Let's tally "The Score" for 2/19/08:
I did get up early all week (5/5:30 a.m. - except the other day when I was rustling to get out of bed and the Human Heater sweetly mumbled in his sleep, "Where you goin' babe'?" then hugged me close - way too cute and warm to resist). Getting more accustomed to the early wake up thought and now I'm getting coherent enough to write things that aren't solely stream of consciousness.
I did not make significant progress this past week on my WIP. Studying got in the way, so I made minimal progress instead (please read that as hardly any). Page counts are not working for me as well as word counts. Lesson learned.
I did revise a short story for publication consideration. I want to tweak it a little more.
I did not get a chance to meet to research as I had hoped.
Final Score for week:
Wins For Me: 2
My Losses, No Pony: 2
Result: Draw. Learned some things though.
On to this week's goals:
Select 3 publications to submit revised story next week.
Call and make appointment with "expert" for research
Go back to word count and not pages. Write and determine a minimum word count.
Bonus goal: write a new flash this week for purpose of submitting (500 - 750 words tops)
Is it helping to post this? Yes...actually I knew even though today had been hectic and I am falling asleep as I type this (those early morning wake-ups are taking a toll), I knew I had to report how I'm doing. Had to face up to the stuff that I haven't made progress with yet. I don't want to post about stuff week after week without having made some (good) moves. I like a little pressure. So yes, Tuesday Confessions are so far good motivation. I'll keep it up.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
It's A Dirty Job But Someone's Gotta Do It....
Let's see....
I notice some writers of blogs I read have a "Confession Weekday," where they list the week's accomplishments and upcoming goals. This seems like a good motivation. I think I will try this and see how it works for me. I like Tuesdays.
So here's "The Score."
This weekend was not as productive for writing progress as I would have preferred, though progress was made. Slow progress. I wrote and I gave into my inner editor with revising until I repeated my mantra "First Draft...First Draft...Don't go daft with your First Draft. That's what revisions are for." It helped.
I've been thinking of submitting some short stories or flashes at least. I'm so consumed with thoughts about my WIP (when not doing my other life/responsibilities stuff) it's been hard to think of other stories. Still, I journal for myself and I create flashes once a week with writing prompts at Absolute Write Water Cooler and those have been fun. I've also been introduced to some very talented writers. The stories I write for AWWC I use for fun and development. I haven't worried about them for submission, coherency or even becoming more than exercises, though I'm touched when people occasionally suggest that something I've written could be continued and I do consider it. Then again sometimes I write stuff and get a polite sort of "That's nice but what?" I don't mind when that happens, lets me know what works for others and what may just be working for me.
The writer's group I attend has created a radical splinter group (Radsplip - Love that Jamie!) that is devoted to serious novelists helping each other. I'm hopeful that not only will I continue to learn, grow, better develop my writing skills, be inspired by others and possibly make some new friends, I'll also have a steady focus (goal dates) to help me get my book ready for prime time.
So this week, I'd like to make some significant progress on my Draft (after major test tomorrow for class). I'm going to try writing for pages instead of word count and see how that works. Three pages minimum to start.
More research (I'm doing it as I go so I don't bog myself down with research when I should be writing). There are some concepts I want to be sure I have good basic understanding of for my WIP before I take them and go waaaaaay left.
I'd like to get consistently back on the "wake up early and write" train for at least one week and see how this compares to my current ride, "write in the afternoon" train with the "write in spare moments too," caboose. There is no reason I can't get up early and write except I'm not generally a morning motivated person and my bed whispers seductive things in concert with my pillow to me every morning when I try to get up - not to mention the siren-like warmth that emits effortlessly from the Human Heater (aka Hot Clever Man).
Ugh. Reading all that back I can confess it's just lazy talk, I know it and it has no place in my goals. Better to focus on the advantages which is that by doing this, I can get 2.5 hours solid time (which is 2 hours of writing after tea and morning meditation) if I just get up and do it. I know I'll love the feeling of accomplishment. I can also continue to write in between other tasks the rest of the day knowing that those words could be icing on my cupcake.
Oh, I must set a time. A very early but reasonable time. 5 a.m. because then I'll have an hour to get dressed for the day. Good gravy that is early for me. One week AND a 3 hour modifier for weekends IF I have no plan for that day. Ok, that can work.
AND....I will write or revise one story for the purpose of submission to some outlet this week.
