Tuesday, November 09, 2021
Double Timing NaNoWriMo Word Count
I have two laptops. My old laptop is on my desk at home. Most of my writing takes place on that one. It's got a lot of stories and idea blurbs on it.
Saturday, November 06, 2021
NaNoWriMo is Here! Are you Rockin' It?
I'm a bit over 2000 words. Not really a great count for day 6 of NaNo, but its something.
Here's the problem.
This was a challenge to do from a randomly picked prompt. not my idea or something I'd usually write about. So I spend a lot of time forcing myself into the shoes of my MC (main character) to come up with the next move.
This time I also printed out a worksheet of the Hero's Journey to fit my story into. I've got some of it down but mostly I have no freakin' clue where I'm going with this story.
And so I flounder... questions! Questions! Questions!
What next?
What should MC do now?
How does she know this isn't just her imagination?
Is the guy she just met one of them or will he help her?
Is she about to get sucked into a nightmare? how do I save her and let this get crazy? Should I?
Oy! My head!
Ok, NaNo, See in tomorrow at 7 am with coffee.
Good luck out there you NaNo wizards. Write on, Write good, Write often.
How's your word count?
Tuesday, October 05, 2021
Gearing Up for NaNoWriMo
How???
Here's a few tips to do now to get ready to join the NaNoWriMo challenge.
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Best Habit a Writer Needs
Every. Single. Day.
When I wrote Soul Mates (A different kind of love story) I set a 6 am alarm to get writing time in before that other real job thingy. After a week or two I didn't even need an alarm. I just stumbled out of bed, hit the button on the coffee maker and headed for my desk. Everyday until I typed the words "The End."
One thing that did was get the book finished. At least the first draft. But considering the other first drafts I had from other creative endeavors this was a pretty clean first draft. I believe that's because I was more focused on my task. It was time to get to work and that's where I went on time. It also gave a deep satisfaction. Yes, I could finish a book. All it took was a little discipline.
Do you have to get up at 6 am? No.
Do you have to set a time to write? Yes, that gets you to the table where your craft begins.
Stephen King said, in his book On Writing, that he goes to his desk and doesn't get up until he had 10 pages written. Some days he's happily tripping down the road at noon, other day's he's there late until he chokes out those 10 pages. That is discipline and that is why he's such a prolific writer. I highly recommend his book, On Writing, for all writers.
Okay, you've picked a time to write, now what?
Set up your desk so you can get right to work and not have to struggle to find a pen, plug in your laptop, or find your reading glasses. Your writing space should be ready when you are.
Now it doesn't have to be a fancy desk by a beautiful view and your favorite mug. No. It can be a quiet corner in your bedroom, a little nook off the kitchen, or anywhere there's less distractions. King wrote his first book with an old selectric on his knees in a laundry room. Get creative, get a refreshment, and go to work. Okay, you can bring your favorite mug.
So that's it folks. Most important thing a writer needs is a set time to go to work just like any other job. Show up and get to work.
You can do it!
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
NANOWRIMO Approaches... Are You Ready?
I guess it comes down to a plotter or a pantser or even a just give me an idea!
Seriously, Ideas pop into my head all the time. I'm constantly writing scenes in my head that might never make it onto the keyboard.
I think it was the World According to Garp where he sees the red gloves in the gutter and a story pops into his head? Correct me if I'm wrong, it's been awhile.
That's where I think the stories hide. In those everyday things all around us. Stephen King says in his book, On Writing that he just puts too ideas together. Like for Carrie; Telekinesis and a girl who gets picked on in school. Easy, right? Rapid dog and mom trapped in a car with her son. Writer has accident and meets crazed fan.
So for this year's NANO I'm going to take King's idea and merge two things together. I'm starting a list;
Housewife and the devil meet
Old car and ....wait! That was King's. :)
Vacation on an island and contact is lost from the mainland
Man gets job in restaurant Owner is a ghost
Woman is murdered and haunts her murderer
Girl discovers secret passage in her new home discovers aliens
Woman buys a bracelet at a garage sale and can suddenly hear voices.
The list is growing.... which to pick.
Who doesn't love a good NANO challenge?
So where are you going with NANO this year?
Monday, July 19, 2021
Threshold of Midnight on Kindle Vella
Kindle Vella is a chapter by chapter way to read stories. Like episodes on a television show. This is Amazon's answer to Wattpage and other phone reading aps. First three chapters are free then there are tokens that are used to purchase for the other chapters. Great way to try out a story without committing.
So, I'm giving it ago. Here's Threshold to Midnight.
