Words That Rattle 'Round My Head....

Out of The Silent Planet

2008-08-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

Life for this writer, as I suspect for many others has been a roller coaster as of late. Some of the dips have been to some amazing depths. But there have been rises and peaks, promises of more thrills to be had.

Do I still write?

Are you kidding? Yes, I do. I haven't written short stories or posted as often as I like, but I continue to write my novel and hit goals.

Tonight, I submitted to my writing group the first 20K+ words of my work in progress. I would never have felt it was ready if I chose to be casual so I'm grateful for a deadline, for me they are necessary. As much as I want perfection in my execution, I get lost in my quest to reach it. As I reviewed the copies I later passed to the group, I saw flaws that made me flinch and want to scream, "I know better than that!" or "I should have caught this!" etc. Yet there are other parts that I feel are fantastic and interesting. Fun.

So here I am countering attacks by switchblade-bearing butterflies, dodging waves of anxiety, and running from storms of doubt. What keeps me standing in the eye of all of these forces? My belief:

My stories are written for the joy and need to write. I want to question, explore, provoke and have fun. They are meant to be shared and enjoyed with others.

So, if I don't give them to respected individuals to review and share constructive feedback as they develop, how will my stories ever become as great as I believe they can be? How will I ever grow and improve?

So that's it. Now there's nothing more for me to do except to wait and see.

And keep writing, of course.

Conversations On The Train...

2008-06-21T22:06:00.000-07:00

(Due to minor surgery (I'm fine!) this blog has been typed with one hand, but proofed for typos)

I'm taking the commuter train into work these days. After getting accustomed to the hustle and bustle I started listening to the conversations around me, the glimpses of other lives happening. These are snippets of conversations I've overheard.

Dark haired woman on cell phone, "No. No it means I'm pregnant. Did I ask you to do anything? W-What do you think I'm going to do about it? I'm going to be a freaking fantastic mom without you. You've done the most and best you will ever be capable of doing and I thank you. Have a great life." *click*

Drunk man sitting illegally on the train steps commenting to random disapproving passenger, "No you...you think I'm stupid but I'm just drunk. And even drunk I know.... you ain't right."

Woman with strong perfume on phone,"No I can't I'm on the train...no....no...fine." (hushed voice) "I love you madly, thinking of you constantly and can't wait to come home just to touch your hand."

It reminds me there is so much life going on all the time around us, yet it is so easy to tune it out. I find for me it is much more rewarding when I pay attention. As a writer there are a wealth of opportunities that provide great inspiration for new stories everyday or even new conversations or character development. You just have to be willing to be open to hear it. A simple notion perhaps, but a powerful one when embraced.

And so, I continue to listen, write and learn.

I'm not dead and I'm not for sale...

2008-05-11T16:26:00.000-07:00

Well...my writing may be for sale at some point but not me, per say.

I am alive and mostly well. Time away from the blog and website has allowed me to focus on my final semester toward my first degree(s) to be awarded in just a week and a half (gah!), focus on my health (which I had neglected) and generally making life more relaxing and fun again by managing the stress of budgets and cash in this recession ready economic climate. I have been working, going to classes and writing when I can - though I readily confess my writing got the short end of the stick overall.

The good part is that I haven't stopped completely though my frequency has been less and I have been VERY slow. The other good part is that the tedium of work allowed my mind to travel enough to work out and expand my story further. On one blessed day during the last month and a half (and just in time as I was feeling particularly guilty and frustrated about the writing situation) I actually sat and banged out 3,000 quality words that moved the story, scene, character development and plot in one session. This did much to improve my sagging confidence and ego. The story lives in me as does my desire yet "writing out" my stresses can only go so far with me I've discovered. Or better to say certain types of stress do not lend themselves well to my writing. Perhaps as I continue to mature and develop as a writer this will change.

Now things appear to be on an upswing and this summer promises me GREAT opportunities to complete my book and possibly start my second one (YAY!!). I do also want to write a few short pieces and submit them with a full understanding that I can probably collect at least nine more rejections before the summer is out (I've got one rejection under my belt currently).

So in about two weeks the blog and website should be alive again with content and thoughts on a regular basis.

Today is Mother's Day and we celebrated this morning with our moms who we are so fortunate to have as they are among the best in the universe. I hope you were able to do the same or appreciate the memories of your mom on this day with smiles and laughter. I know, that was sappy. Snark makes a return in 2 weeks too.