I'll let you know how it goes.
I notice some writers of blogs I read have a "Confession Weekday," where they list the week's accomplishments and upcoming goals. This seems like a good motivation. I think I will try this and see how it works for me. I like Tuesdays.
So here's "The Score."
This weekend was not as productive for writing progress as I would have preferred, though progress was made. Slow progress. I wrote and I gave into my inner editor with revising until I repeated my mantra "First Draft...First Draft...Don't go daft with your First Draft. That's what revisions are for." It helped.
I've been thinking of submitting some short stories or flashes at least. I'm so consumed with thoughts about my WIP (when not doing my other life/responsibilities stuff) it's been hard to think of other stories. Still, I journal for myself and I create flashes once a week with writing prompts at Absolute Write Water Cooler and those have been fun. I've also been introduced to some very talented writers. The stories I write for AWWC I use for fun and development. I haven't worried about them for submission, coherency or even becoming more than exercises, though I'm touched when people occasionally suggest that something I've written could be continued and I do consider it. Then again sometimes I write stuff and get a polite sort of "That's nice but what?" I don't mind when that happens, lets me know what works for others and what may just be working for me.
The writer's group I attend has created a radical splinter group (Radsplip - Love that Jamie!) that is devoted to serious novelists helping each other. I'm hopeful that not only will I continue to learn, grow, better develop my writing skills, be inspired by others and possibly make some new friends, I'll also have a steady focus (goal dates) to help me get my book ready for prime time.
So this week, I'd like to make some significant progress on my Draft (after major test tomorrow for class). I'm going to try writing for pages instead of word count and see how that works. Three pages minimum to start.
More research (I'm doing it as I go so I don't bog myself down with research when I should be writing). There are some concepts I want to be sure I have good basic understanding of for my WIP before I take them and go waaaaaay left.
I'd like to get consistently back on the "wake up early and write" train for at least one week and see how this compares to my current ride, "write in the afternoon" train with the "write in spare moments too," caboose. There is no reason I can't get up early and write except I'm not generally a morning motivated person and my bed whispers seductive things in concert with my pillow to me every morning when I try to get up - not to mention the siren-like warmth that emits effortlessly from the Human Heater (aka Hot Clever Man).
Ugh. Reading all that back I can confess it's just lazy talk, I know it and it has no place in my goals. Better to focus on the advantages which is that by doing this, I can get 2.5 hours solid time (which is 2 hours of writing after tea and morning meditation) if I just get up and do it. I know I'll love the feeling of accomplishment. I can also continue to write in between other tasks the rest of the day knowing that those words could be icing on my cupcake.
Oh, I must set a time. A very early but reasonable time. 5 a.m. because then I'll have an hour to get dressed for the day. Good gravy that is early for me. One week AND a 3 hour modifier for weekends IF I have no plan for that day. Ok, that can work.
AND....I will write or revise one story for the purpose of submission to some outlet this week.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Three Big Things I've Learned About Myself and/or Writing: February 2008
When I say things I've learned, I mean things that have finally sunk into my somewhat thick skull and I now believe.
1) I am a perfectionist. Sometimes my desire to write instantly perfect prose has made me freeze and creatively flatline, writing nothing for what feels like ages. But I've determined this is just B.S. stress I put on myself. A scene through rework can became stronger, better. Not perfect perhaps, but even better than perfect it becomes right. Something I enjoy and am proud to have created.
2) I am learning to love the writing process more and more. "If the Muse arrives late for work, you begin without them." Peter S. Beagle. This is at times painful. I can create some super-cliched craptastic stuff. But then, somewhere in between grinding my teeth and contemplating harm to my computer or pencil, in blusters one of my muses (they're always late) with stale doughnuts, Odwalla OJ and apologies yammering about this great idea that happened while dodging traffic and thankfully, we're off.
3) I don't ever need to feel "guilty" for my writing time, my commitment to it or my ever growing passion about it. In the past, I would often write and take so much joy in it...I kinda felt bad. I'd think I should be doing work, college homework, spending time with the Hot Clever Man, family, friends, cleaning the house, saving the world...something else. I'd sneak writing time for myself like I was sneaking around town with a secret lover and I'd still try to do all those other things too. And if I did, I'd pat myself on the back for being such a good multi-tasker and not disappointing anyone. Funny thing though, progress on my writing? Ebbed to near nil while my joy became fleeting at best and I disappointed myself. So these days I'm feeling differently. I respect my desire, enjoyment and time to write. Stuff still gets accomplished. Quality time is joyfully spent. But I don't let my writing take the backseat to them. So with that...there's nothing to get hung up about.
