Hello Fellow Writers,
I've been busy working on a new story. I just love the part when a story idea goes from brain image to computer file, a writer's high.
On Monday night, I went to hear Greg Frost read from his fantasy novel at the Bellevue Library. Then Connie Willis talked about researching her latest novel set during the Blitz. She told us lots of great stories that she couldn't work into the book.
As for story consumption, I watched Nottinghill with the other members of my writing group last week. Awesome secondary characters! Last night, at midnight, no less, I went to see Eclipse with my teenage daughter. I think this may be the best of the Twilight Saga movies so far. I'm reading Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn and listening to Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks in the car.
Until next time,
Write on!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Irony!
Hello Fellow Writers,
Today was part two of the writing workshop with Connie Willis and Greg Frost. Connie taught about irony this morning and secondary characters this afternoon. Later, the participants had opportunities to ask lots of questions to this talented pair of writers. My brain feels very full of things to do.
Until next time,
Write on!
Today was part two of the writing workshop with Connie Willis and Greg Frost. Connie taught about irony this morning and secondary characters this afternoon. Later, the participants had opportunities to ask lots of questions to this talented pair of writers. My brain feels very full of things to do.
Until next time,
Write on!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Learning the Elements
Hello Fellow Writers,
Today (and again on Sunday), I'm taking a workshop at Hugo House called the Periodic Table of Literary Elements with Greg Frost and Connie Willis. Today Greg taught about point of view, voice, distance, story, plot, and character. I did several exercises and now I'm going to practice in my own writing. My brain is filling very full.
Today, I'm reading Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy, and listening to Alcatraz and the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson. This last one may be aimed at kids, but has some awesomely funny comments on the process of writing. Don't forget to check out a few good stories!
Until next time,
Write on!
Today (and again on Sunday), I'm taking a workshop at Hugo House called the Periodic Table of Literary Elements with Greg Frost and Connie Willis. Today Greg taught about point of view, voice, distance, story, plot, and character. I did several exercises and now I'm going to practice in my own writing. My brain is filling very full.
Today, I'm reading Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy, and listening to Alcatraz and the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson. This last one may be aimed at kids, but has some awesomely funny comments on the process of writing. Don't forget to check out a few good stories!
Until next time,
Write on!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Reading outside your comfort zone
Hello fellow writers,
I seem to be writing about story consumption this week which got me thinking about what I read and how. For many years, I read mostly nonfiction scientific works. When I slowed down my career in science, I made time for popular literary fiction and poetry. While I still enjoy scientific nonfiction, poetry, and pop-lit immensely, I've expanded my reading sojourns into both nonfiction and fiction.
Currently in nonfiction, I'm enjoying philosophy, the green movement, gardening, and herbal healing. In fiction, I've been into myth and fairy tales, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, historical mystery, and supernatural mystery. In the bright light of day, I've tried a few horror novels, and I've even taken a few initial forays into world of science fiction.
I've also been reading beyond the book. I reading some great stories in anthologies and magazines, as well as online. I'm also listening to audio stories. My next leap will be to the i-pad book shelf.
Why expand the reading scope? My reasoning was good writing exists across all genres. Learning to enjoy all types of stories and writing styles, not only adds to my reading pleasure, but helps me to grow as a writer.
So until next time,
Read widely and write on!
I seem to be writing about story consumption this week which got me thinking about what I read and how. For many years, I read mostly nonfiction scientific works. When I slowed down my career in science, I made time for popular literary fiction and poetry. While I still enjoy scientific nonfiction, poetry, and pop-lit immensely, I've expanded my reading sojourns into both nonfiction and fiction.
Currently in nonfiction, I'm enjoying philosophy, the green movement, gardening, and herbal healing. In fiction, I've been into myth and fairy tales, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, historical mystery, and supernatural mystery. In the bright light of day, I've tried a few horror novels, and I've even taken a few initial forays into world of science fiction.
I've also been reading beyond the book. I reading some great stories in anthologies and magazines, as well as online. I'm also listening to audio stories. My next leap will be to the i-pad book shelf.
Why expand the reading scope? My reasoning was good writing exists across all genres. Learning to enjoy all types of stories and writing styles, not only adds to my reading pleasure, but helps me to grow as a writer.
So until next time,
Read widely and write on!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Story Sneakiness
Dear fellow writers,
Another writer recently asked me how I find time to consume so much story. The answer: I sneak it in throughout the day. How you may ask.
I wake up, hit the alarm clock (literally), and reach for whatever novel I'm reading. I consume five pages. Then I read one poem, and finally, before I take a step out of bed, I read five pages of whatever nonfiction I'm reading.
Sometime around midmorning, I usually sneak in a story break of 10-15 minutes with a mug of coffee. Another 10 minute reading occurs after lunch, and one more 15 minute session with afternoon tea. Before you say, this could NEVER work for you, think about it. Other professions have work breaks, don't they? I'm just interrupting my other daily work to create story breaks.