BTW: Quote in subject line is from song Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart by Stone Temple Pilots

Late But Heartfelt

2008-03-19T23:35:00.000-07:00

Thank you Arthur C. Clarke for lighting the heavens and my imagination with possibilities. Traveller, I wish you well on your next grand adventure...among the stars, surely.

Excerpt from an article about Mr. Clarke on Space.com (full article is here.)

As news of Arthur C. Clarke's death spread through communities of scientists, writers and science fiction fans, many people shared their memories of how the visionary writer, inventor and futurist inspired and influenced them.

Clarke is famous for his book, "2001: A Space Odyssey" (he also co-wrote the screenplay for the movie), for coming up with the idea for the communications satellite and for predicting space travel long before humans left Earth.

"I think the passing of Arthur C. Clarke is really epical," said Alan Stern, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate. "There is no one of his caliber or vision on the scene today ... Clarke's contribution was to motivate people to go after careers because they wanted to help shape a certain kind of future, to be at the beginning of something of millennial importance."

Stern said Clarke's legacy at NASA and in the space exploration community was particularly significant.

"For my generation, the children of Apollo, Clarke's writings were hugely and deeply inspirational," Stern told SPACE.com. "He was not just a technically competent writer of science fiction, science fact and futurism, but he was incredibly optimistic. I have had many emails in the last 18 hours, from friends of mine, from childhood, graduate school, >adulthood. It's amazing to me how many say the same thing: 'I wouldn't be in this line of work if it weren't for Arthur Clarke.' People across the world, especially the backbone of American aerospace exploration and space science, were inspired by Clarke's writings at one stage or another in their youth."

Clarke had a profound impact on technology and invention. His idea for the communications satellite has affected the whole planet.

"Arthur was not only a major figure in the first baby steps in humans' exploration of space, but a major figure in the building up of our planet as an interconnected organism," said writer Ann Druyan, widow of science popularizer Carl Sagan. "He was someone really significant."

Druyan said she met Clarke many times over the decades that he and Sagan were friends, as well as after Sagan's death.

"He was not only a great technical mind, but of course he had a powerful imagination, which influenced every one of us," Druyan said. "If we use anything based on a communications satellite then we definitely owe Arthur a huge debt. In my mind, '2001' remains the greatest sci-fi movie ever made. In many ways today it seems more futuristic than movies made 30 years later."

Many people have wondered how Clarke was able to predict so many elements of the future before they unfolded in reality.

"I think it was partially because his mother was a radio telephone operator," Druyan said. "So here he is as a young person growing up in the early part of the 20th century, at a moment where electronic communication was in its fledgling earliest stages, and he is a guy who has an exceptional imagination. So it was the perfect recipe for a child with Arthur's talents to go in that direction. The modesty of his background is yet another reason why it's so important to educate everybody, because you never know where the next Arthur C. Clarke or Carl Sagan could be."

Druyan said her friend will be remembered long after his death.

"Arthur had a great life," she said. "I don't really feel sadness because I think he had a full measure of life and he used it to the utmost. We are better for [his life]."

Regular Updates To This Blog Have Been Interrupted By...

2008-03-08T19:57:00.000-08:00

a) Impending midterms

b) Midterm/semester related educational opportunity deadlines

c) Semi-surprise family visit

d) Search for a day job

e) Revenge of The Cold Part 4: I Still Linger

f) Minimal word count and re-imagining of key scenes in my WIP

g) All of the above

In any case, ETA a few days to a week before more regular posts and updates resume.

That is all!

Tell the Story, Ask Questions

2008-03-02T20:53:00.000-08:00

The writing has been harder lately. So much harder that doing anything other than private journaling felt like pulling teeth. Yet, I persisted. Today I tried some new techniques for what to do when you feel "blocked" even though I didn't exactly believe that I was or felt that way. I mean, I was writing. I have an outline and plan. I followed them and made my minimum word counts at worst. And I know part of the writing process is that things stop feeling like that rush when you start a new story and you have to get through. But it was just...not feeling right. Today, I think I figured out why. I was forcing my words the story. I kept saying to myself some variation of, "Write this, write harder. Yeah I have a plan and yeah I can augment it, but structure is important - I need to follow it. Goals to hit. Create! Now."