Diana's husband is building a bomb shelter. She's convinced he's crazy, but when an accident traps her inside for months, she realizes maybe he knew more than she realized. In her search for survivors , Diana meets a young girl named Gracie who's says the Virgin Mary is talking to her. Diana is convinced Gracie is traumatized from being left alone when everyone disappeared, but when the things she says start coming true, Diana knows she must protect the girl at all costs.
Monday, December 28, 2020
A Writing Challenge
Writing and stress has been worse this year than ever before. Mostly because we have this Covid fiasco hanging over our heads day in and day out. I miss so many things like hugging, smiling at people in the grocery store (but not in a weird way,) going out to dinner, normal stuff we took for granted.
Now back to writing... how to kick start the old writing muscle?
Find a challenge. Yes, there are still ways to find a challenge and meet it even in this crazy land we're living in.
I challenged my daughter, also a writer, to exchange chapters each week. So every Monday we send each other the chapter we finished that week. And yes! We are challenged to finish a chapter each week. We meet or facetime later in the week to discuss what we've read/edited.
It's time to step up and inspire yourself. Find someone to challenge you. Make you produce a chapter a week and get that book written.
Friday, December 11, 2020
Importance of a Home Office
In his book, On Writing, Stephen King said he once wrote in a laundry room with his typewriter on his knees.
So how's your writing space? How large is it? Do you have a desk? Comfy chair? Since we moved a few years ago my writing space isn't what it used to be. I think we all have our quirks of how and where we like to write. Aside from the basic tools of desk, computer, chair, pens, paper, etc., there are things I need to feel comfortable to writeI need my back to the wall. Weird quirk? Maybe but it's what I need to zone out. So I position the desk so I have a wall behind me. Not always easy depending on the layout of the room.
I need Poe. See that little guy there under the lamp? That's my Edgar Allan Poe action figure. He inspires.
Friday, November 20, 2020
Get Writing in Spite of Covid-19
I once read an idiom that said a person should not live because of their past, but in spite of it. Meaning no matter what bad stuff happened in your past you should not let it rule your life. Words to live by.
Now we're surrounded by Covid-19. It's in the news and all around us as we watch our friends, family and neighbors wear masks and do their best to maintain social distancing. We can't leave the house without seeing it, feeling the fear or indifference that seems to be everywhere. I know this stuff can act like a barrier between you and the page but there are some things we can do to make the words flow in spite of the virus.
Pour the wine.
Okay, that's an easy one. There's a bottle on the counter calling my name but that's for later.
Find space.
Now I need to write, edit, and keep moving in the "write" direction. The first thing we need is space. Turn off the T.V. or just find another room to write in. Most of us are on laptops so our writing desk is portable. Find a room, shut the door and write. Stephen King used to put his little typewriter on his knees and create in the laundry room of his trailer. If he can do it there, we have no excuse.
Reread.Yes, pull out that story you've been working on and go back to the last chapter and start reading it. Out loud is best. Hear the rhythm of your words. This will pull you back into that fantasy land where your story was built. It should get your words moving again.
Not working yet? Go to your people.
Find other writers and talk about the craft, the market, and those ins and outs of dialog, story lines, the Hero's journey - anything but the virus.
Pull out your old writing books.
We all have them from Bird by Bird to On Writing to Writing Down the Bones. Find your favorites, find ones that challenge you and immerse yourself in the craft.
Last of all is the oldie but goodie; Ass in chair.
Sit down and put something on paper. Write something great, write something stupid but just write. Like every other part of the body your writing muscle needs exercise. So write.
Thursday, August 06, 2020
Soul Sucking Things that Get Writers
Monday, August 03, 2020
3 Best Books on Writing
First, get yourself a good grammar book. I personally like Stunk & White. Just the facts here, no window dressing. Grammar is the basics of writing and just like any other skill you can learn it. Refer to the book with any questions that pop up. Make notes in the book. I use post it notes to flag pages where I know I'm weaker. Every now and then I page through it to reinforce those rules in my mind. After all, if you don't know the rules, how ya gonna break them?
Second, Writing Down the Bones by Annie Lamott. This book will show you some ins and outs of the writing life. It ain't all tea parties and book signings. Writers work. Hard.
Third, will give you some inspiration. Stephen King's On Writing. Find out where he came from an the work he did to get there. From disgusting laundry sheets filled with maggots to how he hit it big. Then he tells you about his own tool box of writing. His writing schedule and his self imposed discipline.
The key to writing your book, finishing your book is found in your daily routine. Prolific writers know this in their heart.
Monday, July 13, 2020
6 Things New Writers Ask
Fact; Writing isn't as easy as it seems.
