I was accepted to the Tin House Writing Workshop, my first acceptance based on a submission of my writing. It was quite a compliment!
And yet I have written very little the last few weeks. Maybe its a change in the weather. I finally, last minute, completed a 500 word submission to Bona Fide Books. It feels good to submit something. Maybe I will shake the cobwebs from my brain and put some more words on the page!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Prunes and Rejection
I received my first rejection today. Although I tried to prepare myself in advance, it was still a disappointment. Unfortunately, the staples of drowning disappointment (wine and chocolate) were not to be found in my bare pantry. I dug around, even removing the ever present can of beets from four Thanksgiving's ago to find a bag of prunes. I imagined they looked a little like chocolate as I popped them in my mouth. Honestly, the prunes were a sorry substitution.
I have been toying with the notion of committing to freewriting for 20 minutes a day, using a different writing prompt each time. However, this still seems like too difficult a goal.
I added up my work for the last week. A total of 15 hours seems impressive, but much of that was in audiobook listening. I listened to The Hunger Games and could not stop. It is so wonderful to become absorbed in a really great story! I wish I could write a story in the same amount of time it takes to listen to one.
I have been toying with the notion of committing to freewriting for 20 minutes a day, using a different writing prompt each time. However, this still seems like too difficult a goal.
I added up my work for the last week. A total of 15 hours seems impressive, but much of that was in audiobook listening. I listened to The Hunger Games and could not stop. It is so wonderful to become absorbed in a really great story! I wish I could write a story in the same amount of time it takes to listen to one.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Lice and mining
Writing is like trying to get lice out of your hair. The tiny eggs are in there, all tangled up in the hairs. They itch, so you know they exist, but you can't see them with your eyes. You have to dilligently comb all those tiny eggs out, even after you have used the special medicated shampoo. It can take hours. Some people give up and cut all their hair off, but that doesn't rid them of the eggs.
Writing is also like mining. You hope there is a vein of precious stones somewhere beneath the surface. You choose a spot to start your mine. Then, you have to sift through tons and tons of earth using huge bulldozers to strip the earth. You send the earth through finer and finer sorting devices. You try water, maybe chemicals. Eventually you get small chunks of what could be diamonds. But these are dull and uninteresting. They have to be cut and polished and pampered. The end result is something small and beautiful.
I am trying to think about writing as a game of volume. Maybe only 10% of what I write is good. This means I have to write quite a bit to be able to cut out the 90% that is crap and be left with a diamond, the size of a novel!
I haven't done much mining lately. I am overwhelmed by my novel. I feel as though I have made so little progress, and there is so much left to do. Admittedly, I am luxuriating in my self pity and its a bit pathetic.
I should explain where I am at with my novel. I have 100 pages of basic stream of consciousness that I wrote during NaNoWriMo in November. I have been working on revising that nugget into a workable first draft. I have 3 chapters that actually resemble a story. Sometimes, when I work on revision too much, I feel stuck. I am going to experiment with more freewriting for awhile, and put the revision process aside. I am going to try using writing prompts to see if I can get the juices going a bit.
So far, all I have done is listen to audiobooks for 4 hours this week. Its something I guess.
Writing is also like mining. You hope there is a vein of precious stones somewhere beneath the surface. You choose a spot to start your mine. Then, you have to sift through tons and tons of earth using huge bulldozers to strip the earth. You send the earth through finer and finer sorting devices. You try water, maybe chemicals. Eventually you get small chunks of what could be diamonds. But these are dull and uninteresting. They have to be cut and polished and pampered. The end result is something small and beautiful.
I am trying to think about writing as a game of volume. Maybe only 10% of what I write is good. This means I have to write quite a bit to be able to cut out the 90% that is crap and be left with a diamond, the size of a novel!
I haven't done much mining lately. I am overwhelmed by my novel. I feel as though I have made so little progress, and there is so much left to do. Admittedly, I am luxuriating in my self pity and its a bit pathetic.
I should explain where I am at with my novel. I have 100 pages of basic stream of consciousness that I wrote during NaNoWriMo in November. I have been working on revising that nugget into a workable first draft. I have 3 chapters that actually resemble a story. Sometimes, when I work on revision too much, I feel stuck. I am going to experiment with more freewriting for awhile, and put the revision process aside. I am going to try using writing prompts to see if I can get the juices going a bit.
