Whoopee! I can't wait to begin!
This Halloween morning is cool and crisp and lovely. The leaves are turning. The birds are chirping. I wrote a bunch of character notes yesterday during my all-day staff meeting. The one at which we planned to have a "plan the planning meetings" meeting. I feel good.
And today I'm (finally) publicizing this blog to friends and family. So welcome! Once the writing is underway, I'll be posting daily and cumulative wordcounts here, possibly with cool widgets. You're also welcome to track my progress on NaNoWriMo. Look for me, RubyBlue!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
2 Days to NaNoWriMo
I'm excited to begin.
Last night I spent 45 minutes brainstorming ideas for things or people that might be in the novel. No list of character questions, no plot formula, just writing down ideas as they popped into my head. It felt great.
And I'm continuing to re-read Ann Lamott's Bird by Bird, which is very encouraging to those of us going in without a clear picture of exactly what our books will become.
As a friend said, this is supposed to be fun, right?
Last night I spent 45 minutes brainstorming ideas for things or people that might be in the novel. No list of character questions, no plot formula, just writing down ideas as they popped into my head. It felt great.
And I'm continuing to re-read Ann Lamott's Bird by Bird, which is very encouraging to those of us going in without a clear picture of exactly what our books will become.
As a friend said, this is supposed to be fun, right?
Monday, October 29, 2007
Grumbling
This weekend, I accomplished some major cleaning out/reorganizing of the bedroom. But sadly, the radiant joy of accomplishment has been extinguished in the darkness of a bad Monday morning.
I am feeling rather hopeless about this book. I am bored trying to think up character information. I have a general idea of the setting and main character but no hint of a plot or why I should write about this person as opposed to anyone else. Other than having no other novel ideas.
Feeling bad about the novel before I even start writing is making me grouchy.
That and the lack of sleep. Edythe got her first tooth this weekend--very exciting!--but has slept poorly. Add that to my natural insomnia and horrible allergy attacks, and I am in a dark mood, indeed.
And of course all my most pushy and entitled clients are the ones to contact me this morning. It is difficult to be polite and professional sometimes. I just want to say, "Maybe if it is so critical for your son to get a job right now he should return my calls, instead of you bothering me about it multiple times a day."
Grumble grumble grumble.
I am feeling rather hopeless about this book. I am bored trying to think up character information. I have a general idea of the setting and main character but no hint of a plot or why I should write about this person as opposed to anyone else. Other than having no other novel ideas.
Feeling bad about the novel before I even start writing is making me grouchy.
That and the lack of sleep. Edythe got her first tooth this weekend--very exciting!--but has slept poorly. Add that to my natural insomnia and horrible allergy attacks, and I am in a dark mood, indeed.
And of course all my most pushy and entitled clients are the ones to contact me this morning. It is difficult to be polite and professional sometimes. I just want to say, "Maybe if it is so critical for your son to get a job right now he should return my calls, instead of you bothering me about it multiple times a day."
Grumble grumble grumble.
Friday, October 26, 2007
I Hate Housework
I've been working on my character background information. It's going pretty well. I'm enjoying composing biopsychosocial-spiritual assessments for them all. Yes, I am a social worker.
But I'm beginning to panic about how, exactly, I will find time to write and keep my family fed and relatively clean. Christopher already shoulders the majority of the mountain of housework, and he can't physically take on any more than he is doing now. Like graduate school, I think this will be more an endurance test than a creative exercise.
But the house is a disaster that we already can't get a handle on, without me being sucked into novel writing. At best, the very best, I'll be maintaing this huge mess. My unfinished craft projects alone could swallow up a small pony.
I guess that's one good thing about this novel writing project; whether I finish or not, it won't cost me anything, and won't take up valuable closet space!
I wish I could call it sick day and go home and spend the day cleaning.
