After a very much needed weekend of resting up, relaxing and spending time with my Fiance, here it is - Monday. A new day of a new week.
Last Friday, I spent part of the time trying to figure out what I am going to do with my writing. Due to maintaining a schedule of working swing shift, helping around the apartment and planning a wedding in August, I needed to establish a definite writing schedule. No more of this, sit down in front of a computer without any sense of direction.
It used to be that I allowed the creative flow to come naturally and upon its own terms. It would, but at the most inconvenient times. I would stay up several nights, depriving myself of much needed sleep, or neglect those around me when it came to my writing. Most of this came about due to the lack of realizing the most important thing I needed to do. Something that I had read about in books. Set aside a writing time where it is for my writing. Not only that, but in this writing time, have established writing goals and start each writing session with a writing warm up.
So, I did. I looked at how much time I have from when I wake up in the morning, till the time I have to leave for work and found that within the past several months (if I had done this earlier), I would have produced several first draft manuscripts.
Instead of kicking myself in the rear and lamenting on my poor insight, determination and ability to manage my time more wisely, I sat down and produced a realistic set of writing goals, a workable writing schedule that is flexible.
A schedule that I definitely am able to manage from week to week.
Thus, my writing schedule is Monday thru Friday, 6.30 am till 11.30 am.
At 11.30 am, I am doing all necessary household chores, running all necessary errands that need to be run, attend necessary appointments that need to be tended to; as well as getting ready for work.
This is a first time for me, and being a Monday, a new day of a new week, I am looking forward to making this a definite habit and being productive with my writing and time.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Why Can't I write?
Yes, that is correct. This post is about why I can't write. Why I can't seem to find the motivation to sit down and do that which my heart desires.
I mean, come on now. I work swing shift and I wake up every morning between 6 am and 7 am, crawl out of bed as my fiance is heading out the door and off to work and I plop right down in the chair and stare at the computer screen.
The quick answer to this is distractions and lack of self-discipline.
Instead of using my time wisely, instead of actually starting off with a free write session to flex my creative muscles, I veg out into cyber space and dink around. Before I know it, it is time to get ready for work. Time to peel off the jammies, shower and fix up a lunch to eat at home and dinner to take to work.
Thus, the reason why I feel complacent and lethargic. I am choosing to be unproductive. Choosing to be lazy with my writing.
No, I have not sat down and write out what I want to accomplish.
This is the most dangerous thing for any hard core writer is to become complacent, to become distracted.
What is the resolution? Set up a writing goal and treat it as a regular job.
You would not be complacent in your employment would you? I know I can't be complacent at work. I have to be ever vigilant, ever moving and ever on my toes.
I need to work on my writing more than just saying I am going to work on my writing, but structuring my time more wisely.
Until then, I will be all talk and no action.
I mean, come on now. I work swing shift and I wake up every morning between 6 am and 7 am, crawl out of bed as my fiance is heading out the door and off to work and I plop right down in the chair and stare at the computer screen.
The quick answer to this is distractions and lack of self-discipline.
Instead of using my time wisely, instead of actually starting off with a free write session to flex my creative muscles, I veg out into cyber space and dink around. Before I know it, it is time to get ready for work. Time to peel off the jammies, shower and fix up a lunch to eat at home and dinner to take to work.
Thus, the reason why I feel complacent and lethargic. I am choosing to be unproductive. Choosing to be lazy with my writing.
No, I have not sat down and write out what I want to accomplish.
This is the most dangerous thing for any hard core writer is to become complacent, to become distracted.
What is the resolution? Set up a writing goal and treat it as a regular job.
You would not be complacent in your employment would you? I know I can't be complacent at work. I have to be ever vigilant, ever moving and ever on my toes.
I need to work on my writing more than just saying I am going to work on my writing, but structuring my time more wisely.
Until then, I will be all talk and no action.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Hook your reader
Almost every book, every article and any piece of advice I have come across suggests the same thing. Hook your reader. Gain your reader's attention. Give your reader a reason to care and desire to continue on.
It is likened to the fact that first impressions are always a lasting impression. An individual has approximately 30 seconds to provide a first impression to someone. Think of the job interviews you have gone to, meeting new co-workers, people out and about. Think of even the people you have dated and how you met them.
