This is a blog about writing about Enlightenment developing via a life of adventure.
I just returned from a four-day trip, to teach a course of the Transcendental Meditation technique, arguably an activity that has everything to do with the development of Enlightenment.
In my excellent adventure, I fell behind in my writing.
My husband drove the two, five hour trips to Kansas City, where I've been teaching TM for seven and a half years (>250 trips during those years). And I wrote in the car, both ways. We stayed four days and three nights, and I wrote in the odd 10 minute spaces between various meetings, or shopping, or visits with friends.
We did this trip in about the shortest amount of time possible. And I still fell behind by about 3000 words.
I admit that when I'm at home, I have a rather flexible schedule. I now am REALLY impressed with anyone who accomplishes the NaNoWriMo goal and also has a full-time job. Whatever those people are doing, they are way ahead of me. More power to them. They're also probably way closer to Enlightenment than me....
Today is November 19. I have until November 30 to complete the 50,000 words.
I remain optimistic. Maybe that's an enlightened outlook?
Monday, November 19, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
NaNoWriMo: No Idea if this will flow
NaNoWriMo: 50,000 words in 30 days = first draft of a novel
Being a perfectionist, I find a nagging worry that the scenes I keep throwing at the page (gotta get those 1666 words/day done) may end up producing -- just a series of scenes. Will they flow, keep the reader engaged from one scene to another, wanting to find out what happens next, all the way to the end? (oh, please, oh, please)
I read to my husband. He loves it. Of course, he has no bias, at all.
I take the, probably stupid, chance of reading to someone out of the family. My question: "Does it sound like a book? One you'd read off the bookstore shelf?"
I even offered to read a scene at my husband's birthday party. Yes, I did. Pity me, please.
Nobody took me up on my offer. My husband has very wise friends.
As a journalist, I'd produce 1666 words in a day, in a finished news piece, easy. Of course, when one has an editor yelling "where is that quote!" you find the way to locate the data, to fit into the sentences, to tell the news, to make the editor happy, to keep your job.
Now, I pick up a pen and notebook, during the 15 minute break in a performance. Or I sit down, open the computer and try to figure out what NEXT should I do to my protagonist, because I now realize there needs to be SOMETHING happen, before I can get her to that next important turning point.
It's harrying. It's exhilarating.
Being a perfectionist, I find a nagging worry that the scenes I keep throwing at the page (gotta get those 1666 words/day done) may end up producing -- just a series of scenes. Will they flow, keep the reader engaged from one scene to another, wanting to find out what happens next, all the way to the end? (oh, please, oh, please)
I read to my husband. He loves it. Of course, he has no bias, at all.
I take the, probably stupid, chance of reading to someone out of the family. My question: "Does it sound like a book? One you'd read off the bookstore shelf?"
I even offered to read a scene at my husband's birthday party. Yes, I did. Pity me, please.
Nobody took me up on my offer. My husband has very wise friends.
As a journalist, I'd produce 1666 words in a day, in a finished news piece, easy. Of course, when one has an editor yelling "where is that quote!" you find the way to locate the data, to fit into the sentences, to tell the news, to make the editor happy, to keep your job.
Now, I pick up a pen and notebook, during the 15 minute break in a performance. Or I sit down, open the computer and try to figure out what NEXT should I do to my protagonist, because I now realize there needs to be SOMETHING happen, before I can get her to that next important turning point.
It's harrying. It's exhilarating.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
NaNoWriMo: Relentless flow of words
Day number 7, of 30, with a goal of 1650 words per day.
Without a detailed outline, I can't see how anyone would complete this task. Unless they're willing to accept filler and tangential musings, which if that's how someone is able to write their story--more power to them!
Me, I'm doing it the hard way (of course), and editing into a fairly cohesive manuscript as I go along.
My goal is to produce those 1650 words each day, since if I miss a day, then the next -- or some other day -- will have to be twice or thrice as productive.
Honestly, I find myself too often in the evening checking the word count, and going for one more sentence. Then checking again. And another sentence. How much closer to the goal?
For example, today, I feel like I've written a lot. But the page demands 660 more words.
Okay, I can go back to my outline, and see the next goal, so my characters better get cracking on this scene to fulfill that goal.
In my first story, there was a six-month period when I wrote nothing, because I had no idea of what I should write in order to get to the end.
In the end, I am assured, it simply comes down to putting one more word on the page. Just like walking through life, I'm guessing. One step at a time.
