Some days you find what you didn't know you were looking for.....today it was on Anna Lucia's blog, http://anna-lucia.blogspot.com/. Having been in a blue funk for days this seems just the right things to turn me around. So here goes:
1. I have the most wonderful husband in the world
2. My three kids are happy and healthy (despite the daily battles with dd)
3. The sun is shining today
4. I am going to Venice with my husband in June
5. I have managed to write something today
6. Two dear friends are getting married soon
7. I love my home in Cornwall
8. I am blessed with wonderful friends
9. My faith keeps me sane
10. I am in good health
So today I am smiling and I'm writing. It's a great day!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Blue Funk
As I write this I am feeling a tad better. The past two days I have been a blue funk. A heavy heavy heart and weary body and mind weighed me down. I haven't written a word so my revised goal of 50k by the end of tomorrow is nigh on impossible unless I drink red bull all day long. That is not a huge tragedy as I well over original target.
With A Cornish House, I know where I am going at the moment and can see it clearly in my head but I feel if I start writing at present my characters will all fall into a fearful depression....like a great climatic low is sitting over them. Sometimes writing through a blue funk is good but right now I don't think so.......I will be hanging my head in shame on Friday at the coffee.
Book club was Monday and we read - that is all except for me, Notes on a Scandal......I had managed 45 pages. Pitiful but hey when I am full on writing I am too drained I think to read much. So yesterday and today I have been continuing with that and still working on Night Watch. Maybe I should pick up one of the happier titles from the tbr pile????
With A Cornish House, I know where I am going at the moment and can see it clearly in my head but I feel if I start writing at present my characters will all fall into a fearful depression....like a great climatic low is sitting over them. Sometimes writing through a blue funk is good but right now I don't think so.......I will be hanging my head in shame on Friday at the coffee.
Book club was Monday and we read - that is all except for me, Notes on a Scandal......I had managed 45 pages. Pitiful but hey when I am full on writing I am too drained I think to read much. So yesterday and today I have been continuing with that and still working on Night Watch. Maybe I should pick up one of the happier titles from the tbr pile????
Monday, February 26, 2007
New Challenger Steps Up
A. Writer has taken up the challenge at http://awriters-blog.blogspot.com/. That makes five is you count me. Surely there are a few more who will jump into the fray????
I did not write today. The crows of doubt are circling around her at the moment. There is good reasons for this but I won't go into it now.
However on an up note, I heard from a friend that had been out of touch for a while. Her life has turned around beautifully and is on a great track again. I felt so pumped up to here all her news. So there are some things around to make me smile!
I did not write today. The crows of doubt are circling around her at the moment. There is good reasons for this but I won't go into it now.
However on an up note, I heard from a friend that had been out of touch for a while. Her life has turned around beautifully and is on a great track again. I felt so pumped up to here all her news. So there are some things around to make me smile!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Challenger Update
Nichola has joined the brave.....here http://thesoupisgettingcold.blogspot.com/2007/02/novel-race-challengeblame-liz-for-this.html ....Any more takers?
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Challengers
Just a quick update.....two fellow racers have so far taken up the challenge. B.E. Sanderson at http://i-shrugged.blogspot.com/ and Lisa at http://hesitantscribe.blogspot.com/. Very different styles but very compelling work......go have a look. Any other takers racers or not?
Friday, February 23, 2007
It's Friday
Well, not a bad week at all and I have until 5:30 to write today! It will be coffee over at Kate's shortly and I won't have to hold my head down since this week's total so far is 7000 +. :-)
Yesterday I was lucky enough to have lunch with a friend, who's an agent. Yes, I am very lucky. We brain stormed over August Rock and the critique I had done on it. Some the items are easily fixed but one item, the part of Toby by 13 yr. old ghost, is a little more problematic if I'm trying for the UK market. It could fly with a ghost but it may limit the market too much yet Toby's chapter's are some of the strongest in the book. How to alter the work keeping Toby's story intact.......two strong possibilities emerged. So while I work away on A Cornish House hopefully the subconscious part of my mind will resolve the Toby problem. By the way she had absolutely no problem with an American heroine.
Reading through fellow racers blogs this week, I noted the A. Writer was willing to put her writing out there for comment early. At a previous coffee we have discussed whether you are a shower or a hider.....most being hiders. Me too but one of the best exercises that I have ever done was prompted by Julie Cohen's, http://www.julie-cohen.com/blog, first page challenge. I posted both the first page for August Rock and the few words that I had written for A Cornish House. The process involved putting in your thoughts about the page and your motivation for the words. I shamefacedly had never looked that closely at my on work. I wrote and edited but never looked at the whys. I let myself off as I am rediscovering my craft after years away from fiction. The best part of the exercise was other people's comments, http://lizfenwick.blogspot.com/2006/11/first-page-challenge.html. In particular for me those of Laura Vivanaco of the blog Teach Me Tonight, http://teachmetonight.blogspot.com/.
