The world is my muse, or so it seems. Yesterday I was in love with male musicians. I downloaded some new songs from iTunes (How to Save a Life, The Fray; Waiting for the World to Change, John Mayer; Chasing Cars and Hands Open, Snow Patrol) and they have been playing continuously ever since. I am certain I will be sick of them in a month and wonder why I ever bought them, but for now…woohoo. I immediately put them on my “Male Factor” playlist. I listen to this a lot when I am writing. I just can’t help myself. It seems there are either more men singing the type of alternative, lyrical songs I like or I just don’t know how to find the ladies. Maybe deep down I wanted to be a band groupie.
This morning I saw the most amazing rainbow. It lit up the sky like a gift from God. How can a day go wrong when it starts off so beautiful. It made me want to write…so I started in on that last chapter. I will probably rewrite the whole thing…it is pretty weak. But just to be finished will be good.
For those of you interested in my journey to writerhood...I will be attending the writing workshop this weekend at Context. I am very excited about this. A whole weekend of panels, workshops, and critiquing. Plus I get to see old friends and make new ones. Ellen Datlow and Maureen McHugh will both be in attendance. I have met them both before and they were very nice, so I am looking forward to hearing what they have to say.
Next steps will be finishing the synopsis and cover letter and then rewriting the first three chapters. In my new outline the story starts earlier than what I already have written, so it’s back to the keyboard for me. The three new chapters mean changes through out the manuscript but they also tie things together nicely. That is the whole point, right?
I hope to crank through this bad boy and have a completed manuscript and submission package ready by the end of the year. It is exciting, busy, but also a but scary. Lots of stuff to do and very little time to do it.
Holy Crap It's been a while!
“Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry. I know it has been a very long time since I was last in touch. I’ve been writing a novel, you see.”
OK, so those aren’t my words, they are the words of J. K. Rowling, but that doesn’t mean they are any less sincere! Had not been spending hideous 10 hour days at the computer…(6-8 at work and another 3-4 at home)… I would have written something original. But I’m saving the good stuff for the novel. It is almost done. I am on the last chapter. I say that with some amount of trepidation because I know that I am going to rewrite a good chunk of this baby before a lot of people even get to see it. I’ve already changed some major plot points, pulled out some characters, created some new ones…and well…with the manuscript the way it is now…it is not consistent. Some characters just disappear. That is not good. Publishers don’t like that.
October will be the month of crits. I am attending the writing workshop at the Context Convention (http://d683087.u36.infinology.net/) and that will be an intense weekend for me but a great way to get the ball rolling. Thanks to my two writing groups…I will have plenty of people to start doing first reads….I want to get feedback on the synopsis, query and first three chapters soon, so I can keep them in mind as I make revisions and try to tie this book into one cohesive story.
To give you a good example…it took me three days to go over two chapters and make revisions. That means pulling out the printed hardcopy, marking everything up with red ink, crossing out whole sections and rewriting them on the backs of recycled paper and then typing up the edited version in the computer. It takes me about an hour to an hour and a half to type up the revisions. I’ve also become very fond of writing by hand. In a world where technology rages, who knew I would be so in love with blue ink and a leather journal. It is the journal used by all the greats, so perhaps that has been my true muse.
By the way, if you haven’t seen the illusionist…hurry, go see it before it disappears from the movie theaters. I really enjoyed it. Hooray for movies that have pleasantly surprised me!
Stay tuned. I am going to be updating my links…I have several author friends you should be taking a look at. I will also be updating the mailing list. Woo hoo. Now would be a great time to let me know if you want to be added. Email changes, address updates….send them my way.
It is sooooo way past my bedtime. I am going to go dream about better days, ones that end with sunny days, margaritas and Cancun breezes. That should be my reward for getting all this done!!!
OK, so those aren’t my words, they are the words of J. K. Rowling, but that doesn’t mean they are any less sincere! Had not been spending hideous 10 hour days at the computer…(6-8 at work and another 3-4 at home)… I would have written something original. But I’m saving the good stuff for the novel. It is almost done. I am on the last chapter. I say that with some amount of trepidation because I know that I am going to rewrite a good chunk of this baby before a lot of people even get to see it. I’ve already changed some major plot points, pulled out some characters, created some new ones…and well…with the manuscript the way it is now…it is not consistent. Some characters just disappear. That is not good. Publishers don’t like that.
October will be the month of crits. I am attending the writing workshop at the Context Convention (http://d683087.u36.infinology.net/) and that will be an intense weekend for me but a great way to get the ball rolling. Thanks to my two writing groups…I will have plenty of people to start doing first reads….I want to get feedback on the synopsis, query and first three chapters soon, so I can keep them in mind as I make revisions and try to tie this book into one cohesive story.
To give you a good example…it took me three days to go over two chapters and make revisions. That means pulling out the printed hardcopy, marking everything up with red ink, crossing out whole sections and rewriting them on the backs of recycled paper and then typing up the edited version in the computer. It takes me about an hour to an hour and a half to type up the revisions. I’ve also become very fond of writing by hand. In a world where technology rages, who knew I would be so in love with blue ink and a leather journal. It is the journal used by all the greats, so perhaps that has been my true muse.