Without a detailed outline, I can't see how anyone would complete this task. Unless they're willing to accept filler and tangential musings, which if that's how someone is able to write their story--more power to them!
Me, I'm doing it the hard way (of course), and editing into a fairly cohesive manuscript as I go along.
My goal is to produce those 1650 words each day, since if I miss a day, then the next -- or some other day -- will have to be twice or thrice as productive.
Honestly, I find myself too often in the evening checking the word count, and going for one more sentence. Then checking again. And another sentence. How much closer to the goal?
For example, today, I feel like I've written a lot. But the page demands 660 more words.
Okay, I can go back to my outline, and see the next goal, so my characters better get cracking on this scene to fulfill that goal.
In my first story, there was a six-month period when I wrote nothing, because I had no idea of what I should write in order to get to the end.
In the end, I am assured, it simply comes down to putting one more word on the page. Just like walking through life, I'm guessing. One step at a time.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Character, Theme, Structure; New Mac!
Just a few days away from the 31 days of writing the first draft of a novel. About 19% of the people who begin NaNoWriMo accomplish this original goal, although a much higher percentage get much further along in the projects than otherwise, I suspect.
Time will tell if I am part of the 19%
In these days, I have been hard at work outlining this story (a new experience, since I had very little idea of how to do this, in regards to my first book-length story). And have found that Larry Brooks' StoryFix site and his "Story Engineering" book to be tremendously helpful. Many thanks to Larry.
This process is about:
Finetuning the characters -- particularly the heroine. Alexa aspires to be bold, but she's shy. So, how to make her really likable for readers? That would be story arc, and a good deal of work to accomplish in a smooth, believable manner.
Identifying the Theme(s) -- something that could be allowed to just appear on their own. But I'd like my stories to connect to the reader's heart -- or gut -- as well as give them a good time and giggle along the way. A theme that resonates and develops and reaches the mountaintop: THAT's what I'm talkin' about.
Delivering the action -- at just the right moment in the novel's structure. The more I study and hearken back onto good books and movies I've known, the more I see that certain turns of plot at certain points in the story are crucial for the reader's visceral experience. They are markers along the way that show the story is heading in a direction that will make sense.
An aside note: I just ordered a new computer! My current Macintosh is seven years old, is run by a pre-Intel chip (i.e. speaks "Japanese" when every other computer speaks "French" or "English"), and is no longer supported by most Internet browsers. I love using things for a very long time (my Toyota is at 243,000 miles), but sometimes it's just time. So, a MacBook Air is on its way to me -- hopefully to last another seven years.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Outline Plot for 2nd Book for NaNoWriMo; thanks
My first efforts at fiction were like jumping into the pool, and figuring out how to get to the other side. It's a technique, that took two years.
This time, since I will (in order to "win" in NaNoWriMo) complete a first draft with at least 50,000 words, within the 31 days of November, I am trying another technique: outline first, write second.
In these last few months, I have taken a few writing courses via the Internet. For example, the Writer's Digest is a a very good source of guidance.
I have a growing sense that there is a renaissance in the craft of story telling. Perhaps after decades of people playing the passive game of just watching television or movies, now there is more interest in reading. Maybe Harry Potter really did have a magical effect, other than what requires the support of Hollywood.
Anyway, there is now a LOT of superior support out there for writers. The Creative Penn, K.M. Weilland, and StoryFix by Larry Brooks are several that stand out, at least for me.
Larry Brooks, in particular, has been massively helpful in helping me understand the technology of a gripping story, the type we all know -- mostly by watching our favorite movies.
Brooks' details on what types of information for the reader should come at which point in the story (since we all feel comfortable with certain turns of events at certain times) seem to be VERY helpful.
Of course, the proof will be in the pudding, or the reading.
This time, since I will (in order to "win" in NaNoWriMo) complete a first draft with at least 50,000 words, within the 31 days of November, I am trying another technique: outline first, write second.
In these last few months, I have taken a few writing courses via the Internet. For example, the Writer's Digest is a a very good source of guidance.
I have a growing sense that there is a renaissance in the craft of story telling. Perhaps after decades of people playing the passive game of just watching television or movies, now there is more interest in reading. Maybe Harry Potter really did have a magical effect, other than what requires the support of Hollywood.
Anyway, there is now a LOT of superior support out there for writers. The Creative Penn, K.M. Weilland, and StoryFix by Larry Brooks are several that stand out, at least for me.