So far, all I have done is listen to audiobooks for 4 hours this week. Its something I guess.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Has it been a week already?
I am surprised it has been so long since I have posted. I have been listening to audiobooks as usual. I spent 3 hours at Tangled Roots Writing this week, and learned some amazing new writing prompts. I am going to start a section on the blog for great writing prompts. I came home totally inspired, but I fell asleep and had to get back to the old grind. The inspiration wore off as the week wore on.
I also submitted a poem to another poetry contest. Into the universe it comes!
Add another 7 hours to the total
I also submitted a poem to another poetry contest. Into the universe it comes!
Add another 7 hours to the total
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Look out universe, here it comes!
I submitted a poem to the poetry prize for the Indiana Review. I have no illusions about my chances, but I feel a little thrill of excitement just the same! I embrace rejection, and I temper this with a smidgen of hope.
I don't usually write poetry. Frankly, I don't get most poems. What the hell do these random assortments of words mean anyway? During a writing workshop we had a particularly interesting prompt, and Benedetto was born. The funny thing was, I actually liked my poem! With a line like "it's the pig cheese," how could I not?
I've done a fair bit of reading today. Add another 90 minutes to the total.
I don't usually write poetry. Frankly, I don't get most poems. What the hell do these random assortments of words mean anyway? During a writing workshop we had a particularly interesting prompt, and Benedetto was born. The funny thing was, I actually liked my poem! With a line like "it's the pig cheese," how could I not?
I've done a fair bit of reading today. Add another 90 minutes to the total.
The Short Story and Wine
I may have fallen in love with the short story. I never realized the short story was such a wonderful lover. Short, sweet, undemanding, no committment, the short story is like a one night stand. Some are good, and some are really good. Since I am not one that wants to waste my time with the bad, I have been reading The Best American Short Stories of 2010 edited by Russo. This is one high yield book.
I also discovered last night, after two glasses of wine, that a little disinhibition can go a long way. I felt free in my mind, once the wine kicked in. I managed a few pages of free writing that definitely took risk. The risk is where the good stuff of writing lives! I guess the little gnome muse of mine that lives in the bottom of a cave which is accessible only by down climbing a frozen waterfall really likes a little wine. He prefers red.
Project time
Audiobook 1 hour
Freewriting 30 minutes
Short story 30 minutes
Total added: 2hours
I also discovered last night, after two glasses of wine, that a little disinhibition can go a long way. I felt free in my mind, once the wine kicked in. I managed a few pages of free writing that definitely took risk. The risk is where the good stuff of writing lives! I guess the little gnome muse of mine that lives in the bottom of a cave which is accessible only by down climbing a frozen waterfall really likes a little wine. He prefers red.
Project time
Audiobook 1 hour
Freewriting 30 minutes
Short story 30 minutes
Total added: 2hours
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Time, a precious thing
I spent Monday night enjoying a writing workshop at Tangled Roots Writing. Listening to the other writer's read their work is my favorite part. One writer read a story, and I couldn't stop laughing. Being able to make someone laugh is a truly special thing, harder than making them cry.
As usual, on my work days I write less. Thank goodness that I can listen to audiobooks in the car to amuse myself with a good story. The critical factor remains the narrator. A great narrator fills my ear with the story. A bad narrator can ruin the best book ever written. I also find that I prefer to listen to books that are filled with action and dialog. Too much exposition becomes boring quick, then I lose my place and am confused. I also find a short but pungent image can really fill the sense; however, with long flowery sections of scene details I end up getting distracted.
Writing workshop = 2 hours
Audiobook listening = 3 hours
I will subtract another 5 hours from the goal!
Happy reading, writing, and listening.
As usual, on my work days I write less. Thank goodness that I can listen to audiobooks in the car to amuse myself with a good story. The critical factor remains the narrator. A great narrator fills my ear with the story. A bad narrator can ruin the best book ever written. I also find that I prefer to listen to books that are filled with action and dialog. Too much exposition becomes boring quick, then I lose my place and am confused. I also find a short but pungent image can really fill the sense; however, with long flowery sections of scene details I end up getting distracted.
Writing workshop = 2 hours
Audiobook listening = 3 hours
I will subtract another 5 hours from the goal!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Snow Day
So it's snowing. It's snowing alot. They called this storm a "snowicane," a mountain hurricane. As a result, I spent much of the day reading and writing. I am pleased to add an additional 4 hours to the total.
