Curiosity, Creativity and Going with it.

Sometimes curiosity killed the cat, hopefully not so this time. Currently, I have finished my short and now my current WIP is surrounding my mind like saran wrap. Creativity is a wondrous thing.
In the past I have just jumped right into stories that pull at me this strongly. This is the first time I have forced myself to wait and finish what I had previously started. Now the characters are so vivid in my head. It is almost like I took them all for full check ups and they are all healthy and ready to go.
I have learned so much in the past few years and learn more everyday about our Craft that I am hoping to have fun with the piece for now, just go with it and in the end have something I can work.
Curiosity got me to research, creativity has me wanting to write, write, write and now I gotta just go with it. Hope all of you are going with your WIP. Have fun.

When the Well Runs Dry

You can’t draw from a dry well. Same thing when your creative juices are low, writing suffers. You need to recharge. Here are some tips.
• Read- Curl up with your favorite author or catch up on the bogs. It never hurts to find out what everyone else is writing.
• Chill- Downtime is not always bad. Step back and get refocused. Go to the Mall and do some people watching. Observe and take notes.
• Journal- Daily entries will get you on track and keep you there.
• Workshops- Sign up for an on-line class or mix and mingle with other writers whenever the opportunity arises.
• Music- Turn up the volume. Bonnie Raitt’s sultry love songs work for me.
• Walk- When you can’t put two sentences together, go for a walk. Get some oxygen flowing to the brain.
• Write- Write, write, write. It will come.

First Draft VS. Finished Manuscript

Novice writer: Would you critique my story? It's about a man who loses everything; his wife, his kids, his job. But he turns his life around after a meeting with a soothsayer.

Experienced writer: Sounds interesting. Is it finished?

Novice writer: Yep. Just wrote the last half of it this morning.

Experienced writer: You just finished it? Have you edited it?

Novice writer: I don't need to. It's fine. You'll see.

Does this exchange sound familiar to you? If you've been in critique groups for as long as I have, I'm sure it does. Personally, I don't get it. Why wouldn't you read over your work a multitude of times, sometimes out loud, and find places that need cutting, reworking, or more detail before having someone critique it? If you don't, you're wasting the critiquer's time and your own time. They'll point out problems you could have found on your own. The level of the critique won't be as deep because the prose won't be written well enough to flow.

So why would anyone give someone something to critique that they haven't edited themselves? I have a few reasons:

1) They were in a hurry and there was a deadline for the critique (They could solve the problem by rescheduling the deadline or apologizing for the fact the manuscript is not polished, advising the critiquer to ignore grammatical and spelling errors, and concentrate on the plot line instead).

2) They're cocky about their work (We all are to a certain extent, but some people seem to think their work would float on water indefinitely).

3) They don't know how to edit their own work (Let them know there are several great books on how to self-edit out there).

And last but not least:
4) They'd rather have you do their work for them (This, I'm afraid, is all too common).

Experienced writer: You need to go through your manuscript with a fine toothed comb before I can look at it. I'm sure it's very good, but I'd like to read it when it's the best you can make it.

Novice writer: What makes you think it's not the best now?

Experienced writer: How are you at playing the piano?

Novice writer: Huh? Uh...I can play "Chopsticks" on it.

Experienced writer: Would you be interested in playing a concerto for an audience tonight? My place?

Novice writer: (laughs) How could I? I haven't practiced for it.

Experienced writer: Think about your manuscript as playing "Chopsticks" for a discerning audience. Wouldn't you rather be able to play "Moonlight Serenade"?

Novice writer: (after a beat) How about you look at my work next month, after I've revised it?

Experienced writer: Perfect.

Top Ten Tuesday...

Yikes...I missed my slated blog post yesterday. I could probably come up with a dozen reasons why, but the truth is, there was only one thing on my mind yesterday. Swim lessons. As the mother of two young boys I have developed a heightened respect for water safety. Hence, proper swim lessons --- at the hands of professionals --- is at the top of my summer priority list. I'm happy to report that day one went swimmingly :-)

Since my brain has shifted into summer mode, I thought I would make this post very light and fluffy. Here are some of my favorite things to enjoy during the warmer months:

1. Drink: Blue Hawaiian


2. Accessory: Flip flops


3. Activity: Flying kites at the beach


4. Food: Grilled turkey burgers with fried mushrooms


5. Get-a-way: Cape Cod


6. Book that I re-read every Summer: Paradise by Judith McNaught (it's really long, which is a plus when you're spending a full day at the ocean)


7. Memory: Playing miniature golf at Bass River (Cape Cod) with my siblings every July; as the youngest I always came in last place!


8. Song: "Come Monday" by Jimmy Buffett


9. Bringing my laptop outside; although I tend to write less during the months of July and August, I love working with a soft breeze and the sounds of birds singing in the background.