But I'm beginning to panic about how, exactly, I will find time to write and keep my family fed and relatively clean. Christopher already shoulders the majority of the mountain of housework, and he can't physically take on any more than he is doing now. Like graduate school, I think this will be more an endurance test than a creative exercise.
But the house is a disaster that we already can't get a handle on, without me being sucked into novel writing. At best, the very best, I'll be maintaing this huge mess. My unfinished craft projects alone could swallow up a small pony.
I guess that's one good thing about this novel writing project; whether I finish or not, it won't cost me anything, and won't take up valuable closet space!
I wish I could call it sick day and go home and spend the day cleaning.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Column Rejection #1?
I don't know if I should start numbering the rejection notices. It might become depressing. Or amusing. I'm also not sure whether this is a rejection or just a receipt of submission note, but seeing how it's several weeks after I sent the piece in (by e-mail), I'm guessing it's a rejection. Here's what I heard from The Washington Post:
"Thanks for your submission. We have hundreds already and can't reply indetail [sic] to everyone. If we can use your piece, or want to discuss it withyou [sic] further, we will contact you. Thanks again."
Not the most beautifully crafted of rejection letters, but I'm sure the intern who wrote it was quite busy. I particularly like the "we have hundreds already" part. Way to make a girl feel special! My poor little column, fighting for life in some giant pile, or worse, already the victim of the intern's delete button.
I figure I'm due for a lot of rejection. It's only fair. In my literary management days, I must have sent out hundreds of rejection letters. They fell into two categories; return with encouragement, and return without encouragement.
Return with encouragement was something like:
"Dear Ms. Hoover, Thank you for sending us your play, An Earthworm Went in my Mouth and I Ated It: Songs of Ralphie. While we couldn't find a place for it in our season, we did enjoy reading it, and hope you will continue to keep us informed of your work. Sincerely, Ruby Blue, Literary Manger, etc."
Return without encouragement went more like this:
"Dear Mr. Skinner, Thank you for sending us your play, Something Wicked This Way Strums: My Affair With an Evil Guitar Teacher. While we were not able to find a place for it in our season, we wish you well in all your literary endeavors. Sincerely, Ruby Blue, etc."
I would say my note from the Post was more the latter, no?
"Thanks for your submission. We have hundreds already and can't reply indetail [sic] to everyone. If we can use your piece, or want to discuss it withyou [sic] further, we will contact you. Thanks again."
Not the most beautifully crafted of rejection letters, but I'm sure the intern who wrote it was quite busy. I particularly like the "we have hundreds already" part. Way to make a girl feel special! My poor little column, fighting for life in some giant pile, or worse, already the victim of the intern's delete button.
I figure I'm due for a lot of rejection. It's only fair. In my literary management days, I must have sent out hundreds of rejection letters. They fell into two categories; return with encouragement, and return without encouragement.
Return with encouragement was something like:
"Dear Ms. Hoover, Thank you for sending us your play, An Earthworm Went in my Mouth and I Ated It: Songs of Ralphie. While we couldn't find a place for it in our season, we did enjoy reading it, and hope you will continue to keep us informed of your work. Sincerely, Ruby Blue, Literary Manger, etc."
Return without encouragement went more like this:
"Dear Mr. Skinner, Thank you for sending us your play, Something Wicked This Way Strums: My Affair With an Evil Guitar Teacher. While we were not able to find a place for it in our season, we wish you well in all your literary endeavors. Sincerely, Ruby Blue, etc."
I would say my note from the Post was more the latter, no?
Monday, October 22, 2007
To Do: Send
I don't want to curse my idea with plot rot, so I won't say too much. But I did enjoy writing some character sketches this morning, and they were coming fairly easily. I think having lowered my standards from "write a good book, or the 1st draft of a good book" to "write 50K of whatever about a character you like" has helped a lot. She's this quirky girl who's been hanging out in the back of my mind, and I've been pushing her off as Not Worthy of My Serious Literary Attempt.
But she's fun and weird and I think I could write a lot.
