I felt it was expected - a post that makes a mention of the year-end in one way or another. And because I felt it was almost "obligatory," the post I had originally written (but never published) was rather nasty. In it I listed everything that's going wrong with the world (well, I couldn't possibly list them all) in general terms. You know, I mentioned the things that worry me like global warming, wars, hunger, poverty, diseases, epidemics, space exploration (or lack thereof), cultural dilution etc.
I could never understand how those artificial divisions of time (year, month, et.) are so meaningful. So the earth rotated around the sun again. Big deal. Time is continuous and so is the earth's movement and because it completed a rotation we're suddenly joyful? It doesn't stop or anything, the earth doesn't know it's been a year. The bad things don't miraculously disappear for the night...
Maybe you understand now why I decided to just save the post and not publish it, but went to take a nap instead given that I hardly slept last night and I'm planning on having fun tonight!
I woke up, and with a puffy face I had much less cynicism in me than a few hours earlier. Not that anything had changed. I guess that what mainly changed was within me and I didn't want to be in a bad mood or ruin anyone else's. Didn't I just say that I wanted to have fun tonight too?
So let's do just that tonight and meet again to solve the world's problem in two days, hows that?
Happy New Year everybody :)
Categories: personal, new-year
Monday, December 31, 2007
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Saturday, December 29, 2007
Writing is ... Arrogant ?
"Writing is arrogant." I don't remember where I've heard this before. Perhaps it was Ryan, The Grumpy Owl, who mentioned it to me first, and at the time I don't believe I gave it much thought, if at all. But I find myself thinking about these words every so often; they've landed somewhere in my brain and wouldn't leave. I was wondering what others are thinking about it -- is writing arrogant?
Well, on the one hand, writers assume that their word is important enough to be read. They assume they have something to say to the world that is of value (added). They assume they can teach / influence / affect people. They want their words to do that.
Then again, so does any other art form, no? Show me an artist who doesn't want his work to affect the person experiencing his art, and I'll call him on it. So does that means that art in itself is arrogant?
This concept pains me. I don't know why but it does.
Take even non-fiction writing, say articles. They have to sound authoritative to pass even the first acceptance level. Say blogs, this post. I make very strong statements and I make them in a way that sounds as if I believe I'm right (which I am, of course... :).
See why the concept pains me? Or is it me?
Take a fictional work, say a novel. You want your readers to be at the very least moved enough so they would turn the page. But you want more, no? What you really want is for them to cry and laugh, bite their nails and sigh in relief. You want them to think your words are important / interesting enough to be read. You want them to experience them same thing you do when you read a good book.
Is that such an arrogant thing to want to be able to affect people? Or is it something else?
Tags: writing, general
Well, on the one hand, writers assume that their word is important enough to be read. They assume they have something to say to the world that is of value (added). They assume they can teach / influence / affect people. They want their words to do that.
Then again, so does any other art form, no? Show me an artist who doesn't want his work to affect the person experiencing his art, and I'll call him on it. So does that means that art in itself is arrogant?
This concept pains me. I don't know why but it does.
Take even non-fiction writing, say articles. They have to sound authoritative to pass even the first acceptance level. Say blogs, this post. I make very strong statements and I make them in a way that sounds as if I believe I'm right (which I am, of course... :).
See why the concept pains me? Or is it me?
Take a fictional work, say a novel. You want your readers to be at the very least moved enough so they would turn the page. But you want more, no? What you really want is for them to cry and laugh, bite their nails and sigh in relief. You want them to think your words are important / interesting enough to be read. You want them to experience them same thing you do when you read a good book.
Is that such an arrogant thing to want to be able to affect people? Or is it something else?
Tags: writing, general
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
To L, I Think of You Every Christmas
There is one person I think about every Christmas. This is why:
An X number of years ago, when I was still a student, my world came apart. I had just separated from my ex a few months before, my roommates left for the holidays and most of my (good) friends also left to be with their families during the holidays. I was all alone, with my own family an ocean and a continent away. Granted, I don't celebrate Christmas, certainly not in the religious sense, but everybody else around me was and combined with new single status, I've never felt so alone in my life.
A few days before Christmas, I went out with some less close friends from university who were native to the city. We had a really good time. We we were young and stupid and broke many laws that night. Surprisingly enough, drunk driving wasn't one of them. We did, however, break into a ski resort and tobogganed at 2 a.m. down the slopes - did I mention is was fun?