10. Baseball!!!! Red Wings, Red Sox, and my own little guys playing in the yard are all part of the fabric of my summer.

What do you enjoy most during this time of year?

oops

Sorry I missed my blog day. My new puppy was having surgery and I forgot about the blog. Mea Culpa. Other than the dog my life is pretty much the same. I have very nearly finished the book I am writing about my husband. I am going to self publish it as I don't think people who didn't know Bill will be interested.
My critique partner Donna Collins has a wealth of ideas for the group. I think it might be a good idea to poll the members and see what cool ideas all of the membership have. This group has had many ups and downs and I am more than pleased to see the cream rise to the top.
All of the officers are doing a great job and the group itself is far more welcoming than it had been in the past. This LCRW is the best one yet and I've been through several.
I am more than mid point in my current wip and am attending a small press signing in August at Barnes and Nobel at Greece Ridge Center. Will update as the date gets closer.
Again I am sorry I missed the proper day and will endevor never to have it happen again.
Dee

Writing is my high...

I realized something tonight. Writing is my high.

I went to the creative writing group at Barnes and Nobles. As usual it was a great learning experience and great fun.

When I got home, my hubby and I talked and I realized that writing, and discussing writing had me all jacked up. I felt happy and animated and energized.

What a great way to get high!

Writing makes me happy. It's what I need to do and always have, since I was a kid.

Writing makes me feel alive because I'm truly doing what I was meant to do.

It's better than a high, better than any anti-depressant. Being true to myself brings me pleasure. Go figure.

I am thankful for my gift, and I am thankful to have realized my purpose in life. (Besides family of course.)

Life is short. Each day is precious. Each day is a gift. Each minute is a gift. Take what gifts you have and use them. Do what makes you happy.

(Unless of course murder is what makes you happy - reconsider - and then get therapy. Lots of therapy.)

But seriously, each human being is unique.

What is your gift? What brings you joy? I suggest you find out and start devoting time to it. Your authentic self will thank you.

Let's reminisce...

I'm tossing this out to everyone because I'd like to know...what were the first stories you ever wrote?

I'm fortunate enough to have a notebook of stories I wrote in either the first or second grade. They're mostly about kids who are different and the teasing they endured. You can look at it from a psychological viewpoint if you wish.

My sister and I also came up with characters that we made into comics and picture books. I was about seven then. I still have all fifty or so of them. Some were "touch and feel" books where we pasted in food. Those are a tad on the gross side. Although if you ever ate prepackaged brownies in the 70's, they're probably taking up residence in your stomach, completely untouched.

When I was thirteen I wrote my first "novel." It was about what would happen to my friend, my sister and I when we became adults. I actually wrote sex scenes, despite being clueless about how everything worked. I believe it was the only time I've ever written romance. :)

Do you remember some of the first stories you wrote? I'd love to hear about them!

Kim

Rejection or Second Chance

Got a big fat rejection yesterday. I was crushed. Two months of every spare minute went into that story. Only to have my hopes dashed as soon as I clicked on that email.
The vague form rejection with the name of my story inserted stated that my story was carefully evaluated, but wasn’t quite right for them. No constructive criticism as to where it was lacking. No hint of what was wrong. Even their apology sounded hollow.
Half a bag of Keebler Chips Deluxe cookies later, I’m feeling better. So I got rejected, big deal. I wrote, took a chance, and now, I’ll rewrite.
The basic story is good, so I’ll tweak here, cut there, and polish the characters. I’ll find a new market and try again.
How many times in life do you get a do-over? Baseball players who strike out don’t get a do-over. You’re not going to get a do-over in Vegas if the dice and cards are cruel.
I’m going to redo that story and count my luck stars. Rejections aren’t so bad.

Rumors

I heard a rumor a while back that disturbed me. Someone told me that big authors like Nora Roberts don't have to write anymore. They simply come up with an outline for a story and someone else writes it.

I guess I don't believe that rumor. I can't think of anything worse than having someone else write my story idea. After writing hundreds of books I think I'd still feel the same way.

If it was true, why be a writer?

Writers that are disciplined and write two or three books a year, or more, have always impressed and inspired me.

So I don't believe it. These men and women are dedicated, disciplined, and have mastered their craft.

Comparing is bad...

I read a manuscript that is very bad, and I think, I can write much better than that, I have a chance to get published.

I read a manuscript or a published book that is very good, and I think, OH GOD, I have so far to go and I write like a kindergartner compared to so and so.

Man oh man, is it a good idea to compare? I don't think so. Instead I shall strive to see things in other's writing that I can do or not do. Emulate the parts I like and check my work to avoid what I don't.

Sometimes I wish I could read my work with fresh eyes, have temporary amnesia, so I could read like a reader.

Maybe that's why people always say to put it on a shelf for a couple of weeks. Maybe I'll try it.:)