In other news, Edythe did not sleep well last night. I'm used to a sort of low-lying haze about my days, since I last got 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep what, a year ago? But some days are worse than others. For example, I just looked at the to-do list I'd typed up this morning. One of the items, in its entirety:
Send
Send what? Where? To whom? And why?
Also, it's not even 11 and already I am wanting lunch. Clearly this will be a productive work day.
But she's fun and weird and I think I could write a lot.
In other news, Edythe did not sleep well last night. I'm used to a sort of low-lying haze about my days, since I last got 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep what, a year ago? But some days are worse than others. For example, I just looked at the to-do list I'd typed up this morning. One of the items, in its entirety:
Send
Send what? Where? To whom? And why?
Also, it's not even 11 and already I am wanting lunch. Clearly this will be a productive work day.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Come Here, Baby!
I spent a great deal of time yesterday--the entirety of Edythe's miraculous 2.5 hour nap--noting and abandoning various plots for my NaNo novel. I was trying to use the Snowflake Method to give me a sense of order, of direction and purpose. To outline where I am going, how to get there, and exactly what scenes I will need to write. It didn't work. I still didn't know what to write about. I grumbled that I should have spent the time cleaning, instead.
I took Edythe for a walk, hoping inspiration would strike. It was late afternoon, a cool, crisp autumn day. We saw a lot of red and gold-leafed trees. We swung in the swings at the park. We played peek-a-boo and giggled at dogs. We had a lovely time. I still had no clue what to write about.
Hours later, after I put Edythe to bed, I took a bath and read Of Mice and Men. It's around 50,000 words. It's very good. But I still don't know what to write about.
Today I'm re-reading Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, and No Plot? No Problem! A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days. The latter is by Chris Baty, who founded NaNo. Both authors say it is okay not to know where you're going. Lamott recommends focusing on short assignments. Just describe the porch. And write a bad first draft. Baty says enlightenment is overrated, and to just keep going, without worrying whether it's good.
This is very hard for me. I don't work this way. I am a planner. I need to know what will happen next. And I need to know that all the effort and sacrifice--not just mine, but my family's--will be worth it.
On the other hand, it's not as if I have an idea, unless a magical plot outline appears on my nightstand tomorrow morning. Or Edythe crawls in, clutching one in her hand.
I took Edythe for a walk, hoping inspiration would strike. It was late afternoon, a cool, crisp autumn day. We saw a lot of red and gold-leafed trees. We swung in the swings at the park. We played peek-a-boo and giggled at dogs. We had a lovely time. I still had no clue what to write about.
Hours later, after I put Edythe to bed, I took a bath and read Of Mice and Men. It's around 50,000 words. It's very good. But I still don't know what to write about.
Today I'm re-reading Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, and No Plot? No Problem! A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days. The latter is by Chris Baty, who founded NaNo. Both authors say it is okay not to know where you're going. Lamott recommends focusing on short assignments. Just describe the porch. And write a bad first draft. Baty says enlightenment is overrated, and to just keep going, without worrying whether it's good.
This is very hard for me. I don't work this way. I am a planner. I need to know what will happen next. And I need to know that all the effort and sacrifice--not just mine, but my family's--will be worth it.
On the other hand, it's not as if I have an idea, unless a magical plot outline appears on my nightstand tomorrow morning. Or Edythe crawls in, clutching one in her hand.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Frustration
I'm trying to flesh out the plot outline for my novel, and utterly stuck. Every idea seems either too contrived, too vapid, or too autobiographical.
I hate coming up with the concept. It is by far the worst part of writing, for me. I wish someone would hand me a plot and say "here, write this!"
Lack of a workable plot is why I have never made it past page 40 in any of the books I have tried to write.
Today I really feel like giving up, and I haven't even started yet.
I hate coming up with the concept. It is by far the worst part of writing, for me. I wish someone would hand me a plot and say "here, write this!"
