult character to talk, giving good reasons for going into hiding, whatever the case may be.
As for me? I'm going to try and write in between begging my kitty to come out and play. I'll let you know on Friday how successful I've been.
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
I've not forgotten about writing, however. I'm getting back into the routine of my daily writing practice and, of course, posting to this here blog. This week's prompt is inspired by my kitty, Lily, who is currently quite angry with me for moving her into a new place.
The prompt is in hiding. That's right, Lily has not come out of the basement since I brought her to our new home. I got her to come out for kitty treats this morning, but that's it. Perhaps this prompt will work for you - either coaxing a difficult character to talk, giving good reasons for going into hiding, whatever the case may be.
As for me? I'm going to try and write in between begging my kitty to come out and play. I'll let you know on Friday how successful I've been.
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Wednesday Blog Post: Procrastination Week
I haven't done my writing practice today. Again. I feel like such a fool for admitting that out loud, but it's true. Today was hard, because of the way my schedule fell - I closed last night, opened this morning, came home to find my couch and a long nap while watching Food Network.
Tomorrow, I promise, back to the notebook. I've always been the type to push myself beyond my limits, and I know I have too much on my plate at the moment. Time to slow down, take a deep breath, and let my creative energies recharge for the night, like the nap did for my body. (Naps, in case you were wondering, are one of the best things in the world. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.)
As a warning, I may not get to Friday's writing response until sometime late Friday night or on Saturday. Friday is the day of the big move, including dismantling my computer. The new place has wireless and I'm sure I'll be up and running in no time, but I figured I would give anyone waiting a notice in advance.
On a side note, this doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about writing. A new character popped into my head while at work yesterday, just based on the name on a customer's credit card - Tessa. Not sure where I'm going to use her yet, or how long it will take to flesh out her background, but the idea definitely got rolling in my head. And between drinks, character ideas are always welcome.
Getting a chance to write everything I come up with down in time, however, is a bigger challenge, one I'm sure every writer faces. I've taken to jotting quick notes on my hand between customers. The ink stays on my hands for a day or two, and if I can't transcribe my thoughts before then, tough cookies.
Tomorrow, I promise, back to the notebook. I've always been the type to push myself beyond my limits, and I know I have too much on my plate at the moment. Time to slow down, take a deep breath, and let my creative energies recharge for the night, like the nap did for my body. (Naps, in case you were wondering, are one of the best things in the world. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.)
As a warning, I may not get to Friday's writing response until sometime late Friday night or on Saturday. Friday is the day of the big move, including dismantling my computer. The new place has wireless and I'm sure I'll be up and running in no time, but I figured I would give anyone waiting a notice in advance.
On a side note, this doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about writing. A new character popped into my head while at work yesterday, just based on the name on a customer's credit card - Tessa. Not sure where I'm going to use her yet, or how long it will take to flesh out her background, but the idea definitely got rolling in my head. And between drinks, character ideas are always welcome.
Getting a chance to write everything I come up with down in time, however, is a bigger challenge, one I'm sure every writer faces. I've taken to jotting quick notes on my hand between customers. The ink stays on my hands for a day or two, and if I can't transcribe my thoughts before then, tough cookies.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Monday Writing Prompt: Free For All 2
I do feel bad about this week's lack of a new writing prompt. I have so much going on right now that it's hard to find time to think, much less do anything else. Ad I'm in the process of packing everything up and getting it to my new place, my free time lately has been spent vegging out because I don't have the energy to do much else.
Hopefully you'll have more motivation (and inspiration!) than me to get some work done this week. Take a look through all the prompts from weeks past and see if any strike your fancy. All the prompts can be found here:
Monday Writing Prompt tag
I'll have something to post on Friday, I promise, though the quality of said post remains to be determined. Have a good week, and wish me luck!
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Hopefully you'll have more motivation (and inspiration!) than me to get some work done this week. Take a look through all the prompts from weeks past and see if any strike your fancy. All the prompts can be found here:
Monday Writing Prompt tag
I'll have something to post on Friday, I promise, though the quality of said post remains to be determined. Have a good week, and wish me luck!
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Friday Writing Response for October 9, 2009
This week's response is just a brief snippet, as I didn't have as much time to write as I hoped I would have. Pakcing and moving stuff on top of work takes up a lot of time! So, what I have is an intro to a journal entry, told from the point of view of a very girly, princess-like brat named Ravyn. She's fun to write, at least so far.
Also, today is the first day when I haven't completed my writing practice. I've got so much going on, my brain is fried. Tonight is my one day off, and I'm cracking the whip tomorrow.
---
Lesson #1: Do not go to the comic store in one of your best dresses.
Lesson #2: Do not go in stiletto heels. (They were such beautiful shoes, though!)
Lesson #3: And for god's sake, don't piss off the woman your brother is trying to get with!
Finally met Peyton today...
