So, I know I didn't post last week. I'm contemplating reorganizing the structure of the blog, perhaps relaunching it as of the first of the new year. When I figure out what changes, if any, will be best, I'll let you know.
I decided to spend today working solely on my writing - at least for the afternoon. I went to the Portland Public Library and got a few books, including one on writing. For undergoing renovations, they did have a selection of writing books to choose from - I didn't expect any at all, so that was a welcome surprise.
I then got a chai at Bard Coffee in town and sat for a while, sketching out potential article ideas. While I'm pretty sure a daily reporting job isn't for me, I do like writing feature articles on topics I'm interested in. The ideas I have do require a bit of research, yes, but I'm hoping it'll be worth it in the end. At this rate, if it's getting words flowing, even with how few of them end up on the page, who am I to turn that inspiration away?
Someday I'm going to get my writing life back on track, no matter what method it takes to do so.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Wednesday Blog Post: Falling Behind
I haven't written in what feels like weeks. I don't want to count the days, because then I'll just feel worse, knowing that I let something I love fall so low on my list of priorities.
It's not that I don't want to, not really. I'm still working on reading all of my writing material - currently, an issue of The Writer and You Can Write a Novel by James V. Smith Jr. I've all but given up on my writing practice, which is sad, because I was doing so well with it previously. I understand the need to adjust to living in a new place and the resulting changes in routine - I no longer have to drive so far to work each day, which is awesome, but it's leaving me with more time to sleep in and procrastinate. But there's a part of me that feels like I need to get pen to paper soon, or I'm not going to be able to keep up with anything.
Hence my decision to postpone NaNoWriMo for another year. I'd like to think I could tackle it, but I'd rather save the energy for a real try at it than force myself to do it and get pissed off when I fail to reach 50,000 words. I don't even know what my next novel subject would be yet, and that's not good for starting any major project.
I am, however, rereading some of my old writing practice snippets, especially the Imperial Story clips. Some of the lines are actually really good, and I'd forgotten all about them. Maybe, just maybe, this will inspire me to get my ass back in the chair and back to work.
It's not that I don't want to, not really. I'm still working on reading all of my writing material - currently, an issue of The Writer and You Can Write a Novel by James V. Smith Jr. I've all but given up on my writing practice, which is sad, because I was doing so well with it previously. I understand the need to adjust to living in a new place and the resulting changes in routine - I no longer have to drive so far to work each day, which is awesome, but it's leaving me with more time to sleep in and procrastinate. But there's a part of me that feels like I need to get pen to paper soon, or I'm not going to be able to keep up with anything.
Hence my decision to postpone NaNoWriMo for another year. I'd like to think I could tackle it, but I'd rather save the energy for a real try at it than force myself to do it and get pissed off when I fail to reach 50,000 words. I don't even know what my next novel subject would be yet, and that's not good for starting any major project.
I am, however, rereading some of my old writing practice snippets, especially the Imperial Story clips. Some of the lines are actually really good, and I'd forgotten all about them. Maybe, just maybe, this will inspire me to get my ass back in the chair and back to work.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday Writing Response for October 30, 2009
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.
---
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.
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.
---
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.
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