Tag Archives: Writing

The Funny Thing About Writing

Posted on June 4, 2013 | 2 Comments

The funny thing about writing is when you get inspiration for an idea and then, once you sit at the computer, you can’t figure out how to start the scene portion.

Frustrating, right?

brainstorming You read and re-read the before and after portions where you want to insert the scene and then–bam–nothing. You know what you want to insert, but that first segue just won’t come into fruition.

But then I get a moment’s inspiration of how to possibly start it: take into account my main character’s thoughts and feelings at the moment. To be honest, she doesn’t quite know how to approach the scene either. It’s the first time she’s venturing out onto an adventure with this particular person, so imagine the awkward aura!

Bingo! That’s what I use for inspiration into the beginning of the scene. Be it verbal or narrative thoughts, it presents a step 1, which will help me as the scene goes forward.

Well, that’s what the plan is, anyway.

What do you do when a scene idea puts you into a bit of a block?

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Posted in A Writer's Life, Blogging

Tagged characters, creativity, fantasy, fiction, inspiration, motivation, nanowrimo, to save a soul, writer, Writing

Deadlines Past

Posted on June 1, 2013 | 2 Comments

Laziness Obviously it is too late for me to make the deadline for the extended edition release of my paranormal fantasy, To Save A Soul. The hope was that a deadline of a May release would help me stay on target. The problem became the amount of content I wanted to add in order to bring this fast-paced and fun NaNoWriMo Novel to its full potential.

Of course, my inability to stay focused contributed to the issue. I can’t help thinking it would have helped if I had outlined the new content at the intended location within the current manuscript . . . but hindsight is always 20/20.

Yes, there was a move from North Dakota to Washington, but when I take into account all the lazing about before and after . . . there really is no excuse. Each day I didn’t work on the manuscript I knew it would bite me in the end. But the amount of content simply overwhelmed me, bringing about my tendency to procrastinate.

It would have helped if I had outlined the new content at the intended location.

Writing journal (Photo credit: avrdreamer)

So, now I find myself in the awkward position of re-organizing my goals and targets. Unfortunately, this also effects my work on book 2 of Heart of the Blessed (Releasing Yesterday), which was to have a December 2013 release. I haven’t done more than summarize the first half of the outline, to say nothing of completing the first draft. In fact, I am embarrassed at how I’ve failed to keep myself on task, especially considering the amount of free-time since losing my job in March.

My challenge now is to learn and, instead of allowing myself to continue down this road, to make a conscious effort to change–and stick with the routine.

That is a big thing: routine. Goals and targets are well and good, but routines are key in helping me complete a project. Once I get into that productive “rut”, as it were, I stick to the cycle with dogged determination. When I have a completed project, that is when I set a target/goal for the finishing of the manuscript and coordination of its release.

Once I get into that productive “rut”, I stick to the cycle with dogged determination.

I cannot stress how important it is to understand how you function successfully as a writer. Every writer is different, and what works for me won’t necessarily work for you. There are a lot of writing books out there which tell you a variation of different approaches but, in the end, only you can truly understand what works. Dabble. Experiment. Incorporate and mix until you find what works for you and then stick to it!

What helps keep you on task?

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Posted in A Writer's Life, Blogging

Tagged National Novel Writing Month, outlining, tips, writer, Writing

Writing and Fairytales

Posted on April 23, 2013 | 2 Comments

I just finished watching Disney‘s Tangled, the story of Rapunzel. It is one of my favorite fairytales, and I even enjoy watching this kid-softened version. Why do I like the story of Rapunzel? Because the story–especially the Disney version–reminds me of my own “coming of age” story.

For years I felt trapped in a tower, though not necessarily against my will. The tower is very symbolic of the way I used my writing as a safer way of “experiencing” life, love, and happiness. I tortured my characters and then wrote them to their redemption, hoping that I could feel even a fraction of their peace and joy through the act.

Then, in my early thirties, I finally experienced the euphoria of freedom once I met my husband and left my tower.

Building a relationship with him was no easy task, because I had a lot of growing up to do even then–I still do. The adventure was fraught with conflicts, challenges, character-builders, and hard lessons, but in the end–like Rapunzel–I found my happy ending and have been happily married for seven years (come September 2013).

When I watch stories like Disney’s Tangled and The Incredibles, the intense emotion and engaging storyline reminds me why I love being a writer.

I Get Inspired

Not only that, it inspires me toward my goal of writing as enthralling a story as what I have just watched. The characters. The conflict. The setting. All of it. I find myself thinking “I want to write that.”

Reading and viewing other stories and characters is such an important aspect of growing as a writer. You see how others weave these incredible tales. You read and feel the action and re-action, your brain learning new aspects of a scene or story. A new character-type. A new way to present a setting, or a new world in general!

Now I find myself in front of my computer doing just that, and all because I experienced someone else’s passion for story and character. It feels as if I have sat in on a storyboard session and participated in a collaborative effort.

Collaboration Inspires

I cannot stress enough how many different perspectives there are on life and living. When we don’t have the opportunity to view or hear those, we miss an incredible opportunity to add facets to our characters.

That is one of the most important lessons I am learning during this collaborative effort of expanding To Save A Soul. Who is my partner? The creator of the universe and adventure module upon which this story is based–my husband.

Um-What Without his input, I wouldn’t have been able to add 6,000 words in simply the first 50 pages of story. A deeper knowledge of Mun and Para’s histories would lay undiscovered. But through our discussions and his help in outlining my 2012 NaNoWriMo project, Para Sedi, I uncovered a richer character and an extended story. In fact, The Soul Cycle has blossomed into at least 5 books, 2 of which are waiting for their turn at NaNoWriMo.

Seek Inspiration Everywhere

Inspiration comes in the most unlikely of places: movies, books, discussions, memories . . . . Our responsibility is to continue opening doors and windows to let it into our hearts and minds.