Lack of a workable plot is why I have never made it past page 40 in any of the books I have tried to write.
Today I really feel like giving up, and I haven't even started yet.
Friday, October 19, 2007
A Bit of A Panic
As usual, I'm struggling to decide on a topic. I live in great fear of choosing the wrong topic, getting 10,000 words in, and hating my novel and failing at the attempt.
Yesterday I was obsessed with whether I should set the novel in the past or the present. My original impulse had been to set it in the past, but then I began to get bogged down in historical detail.
For example, let's say my main character goes to the market to buy some fish. I don’t care what kind of fish she buys, or even what the market looks like, but I do care what it means for her to go. Is this a normal, everyday occurrence? A chore she hates but must do because she can’t afford a maid? An act of rebellion, because women aren’t supposed to leave the house on their own? A dangerous mission she must complete to bring food to her family? A chance to socialize and catch up on the neighborhood gossip?
I'm a big believer in person-in-environment. We don’t live in a vacuum, and the choices we make are influenced by the people and circumstances and culture around us, whether we realize it or not. So, to me, knowing a good deal about the social fabric of my setting is necessary for character and plot development.
Last night I took a break from my furious and unfocused research, and took a long walk with the baby, and cleaned the house. Scrubbing the bathtub felt almost therapeutic. Which is weird, for me. I hate cleaning.
And then this morning I came to a conclusion. If I set the novel in a particular historical time period, I will not finish, because I will be too bogged down with this historical muck. I already am! It’s a good thing to realize now.
So I think I will keep the general plot idea the same, but set it in the present. With a main character that has a penchant for wearing long skirts.
On a totally different subject, while my daughter and I were on our walk, we stopped at the park, where she stood unassisted for the first time!
Yesterday I was obsessed with whether I should set the novel in the past or the present. My original impulse had been to set it in the past, but then I began to get bogged down in historical detail.
For example, let's say my main character goes to the market to buy some fish. I don’t care what kind of fish she buys, or even what the market looks like, but I do care what it means for her to go. Is this a normal, everyday occurrence? A chore she hates but must do because she can’t afford a maid? An act of rebellion, because women aren’t supposed to leave the house on their own? A dangerous mission she must complete to bring food to her family? A chance to socialize and catch up on the neighborhood gossip?
I'm a big believer in person-in-environment. We don’t live in a vacuum, and the choices we make are influenced by the people and circumstances and culture around us, whether we realize it or not. So, to me, knowing a good deal about the social fabric of my setting is necessary for character and plot development.
Last night I took a break from my furious and unfocused research, and took a long walk with the baby, and cleaned the house. Scrubbing the bathtub felt almost therapeutic. Which is weird, for me. I hate cleaning.
And then this morning I came to a conclusion. If I set the novel in a particular historical time period, I will not finish, because I will be too bogged down with this historical muck. I already am! It’s a good thing to realize now.
So I think I will keep the general plot idea the same, but set it in the present. With a main character that has a penchant for wearing long skirts.
On a totally different subject, while my daughter and I were on our walk, we stopped at the park, where she stood unassisted for the first time!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Ridiculous Goal Setting
NaNoWriMo is 30 days long. 50,000 words.
That means one should write approximately 1667 words per day to reach the goal.
I think my goal, which I am shamelessly stealing from a friend, will be to write 2,000 words a day, which theoretically gives me 5 days off. Because I know things will come up; cranky babies who don't sleep, mountains of housework, relative and tryptophan-induced comas on Thanksgiving, etc.
In November I'll post widgets on this blog so my word count will be visible, and will (I hope) keep me honest.
To tell the truth, I am both terrified and anxious for the race to begin. I am afraid to test myself this way, because it is very likely I will fail. On the other hand, the longer I sit with an idea, the more likely I am to think it's awful and throw it out without even trying.
So let's start, already! Before I create some more ridiculous goals.
That means one should write approximately 1667 words per day to reach the goal.
