10 posts tagged “writing”
I guess November is creeping up on us faster than I thought, but now that I realize NaNoWriMo is starting soon and I don't have any idea what I'll be writing about, I figure I should start doing some brainstorming and at least figure out a few characters.
Anyway, the site will be reopening on October 1! All the old user logins will be working and new sign-ups will begin that day as well. So if you are planning on participating, please list your user name here for me so we can cheer each other on. It never hurts to have as much support as possible! 50,000 words, here I come...
As so graciously requested by NYCinephile for the invitation-only group Five On Friday...
What inspires you?
- Music of all kinds, especially scores from soundtracks.
- Powerful female singers, like Idina Menzel.
- Classic literary works like Frankenstein.
- Books - both the well-written and poorly written ones.
- Interesting people.
- Interesting places - both urban and nature.
- Cultures and philosophies that are not my own.
What blocks your creativity?
- Mundane obligations (housekeeping, bills, etc.)
- Procrastination
- Messy work space
- A feeling that my creativity won't be seen by others
- My need to be social and put off creative endeavors
Do you do anything special to get your creative juices flowing?
- When I'm writing I like to take a notebook and write ideas out by hand - it forces me to slow down and also not have to adhere to the linear fashion of writing while typing.
- I also like to listen to symphonies or instrumental music while I am writing because it keeps me focused.
What time of day do you feel most inspired?
- 9am-10:30am - I find it is a good way to start my day by writing something down.
- 9pm-midnight - Also at the end of the day my mind is always full of things I've seen and heard throughout the day and so my mind is primed for creative endeavors.
How do you like to express your creative energy?
- Writing fiction - mostly short stories or scenes, but novelling is becoming a new favorite.
- Daydreaming
- Blogging here on Vox, LJ and 43things
- Singing in the shower...and the car
- Playing the piano
- Cooking
- Telling stories
- Doodling
Being done with Nanowrimo is like shooting a favorite child. Or at least that's what is quoted near the end of No Plot? No Problem! in the chapter about what to do next now that the month-long writing bonanza is over. I don't have kids, nor do I have a favorite one, but supposedly I'm entering into post-nanowrimo depression territory, even though I really don't have time for that. I must admit that I am kind of sad that I must once again face the real world and go about my usual duties instead of wrapping myself in this novel I spent so many hours writing. I don't want to say I've killed my brainchild though because doing nanowrimo and being done with it was more like having a blast at summer camp and now that it is over I have to say goodbye to all the good memories and lessons learned until next year.
I couldn't have physically survived without copious amounts of chocolate, green tea, vitamin water, pitas with hummus, and pre-packaged meals from Trader Joes. Cooking and eating were a waste of my precious writing time so anything that was fast and could be eaten at the computer worked quite well for me. Not getting enough sleep was never an issue though - I usually go to bed late and wake up (kind of) early anyway. Surprisingly enough, I hardly consumed any coffee during the month. Coffee tends to make me go all ADD, so it was a good idea to stay away from it.
Probably the best part of nanowrimo was watching the word count meter rise. In those early days when I was still around 10,000 words it was hard to imagine getting to 50,000, but the story kept flowing and my characters were alive and kicking. I think another great part of writing a novel is keeping everyone around me in suspense. There are a good handful of people who are dying to read the manuscript that I've kept under tight security for the past month and it makes me feel good to know that they are interested in what I've accomplished.
There's also something inherently satisfying about writing - especially at this break-neck pace. As Stephen King put it in his book On Writing, putting words to paper for your readers is a form a telepathy where the writer can directly place the thoughts in their head to the thoughts of the reader. I can be here and you can be there (there being across the ocean or 5 years in the future) and yet our brains would be thinking of the same thing - of the same image. It's amazing really. I mean think about how we've ALL probably read Harry Potter. We've all experienced a telepathic moment together by reading the same book - it's mind boggling to think about it.
I suppose the other great thing about writing fiction at a fast pace (or any pace really) is that you can create these little miniaturized worlds. I've taken this idea from my most favorite contemporary novel Atonement by Ian McEwan where the protagonist of the story is a writer as well. The idea of using writing to create a minature world is described by making a pair fall in love with a look--a glance. Or simply writing the world "castle" and suddenly allowing your reader to imagine a picturesque fortress on the backdrop of a rolling tundra at that little smoke stack that comes from the blacksmith's forge and that winding lane that leads towards the gates. I thought it was a pretty powerful way of extending the idea that writing is telepathy. If you haven't read Atonement and you are a writer, I'd highly recommend it.
Enough digression though, my point is that I felt this mental telepathy while I was writing my nanowrimo novel and I was able to create this miniature world that will potentially be transmitted into the minds of my readers. I killed people, I made others fall in love and others hate one another, I built cities and empires with my words and if I wanted to, I could tear them down again with just one sentence. I've always believed it and this experience only solidified my belief even more that writing is a powerful tool of communication and having the ability to create worlds with the mind is truly a super power than anyone can harness.