Writers spend a lot of time in research looking up everything from where to put that comma to how to pick a lock or hot wire a car. They read about things like how did medieval warriors make their swords and maybe that's not going to be needed in this book, but hey! maybe someday they'll need this information. Writers are like that. They are fact gatherers.
When not researching details for their story or just randomly reading what ever seems interesting. Then there's the work. Getting that story out and into a computer or on paper - however you prefer to write. From that very first sentence to the final "The End" know that the work has just begun. From there you go to that Dreaded Second Draft.
Still there are questions that every writer ponders when making the decision to pursue this a career.
1. How long should a chapter be?
To this I'd say, don't worry about it. No chapter should be one or two pages long but the chapter is a scene. It's something in the story that happens in the same place in time. Get it all out. The where, the who, the what and why. Like when you go to visit a friend. No one cares about the car ride over there unless a giant alligator ate your tires. So get to the place. What happened when you go there and make sure everything you put in moves the story forward.
2. How many pages should my novel be?
This one is easy. Novels have word counts. Although it's not written in stone, its a good guideline. You don't have to stick to the rules but don't bend them too far out of shape, especially as a new writer.
3. How do I think up names?
This is the easiest part and for some its the question they dwell on too long. Just pick a name. A few good points? Make it easy to pronounce. Don't name two main characters with the same first letter or sound as this could confuse the writer. Darla and Darrell? Susan and Cindy? Tim and Tom? You want your character to stand out so give them a name that's unique to them.
Most writing programs have a word search. If later on you think you have to change that name just do a search and replace. Easy peasy.
4. I just want to write, why do I have to read?
Yes, if you're a writer you have to read. Pick up a book and learn what works for others and what doesn't. Ever read something and it pulls you right in? You see the scene and feel the emotion in the room? That's a good writer. Learn from them. Study them.
5. What's the best schedule for a writer?
Best schedule is that chunk of time that works for you. The best way to get something finished is to think of it as a job. You go to it every day at that chosen time. If you have an outside job you wouldn't tell your boss you weren't in the mood to work. You wouldn't say you'd rather slump on the couch and watch TV. No. You show up and get it done. Writers do that. They show up and write. I recommend Stephen King's book, On Writing. In it he says he sits down for 10 pages. If he's done by noon - great! He gets the rest of the day off. If he's still working on it at 5 pm he stays at his desk. It's his job. He get's it done.
6. What's the best way to learn how to write?
Best way to learn to write is the hardest question. First; Write! You can take all the classes you want and that will help.You need to have those basic tools of grammar and sentence structure first so you can put together a cohesive thought. Second; Find a writer group. Share you work and get feedback. Not all feed back will be great. The best way to use it is to really consider the comments and take what you need and leave the rest. It's a work in progress. You'll get there and figure it out.
No matter what, if you want to be a writer, keep going. Don't let your inner critic steal your fire. Go for it. Make it happen.
Wednesday, July 01, 2020
Writer's Toolbox
I was a reader and then the writing came naturally. Ideas flowed and the stories just had to be written. Now there are boxes of stories under my desk and in the closets. Maybe some under the bed, too.
Not all stories go anywhere. Some were just the start of an idea, but we put them aside and maybe someday....
So what, besides reading, is in a writer's tool box? First it has to be grammar. I like Stunk & White Elements of Style. It's a good basic book for grammar.
I used to recommend a good thesaurus and dictionary, too. However in the age of the personal PC, that stuff is now at your fingertips.
Aside from that a collection of basic information and writing books. Not every book will fit every writer. Look for character development books, one that will help you flesh out the people in your book. Just giving a character a name and description isn't enough. If you've ever done a character sketch you've learned that the more you know about your MC the easier it is to write their reactions, thoughts, and dialog.
Now, let's go to your genre. Is your book set in the present? The 1950's? Is it a story about where you live or a different area? Vampires? Crime?
Look to other more successful authors for the way they work their craft. I recommend Stephen King's On Writing and The Weekend Novelist. Both touch on the craft of writing and the discipline it takes to get things done. For without discipline where are we? Staring at half finished manuscripts and empty pages.
So, collect your books and make notes. Study your craft just as you would when you learn any other job.
Happy writing!
Last Day of NANOWRIMO --- Oh No!
Where did the month go? Certainly not on the page. I have an outline, some character sketches but mostly I have a lot of research notes. ...
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Grief, It's a strange beast. It hurt when Inky left. My daughter thinks she left like that to spare her the pain of having to bury her ...
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Lokie has renal failure. I brought her home so my daughter can come home from college tonight and say goodbye. Tomorrow we go back to the ve...
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Reading over my WIP I have a scene where someone hands the heroine a glass that she thinks has water in it. It's really vodka. She takes...