It is the same thing in writing. You have the first sentence or two to gain a reader's interest. If a writer does not successfully hook a reader into their well crafted story, the reader is not going to get past the first paragraph, let alone sit and spend time reading a 300-500 page book. Especially in todays society where they have the internet and are able to find a plethora of things to read.
Yet, not only do you have to gain the reader's attention, but if you can't gain the attention of a Literary Agent, an Editor, your book is not going to make it of the slush pile and into a printed form to be carried by bookstores.
Thus, the most fundamental thing a writer must do is to find creative ways to draw the reader into the world of their story. Allow the reader to emphasize with the character.
No matter if your story is a mystery, thriller, literary, romance or even a short story, the principle is still the same.
One of the most effective ways to develop a good hook is to take a look at what you have already read. Go to your bookshelf and pick out five or six books. Look at how the different authors employ a hook in their opening sentence. Then, in your writing exercise, spend time coming up with various opening sentences.
Write an opening sentence that begins with dialogue. Then, one with action. Another with scene.
The attempt is to grab the reader and pull them in. Whether it is through subtle words that paint an image or an action that grabs them by the proverbial collar and drag them into the world you have succinctly painted.
One of the best opening sentences in Literature is from Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
A simple sentence that is very enduring. While we are not able to write in such literary styles today (due to cultural influence and society changes), the process and element is still the same.
Another way to look at this is depending on what type of story you are wanting to tell. If you are writing a romance, open up with something sensual, something that is attractive.
She knew in that very moment he would be her downfall. Yet, she allowed her desires, her yearnings to pull him closer as their lips softly collided.
If you are writing a mystery, always open with some type of action.
One look at her and I knew I was in trouble in more ways than one.
If you are writing in a more literary style, or mainstream type fiction then subtle and simplicity may be the best route for an opening sentence.
The drive is unusually quiet this time. Casually, I would periodically glance over to see her fidget, straightening out the summer dress she wore. Her hands busy, fussing with her hair.
"Do I look alright?" She asked softly. I turned my eyes back to the road, taking a moment to formulate an answer.
"You look fine, Jackie," I softly replied. The whining of the tires against the country road echoed in the otherwise quiet car as she continued to fidget, adjust and then fuss with her hair. Women, I could never understand them sometimes.
The above paragraphs are more of a literary style and approach. It is employing a more subtle opening that brings the reader into a more casual environment. The reader is curious as to why the drive is quiet. Why the character is glancing over to the woman and why the woman is fidgeting. Quesitons arise. What is he thinking? What is she thinking? Why is she fidgeting and he is calm? Were exactly are they heading?
It is the sense of discovery. A sense of wanting to know and resolve whatever questions that arise in the readers mind.
Another important element in opening sentences and paragraphs is that concerning pacing. You don't want to open your story with a bang and then suddenly drop the pace, the tone, the style down to where the reader suddenly becomes excited only to become disappointment. A prime example of what not to do is this:
There was blood.
I watched as his body slumped out of the chair, colliding onto the floor. The cigar he was gnawing on slipped out of his chapped lips. The white shirt staining with the crimson fluid as it started coagulating around him.
The reason I killed him was because he drew his weapon and so I ended his life. What a pity.
The reader is caught up in the action...until the action abruptly stops. Who cares what the reason was, what the reader wants is more action. The reader doesn't care for why, but what is going to happen next. Using the same opening, let us look at what is more appropriate:
There was blood.
I watched as his body slumped out of the chair, colliding onto the floor. The cigar he was gnawing on slipped out of his chapped lips. The white shirt already stained from the crimson fluid as it started pooling around him.
Biting through the pain that exploded from my shoulder, I fell back against the wall. The scent of blood mingled with carbine stung my nostrils. I finally lowered the hand canon and slumped to the floor. Damn bastard had to draw his weapon.
Notice that the second opening set of paragraphs actually keep the pace. The first one stops abruptly.
The point here is that without a good opening sentence that immediately engages your reader, it does not matter how well crafted your prose is. The reader is not going to get past the first words.
Grab them, hook them, give the reader a reason to want to read what you have written. After all, that is what the whole purpose of telling a story is, right? Getting the reader from point A to point Z.