And this is part of writing process I know, but I completely ignored when my gut said, "This isn't working, this scene is wrong." Or "This character doesn't really want to do this or behave this way." I just nodded and kept going - I thought I was trying to sabotage myself and all my efforts for organization and discipline. I tried to force things to happen and because I made a map (an outline) I wrote to the outline - not to the story I have to tell. There is a difference, at least for me. But it felt like I was writing through stinky mud - possible to do, but not pleasant.

So I stopped. Today through a writing exercise I was asked questions, which inspired answers and more questions...lo and behold I started to get the right answers. Things started to click with the story and characters. I'm going to have to tear up a bunch of words/progress (again!) but for the feeling that this is what the characters would do and where the story ought to go, I feel better, energized and intrigued with my story again. I know I can force characters to do whatever or the story to do what I want. But I realize because I was forcing reactions that progressed the plot (technically) though not the story, the story itself was suffering and becoming flat.

Now, I can continue to throw monkey wrenches at my characters to see if they can dodge or catch them, but I know if they would scream and cry rather than take a hit and act tough then that is what they should do. That is more true. No matter how fantastic a story I may tell, I always want some truth; true lies to be told. It's a thing. So I guess part of the lesson here is to trust my writing instincts. When it feels wrong it probably is wrong. And I shouldn't get hung up about not following the outline if something different feels right. Tell the story.

I'm back to excitement about my 5 a.m. wake-ups. Ok, not excitement but...more positively motivated to do it to see what will happen next in the story. How 'bout that?

The Score 2/26/08

2008-02-26T22:43:00.000-08:00

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.

It's A Dirty Job But Someone's Gotta Do It....

2008-02-19T19:15:00.000-08:00

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.

Three Big Things I've Learned About Myself and/or Writing: February 2008

2008-02-09T19:43:00.000-08:00

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.

Sunday Meditation: Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Podcasts for Writers, Readers and Geeks

2008-02-03T18:17:00.000-08:00

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.

Updates...

2008-02-01T15:55:00.001-08:00

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...

If it works for me....#2: Scrivener

2008-01-26T15:23:00.000-08:00

So 6 months or so back I invested in the Scrivener writing program for Mac. I was seduced playing with the demo by the deep level of functionality, customization, the ability to easily save and restore prior incarnations of your work, the corkboard/index card/storyboarding function and the thought of finally being able to get myself organized without billions of papers, index cards and assorted stuff all over my room and walls. Scrivener is supposed to be excellent for screenwriting too, though that's not my particular forte.

Anyway, I bought it. As I started the tutorial I realized it had a steeper learning curve than I thought to become fairly fluent. I got lazy to learn it (I don't wanna do no stinking tutorial!) and went back to using another program I had as a Beta tester, Jer's Novel Writer (excellent program that I still find conducive for my creative writing and has the best EULA I've ever read.) I would poke at my Scrivener program every now and again, but really I just wasn't ready to dig into the tutorial (I generally learn by doing but in certain areas I do better when I read the instructions. I'm learning.)

Recently, I was introduced to two other powerful writing programs that have virtues definitely worth sharing with others. Storyist (for Macs) which I think is amazing, very user friendly and pleasing aesthetic may quite possibly be the ideal tool for screenwriters and comic/graphic novel writers. It also handles novel writing quite well. Storyist is still fairly new and evolving and I'm excited to see what further updates and changes bring to it's strong functionality. I also checked out WriteItNow (for Windows AND Macs) which frankly has some features that blow my socks off. When I have more money to spend idly I may end up buying that one if for nothing else it's graphical and charting functions which keep track of your character's inter-relationships for you. The add-ons they offer are outstanding too. Though I tend to create my own, the one for character naming and creation can provide ENFP type and a description of traits for that personality. If you plunk in your character's age, it will tell you the major world events that happened during their lifetime up to their current year for various time periods. And there's way more than this - it is very sexy. Both of these programs are really very awesome tools.

But how could I advocate wishlisting either of them when Scrivener just stared at me accusingly on my App bar? Called me a flake when it thought I wasn't listening. Well. I'm not going to stand for that.

So yesterday, instead of working on my new semester of college homework, I dug deep into Scrivener and fell in love with it. By the time I went to bed my current WIP was plugged in and for the first time I've got an outline that I can work with and I'm excited about. I know where I'm going and how it ends, but I don't have to be locked into it. I can be whimsy and Scrivener will adapt with me. I'm very hyped about it.