I think my goal, which I am shamelessly stealing from a friend, will be to write 2,000 words a day, which theoretically gives me 5 days off. Because I know things will come up; cranky babies who don't sleep, mountains of housework, relative and tryptophan-induced comas on Thanksgiving, etc.
In November I'll post widgets on this blog so my word count will be visible, and will (I hope) keep me honest.
To tell the truth, I am both terrified and anxious for the race to begin. I am afraid to test myself this way, because it is very likely I will fail. On the other hand, the longer I sit with an idea, the more likely I am to think it's awful and throw it out without even trying.
So let's start, already! Before I create some more ridiculous goals.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Ooh! Inspiration!
I went back to the cemetery during lunch today--I just couldn't get enough of those names!--and was inspired by a particularly compelling pair of gravestones. I sat and ate lunch under a tree and wondered about the lives of these people. And I brainstormed, and took notes.
I'm sure my coworkers think I'm bizarre, the woman who chooses to eat by herself in the cemetery and walks around lost in thought, muttering snatches of dialogue to herself.
On the other hand, I have inspiration! I have two weeks, I still may throw this out and start afresh, but this is good.
If only my "real job" weren't interfering with my research time! Drat!
I'm sure my coworkers think I'm bizarre, the woman who chooses to eat by herself in the cemetery and walks around lost in thought, muttering snatches of dialogue to herself.
On the other hand, I have inspiration! I have two weeks, I still may throw this out and start afresh, but this is good.
If only my "real job" weren't interfering with my research time! Drat!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Argh
I didn't want to post today, because I feel like I haven't done anything worthwhile today. But I'm trying to be more accountable, so here I am.
Actually, today I discovered that an online pal is also doing NaNo, so she and I can commiserate, at least. Also, she sent me a link to a good site for name meanings.
But I am stuck, seriously stuck, on a subject for this novel. I've considered and trashed a lot of ideas at this point. I'm terrified of picking something awful, getting several thousand words in, and finding I hate my subject and can't continue! Also, all my ideas seem too formulaic and overdone. Sigh.
I spent some time reading Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales today, and there was one I liked a lot, but I'm not sure I can do much with the themes. Maybe I'll be inspired while I sleep tonight.
Or maybe I'll finally finish reading Harry Potter.
See, yet another issue. How long have I been reading this now? A month? Granted, the middle was boring, but I used to be able to dash through books, boring or no, in a matter of days. I thought people who complained about having no time once the baby was born were either whiners or bad time managers. Boy was I wrong.
Actually, today I discovered that an online pal is also doing NaNo, so she and I can commiserate, at least. Also, she sent me a link to a good site for name meanings.
But I am stuck, seriously stuck, on a subject for this novel. I've considered and trashed a lot of ideas at this point. I'm terrified of picking something awful, getting several thousand words in, and finding I hate my subject and can't continue! Also, all my ideas seem too formulaic and overdone. Sigh.
I spent some time reading Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales today, and there was one I liked a lot, but I'm not sure I can do much with the themes. Maybe I'll be inspired while I sleep tonight.
Or maybe I'll finally finish reading Harry Potter.
See, yet another issue. How long have I been reading this now? A month? Granted, the middle was boring, but I used to be able to dash through books, boring or no, in a matter of days. I thought people who complained about having no time once the baby was born were either whiners or bad time managers. Boy was I wrong.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Of Stores and Cemeteries
Today during lunch I got off my butt, left the internets behind, and went for an inspirational walk.
I was beginning to feel hopeless about the novel that I haven't even started (because all my ideas are crap and I couldn't possibly write something worth reading). I've already started and abandoned several--okay, dozens--of novels and plays for exactly that reason.
But then I took a walk, to re-inspire myself, and disovered two great things:
1. There is a Border's Books & Music 5 minutes from my office, and
2. There is a small, old (1876) cemetery on the way.
I love old cemeteries--wandering there, wondering about the people whose lives are captured in such brief words on granite. And the names! My favorites of today: Hepzibah and Hester. Nobody uses those any more.