I don't want to forget any of this process. This is all just too much fun to let these moments fade away.
1) I am a perfectionist. Sometimes my desire to write instantly perfect prose has made me freeze and creatively flatline, writing nothing for what feels like ages. But I've determined this is just B.S. stress I put on myself. A scene through rework can became stronger, better. Not perfect perhaps, but even better than perfect it becomes right. Something I enjoy and am proud to have created.
2) I am learning to love the writing process more and more. "If the Muse arrives late for work, you begin without them." Peter S. Beagle. This is at times painful. I can create some super-cliched craptastic stuff. But then, somewhere in between grinding my teeth and contemplating harm to my computer or pencil, in blusters one of my muses (they're always late) with stale doughnuts, Odwalla OJ and apologies yammering about this great idea that happened while dodging traffic and thankfully, we're off.
3) I don't ever need to feel "guilty" for my writing time, my commitment to it or my ever growing passion about it. In the past, I would often write and take so much joy in it...I kinda felt bad. I'd think I should be doing work, college homework, spending time with the Hot Clever Man, family, friends, cleaning the house, saving the world...something else. I'd sneak writing time for myself like I was sneaking around town with a secret lover and I'd still try to do all those other things too. And if I did, I'd pat myself on the back for being such a good multi-tasker and not disappointing anyone. Funny thing though, progress on my writing? Ebbed to near nil while my joy became fleeting at best and I disappointed myself. So these days I'm feeling differently. I respect my desire, enjoyment and time to write. Stuff still gets accomplished. Quality time is joyfully spent. But I don't let my writing take the backseat to them. So with that...there's nothing to get hung up about.
I don't want to forget any of this process. This is all just too much fun to let these moments fade away.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Sunday Meditation: Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Podcasts for Writers, Readers and Geeks
Over the last few months, I've discovered some AWESOME podcasts. I'm sure you already knew about these shows (in which case why didn't you share with me?!), but if you didn't, then I'm happy to introduce you as a fellow reader, writer or fan of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and/or Horror so that you may enjoy them too.
Dragon Page
Conversations with the best and brightest creators of Science Fiction, Fantasy Literature today.
This is an amazingly fun biweekly (usually) broadcast. Sometimes listening to people interview others is snore worthy - not so here, at least on most of them I've heard. Great, funny, engaging, informative and well-read hosts that generally ask logical questions I would want to be asked and hear responses for in their interviews. Sounds like friends having a great time and you get to listen to them while they talk to cool people. I'm not even close to listening to all their podcasts, but with the exception of one I've heard thus far (and it was the author more than the hosts) they have all been very entertaining.
Authors I've heard: Terry Goodkind, Jane Espenson, S.C Butler, Brandon Sanderson, Steven R Donaldson and S. M. Stirling, Minister Faust, Stephanie Rowe to name a *very* few. (Loved the Anthony Lappe and Dan Goldman podcast too!). Shows can be grabbed on Itunes or on their web page.
Hosts: Brian Brown, Summer Brooks, Michael R. Mennenga, Tim Adamec, Michael A. Stackpole
Slice of SciFi
News about science fiction TV, movies and more
This is the sci-fi tv/film/general news equivalent (or extension if you like) to the Dragon Page podcasts and weekly (usually) with another show during the week focused on viewer response and updates (edit: TY Sam). Their story of origin rocks. The three hosts are laid back, very informed regarding all things "geekdom" and it sounds just like you're listening to some good friends talk about sci-fi stuff. Not really surprising though, since half of the hosts here are also the hosts for Dragon Page. I do enjoy this one a lot, it really grew on me. They can have some pretty funny conversations and observations. Voicemail shows are very funny. They do have some well known guests from time to time also.
Interviews include: Rod Roddenberry, Wil Wheaton, Bruce Campbell, Walter Kroenig, James Farr, Samuel Jackson, Jim Butcher, Katee Sackhoff, Tanya Huff, Bear McCreary, Colin Ferguson, Mur Lafferty, Peter Mohan, Tracy Hickman, Tim Russ, Kevin Falls and way more than I can type. Great podcast that can be snagged via Itunes or on their website or found on XM radio (See Sam's comment).