On audiobook, I am listening to an interview with Stephen King. He is a delight to listen to!
On my bedside table, sits stacks of books. I read the most incredible short story today, published by One Story. K.L Cook wrote Filament, and it is a beautiful and tragic story. I had recently subscribed to One Story. This was the first issue. They send one story at a time, thus it feels less overwhelming. I gobbled it up with my morning cup of tea!
I also started The Pillars of the Earth today, by Ken Follett. A friend lent it to me. I have seen the miniseries already, which was captivating. I realized I better dig in, since it is nearly 1000 pages and I want to return the book to my friend in the year 2011!
I also spent time blogging (I am kind of enjoying this), and revising Chapter 2 and 3 of my novel.
Total: 4 hours
On audiobook, I am listening to an interview with Stephen King. He is a delight to listen to!
On my bedside table, sits stacks of books. I read the most incredible short story today, published by One Story. K.L Cook wrote Filament, and it is a beautiful and tragic story. I had recently subscribed to One Story. This was the first issue. They send one story at a time, thus it feels less overwhelming. I gobbled it up with my morning cup of tea!
I also started The Pillars of the Earth today, by Ken Follett. A friend lent it to me. I have seen the miniseries already, which was captivating. I realized I better dig in, since it is nearly 1000 pages and I want to return the book to my friend in the year 2011!
I also spent time blogging (I am kind of enjoying this), and revising Chapter 2 and 3 of my novel.
Total: 4 hours
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Some good writing?
I pushed through the resistance today. I noticed that I became reactive and overly stressed at work, immediately gobbling down 3 large chocolate chips cookies and putting my pancreas on notice. I found, as usual, the rise and crash of my insulin levels (like the stock market and the tsunami) are not actually helpful as a coping strategy. Isn't the definition of crazy doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result?
So, I tried writing as a coping skill. Bingo! It actually works. I spent 90 minutes tonight revising Chapter 2 of my novel and writing character notes on my heroine. I forced myself to work on the revision. Sometimes the process of writing a novel is overwhelming!
Total time today: blogging 30 min, audiobook 90 min, novel revision 90 minutes.
3.5 hours
Note to self: more writing, less sugar.
So, I tried writing as a coping skill. Bingo! It actually works. I spent 90 minutes tonight revising Chapter 2 of my novel and writing character notes on my heroine. I forced myself to work on the revision. Sometimes the process of writing a novel is overwhelming!
Total time today: blogging 30 min, audiobook 90 min, novel revision 90 minutes.
3.5 hours
Note to self: more writing, less sugar.
Still trucking along
I try to soak up inspiration like a sponge. I believe wisdom can come at you from any direction. If you keep your head down and wear earplugs, you will miss it. I try to keep my eyes wide, but sometimes I miss the messages too. If an opportunity comes, I want to be open to saying "yes."
I applied for the Stanford Certificate in Writing (Novel) this week. Whether I will be accepted or not is not the most important thing. I believe strongly in throwing out to the universe my intentions. If I don't say anything, who will listen?
I have been contemplating attending a writer's workshop this summer. Ideas I have contemplated include Squaw Valley Writer's Workshop, Mendocino Coast Writer's Workshop, Thrillerfest, Napa Valley Writer's Conference, and the Iowa Writer's workshop. If I could only attend them all! Alas, practicality intervenes. I am definitely applying to Squaw Valley and crossing my fingers that I will be accepted. I change my mind about attending one more on a daily basis. Stay tuned!
This week, I will be working on rewriting a poem I wrote on Valentine's Day. I don't usually like to write poetry, as my inner critic cannot be held back on this particular genre! I visualize my inner critic as a man. Hmm. What would Freud say about that? This man can be gagged on occasion. He tends to be quiet during writing workshops (I have no idea why). But he is not a fan of my few and feeble attempts at poetry. He did like my Valentine's poem, perhaps because it was written to a man! I also plan on submitting the finished poem to a poetry contest. Again, if I don't speak, who will listen?
Yesterday I listened to an audiobook again for another hour. Sue Grafton E is for Evidence. I rarely read a book or watch a movie twice. I just don't have the time to repeat things! But, I am relistening to all the Sue Grafton novels on audiobook. I am finding they are as delightful as ever. In fact, I remember very few details of her early works so it is like listening to a new story.