All of these excellent writing programs in my experience are well worth checking the demos to see what suits your style, if you don't already have something that works for you. I'm just happy that I found one that is working for me. I even discovered Scrivener has some features that I didn't think it offered (printing and visual flow of manuscript related functions as well as full screen functionality). It just makes me very happy to have less steps to do things that ought to be uncomplicated. Now I'm editing (I know, I know I shouldn't yet! I'm stopping once I'm caught up) and I'm writing making appreciable progress in both areas. The index card function gives me the flexibility I desire to create a visual outline (that I can print into a paper one) yet still update it on the fly. It's great.

Do you already use this? Does it work for you? Does it suck? Know something better? Lemme know either way! If it works for me, it might work for you. And if it doesn't work, well no harm done (hopefully).

Dr. King - The Writer

2008-01-21T17:13:00.000-08:00

People think of his I Have A Dream speech more often than not and recall his great talent of oration. But people should add to Nobel prize winner Dr. Martin Luther King's fine qualities, abilities and accomplishments "talented writer." He wrote some very persuasive, logical, sophisticated rebuttals and arguments. They supported and explained the view of many who were in favor of Civil Rights. He shared these views with supporters and detractors alike in a respectful way. He just had a way of making an issue clear and conveying the emotion within it so that it wasn't sappy or pedantic - just human and humane.

These are two brief excerpts from his eloquent Letter From Birmingham Jail. He addressed this to various clergymen that criticized his position regarding Civil Rights. He had been arrested for participating in non violent protest and wrote this while incarcerated to a fellowship of clergy and religious leaders who could not understand or opposed his methods. Dr. King hoped to use reasoning and categorical analysis of each criticism of the law defying, non-violent tactics employed to protest the inequalities of race and class. To get the full effect and understanding, I really recommend reading it in it's totality.

Sometimes a law is just on its face and unjust in its application. For instance, I have been arrested on a charge of parading without a permit. Now, there is nothing wrong in having an ordinance which requires a permit for a parade. But such an ordinance becomes unjust when it is used to maintain segregation and to deny citizens the First-Amendment privilege of peaceful assembly and protest. I hope you are able to see the distinction I am trying to point out. In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law, as would the rabid segregationist. That would lead to anarchy. One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.

If I have said anything in this letter that overstates the truth and indicates an unreasonable impatience, I beg you to forgive me. If I have said anything that understates the truth and indicates my having a patience that allows me to settle for anything less than brotherhood, I beg God to forgive me.

Happy Birthday, Dr. King.

If It Works For Me.... #1

2008-01-18T16:19:00.001-08:00

It Might Work For You: 10 Minute Daily Journaling:

This new habit (20 days) started because A) I decided to build on a good exercise that I participated in during the Sacramento Writer's Conference 2007 last year and B) I was feeling somewhat inspired after FINALLY starting to read a book recommended to me by a bunch of people, Natalie Goldberg's guide to writing with zen "Writing Down The Bones." Between the two of these, I'm back into journaling and it works for me.

How's it work?: Before I start on my planned writing for the day (flash fic, short story, novel, whatever), I spend a minimum of 10 minutes journaling. I go longer if I want, but never any less. I write constantly whatever is in my head without editing, second guessing or censoring. I do not cross out, correct spelling or revise. So even if it is just,

"I don't have a darn thing to say, it is to freaking early for this stuff, this is stupid and I really want to eat breakfast right now. What is that? Geez that cat snores like a Mac truck."

(Can you tell actual excerpt?) The not editing, revising or censoring has been the hardest part for me as my inner critic is quite mighty and will strong arm my creativity and confidence, if I allow it.

Benefits: It's a great exercise to get my head clear and get "free" of expectations, fears, worries, doubts. It sparks new ideas and has helped to kick my brain and creative thoughts in gear. And when I need a push, it actually helps me to get moving if not excited about writing for the day. I can knock my inner critic into the background no easy task for me. I find also the process helps me to clear my "mental clutter"and focus more on the story I want to tell or my plot, characters - everything once I start to write on my current project. It allows me to get very creative. I didn't think doing this would work for me when I decided to try it out, but so far it actually does. Amazing.

Variations: Riffing off an exercise also learned at the convention, I tried doing this with the radio playing on a talk station. I got a timer and set it for a minute and 5 seconds (extra time for me to reset it). Every minute for ten minutes when the timer went off, whatever word I last clearly heard spoken or the first word I heard after I reset the timer I used as a prompt to incorporate in my writing. Really fabulous things have come out of this. I plan to try this again tomorrow with an audio book. I figure different vocabulary will stimulate thoughts in different directions. Sunday is Ipod on shuffle mode day.