By the way, if you haven’t seen the illusionist…hurry, go see it before it disappears from the movie theaters. I really enjoyed it. Hooray for movies that have pleasantly surprised me!
Stay tuned. I am going to be updating my links…I have several author friends you should be taking a look at. I will also be updating the mailing list. Woo hoo. Now would be a great time to let me know if you want to be added. Email changes, address updates….send them my way.
It is sooooo way past my bedtime. I am going to go dream about better days, ones that end with sunny days, margaritas and Cancun breezes. That should be my reward for getting all this done!!!
Music as Inspiration: Dixie Chicks and Daniel Powter
I’m still here, I’m still writing. The truth is I’ve made more progress over the last three weeks on my novel than I have in six months. I’ve found my characters, all three of them and they are running full throttle.
I owe my sudden inspiration to a renewed sense of self-confidence, two of the bestest friends and loves in the whole world, and music.
Yes music.
There are a few songs that I listen to almost daily, that have helped me to let go, forgive, and move on with my life. I’ll admit I get a little wonky during the winter months. But I think a healthy life means that it is okay to get sad once and a while and it’s okay to get angry. Life isn’t always fair, but as my grandmother likes to say, God doesn’t give you more than you can handle. Not matter what happens, I always get through it, but Spring, it’s a constant. It always comes.
The funny thing is that for me, it's not the lyrcis that have inspired me, it's the artists themselves. I've become a slight Indie Rock Junkie and just listening to musicians who are, despite all odds doing what they love and trying to make a living, it makes me feel like there is hope in the world afterall. I don't know... Maybe next week I will share some of the new artists I have been listening to. Always glad to hellp publicize an artist on the cusp of greatness.
So here are two of the songs that are stuck on repeat on my ipod:
I pulled some of the lyrics, check out the links for the music videos which I love even more and am going to go watch right now...
Happy Spring!
Bad Day: Daniel Powter http://www.danielpowter.com/
Where is the moment we need at the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion’s gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on
You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime
And I don't need no carryin' on
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
Not Ready to Make Nice: Dixie Chicks http://www.dixiechicks.com/
Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I’m not sure I could
They say time heals everything But I’m still waiting
I’m through with doubt
There’s nothing left for me to figure out
I’ve paid a price
And I’ll keep paying
I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could ‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should
I know you said
Can’t you just get over it
It turned my whole world around
And I kind of like it
I made my bed and I sleep like a baby
With no regrets and I don’t mind sayin’
It’s a sad sad story when a mother will teach her
Daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger
And how in the world can the words that I said
Send somebody so over the edge
That they’d write me a letter
Sayin’ that I better shut up and sing
Or my life will be over
I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should
Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I’m not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I’m still waiting
I owe my sudden inspiration to a renewed sense of self-confidence, two of the bestest friends and loves in the whole world, and music.
Yes music.
There are a few songs that I listen to almost daily, that have helped me to let go, forgive, and move on with my life. I’ll admit I get a little wonky during the winter months. But I think a healthy life means that it is okay to get sad once and a while and it’s okay to get angry. Life isn’t always fair, but as my grandmother likes to say, God doesn’t give you more than you can handle. Not matter what happens, I always get through it, but Spring, it’s a constant. It always comes.
The funny thing is that for me, it's not the lyrcis that have inspired me, it's the artists themselves. I've become a slight Indie Rock Junkie and just listening to musicians who are, despite all odds doing what they love and trying to make a living, it makes me feel like there is hope in the world afterall. I don't know... Maybe next week I will share some of the new artists I have been listening to. Always glad to hellp publicize an artist on the cusp of greatness.
So here are two of the songs that are stuck on repeat on my ipod:
I pulled some of the lyrics, check out the links for the music videos which I love even more and am going to go watch right now...
Happy Spring!
Bad Day: Daniel Powter http://www.danielpowter.com/
Where is the moment we need at the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion’s gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on
You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime
And I don't need no carryin' on
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
Not Ready to Make Nice: Dixie Chicks http://www.dixiechicks.com/
Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I’m not sure I could
They say time heals everything But I’m still waiting
I’m through with doubt
There’s nothing left for me to figure out
I’ve paid a price
And I’ll keep paying
I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could ‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should
I know you said
Can’t you just get over it
It turned my whole world around
And I kind of like it
I made my bed and I sleep like a baby
With no regrets and I don’t mind sayin’
It’s a sad sad story when a mother will teach her
Daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger
And how in the world can the words that I said
Send somebody so over the edge
That they’d write me a letter
Sayin’ that I better shut up and sing
Or my life will be over
I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should
Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I’m not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I’m still waiting
Fun Reading: Dan Brown, Kim Harrison, Kelly Armstrong and lets not forget Laurell
Happy Hump Day! I am feeling surprisingly cheerful today. Aside from the flurry of snow late last night it seems as if spring might actually be on its way. Being outside has brought me a sense of calmness that I haven’t felt in a very long time, also some more confidence, drive, purpose. I feel like I might actually have the strength and the ability to crank this novel out. I also spent the last month or so Reading. After all, February is a good reading month don’t you think? I’m halfway through my second Kim Harrison Book. I like this one better than the first, but both have been interesting. I zipped through the DaVinci Code and started two other vampire books, one by Mary Janice Davidson and one by Andrew Fox. I couldn’t get through either of them. Not really my cup of tea. One had some racial/sexual undertones that I couldn’t get past and the other played into too many stereotypes. The one thing they seemed to have in common was that the characters were stupid. I have little patience for stupid character.