An additional 1 hour of work. 9,991 hours to go!
I applied for the Stanford Certificate in Writing (Novel) this week. Whether I will be accepted or not is not the most important thing. I believe strongly in throwing out to the universe my intentions. If I don't say anything, who will listen?
I have been contemplating attending a writer's workshop this summer. Ideas I have contemplated include Squaw Valley Writer's Workshop, Mendocino Coast Writer's Workshop, Thrillerfest, Napa Valley Writer's Conference, and the Iowa Writer's workshop. If I could only attend them all! Alas, practicality intervenes. I am definitely applying to Squaw Valley and crossing my fingers that I will be accepted. I change my mind about attending one more on a daily basis. Stay tuned!
This week, I will be working on rewriting a poem I wrote on Valentine's Day. I don't usually like to write poetry, as my inner critic cannot be held back on this particular genre! I visualize my inner critic as a man. Hmm. What would Freud say about that? This man can be gagged on occasion. He tends to be quiet during writing workshops (I have no idea why). But he is not a fan of my few and feeble attempts at poetry. He did like my Valentine's poem, perhaps because it was written to a man! I also plan on submitting the finished poem to a poetry contest. Again, if I don't speak, who will listen?
Yesterday I listened to an audiobook again for another hour. Sue Grafton E is for Evidence. I rarely read a book or watch a movie twice. I just don't have the time to repeat things! But, I am relistening to all the Sue Grafton novels on audiobook. I am finding they are as delightful as ever. In fact, I remember very few details of her early works so it is like listening to a new story.
An additional 1 hour of work. 9,991 hours to go!
Friday, March 18, 2011
The show down between enthusiasm and life
It's already Friday. It has been a long difficult week, as usual. The enthusiasm for this new project did produce more involvement in the world of imagination that might otherwise have occurred this week. On Wednesday I listened to an audiobook for 90 minutes in the car (Sue Grafton, D is For Deadbeat). On Thursday, I managed to continue listening to the audiobook for 90 minutes. I credit this to the delight I experience when listening to Sue Grafton. She has created the most wonderful character in Kinsey Milhone. I love that she uses the first person point of view. I also feel her use of voice is brilliant. Over and over I am pulled back into the story with a particularly delightful and original image.
Last night I also read the short story Safari by Jennifer Egan. I loved that story! Her narrator spending time in the minds of different characters was inventive and exciting. She mastered this without being confusing. I found the distinct voice of each character to be true to the character. I am enjoying reading The Best American Short Stories of 2010, edited by Richard Russo. It is a delightful read.
As for my own writing, just this blog. Hopefully more today!
Add an extra 4 hours to the total!
9,992 hours to go!
Last night I also read the short story Safari by Jennifer Egan. I loved that story! Her narrator spending time in the minds of different characters was inventive and exciting. She mastered this without being confusing. I found the distinct voice of each character to be true to the character. I am enjoying reading The Best American Short Stories of 2010, edited by Richard Russo. It is a delightful read.
As for my own writing, just this blog. Hopefully more today!
Add an extra 4 hours to the total!
9,992 hours to go!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Day 1: 4 hours
I have decided to count today as the first day. This does negate the reading and writing I have done during my entire life, but I feel that I cannot estimate that in a reasonable way. I will call the work done previously "gravy."
Tonight, I read from the book Imaginative Writing by Janet Burroway. I also wrote in my journal, wrote my first blog, and applied to the Stanford Writing Certificate. This was a total of 4 hours.
Only 9,996 to go!
Tonight, I read from the book Imaginative Writing by Janet Burroway. I also wrote in my journal, wrote my first blog, and applied to the Stanford Writing Certificate. This was a total of 4 hours.
Only 9,996 to go!
The Journey Begins
This is my first blog. I aspire to be a writer. Inspired by Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers, I have decided to commit to 10,000 hours of writing. I will use this blog to chronicle my journey.
To say that I am having a moment of inspiration is so cliche. In fact, it feels like more of an eruption. I floored it on the drive home, eagerly awaiting the moment when I could fit pen to paper. I got home, tore off my clothes (I do my best work in my pajamas), microwaved my dinner (A. I hate cooking B. One must not write on an empty stomach), then I flung my materials onto my bed. A bed is really the perfect desk. Notebook, journal, highlighter, pen, computer, writing magazines, book on writing, cover the duvet. I admit the remote control is on the bed, but the TV is on mute.