Hosts: Brian Brown, Summer Brooks, Michael R. Mennenga
Pod of Horror
Literature Horror news, interviews and happenings
I hadn't found any horror podcasts of equal caliber to Dragon Page or Slice of Sci-Fi for Horror literature (though ones for movies and films abound). Then I stumbled on the monthly podcast Pod of Horror. This show covers literature with occasional horror tv/movie star interviews too (Charisma Carpenter of BTVS or Angel series, Adrienne Barbeau from the movie The Fog spring to mind). The interviews are good to excellent, they cover topics and happenings in the world of horror literature (publishing and writers) very well. Brian Keene co-hosts episode #33, so that one is definitely worth a listen. But don't be mislead, they've had other great authors featured and interviewed of equal note and rising status. Host Mark Justice with prior host David T. Wilbanks are also now published authors (congrats!) and have recently released their novella Dead Earth: The Green Dawn to excellent reviews.
Authors interviewed/featured: Robert R. McCammon, John Urbancik, Ramsey Campbell, Edward Lee, Elizabeth Massie, Brian Hodge, Robert Liparulo, John Skip, Mark Justice and David T. Wilbanks. Shows can be snagged on Itunes or their website.
Hosts: Mark Justice, Nanci Kalanta and Scott Bradley
Escape Pod
(Podcast) Science Fiction Magazine
When I just want to hear some stories that intrigue or provoke Escape Pod can deliver. Worth listening you may be surprised who you see with a featured podcast. Some voice actors are more effective than others for me, but overall excellent stories for listening. I like to listen to them at night, kind of like radio serials. And with the ongoing writers strike for film and TV it's a welcome entertainment that really kicks your imagination into gear.
I hope you enjoy and please let me know your impressions. If you can recommend other resources like this across the web I would love to hear about them.
Dragon Page
Conversations with the best and brightest creators of Science Fiction, Fantasy Literature today.
This is an amazingly fun biweekly (usually) broadcast. Sometimes listening to people interview others is snore worthy - not so here, at least on most of them I've heard. Great, funny, engaging, informative and well-read hosts that generally ask logical questions I would want to be asked and hear responses for in their interviews. Sounds like friends having a great time and you get to listen to them while they talk to cool people. I'm not even close to listening to all their podcasts, but with the exception of one I've heard thus far (and it was the author more than the hosts) they have all been very entertaining.
Authors I've heard: Terry Goodkind, Jane Espenson, S.C Butler, Brandon Sanderson, Steven R Donaldson and S. M. Stirling, Minister Faust, Stephanie Rowe to name a *very* few. (Loved the Anthony Lappe and Dan Goldman podcast too!). Shows can be grabbed on Itunes or on their web page.
Hosts: Brian Brown, Summer Brooks, Michael R. Mennenga, Tim Adamec, Michael A. Stackpole
Slice of SciFi
News about science fiction TV, movies and more
This is the sci-fi tv/film/general news equivalent (or extension if you like) to the Dragon Page podcasts and weekly (usually) with another show during the week focused on viewer response and updates (edit: TY Sam). Their story of origin rocks. The three hosts are laid back, very informed regarding all things "geekdom" and it sounds just like you're listening to some good friends talk about sci-fi stuff. Not really surprising though, since half of the hosts here are also the hosts for Dragon Page. I do enjoy this one a lot, it really grew on me. They can have some pretty funny conversations and observations. Voicemail shows are very funny. They do have some well known guests from time to time also.
Interviews include: Rod Roddenberry, Wil Wheaton, Bruce Campbell, Walter Kroenig, James Farr, Samuel Jackson, Jim Butcher, Katee Sackhoff, Tanya Huff, Bear McCreary, Colin Ferguson, Mur Lafferty, Peter Mohan, Tracy Hickman, Tim Russ, Kevin Falls and way more than I can type. Great podcast that can be snagged via Itunes or on their website or found on XM radio (See Sam's comment).