It is likened to the fact that first impressions are always a lasting impression. An individual has approximately 30 seconds to provide a first impression to someone. Think of the job interviews you have gone to, meeting new co-workers, people out and about. Think of even the people you have dated and how you met them.
It is the same thing in writing. You have the first sentence or two to gain a reader's interest. If a writer does not successfully hook a reader into their well crafted story, the reader is not going to get past the first paragraph, let alone sit and spend time reading a 300-500 page book. Especially in todays society where they have the internet and are able to find a plethora of things to read.
Yet, not only do you have to gain the reader's attention, but if you can't gain the attention of a Literary Agent, an Editor, your book is not going to make it of the slush pile and into a printed form to be carried by bookstores.
Thus, the most fundamental thing a writer must do is to find creative ways to draw the reader into the world of their story. Allow the reader to emphasize with the character.
No matter if your story is a mystery, thriller, literary, romance or even a short story, the principle is still the same.
One of the most effective ways to develop a good hook is to take a look at what you have already read. Go to your bookshelf and pick out five or six books. Look at how the different authors employ a hook in their opening sentence. Then, in your writing exercise, spend time coming up with various opening sentences.
Write an opening sentence that begins with dialogue. Then, one with action. Another with scene.
The attempt is to grab the reader and pull them in. Whether it is through subtle words that paint an image or an action that grabs them by the proverbial collar and drag them into the world you have succinctly painted.
One of the best opening sentences in Literature is from Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
A simple sentence that is very enduring. While we are not able to write in such literary styles today (due to cultural influence and society changes), the process and element is still the same.
Another way to look at this is depending on what type of story you are wanting to tell. If you are writing a romance, open up with something sensual, something that is attractive.
She knew in that very moment he would be her downfall. Yet, she allowed her desires, her yearnings to pull him closer as their lips softly collided.
If you are writing a mystery, always open with some type of action.
One look at her and I knew I was in trouble in more ways than one.
If you are writing in a more literary style, or mainstream type fiction then subtle and simplicity may be the best route for an opening sentence.
The drive is unusually quiet this time. Casually, I would periodically glance over to see her fidget, straightening out the summer dress she wore. Her hands busy, fussing with her hair.
"Do I look alright?" She asked softly. I turned my eyes back to the road, taking a moment to formulate an answer.
"You look fine, Jackie," I softly replied. The whining of the tires against the country road echoed in the otherwise quiet car as she continued to fidget, adjust and then fuss with her hair. Women, I could never understand them sometimes.
The above paragraphs are more of a literary style and approach. It is employing a more subtle opening that brings the reader into a more casual environment. The reader is curious as to why the drive is quiet. Why the character is glancing over to the woman and why the woman is fidgeting. Quesitons arise. What is he thinking? What is she thinking? Why is she fidgeting and he is calm? Were exactly are they heading?
It is the sense of discovery. A sense of wanting to know and resolve whatever questions that arise in the readers mind.
Another important element in opening sentences and paragraphs is that concerning pacing. You don't want to open your story with a bang and then suddenly drop the pace, the tone, the style down to where the reader suddenly becomes excited only to become disappointment. A prime example of what not to do is this:
There was blood.
I watched as his body slumped out of the chair, colliding onto the floor. The cigar he was gnawing on slipped out of his chapped lips. The white shirt staining with the crimson fluid as it started coagulating around him.
The reason I killed him was because he drew his weapon and so I ended his life. What a pity.
The reader is caught up in the action...until the action abruptly stops. Who cares what the reason was, what the reader wants is more action. The reader doesn't care for why, but what is going to happen next. Using the same opening, let us look at what is more appropriate:
There was blood.
I watched as his body slumped out of the chair, colliding onto the floor. The cigar he was gnawing on slipped out of his chapped lips. The white shirt already stained from the crimson fluid as it started pooling around him.
Biting through the pain that exploded from my shoulder, I fell back against the wall. The scent of blood mingled with carbine stung my nostrils. I finally lowered the hand canon and slumped to the floor. Damn bastard had to draw his weapon.
Notice that the second opening set of paragraphs actually keep the pace. The first one stops abruptly.