I started reading the book Imaginative Writing, by Janet Burroway. I was focused on learning about voice when I flung the book aside (truly it was dramatic) and started writing this blog. In fact, I am typing as fast as I can and pressing so hard on the keys it makes my fingers ache a little. It feels so good to have a few moments of peace and quiet where I can just write.
I have the most lovely image in my mind of my muse...It is a cave (I think in Norway) but the opening is in the ground. A gaping hole in the earth from which a frozen waterfall descends underground. I suit up in preparation to enter. Long underwear, thick socks, waterproof pants, fleece jacket, gortex jacket, gloves, boots, hat, backpack, crampons, ice ax, headlamp, food, water. I put on my climbing harness, fasten an anchor, and tie in to the rope. I self belay for all the climbers out there.
I climb down the waterfall and into the cave. I eventually reach the bottom, and I find the little man that resides there. Call him what you will: gnome, hobbit, dwarf. He points me in the direction of my journey.
I find the 10,000 hours concept very exciting. I love a huge goal that may take years to accomplish. Oddly enough, I am finding it easy to define tasks and areas of study for this 10,000 hours. Which is surprising since "aspiring to be a good writer," is such a vague concept. I have never been one to shy away from volumes of work. My list of books to read grows longer and longer every day. I am beginning to realized that between work, family obligations, exercise, and writing, I may need to give up TV.
This is a challenging dilemma. TV or no TV? That is the question. Some people prance about bragging that they don't have cable, but they spend hours on the computer! Netflix does count as watching TV, whether its on your big screen or laptop. If not giving up TV, where can I steal the 10,000 hours from? This is a 20 hour a week committment for 10 years! But I'm going to have to make an exception for Mad Men, because its just so good!
I'm going to log my writing hours, reading hours, and audiobook hours on this blog. I am also going to count "blogging time."
To say that I am having a moment of inspiration is so cliche. In fact, it feels like more of an eruption. I floored it on the drive home, eagerly awaiting the moment when I could fit pen to paper. I got home, tore off my clothes (I do my best work in my pajamas), microwaved my dinner (A. I hate cooking B. One must not write on an empty stomach), then I flung my materials onto my bed. A bed is really the perfect desk. Notebook, journal, highlighter, pen, computer, writing magazines, book on writing, cover the duvet. I admit the remote control is on the bed, but the TV is on mute.
I started reading the book Imaginative Writing, by Janet Burroway. I was focused on learning about voice when I flung the book aside (truly it was dramatic) and started writing this blog. In fact, I am typing as fast as I can and pressing so hard on the keys it makes my fingers ache a little. It feels so good to have a few moments of peace and quiet where I can just write.
I have the most lovely image in my mind of my muse...It is a cave (I think in Norway) but the opening is in the ground. A gaping hole in the earth from which a frozen waterfall descends underground. I suit up in preparation to enter. Long underwear, thick socks, waterproof pants, fleece jacket, gortex jacket, gloves, boots, hat, backpack, crampons, ice ax, headlamp, food, water. I put on my climbing harness, fasten an anchor, and tie in to the rope. I self belay for all the climbers out there.
I climb down the waterfall and into the cave. I eventually reach the bottom, and I find the little man that resides there. Call him what you will: gnome, hobbit, dwarf. He points me in the direction of my journey.
I find the 10,000 hours concept very exciting. I love a huge goal that may take years to accomplish. Oddly enough, I am finding it easy to define tasks and areas of study for this 10,000 hours. Which is surprising since "aspiring to be a good writer," is such a vague concept. I have never been one to shy away from volumes of work. My list of books to read grows longer and longer every day. I am beginning to realized that between work, family obligations, exercise, and writing, I may need to give up TV.
This is a challenging dilemma. TV or no TV? That is the question. Some people prance about bragging that they don't have cable, but they spend hours on the computer! Netflix does count as watching TV, whether its on your big screen or laptop. If not giving up TV, where can I steal the 10,000 hours from? This is a 20 hour a week committment for 10 years! But I'm going to have to make an exception for Mad Men, because its just so good!
I'm going to log my writing hours, reading hours, and audiobook hours on this blog. I am also going to count "blogging time."
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