So thinking about all of this made me think now 45,000 or so into A Cornish House would it be a good idea to throw the first page out there again and challenge my fellow racers and anyone else to do the same???? Any takers? I was also thinking I would enjoy seeing my fellow racers styles (some are published so there styles are out there so to speak but some of us aren't).
Herewith the first page of A Cornish House:
The car coughed to a halt and lurched as the trailer pushed it further on the dark lane.
“Shit.” Madde thumped the steering wheel.
“What?”
Madde turned to see Serena rubbing her eyes; her blond hair in spiky disarray and the new tattoo on her arm peeking out from her tee-shirt. Double shit thought Madde. They couldn’t be far from where ever the hell Carnew was but now that Serena was awake she could hear her complaints already. She turned the key but no sound emerged from the engine.
“Are we at this God-forsaken place?” Serena stretched.
“Errr, no. The car died.”
“What?”
“The car died.”
“I heard that but where are we?” Serena was now sitting straight.
“Don’t know.”
“Christ.”
“Mind your language.” Madde ran her fingers over the wheel.
“Hah, fine thing to say. I just heard you swearing. What’s wrong with Christ anyway?”
“We’ve been down this road before.”
“No we haven’t.”
“Don’t be pedantic.” Madde rubbed her hands over the back of her neck. She could feel the rigid tendons. “Serena, I’m tired I’ve been driving for hours and arguing isn’t going to help.”
“So?”
I haven't put my comments in the text like last time as I thought you might like to read it first with out my thoughts and then read my thoughts so they don't prejudice your own.
I am trying to set up tension with the setting - dark road-dead car. Also the conflict between Madde and Serena is right there and crucial to the whole of the book. Also that Serena definitely doesn't want to be where she is. I wanted Serena's stroppy voice to come through and Madde's restraint.....I hope all of this shows and makes you want to know more - like why they are there and who they are and who they are to each other???? Well, that's my hope any way. Let's here what you have to say......I think.
Yesterday I was lucky enough to have lunch with a friend, who's an agent. Yes, I am very lucky. We brain stormed over August Rock and the critique I had done on it. Some the items are easily fixed but one item, the part of Toby by 13 yr. old ghost, is a little more problematic if I'm trying for the UK market. It could fly with a ghost but it may limit the market too much yet Toby's chapter's are some of the strongest in the book. How to alter the work keeping Toby's story intact.......two strong possibilities emerged. So while I work away on A Cornish House hopefully the subconscious part of my mind will resolve the Toby problem. By the way she had absolutely no problem with an American heroine.
Reading through fellow racers blogs this week, I noted the A. Writer was willing to put her writing out there for comment early. At a previous coffee we have discussed whether you are a shower or a hider.....most being hiders. Me too but one of the best exercises that I have ever done was prompted by Julie Cohen's, http://www.julie-cohen.com/blog, first page challenge. I posted both the first page for August Rock and the few words that I had written for A Cornish House. The process involved putting in your thoughts about the page and your motivation for the words. I shamefacedly had never looked that closely at my on work. I wrote and edited but never looked at the whys. I let myself off as I am rediscovering my craft after years away from fiction. The best part of the exercise was other people's comments, http://lizfenwick.blogspot.com/2006/11/first-page-challenge.html. In particular for me those of Laura Vivanaco of the blog Teach Me Tonight, http://teachmetonight.blogspot.com/.
So thinking about all of this made me think now 45,000 or so into A Cornish House would it be a good idea to throw the first page out there again and challenge my fellow racers and anyone else to do the same???? Any takers? I was also thinking I would enjoy seeing my fellow racers styles (some are published so there styles are out there so to speak but some of us aren't).
Herewith the first page of A Cornish House:
The car coughed to a halt and lurched as the trailer pushed it further on the dark lane.
“Shit.” Madde thumped the steering wheel.
“What?”
Madde turned to see Serena rubbing her eyes; her blond hair in spiky disarray and the new tattoo on her arm peeking out from her tee-shirt. Double shit thought Madde. They couldn’t be far from where ever the hell Carnew was but now that Serena was awake she could hear her complaints already. She turned the key but no sound emerged from the engine.
“Are we at this God-forsaken place?” Serena stretched.
“Errr, no. The car died.”
“What?”
“The car died.”
“I heard that but where are we?” Serena was now sitting straight.
“Don’t know.”
“Christ.”
“Mind your language.” Madde ran her fingers over the wheel.
“Hah, fine thing to say. I just heard you swearing. What’s wrong with Christ anyway?”
“We’ve been down this road before.”
“No we haven’t.”
“Don’t be pedantic.” Madde rubbed her hands over the back of her neck. She could feel the rigid tendons. “Serena, I’m tired I’ve been driving for hours and arguing isn’t going to help.”