Larry Brooks, in particular, has been massively helpful in helping me understand the technology of a gripping story, the type we all know -- mostly by watching our favorite movies.
Brooks' details on what types of information for the reader should come at which point in the story (since we all feel comfortable with certain turns of events at certain times) seem to be VERY helpful.
Of course, the proof will be in the pudding, or the reading.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Challenge with First Draft? Write the Sequel: NaNoWriMo
As I wrote the first draft of my story, the characters and line of logic became stronger and more focused. And, the beginning third got left behind.
Come up with more drama, less prose, and that first part stands a chance of keeping the reader's attention.
Probably not a good idea, however, to introduce a completely new source of drama in the first part. On the other hand, I could move some sources of tension into the story sooner.
A decision must be made. Is one of the current bad guys really bad, or is he just inept? If he's really bad, then he would be capable of the action I planned for him in the second book of this trilogy. But if he's inept, then he fits the need for the first book -- and all badness focuses on the one, true evil guy.
My solution: write the second book. Then I will know with certainty the threads that must be laid in the first book.
NaNoWriMo, or more specifically NoNaNoWriMo (November National Novel Writing Month), is close. Can I do a first draft in one month? Gulp. It took me two years for this first draft. Nothing ventured out onto the NaNoWriMo limb, no potential leap into the multiple book realm gained.
I'm in.
Come up with more drama, less prose, and that first part stands a chance of keeping the reader's attention.
Probably not a good idea, however, to introduce a completely new source of drama in the first part. On the other hand, I could move some sources of tension into the story sooner.
A decision must be made. Is one of the current bad guys really bad, or is he just inept? If he's really bad, then he would be capable of the action I planned for him in the second book of this trilogy. But if he's inept, then he fits the need for the first book -- and all badness focuses on the one, true evil guy.
My solution: write the second book. Then I will know with certainty the threads that must be laid in the first book.
NaNoWriMo, or more specifically NoNaNoWriMo (November National Novel Writing Month), is close. Can I do a first draft in one month? Gulp. It took me two years for this first draft. Nothing ventured out onto the NaNoWriMo limb, no potential leap into the multiple book realm gained.
I'm in.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
5000 words out
This is my first effort with fiction. Journalism I know: Fiction was a complete mystery.
Until I got about half-way through the first draft.
Then, the flow began, and my completely uncritical spouse began to say, that sounds great! (always good to have a completely uncritical listener, at first) Even considering the source of this input, my gut says the story became, by the end, way better than the words I put on the screen early in the process.
In my own life, I work to keep everything smooth and drama free. And that's pretty much how I wrote that first third of the story. Now in the second draft, even I am scanning over vast tracts of boring verbiage. Ergo, 5000 words are exited from the manuscript, all from the first third of the story.
Now, I must figure out how to make the first third of the story as interesting as the last third.
Drama. More drama. And not just any drama. The kind that builds into the fascinating stuff near the end.
Perhaps introduce certain concepts/people earlier in the story -- or if I must, smooth in new ideas -- to produce the surprises at the end.
And those fascinating details I thought would be really cool to include but just didn't make sense later? Tickle them out so no one is the wiser.
Like weaving a tapestry, and go back to add new colors at the beginning to predict those that appear by the end. Also, extricate useless colors all along the way, one stitch at a time.
Until I got about half-way through the first draft.
Then, the flow began, and my completely uncritical spouse began to say, that sounds great! (always good to have a completely uncritical listener, at first) Even considering the source of this input, my gut says the story became, by the end, way better than the words I put on the screen early in the process.
In my own life, I work to keep everything smooth and drama free. And that's pretty much how I wrote that first third of the story. Now in the second draft, even I am scanning over vast tracts of boring verbiage. Ergo, 5000 words are exited from the manuscript, all from the first third of the story.
Now, I must figure out how to make the first third of the story as interesting as the last third.
Drama. More drama. And not just any drama. The kind that builds into the fascinating stuff near the end.
Perhaps introduce certain concepts/people earlier in the story -- or if I must, smooth in new ideas -- to produce the surprises at the end.
And those fascinating details I thought would be really cool to include but just didn't make sense later? Tickle them out so no one is the wiser.
Like weaving a tapestry, and go back to add new colors at the beginning to predict those that appear by the end. Also, extricate useless colors all along the way, one stitch at a time.
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