And the total word count at the end of the day is: 30,634/50,000! I'm really seeing my characters starting to act out and take on some actions of their own. It is a bizarre and wonderful thing to see unfold.
On a related note, I picked up a copy of Stephen King's memoir entitled On Writing. I haven't read the entire thing yet, but I started on the second half of the book that talks about how to become a good writer (as opposed to a competent one). The way King is able to really grab you and sit you down for a no-nonsense discussion about writing is addicting. One point he made that struck me was when he talked about how most people will tell you that when you write you should "stick to what you know" and King expands on that by saying that yes, you will do better in writing what you know, but to also remember that the imagination and the heart know many things as well. I recommend this book to anyone who is sincere and serious about writing - I've only read about 1/3 of it and I've laughed out loud, been deeply touched and I've also got some ideas in my head on how to improve on my own style and habits when I write as well. It has been many years since I read a novel by Stephen King and this memoir alone is probably enough to get me to take another look at his bestselling novels (and perhaps help me get over my somewhat literary snobbishness - thanks to being an English lit major and all...).
And I've already learned a few things about myself. I've always known that I have this sick fascination with writing. I was always the one in my English classes laughing in the face of measley 10 page essays and relishing every moment it took for me to create a grand (well in my mind at the time) piece of written work that would be forever etched in paper and no longer trapped in the synapses of my mind. Doing Nanowrimo re-enforces this theory I have about myself and how much I really like to write.
Last year I made excuses for not doing Nanowrimo. I was in my last semester at college (and oddly enough I only had two classes) and for some reason I thought that I just wouldn't be able to do it. I'd never tried tackling something on the scale of 50,000 words before and so it scared me and I didn't want to fail. Failure is not an option for me. But apparently not trying was better than trying and failing. In theory I don't believe that was the right way to go, but hey, we all have our struggles.
So anyway, the longest piece of fiction I'd ever written was a 15,000 uncompleted noir fiction piece that met it's doom mostly because my internal editor told me I screwed it up at the beginning and had painted myself in a corner. I should have kept going since it needed about 10,000 more words to be completed, but it sat there and gathered dust and hasn't been touched in a very long time.
Writing 8,000 words in two days, however, has put things in perspective for me. It isn't about getting it perfect the first time. That is what editing is for later. It is just important to get the ideas out and improve it later. And early next week, when I break through the 15,000 word wall that has been up for me for so long, I think I will enter into the realm of the "writer's high". I can see my story ahead of me very clearly and although I don't know everything and every word that will be written, the path is clear and the 50,000 mark will be reached.
I have more to say, but I need to save my words for the novel. (Maybe I should start audio posting my thoughts...hmm...)
I hope you other Nanowrimo-ers are doing well. I know I'm going strong right now, but I expect I'll probably have to be dragged sometime late next week as carpal tunnel syndrome will most likely be setting in.
Ignore the glaring spelling and grammar errors in this chunk of writing (and in all the subsequent exerpts throughout the month). My inner editor is on vacation this month, so I'm not allowed to edit any of this yet. This piece was from yesterday's long haul and I thought I'd share some of it with you guys.
Her breath fogged up the window as she peered inside and there wasn't much she could see except for a few dimly lit candles. She wiped the fog from the pane of glass with her good hand and it made a squeaking sound. Aurora realized she must have looked quite silly sitting there peering into a closed shop window when suddenly a horrid face with sharp, bloody teeth met her own through the window and screamed frightfully at her. Startled, Aurora fell back and dropped her belongings. She scurried to pick up her loose items but boldly went back to the window to see what had given her a sudden rush of energy.
Inside she saw it, the unmistakeable figure of the little midget hag she had seen this morning hiding from the king's guard. It was Efa cackling madly to herself within the shop at her own antics that were supposed to have frightened Aurora away. Instead, Aurora tapped on the window to get Efa's attention and when Efa saw that Aurora was standing there without an ounce of fear on her face, she hissed and scowled through the window.
Aurora banged on the window harder, "Let me in." She'd dealt with the likes of Efa for many years as a crew member of Avery's ship ans she wasn't afraid.
The small little woman stopped her crazed movements and cocked her head to the side as she thought hard about whether to let the woman on the other side of the window into the shop. Her eyes lit up, however, she Aurora pulled the jewels from her knapsack and pressed them to the window with her bleeding hand.
Efa graciously opened the heavy oak door to the shop and beckoned Aurora to come in, "Come, come with me to the back room. There is more lights there, yes more lights."
"Don't think you are going to be doing any horrid things to me like you did to that sailor upstairs," Aurora said with confidence.
Efa spun around and chuckled lightly, "Oh so you was hearing noises, huh? That's what brings you here. Efa doesn't hurt poor sailors...no she is very kind to them."
"Right, so you mean to tell me that blood on you chin isn't because you ate a chunk out of one?" Aurora said as she followed at a safe distance to the back room.
Efa chuckled again, "What?! Efa is a vegetarian. I's only eat what grows in trees and on the ground."