After I write in the evening, I read for at least one hour. This is often the time I look at a story more critically, but only after I've first read it for pure enjoyment of story. I also usually watch a film or a TV show (yes, this is story consumption). I just watched Vantage Point. Holy points of view!
And in previous posts, I mentioned sneaking story in via audio form in my car and while on running. Soooo, if you're good at being sneaky (and aren't we all?), you could rack up some serious story consumption!
Until next time,
Write on!
Another writer recently asked me how I find time to consume so much story. The answer: I sneak it in throughout the day. How you may ask.
I wake up, hit the alarm clock (literally), and reach for whatever novel I'm reading. I consume five pages. Then I read one poem, and finally, before I take a step out of bed, I read five pages of whatever nonfiction I'm reading.
Sometime around midmorning, I usually sneak in a story break of 10-15 minutes with a mug of coffee. Another 10 minute reading occurs after lunch, and one more 15 minute session with afternoon tea. Before you say, this could NEVER work for you, think about it. Other professions have work breaks, don't they? I'm just interrupting my other daily work to create story breaks.
After I write in the evening, I read for at least one hour. This is often the time I look at a story more critically, but only after I've first read it for pure enjoyment of story. I also usually watch a film or a TV show (yes, this is story consumption). I just watched Vantage Point. Holy points of view!
And in previous posts, I mentioned sneaking story in via audio form in my car and while on running. Soooo, if you're good at being sneaky (and aren't we all?), you could rack up some serious story consumption!
Until next time,
Write on!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
A world of stories
Hello fellow writers,
Did you ever notice that we live in a world full of stories? They're everywhere! Beyond books, magazines, tv, and films, I find lots of stories in music, the oddball things people I know do (especially kids), and artwork.
Currently, I've been listening to Traci Chapman's music. She is a masterful songwriter. Many of her songs have whole stories. Check her out. Her songs "Tin Man" and "Cold Feet" are awesome.
I've decided to issue myself a challenge over the past week: Write at least as many pages as I do in miles working out. How's it going? Well, I logged
74 miles, and I wrote 86 pages. So far, so good! Mini challenges seem to work for me.
Until next time,
Write on!
Did you ever notice that we live in a world full of stories? They're everywhere! Beyond books, magazines, tv, and films, I find lots of stories in music, the oddball things people I know do (especially kids), and artwork.
Currently, I've been listening to Traci Chapman's music. She is a masterful songwriter. Many of her songs have whole stories. Check her out. Her songs "Tin Man" and "Cold Feet" are awesome.
I've decided to issue myself a challenge over the past week: Write at least as many pages as I do in miles working out. How's it going? Well, I logged
74 miles, and I wrote 86 pages. So far, so good! Mini challenges seem to work for me.
Until next time,
Write on!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Writing groups
Hello writers,
Today is the day the writing group, I am part of, meets. It's been going for several years now and seems to work for our six members. We all met in various writing classes. We write wildly different types of things from fairy tales to science fiction to literary to horror, and more. We have a set structure to our group. And we tend to like each other as people.
What do we do? We start each session with weekly goals and updates on previous goals. We have a vocabulary word of the week and then do something fun when we get a list of them. We do a short (10-15 minute) hot write based on some type of prompt. Sometimes, we read things we are working on or request feedback or suggestions around a specific piece of writing. We share successes.
We also share information about upcoming classes, workshops, and author visits. We share recommendations for great stories in books and films. We maintain a library of writing books with lots of tools. We also occasionally share paper, pens, and power cords.
We try to avoid being critical or negative. We support each other's writing process. We don't write each other's stories. We don't write by committee. We tend to value each member's unique creative wackiness. We drink lots of caffeinated beverages and occasionally indulge in chocolate.
Until next time,
Write on!
Today is the day the writing group, I am part of, meets. It's been going for several years now and seems to work for our six members. We all met in various writing classes. We write wildly different types of things from fairy tales to science fiction to literary to horror, and more. We have a set structure to our group. And we tend to like each other as people.
What do we do? We start each session with weekly goals and updates on previous goals. We have a vocabulary word of the week and then do something fun when we get a list of them. We do a short (10-15 minute) hot write based on some type of prompt. Sometimes, we read things we are working on or request feedback or suggestions around a specific piece of writing. We share successes.
We also share information about upcoming classes, workshops, and author visits. We share recommendations for great stories in books and films. We maintain a library of writing books with lots of tools. We also occasionally share paper, pens, and power cords.
We try to avoid being critical or negative. We support each other's writing process. We don't write each other's stories. We don't write by committee. We tend to value each member's unique creative wackiness. We drink lots of caffeinated beverages and occasionally indulge in chocolate.
Until next time,
Write on!
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