“So?”
I haven't put my comments in the text like last time as I thought you might like to read it first with out my thoughts and then read my thoughts so they don't prejudice your own.
I am trying to set up tension with the setting - dark road-dead car. Also the conflict between Madde and Serena is right there and crucial to the whole of the book. Also that Serena definitely doesn't want to be where she is. I wanted Serena's stroppy voice to come through and Madde's restraint.....I hope all of this shows and makes you want to know more - like why they are there and who they are and who they are to each other???? Well, that's my hope any way. Let's here what you have to say......I think.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Just Had to Post This
Yesterday was brilliant. The words flowed.....well late in the day but that's a minor technicality. But while I was dithering I wandered over to read Miss Snark's (http://misssnark.blogspot.com/) latest and there I found words that every struggling writer needs to hear. Some poor soul asked her when to give up and her reply was well brilliant. In fact I may make a poster of it. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to do this but here is here beautiful reply:
"Never.Publication may be nice but it's not the only reward.The very act of writing is its own reward. It teaches you (if you pay attention) how to see the world through different eyes; how to wield language skilfully; how to organize a persuasive presentation.You recognize that writing is a creative art and brings you joy.You recognize that doing something difficult over and over again, and trying your utmost to improve is a worthy endeavor even if you fall short of your goal.You recognize that these moments of despair or frustration or fear are part of the process, and will make the achievement of your goal just that much sweeter."
So now I can never give and must stop procrasentating and write another 3000 words today. yes I did squeeze in another 1000 last night while the groove was on.
"Never.Publication may be nice but it's not the only reward.The very act of writing is its own reward. It teaches you (if you pay attention) how to see the world through different eyes; how to wield language skilfully; how to organize a persuasive presentation.You recognize that writing is a creative art and brings you joy.You recognize that doing something difficult over and over again, and trying your utmost to improve is a worthy endeavor even if you fall short of your goal.You recognize that these moments of despair or frustration or fear are part of the process, and will make the achievement of your goal just that much sweeter."
So now I can never give and must stop procrasentating and write another 3000 words today. yes I did squeeze in another 1000 last night while the groove was on.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Happy Dance
The groove has returned today. 2260 words today bringing me over February's goal of 40,000! YES! This morning I thought I would never find it. I visited every blog I could think of. I waited for emails I didn't expect. I even thought of cleaning.......then suddenly the groove hit. I do so like the groove.
Yesterday I did manage 1000 words but they all felt like pulling teeth. Maybe in the end they will be better words but oh it does feel good.
Off to do the school run now.
Yesterday I did manage 1000 words but they all felt like pulling teeth. Maybe in the end they will be better words but oh it does feel good.
Off to do the school run now.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Wow! What type of writer are you?
You Should Be a Film Writer |
 You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen! |
That is really weird. One of the comments on the crit of August Rock is that it reads like a film script at times. Also my dialogue was really good and there should be more. I do see everything in front of me as I write. Weird really?
Now I should be writing and not doing quizzes. Ciao.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Tagged
Julie, (blog), tagged me, well sort of. I was reading her blog and that was the mistake. Not one to let a challenge pass by here goes........ten little known thing about moi:
1. I craved medium sherry when I was pregnant with ds1.
2. I once had a household staff of seven - the only really important one was the man who lived under the stairs and came with the house (we were living in Jakarta at the time).
3. I have spent one night in the Burj Al Arab (very Austin Powers)
4. The first concert I ever went to was the Bay City Rollers (now that gives my age away!)
5. I met Bob Hope on a golf course on Cape Cod
6. I learned to love Country music living in Calgary and Houston
7. I love painting with oils
8. I hate flying......I embarrass my family by praying during take off and landing and any turbulence.
9. I adore the cartoon Scooby Do but loathe scrappy
10. I always dreamt of looking like Grace Kelly but failed miserably :-)
So now I have to do the deed of tagging someone else.....so if you have never been tagged give it a try and let me know!!!
1. I craved medium sherry when I was pregnant with ds1.
2. I once had a household staff of seven - the only really important one was the man who lived under the stairs and came with the house (we were living in Jakarta at the time).
3. I have spent one night in the Burj Al Arab (very Austin Powers)
4. The first concert I ever went to was the Bay City Rollers (now that gives my age away!)
5. I met Bob Hope on a golf course on Cape Cod
6. I learned to love Country music living in Calgary and Houston
7. I love painting with oils
8. I hate flying......I embarrass my family by praying during take off and landing and any turbulence.
9. I adore the cartoon Scooby Do but loathe scrappy
10. I always dreamt of looking like Grace Kelly but failed miserably :-)
So now I have to do the deed of tagging someone else.....so if you have never been tagged give it a try and let me know!!!
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