"Honestly?" Aurora said with a bit of confusion but then Efa interrupted her train of thought.
"Sit down on this!" Efa cried as she kicked a dusty crate in Aurora's direction as they entered the back room. There was indeed more lanterns lit back here and Aurora pushed her hair away from her face and sat down to face Efa who was now standing atop a crate of her own. The smell that came from the small little hag made Aurora gag a little bit, but she had smelled worse and just concentrated on breathing from her mouth instead.
"Oh hahaha!" Efa cackled again as she grabbed her belly and laughed, "You are that tasty creature I saw this morning for Raefie! Oh ho ho! He will need to know you are here!"
"Yes, I remember you, Efa, was it?" Aurora was now pulling all the jewels from her bag, "I saw what happened with the King's guards today and so when I saw you in the window I thought that perhaps you might be able to help me."
Efa was now dancing an odd jig on her crate, "Oh Rae-rae is going to eat well tonight, yes, yes he is indeed. Oh...I'm sorry. Did you say something...what was your name?"
Dear Friends, Family, Strangers:
In less than a week's time, I will be embarking upon a journey in which I will consume gross amounts of caffeine, spend hours fighting my carpal tunnel syndrome, scribble random notes on anything I can find (this includes fruits, limbs, garbage, etc.), bitch, moan, complain, throw random objects, decline all social invitations, and live on very little sleep. Because on November 1, I am going to become a novelist and I'm going write my novel in just 30 days.
Yes, it will be painful, but in my mind, it will certainly be worth the trouble. This is not an impossible task since every year thousands of novelists cross the finish line of 50,000 words and I plan on being one of them. Some of you will be coming on this journey with me and with all this support, I have no doubt that we will accomplish great things.
So what I am asking from everyone else is that they either offer their support for my endeavors or berate me to no end for attempting such a delusional task. Supporters: send me messages of support via text or email - I won't have time for talking on the phone (and maybe some starbucks gift cards). Crushers-of-my-dreams: Place bets against me (say...loser buys the winner lunch?) and ask me my word count as often as possible only to shake your head and proclaim that it is a disappointment, indeed.
Whether you are a supporter or dream-crusher, you will be an agent of guilt and fear in my life for the next month. Those that are cheering me on will help me to stay motivated and focused so that I don't let them down. Those of you who think I can't do it will only make me work all that much harder so that I can win those bets you've placed against me.
When it is all over at midnight on November 30, we will celebrate and I will be able to resume my life as a normal human being. If I venture nothing during these 30 days, I will have gained nothing. But when I do finish this novel at the end of 30 days, I believe I will have accomplished something I've only ever thought about trying to complete. I'll no longer be the one day novelist, as in "I'd like to write a novel someday" because instead I will be the one who replies to that line with, "Well would you like to read mine? It only took me 30 days!"
Sincerely yours,
Eloise
For more information on writing a novel in 30 days, visit http://www.nanowrimo.org.
I've been meaning to get around to a post announcing that I'll be participating in NaNoWriMo this year and finally I have a spare moment to talk about it.
For those of you not familiar with NaNoWriMo, it is short for National Novel Writing Month where people all over the world attempt to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. It doesn't have to be good, no one has to read it, and you aren't racing against any one except yourself. I'm excited that I can finally participate this year because in previous years I was always in school and my essay writing took up the bulk of my time in November, but this year I am totally ready and totally stoked about it! I plan on finishing, yep.
My profile is here, if you are participating and would like to add me on your buddy list. My username on there is handprintonmyheart, if that makes it any easier for you. I've got my story already brewing and I've been brainstorming it with some friends here, if you'd like to take a look. The plot isn't anything exciting or out of the ordinary, but I guess my thing is that I really like to develop my characters and bring them to life when I write.
So anyway, I guess my point here is that I want to encourage everyone to attempt this challenge - whether you think you can write or not! And if you do decide to participate, then by all means let me know what your username is on the website so I can add you to my buddy list.
After being sick for the past week, I've finally found my groove again at work and I'm cranking out all sorts of good stuff that I want brag about. Keep in mind, I graduated college less than a year ago but already I feel as though I am smoothly assimilating into the business world.
Yesterday I wrote my first real article. I was limited to about 200 words and it was just a short PR article for my company that will be placed in the Placer County business newsletter -- but I wrote it, my work loves it, and it is going to print in October!
Today I worked on a public information brochure for one of the nearby cities. When I got it, it was pretty much a mess and needed to be completely re-written. It was about how the city implemented the use of NEVs (neighborhood electric vehicles) and how it is beneficial that they've chosen to support this alternative form of transportation. But anyway, it is going to be part of a full-color magazine-size pamphlet that will be given out to the masses. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, so I hope the city likes it.
I guess the only kick is that my name won't be on either of these publications, but at least I will have something so I can start a portfolio of all the articles and PR/marketing materials I've worked on.
Now if I could just get inspired to revamp the our qualifications brochure...