Also, today is the first day when I haven't completed my writing practice. I've got so much going on, my brain is fried. Tonight is my one day off, and I'm cracking the whip tomorrow.
---
Lesson #1: Do not go to the comic store in one of your best dresses.
Lesson #2: Do not go in stiletto heels. (They were such beautiful shoes, though!)
Lesson #3: And for god's sake, don't piss off the woman your brother is trying to get with!
Finally met Peyton today...
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Wednesday Blog Post: Random Inspiration
Sometimes, when you're doing anything else besides writing, inspiration walks up and smacks you in the face. I've read the testimonies of other writers, who talked about solving plot issues while going out for a walk, doing laundry, playing with their dog, you name it.
Me? I was listening to music. Procrastinating writing, because I didn't want to sit down at my desk yet.
I've been toying with the idea of a short story collection, filled with fictionalized stories about each of my exes. I'm at the point where I'm brainstorming ideas, figuring out what would work, what won't, and the like. And today, I'm bouncing around my room listening to "Down and Out" by The Academy Is... and "Tell That Mick He Just Made My List of Things to Do Today" by Fall Out Boy when it hits me: the title of my collection.
Never Burned My Bridges.
I like this because it implies a few things. One, that I'm the type who doesn't let anything go, which I am. Two, that at least some of the people I'd be basing characters on are ones I would like to talk to again, but have "burned the bridge" and want nothing to do with me. I like the image of saying you've walked away, that it doesn't matter and you can't go back, but in reality, you're still standing there on the other side of the bridge, hoping to cross it.
Considering that I'm usually crap with titles, I'm excited to find one that might work. Now I just have to get up and actually work on the project. We'll see when - if - my ideas come together.
Me? I was listening to music. Procrastinating writing, because I didn't want to sit down at my desk yet.
I've been toying with the idea of a short story collection, filled with fictionalized stories about each of my exes. I'm at the point where I'm brainstorming ideas, figuring out what would work, what won't, and the like. And today, I'm bouncing around my room listening to "Down and Out" by The Academy Is... and "Tell That Mick He Just Made My List of Things to Do Today" by Fall Out Boy when it hits me: the title of my collection.
Never Burned My Bridges.
I like this because it implies a few things. One, that I'm the type who doesn't let anything go, which I am. Two, that at least some of the people I'd be basing characters on are ones I would like to talk to again, but have "burned the bridge" and want nothing to do with me. I like the image of saying you've walked away, that it doesn't matter and you can't go back, but in reality, you're still standing there on the other side of the bridge, hoping to cross it.
Considering that I'm usually crap with titles, I'm excited to find one that might work. Now I just have to get up and actually work on the project. We'll see when - if - my ideas come together.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday Writing Prompt: A Letter From Your Characters
I first saw this idea in The 3 A.M. Epiphany by Brian Kiteley. This week, let one of your characters do the talking, whether in an online blog post, a journal entry, a letter they'll never send. Kiteley called this exercise "Letters From Inside the Story," and it was one I wanted to try the second I got the book. It's full of different prompts, grouped together by the writing technique or topic they emphasize. The book is definitely worth a read if you're looking for some inspiration.
One of my biggest flaws I've been noticing in my writing lately is voice. It's not easy for my characters to sound distinctive; I'm noticing this especially when comparing Emma to Zeke, or Anitra to Briyant. By giving a character a chance to reveal something intimate, in their own voice, without the fear of another character listening in, I'm hoping to tap into something real.
This is another exercise that, more than likely, will not make it into the final draft of your story. I'm just hoping I stumble upon a character's deep, dark secret. Either way, I'll let you know how it goes on Friday!
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Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
One of my biggest flaws I've been noticing in my writing lately is voice. It's not easy for my characters to sound distinctive; I'm noticing this especially when comparing Emma to Zeke, or Anitra to Briyant. By giving a character a chance to reveal something intimate, in their own voice, without the fear of another character listening in, I'm hoping to tap into something real.
This is another exercise that, more than likely, will not make it into the final draft of your story. I'm just hoping I stumble upon a character's deep, dark secret. Either way, I'll let you know how it goes on Friday!
---
Don't like this week's prompt? Check out previous ones through the Monday Writing Prompt tag.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Friday Writing Response for October 2, 2009
I didn't get to play with this week's prompt as much as I hoped, but I do have one response. This is from my writing practice a couple weeks ago, a line that I ended up loving. I've taken some of the punctuation marks, thinking it might help the poem a bit.
Thoughts always welcome!
Her engagement ring needed a
funeral,
a memorial service
something to
commemorate -
to celebrate -
the time in her life when
she truly believed anything was possible
that one day
she might hope for those days to come again
Thoughts always welcome!
Her engagement ring needed a
funeral,
a memorial service
something to
commemorate -
to celebrate -
the time in her life when
she truly believed anything was possible
that one day
she might hope for those days to come again
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