At Border's, I wandered around, thinking about whatever books caught my eye, and expanded/refined my lists of what I do and don't like in novels. A sampling:
Some Themes/Things I do like:
Plucky female heroines
People triumphing in the face of adversity/extraordinary/calamitous circumstances
People sacrificing everything for love
The family ties that bind and gag
Dark/sad/serious novels
A quick, terse writing style, that assumes the reader is intelligent
Realistic (truthful) relationships
Stories based on true stories/art/other novels
Subtle but important moral themes
Some Themes/Things I don't like:
Vapid chick-lit that focuses on shoes, sex, shopping, and landing a huband/dreamy boyfriend
Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels
Romance novels
Mystery/Thriller novels
Dialogue that is too "on the nose" (too obvious and unrealistic)
Un-funny humor
Intellectual for the point of being intellectual, not artistic/good noveling choices
Novels bogged down in historical details
Obvious and forced moral themes
Now the trick is to choose a subject/themes that I do like, and not fall into something I don't like because I think I should or it would be easier.
I was beginning to feel hopeless about the novel that I haven't even started (because all my ideas are crap and I couldn't possibly write something worth reading). I've already started and abandoned several--okay, dozens--of novels and plays for exactly that reason.
But then I took a walk, to re-inspire myself, and disovered two great things:
1. There is a Border's Books & Music 5 minutes from my office, and
2. There is a small, old (1876) cemetery on the way.
I love old cemeteries--wandering there, wondering about the people whose lives are captured in such brief words on granite. And the names! My favorites of today: Hepzibah and Hester. Nobody uses those any more.
At Border's, I wandered around, thinking about whatever books caught my eye, and expanded/refined my lists of what I do and don't like in novels. A sampling:
Some Themes/Things I do like:
Plucky female heroines
People triumphing in the face of adversity/extraordinary/calamitous circumstances
People sacrificing everything for love
The family ties that bind and gag
Dark/sad/serious novels
A quick, terse writing style, that assumes the reader is intelligent
Realistic (truthful) relationships
Stories based on true stories/art/other novels
Subtle but important moral themes
Some Themes/Things I don't like:
Vapid chick-lit that focuses on shoes, sex, shopping, and landing a huband/dreamy boyfriend
Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels
Romance novels
Mystery/Thriller novels
Dialogue that is too "on the nose" (too obvious and unrealistic)
Un-funny humor
Intellectual for the point of being intellectual, not artistic/good noveling choices
Novels bogged down in historical details
Obvious and forced moral themes
Now the trick is to choose a subject/themes that I do like, and not fall into something I don't like because I think I should or it would be easier.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Progress Update #3
I finished the column! And I sent it in, a whole day before the cutoff! Now to wait for my first official rejection letter.
As a result of my finishing the column this morning, I have a very grouchy husband and baby to contend with. It's hard, all this prioritizing of time. I try to work in the middle of the night when they're sleeping, but it doesn't always happen.
On the other hand, yeay! I sent it in!
Now we're off for a day of fun and friends downtown.
As a result of my finishing the column this morning, I have a very grouchy husband and baby to contend with. It's hard, all this prioritizing of time. I try to work in the middle of the night when they're sleeping, but it doesn't always happen.
On the other hand, yeay! I sent it in!
Now we're off for a day of fun and friends downtown.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Progress Update #2
I have finished my first draft of the column! Now to edit.
Okay, actually I finished my first draft 2 days ago but was away on a business trip with limited access and no time to edit. I couldn't sleep without getting it done, so I stayed up late into the night, and of course paid for it the next day when I could barely stay awake during my training.
I hope to send it out tomorrow (due Sunday at the latest), so my plan is to edit while my daughter naps tomorrow morning. I hope.