I have some other books to plow through, a couple by Kelley Armstrong, some Anita Blake & Merry Gentry Books, and an anthology or two. So I think my reading month is going to spill over. But it helps to be reminded of what I like and what I don’t like.
Aside from the reading, I am doing some critiquing again. This week will mark my return to my writing group. Yea! I have a couple of short stories and chapters to read over before Sunday. I am also reading over a full length novel for one the writer’s in that group. I’ve read some early chapters, it will be interesting to see the changes and how it flows as a whole in one reading. I have faith in him though. So far I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
I took some time this past Sunday to read over the first few chapters of my novel and was pleasantly surprised. Aside from one chapter which needs to be rewritten because of some plot changes later on in the storyline, it felt like something I could pick up in a bookstore and start reading. I have been away from it for so long that I could completely detach myself from the words; it was as if I didn’t even write them, which is helpful in identifying strengths and weaknesses.
So I will try to keep you updated weekly on my progress. I can say that I didn’t get selected for the Half Price Books Goodnight to Literacy Contest. That’s O.K. I’ve got the same entry ready to be sent off to a young children’s magazine, and at least it has the potential to be a paid sale. That reminds me. I need to check on the status of a couple other submissions, waiting out there in no man’s land.
I have some other books to plow through, a couple by Kelley Armstrong, some Anita Blake & Merry Gentry Books, and an anthology or two. So I think my reading month is going to spill over. But it helps to be reminded of what I like and what I don’t like.
Aside from the reading, I am doing some critiquing again. This week will mark my return to my writing group. Yea! I have a couple of short stories and chapters to read over before Sunday. I am also reading over a full length novel for one the writer’s in that group. I’ve read some early chapters, it will be interesting to see the changes and how it flows as a whole in one reading. I have faith in him though. So far I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
I took some time this past Sunday to read over the first few chapters of my novel and was pleasantly surprised. Aside from one chapter which needs to be rewritten because of some plot changes later on in the storyline, it felt like something I could pick up in a bookstore and start reading. I have been away from it for so long that I could completely detach myself from the words; it was as if I didn’t even write them, which is helpful in identifying strengths and weaknesses.
So I will try to keep you updated weekly on my progress. I can say that I didn’t get selected for the Half Price Books Goodnight to Literacy Contest. That’s O.K. I’ve got the same entry ready to be sent off to a young children’s magazine, and at least it has the potential to be a paid sale. That reminds me. I need to check on the status of a couple other submissions, waiting out there in no man’s land.
Ok, so I have to apologize because I have not been very good lately at updating this page. In fact, I have not been very good lately at doing much of anything. Do you ever wake up one morning, realize a whole month has gone by and wonder what you’ve accomplished? It is very easy to fall into a routine, and even easier to avoid taking risks. The months quickly turn into years and it can be frustrating at times because this is not where I thought I would be. Ironically, the longer I avoid writing my novel the more it calls out to me. I can’t imagine not being a published author. I can’t imagine that I would be truly fulfilled without it. Is that an outlandish statement?
So I was feeling kind of lost and decided to spend the last few weeks away from my computer. I haven’t critiqued stories for other people…I just took the time to think. I’ve been reading all kind of books, some in the genre I write, some bestsellers, some random items that have made its way into my collection and yet somehow not been read. It’s helped a little to remind me that I don’t have to write the world’s best novel, that my ideas are unique and original, and somewhere out there is an audience eager to read my stuff. This is just a pit stop and I’ve been too damn scared to get back on the bus. But this blog helps, reading your emails and comments, knowing that people are out there who want to see me succeed; it all helps to keep me motivated. So I promise to keep writing if you promise to keep reading!
So I was feeling kind of lost and decided to spend the last few weeks away from my computer. I haven’t critiqued stories for other people…I just took the time to think. I’ve been reading all kind of books, some in the genre I write, some bestsellers, some random items that have made its way into my collection and yet somehow not been read. It’s helped a little to remind me that I don’t have to write the world’s best novel, that my ideas are unique and original, and somewhere out there is an audience eager to read my stuff. This is just a pit stop and I’ve been too damn scared to get back on the bus. But this blog helps, reading your emails and comments, knowing that people are out there who want to see me succeed; it all helps to keep me motivated. So I promise to keep writing if you promise to keep reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)