Hosts: Brian Brown, Summer Brooks, Michael R. Mennenga
Pod of Horror
Literature Horror news, interviews and happenings
I hadn't found any horror podcasts of equal caliber to Dragon Page or Slice of Sci-Fi for Horror literature (though ones for movies and films abound). Then I stumbled on the monthly podcast Pod of Horror. This show covers literature with occasional horror tv/movie star interviews too (Charisma Carpenter of BTVS or Angel series, Adrienne Barbeau from the movie The Fog spring to mind). The interviews are good to excellent, they cover topics and happenings in the world of horror literature (publishing and writers) very well. Brian Keene co-hosts episode #33, so that one is definitely worth a listen. But don't be mislead, they've had other great authors featured and interviewed of equal note and rising status. Host Mark Justice with prior host David T. Wilbanks are also now published authors (congrats!) and have recently released their novella Dead Earth: The Green Dawn to excellent reviews.
Authors interviewed/featured: Robert R. McCammon, John Urbancik, Ramsey Campbell, Edward Lee, Elizabeth Massie, Brian Hodge, Robert Liparulo, John Skip, Mark Justice and David T. Wilbanks. Shows can be snagged on Itunes or their website.
Hosts: Mark Justice, Nanci Kalanta and Scott Bradley
Escape Pod
(Podcast) Science Fiction Magazine
When I just want to hear some stories that intrigue or provoke Escape Pod can deliver. Worth listening you may be surprised who you see with a featured podcast. Some voice actors are more effective than others for me, but overall excellent stories for listening. I like to listen to them at night, kind of like radio serials. And with the ongoing writers strike for film and TV it's a welcome entertainment that really kicks your imagination into gear.
I hope you enjoy and please let me know your impressions. If you can recommend other resources like this across the web I would love to hear about them.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Updates...
So it's been an adjustment week thus far, with new schedule changes. Fighting a cold that I'm convinced friends shared with me. At this moment with the help of proper medication, I'm winning which feels good. A realization it is now February. Geez. And I am making slow, quite slow compared to my goals but steady progress on my WIP this week.
I've decided I am going to think of this as the good days. Before I'm forced to write by deadline. These are the times where I can afford to adjust my goals to work with my life schedule events. Positive thinking and all when I'm published it may not be as easy to adjust my goals as it is now. It's the plus of the process in this stage of my writing development.(I'm kinda joking with myself though. I think the deadlines are going to be big fun too!)
I participated for the first time in the Flash Fiction Carnival for Absolute Write Water Cooler (Forums) and it was a fun exercise. These are monthly themed flash fiction challenges of varying lengths that may be written in any genre. For January, we had up to 1k words for the theme of "new". I really enjoyed reading the creative and clever interpretations of the theme by other talented writers. I read some excellent written prose and takes on perspectives. Check it out The Fiction Carnival January Stories: New. This does include my own submission for the curious. Please note, they are now accepting submissions for the February Flash Fiction Carnival and a special Valentine's Day themed carnival too.
I keep forgetting how good location changes can be sometimes. Instead of my office, I was writing in a new spot, sunshine people etc., listening to music when inspiration came over me from both and the scene I intended to write unfurled, though not the way I thought. It was fun and still forwarded the story and all these other goals but it was different and it added to the story too. So I must remember that every so often writing in a new location or with new influences can help inspiration. Good stuff.
There's more, but I've got some errands to run...
I've decided I am going to think of this as the good days. Before I'm forced to write by deadline. These are the times where I can afford to adjust my goals to work with my life schedule events. Positive thinking and all when I'm published it may not be as easy to adjust my goals as it is now. It's the plus of the process in this stage of my writing development.(I'm kinda joking with myself though. I think the deadlines are going to be big fun too!)
I participated for the first time in the Flash Fiction Carnival for Absolute Write Water Cooler (Forums) and it was a fun exercise. These are monthly themed flash fiction challenges of varying lengths that may be written in any genre. For January, we had up to 1k words for the theme of "new". I really enjoyed reading the creative and clever interpretations of the theme by other talented writers. I read some excellent written prose and takes on perspectives. Check it out The Fiction Carnival January Stories: New. This does include my own submission for the curious. Please note, they are now accepting submissions for the February Flash Fiction Carnival and a special Valentine's Day themed carnival too.
I keep forgetting how good location changes can be sometimes. Instead of my office, I was writing in a new spot, sunshine people etc., listening to music when inspiration came over me from both and the scene I intended to write unfurled, though not the way I thought. It was fun and still forwarded the story and all these other goals but it was different and it added to the story too. So I must remember that every so often writing in a new location or with new influences can help inspiration. Good stuff.
There's more, but I've got some errands to run...
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Words That Rattle 'Round My Head by Ray M. Solberg is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.