My husband and I had another one of those stupid conversations about how broke we are. Stupid because we have them practically every day, with no solution in sight, and a very depressing outlook. This adds yet more pressure to actually sell something. And the pressure makes it harder to write. Sigh.
Okay, actually I finished my first draft 2 days ago but was away on a business trip with limited access and no time to edit. I couldn't sleep without getting it done, so I stayed up late into the night, and of course paid for it the next day when I could barely stay awake during my training.
I hope to send it out tomorrow (due Sunday at the latest), so my plan is to edit while my daughter naps tomorrow morning. I hope.
My husband and I had another one of those stupid conversations about how broke we are. Stupid because we have them practically every day, with no solution in sight, and a very depressing outlook. This adds yet more pressure to actually sell something. And the pressure makes it harder to write. Sigh.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Writing an Article in 20 Steps
1. Feel the urge to write something.
2. Sit at the computer. Get comfortable.
3. Open a Word document.
4. Stare.
5. Quickly bang out an opening sentence.
6. Quickly delete said opening sentence.
7. Check e-mail.
8. IM with friend who happens to be online.
9. Conclude conversation, telling friend you "must get to work."
10. Go to kitchen, prepare and consume snack.
11. Pace apartment, noting flaws in housekeeping. Consider doing a chore.
12. Return to computer, check forums for new messages.
13. Write a list of ways to procrastinate, and post list on blog.
14. Audition different colors for blog.
15. Read other blogs, chosen at random using "next blog" feature, to note color schemes.
16. Think about how you should learn a foreign language, because on your next trip the French/German/Italian fruit vendors will be so impressed when you order in their language.
17. Guiltily pull up Word document again and pour out some aimless drivel.
18. Edit.
19. E-mail to publisher.
20. You're done! You have finished your first column. Bask in the glory while contemplating the theme for your novel.
2. Sit at the computer. Get comfortable.
3. Open a Word document.
4. Stare.
5. Quickly bang out an opening sentence.
6. Quickly delete said opening sentence.
7. Check e-mail.
8. IM with friend who happens to be online.
9. Conclude conversation, telling friend you "must get to work."
10. Go to kitchen, prepare and consume snack.
11. Pace apartment, noting flaws in housekeeping. Consider doing a chore.
12. Return to computer, check forums for new messages.
13. Write a list of ways to procrastinate, and post list on blog.
14. Audition different colors for blog.
15. Read other blogs, chosen at random using "next blog" feature, to note color schemes.
16. Think about how you should learn a foreign language, because on your next trip the French/German/Italian fruit vendors will be so impressed when you order in their language.
17. Guiltily pull up Word document again and pour out some aimless drivel.
18. Edit.
19. E-mail to publisher.
20. You're done! You have finished your first column. Bask in the glory while contemplating the theme for your novel.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Progress Update #1
Last night I completed a draft of my column! I also re-read old columns until I fell asleep, somewhere around midnight, just before the baby woke up. And so it goes.
Of course I have some misgivings about my topic, but I'm going to continue to play with it and condense what I wrote, and see if I can get a good, funny column out of it. Or I still might scrap it altogether, but I have hope that it will work out. I hesitate to post about my ideas here for fear of stealing, so I may take this down later, but I'm currently writing about our first backpacking trip with Baby. It's amusing, and it's a contained incident, so there's not the whole cosmos full of ideas that I have to choose from.
In other news, this morning is Columbus Day, so Christopher's at work, and I'm playing SAHM with the baby. It's fun! She's napping, and I updated our family website, took out the trash, and ironed. I wish I had this time every day.
Tomorrow we leave for a 4-day work trip for me. Since I'm the main food source for Edythe and Christopher can telecommute, they are coming with me. I'm really, really pushing to get the column finished and submitted before we leave, which means all cleaning and packing need to happen during the day today, so I can write after she goes to bed. I am a whirling dervish of productivity!
Still no ideas about the novel.