Do you already do this? Does it work for you? Does it suck? Know something better? Lemme know either way! If it works for me, it might work for you. And if it doesn't work, well no harm done (hopefully).

Psst! Wanna See Something New?

2008-01-08T23:31:00.001-08:00

For my birthday? Among well wishes and some other fabulous gifts that included down slippers (a big deal, I'm always cold) and dinner at a fabulous restaurant there was something else.

I was given my own website, too! To do with as I see fit! And as a bonus, my blog here is integrated into the site. Fantastic! What a man I have for making this all happen! I'm quite lucky. [Edit: To clarify, he provided domain, tools for website creation and 18 hour tech support (he likes his sleep). I took given tools and made the site from that point. My guy is a professional designer, so his websites are much more dynamic than my little e-place. But this one is something I can maintain myself. :) )

So without further pomp, please to be checking out before it's "official" world debut:

Words That Rattle (www.wordsthatrattle.com)

Let me know what you think if so inclined. Just to warn everyone, I will take overwhelming silence to mean you are rendered speechless by the splendor of my site. This will give me bragging rights. Do you really want that?

=)

This is a test

2008-01-02T23:57:00.000-08:00

Please disregard.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T10:00:00.000-08:00

New year, new opportunities.

Really though, that's everyday isn't it?

Here's to making the most of ours *Orange Juice toast*

Keep writing!

Merry

2007-12-25T10:53:00.000-08:00

Holidays!

Christmas?

Solstice?

Channukah?

Kwannza?

Festivus?

Holidays....that's gotta cover it!

I Am NOT Just A Nice Girl...

2007-12-05T17:16:00.001-08:00

I would be a liar if I didn't say that I don't care what people think of me to some degree. I was raised to reflect the home I came from and myself in way that commands respect. And I get it. And I'm nice about it quite often. I'm described by others as a nice girl. I'm sweet. I'm intelligent and well-spoken. Sometimes I'm called funny or witty. And I appreciate all of that. I'm grateful for it because it means overall I'm showing the world who I am. Without wanting to sound prideful I can acknowledge I am all of these things.

But...

...this philosophy can only go so far. I am not just a nice girl. Like just about everyone else on the planet I have my angles, edges and dark, twisted, scary places. I have my less "attractive" qualities. I have an emo place and a freaky place and an off kilter place. I have snark and a really, really dirty mind. I can be an ass. I have thoughts of anger and more. I can be thoughtless. Selfish. Calculating. Manipulative. I can curse and be rude. I can be cruel and laugh about it. There's dark and light inside me.

This is good and it's important. Because I've also been raised and come to believe that there is a time and place for everything. And while these other facets generally show only in certain situations in my life, as a writer I cannot and will not constrain them from my stories or creative mind. To breathe the life into my characters and worlds I cannot permit myself to be constrained by a need to be perceived as "a nice girl".

For the longest time, I have had the tendency not to write when I'm in certain states of mind or moods because I thought "Oh.. I'll ruin the story somehow,"or "No one wants to read about *this* feeling/emotion it wouldn't be...interesting."
I've been committing a horrible crime I realize, I've been writing safe. And that is really some BS because while safe topics can work I'm often intrigued by that which is not always safe.
As a wise fellow writer has advised me "Why *not* use it? Purge it on the page. Make it work for you, the story."

This was reinforced when I read Steven King's "On Writing" (Excellent book!), I found out an interesting fact about one of my favorite stories, "The Tommyknockers," (also a great book - not so much the mini-series). When I read that story, something in me responded to the passion in it, a certain intensity, circling darkness. I had a feeling that what I was reading went deeper than the page even if I couldn't quite name it and it intrigued me. Turns out, he was using his feelings and struggle with addiction to fuel the story. And now I can see how those dark places meshed.

I generally realize "nice" is not why most read stories. Most read for the conflict, the plot. The ride. To wonder how there will be resolution or solution. To come to care care about the character in a state. To take the journey and see what will happen or who the character becomes by the end of it. And while I am someone who can write to inspiration, I can make or take my own inspiration as well. If I'm only going to be a "nice" writer...hell I might as well put down my pen and only write poetry about fluffy clouds, pretty dresses and candy. That's needed in the world too. But that's not all I've got to offer.