The point here is that without a good opening sentence that immediately engages your reader, it does not matter how well crafted your prose is. The reader is not going to get past the first words.
Grab them, hook them, give the reader a reason to want to read what you have written. After all, that is what the whole purpose of telling a story is, right? Getting the reader from point A to point Z.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Is writing your passion?
Sit back and ask yourself this question. How passionate am I about writing? The reason I am postulating this question is not for my benefit of having something to say, or provide some tidbit of advice to those who would love to sit down and write. But, the main reason I pose this question to you is for your own personal reasons as to why you would like to write.
Most people that I have engaged in conversation tend to say some things that are quite disturbing to me. Most of the time, and the most common response I receive when the discussion is about writing, is where someone says to me: "Oh, I used to write all the time, but I don't have the time...maybe, someday I will get back to writing."
Personally, they are not turly writers. These type of people played around with it at some point in their life, possibly entertained the idea of maybe writing something, but lacked the inner drive. The passion to actually sit down and craft something. Essentially, it boils down to this. A Writer is an artist. And, as an artist can't keep from doodling, drawing, interpreting the world around them - so, also, a writer is passionate about his words, how he/she interprets the world around us. Writers have a natural tendency to want to tell a story, not hoping to someday tell a story.
Picture it this way. Would you ever by a brand new car if you simply say to yourself - Oh, someday I will buy a new car, but right now, I would rather walk. Or, someday, I will meet the person I am meant to be with, but until then, I will lock myself up and not venture out. The only true hope that writers have is the hope that an agent, an editor or someone would take a chance on them and say "Yes, I will publish your work". That is the only hope and desire of every writer.
So, the question. How passionate about writing are you? If the passion you have to write is where you wake up every day and desire to write something down, no matter how nonessential it may be, then you have the desire to be a writer. If you have the drive and determination to find the time to write something, then you are truly a writer. If you are inspired and kick yourself mentally for not having something to write it down, hoping you can keep the thought going long enough to find something to write with and something to write it down on, then you have the passion to write.
Only you can personally answer this question. No one can answer for you. It is a personal question that already has a yes or no answer to. That answer is actions and not words.
To those who consistently say, but I don't have time, or I will never really make it, I feel I don't have much to say....ect. You are not a true writer at heart. You are a hopeful writer.
Until you are able to cross the threshold from hopeful to actuallity, then you have answered the question.
Most people that I have engaged in conversation tend to say some things that are quite disturbing to me. Most of the time, and the most common response I receive when the discussion is about writing, is where someone says to me: "Oh, I used to write all the time, but I don't have the time...maybe, someday I will get back to writing."
Personally, they are not turly writers. These type of people played around with it at some point in their life, possibly entertained the idea of maybe writing something, but lacked the inner drive. The passion to actually sit down and craft something. Essentially, it boils down to this. A Writer is an artist. And, as an artist can't keep from doodling, drawing, interpreting the world around them - so, also, a writer is passionate about his words, how he/she interprets the world around us. Writers have a natural tendency to want to tell a story, not hoping to someday tell a story.
Picture it this way. Would you ever by a brand new car if you simply say to yourself - Oh, someday I will buy a new car, but right now, I would rather walk. Or, someday, I will meet the person I am meant to be with, but until then, I will lock myself up and not venture out. The only true hope that writers have is the hope that an agent, an editor or someone would take a chance on them and say "Yes, I will publish your work". That is the only hope and desire of every writer.
So, the question. How passionate about writing are you? If the passion you have to write is where you wake up every day and desire to write something down, no matter how nonessential it may be, then you have the desire to be a writer. If you have the drive and determination to find the time to write something, then you are truly a writer. If you are inspired and kick yourself mentally for not having something to write it down, hoping you can keep the thought going long enough to find something to write with and something to write it down on, then you have the passion to write.
Only you can personally answer this question. No one can answer for you. It is a personal question that already has a yes or no answer to. That answer is actions and not words.
To those who consistently say, but I don't have time, or I will never really make it, I feel I don't have much to say....ect. You are not a true writer at heart. You are a hopeful writer.
Until you are able to cross the threshold from hopeful to actuallity, then you have answered the question.
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