Of course I have some misgivings about my topic, but I'm going to continue to play with it and condense what I wrote, and see if I can get a good, funny column out of it. Or I still might scrap it altogether, but I have hope that it will work out. I hesitate to post about my ideas here for fear of stealing, so I may take this down later, but I'm currently writing about our first backpacking trip with Baby. It's amusing, and it's a contained incident, so there's not the whole cosmos full of ideas that I have to choose from.
In other news, this morning is Columbus Day, so Christopher's at work, and I'm playing SAHM with the baby. It's fun! She's napping, and I updated our family website, took out the trash, and ironed. I wish I had this time every day.
Tomorrow we leave for a 4-day work trip for me. Since I'm the main food source for Edythe and Christopher can telecommute, they are coming with me. I'm really, really pushing to get the column finished and submitted before we leave, which means all cleaning and packing need to happen during the day today, so I can write after she goes to bed. I am a whirling dervish of productivity!
Still no ideas about the novel.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Procrastination
The truly great thing about a new blog, especially a new blog one hasn't publicized to friends and family yet, is that one can waste a lot of time fiddling around with different colors and fonts. How can I expect to be inspired without a truly excellent background color? It's a good thing I don't know how to upload pictures yet.
My goal for the end of the weekend, which is technically Monday night due to Columbus Day, is to write my column for the Post, and decide on a topic for the novel. Yes.
The plan of attack includes reading this week's Washington Post Magazine, and rereading old columns I've enjoyed, to see what qualities I can discern that I can also incorporate into my column. But first I need to play with the colors again. And fold the laundry.
And now I am having an asthma attack.
My goal for the end of the weekend, which is technically Monday night due to Columbus Day, is to write my column for the Post, and decide on a topic for the novel. Yes.
The plan of attack includes reading this week's Washington Post Magazine, and rereading old columns I've enjoyed, to see what qualities I can discern that I can also incorporate into my column. But first I need to play with the colors again. And fold the laundry.
And now I am having an asthma attack.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Goals
I have given myself two deadlines, because I think they will help me to stay focused.
October 14: submit an original column to the Washington Post Magazine.
November 1-30: complete a novel for NaNoWriMo.
October 14: submit an original column to the Washington Post Magazine.
November 1-30: complete a novel for NaNoWriMo.
The Always Intimidating First Post
The blank page. Is there anything more intimidating?
This blog is my little (free!) way to document my quest to:
* welcome more creativity into my life
* engage in some creative writing, and
* have it published!
Academic and professional papers are no problem; I've even had a few published. But I've lost confidence in my creative writing abilities, and now the thought of writing without parameters sets me in a cold panic. How will I know what to write about, and whether it's any good, if nobody is there to give me an A? What if my writing is stupid, or insipid, or worst of all, boring?
And why now? I have a baby, a full time job, a husband who works and goes to school, three cats, and a mortgage to pay. I do not have any free time to spend writing.
Because I believe we each get one life to live, and because this is what I want, what I have always wanted, to spend my life doing. Because the thought of not doing it is more frightening than the thought of doing it. Because I want my daughter to learn that creativity and dedication are to be valued.
Because I want to be able to call myself a writer.
This blog is my little (free!) way to document my quest to:
* welcome more creativity into my life
* engage in some creative writing, and
* have it published!
Academic and professional papers are no problem; I've even had a few published. But I've lost confidence in my creative writing abilities, and now the thought of writing without parameters sets me in a cold panic. How will I know what to write about, and whether it's any good, if nobody is there to give me an A? What if my writing is stupid, or insipid, or worst of all, boring?
And why now? I have a baby, a full time job, a husband who works and goes to school, three cats, and a mortgage to pay. I do not have any free time to spend writing.
Because I believe we each get one life to live, and because this is what I want, what I have always wanted, to spend my life doing. Because the thought of not doing it is more frightening than the thought of doing it. Because I want my daughter to learn that creativity and dedication are to be valued.
Because I want to be able to call myself a writer.
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