So, I'm not a nice girl at all when it comes down to it. When you look at all these qualities within me - I'm a woman (I know; womyn, roar, etc., I know, I know...). I own my places within, light and dark. And I'm a writer; so every scrap of emotion or situation, twisted or straight in my life is mine to take, plunder and make my own as I see fit. To gift them in some shade to my stories and characters. See all these facets exposed to your naked eyes and vivid imaginations.

So, that's it. I'm going to use everything. And I won't think twice about it or how it may be received except as it is relative or pertains to telling a great story.

I'm getting free. Feels damn good.

Writing

2007-12-04T23:17:00.000-08:00

I am still here and writing.

Obligations keep going and they slow me down but I don't stop. I'm still writing and working on my story idea which I am excited about. I still have moments of doubt (Ahh what is this garbage I'm writing!) but I don't let it stop me because the story feels good and I know this is part of my process. It's all just going very slow, but in a few weeks I'll have an ease of pressure and then I get to focus. I can hardly wait.

And when did the it turn to December? That was fast!

On a Slowboat

2007-11-13T09:14:00.000-08:00

Writing is going very slow balanced with essays, school reading etc. But I'm remembering the advice I was given over the summer and even if it is only a little I'm writing everyday. I won't complete Nano this year, but that doesn't mean I can't complete my book. I will persevere.

Nanowrimo Begins...

2007-11-01T22:33:00.000-07:00

I'm participating this year but working on a story already in progress...so I'm unofficial, but it's worth it. I agonized about this 'cause I love the Nano, the rush and comraderie. Then I realized, I really love and believe in this story...I don't want to stop. This will help me finish it and I know I will love that feeling equally, if not even more. Winhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifs all around. I swear Nano gives me another great reason to love November.

If you are participating in Nano, good luck and tag me if you want to buddy up!

www.nanowimo.org

Congratulations Richard!

2007-10-24T10:42:00.000-07:00

Excellent writer Richard Crawford won 3rd place in the Fall 2007 24 Hour Short Story Contest By Writer's Weekly!

WELL DONE RICHARD!!! I'm NOT surprised at all! Your story is great!

Details Here:

http://www.writersweekly.com/contest/fall07winners.html

Ooo. Ooo now this is interesting...

2007-10-06T18:55:00.000-07:00

I'm writing.

I've got an outline of sorts had a scene in mind, characters, what would happen. I'm typing along and then two of them get into this staring match (not foreseen or outlined) and they were just supposed to sit and check each other out. But my protagonist is surly (for good reason) and this guy, he's impatient (for good reason). Suddenly they both are hijacking this scene, the intentions. Something else is happening.

And it's so much better! It's in line with my original intention but it's much more defining of who he is and it's making my protagonist rise up to the occasion, too. Maybe this happens with other writers I'm sure it must, I've read about it. In certain ways it has happened to me before but...not quite like this. It fits.

So far this story is growing and I'm nervous only because I don't want to hit "this is crap" and give in to a temptation to stop. I have to finish this and push through. I have to do this because I want to do this and I really do. Hmm, I better make sure my loose out line is ready if that happens. Sunday goal methinks.

I'm up to 7K today. I've determined that writing until the scene I'm writing feels complete or writing about 1K on days I write is my minimum goal word count. At least for this story. This pace allows such things to happen like above and makes me feel like I'm making solid progress. I can always write more. I can give myself a break when I need to. But 1K is my goal.

Okay, I'll stop with the every move updates (I really don't mean to) but I had to share this feels...so good. Gosh I hope it is good. Or reads well. Or someone likes it - ahh later! I'll think about that later.

For now, I need to get it out. And I like it.

What am I doing? Writing...

2007-10-05T00:48:00.000-07:00

I should probably be sleeping.

But I just finished writing a 1000 words. An idea born from a challenge and a desire to write a little fic (750 words I figured) has blossomed over the last two days and at this moment I'm 4000 words in. This is going to screw with my NaNoWriMo goals - but I'm on to something good. It feels like it. It's rough, so rough but I like it.

Is it a novel? Is it a short story? I don't know just yet. I'm not totally sure what is going to happen in it, but characters are talking and events are shaping. I'm only a few chapters ahead in my planning. I'm just rounding on what I think the climax and ending will be in my musings. I'm completely engaged. Most of all I'm just writing.

All this on a borrowed computer given that my current one with all my luxuries is in the Mac shop. Not bad. Maybe the new comp and keyboard are conducive to my writing? Hmm something to consider.

Alright, I can rest now. Because when I wake up, I'll write.