But my post isn't about that. I can't remember how the conversation evolved, but somehow L found out I was doing nothing Christmas Day. "No way," he said. "You're coming with me to my sister." I voiced my (very weak) objection about not wanting to intrude on a family Christmas, but L wouldn't hear of it and said he would call me the next day with directions.
I was sure he would forget. We were, after all, quite drunk. But L didn't forget. He called me the next day, gave me instructions and made me promise I'd show up. I did.
I remember being so nervous driving there my hands were shaking on the wheel. I stopped twice on the way there to calm myself. Not only was I truly embarrassed for what I felt would be an intrusion, but the whole thing itself, being with a family other than my own, the kindness of L, etc., made me very emotional.
L's sister and her husband were amazing, though, as was he. They made me feel very welcome and at ease. We had dinner -- homemade sushi -- and then retired to the music room where L's sister and husband played and sang. It was truly the best Christmas Dinner I've ever had.
L -- better known as Liberty (I hope if he ever reads this he wouldn't mind me disclosing his name) -- had just been recently separated from his wife too, something we had in common among our very young university-going crowd. We were never romantically involved, nor did we want to (I think), but he was truly one of the kindest souls I've ever met.
Wherever you are today, Liberty, thank you for breaking my loneliness that Christmas. I think of you every year during Christmas, wishing you the best.
Categories: personal
An X number of years ago, when I was still a student, my world came apart. I had just separated from my ex a few months before, my roommates left for the holidays and most of my (good) friends also left to be with their families during the holidays. I was all alone, with my own family an ocean and a continent away. Granted, I don't celebrate Christmas, certainly not in the religious sense, but everybody else around me was and combined with new single status, I've never felt so alone in my life.
A few days before Christmas, I went out with some less close friends from university who were native to the city. We had a really good time. We we were young and stupid and broke many laws that night. Surprisingly enough, drunk driving wasn't one of them. We did, however, break into a ski resort and tobogganed at 2 a.m. down the slopes - did I mention is was fun?
But my post isn't about that. I can't remember how the conversation evolved, but somehow L found out I was doing nothing Christmas Day. "No way," he said. "You're coming with me to my sister." I voiced my (very weak) objection about not wanting to intrude on a family Christmas, but L wouldn't hear of it and said he would call me the next day with directions.
I was sure he would forget. We were, after all, quite drunk. But L didn't forget. He called me the next day, gave me instructions and made me promise I'd show up. I did.
I remember being so nervous driving there my hands were shaking on the wheel. I stopped twice on the way there to calm myself. Not only was I truly embarrassed for what I felt would be an intrusion, but the whole thing itself, being with a family other than my own, the kindness of L, etc., made me very emotional.
L's sister and her husband were amazing, though, as was he. They made me feel very welcome and at ease. We had dinner -- homemade sushi -- and then retired to the music room where L's sister and husband played and sang. It was truly the best Christmas Dinner I've ever had.
L -- better known as Liberty (I hope if he ever reads this he wouldn't mind me disclosing his name) -- had just been recently separated from his wife too, something we had in common among our very young university-going crowd. We were never romantically involved, nor did we want to (I think), but he was truly one of the kindest souls I've ever met.
Wherever you are today, Liberty, thank you for breaking my loneliness that Christmas. I think of you every year during Christmas, wishing you the best.
Categories: personal
Saturday, December 22, 2007
You Are a Genius!
Really, I'm not kidding. If you are reading this blog -- and obviously you are -- then you are a genius!
Don't believe me? No need. A very respectable test -- found over at Georganna's blog -- proves this:
The Blog Readability Test - What level of education is required to understand All Kinds of Writing?
And you can see, as promised, you couldn't read this blog if you weren't a genius. Voila:
Just curious though. If you are a genius, what does that make me? Uber genius?
Gotta love all these tests!
Categories: fun, quiz, test, blogging
Don't believe me? No need. A very respectable test -- found over at Georganna's blog -- proves this:
The Blog Readability Test - What level of education is required to understand All Kinds of Writing?
And you can see, as promised, you couldn't read this blog if you weren't a genius. Voila:Just curious though. If you are a genius, what does that make me? Uber genius?
Gotta love all these tests!
Categories: fun, quiz, test, blogging
Friday, December 21, 2007
Winter Solstice -- Watch Ancient Solstice Clock Live
If you're into this stuff -- and I know many are -- and even if you're not, it's really really cool.
There's this ancient, pre-Celtic solstice clock in Newgrange, Ireland. It's really old -- 3,200 BC, meaning it's pre Stonehenge and dates even before the Giza pyramids:
Should be interesting, and who knows, maybe inspire a story or two.
Categories: ideas, newgrange, solstice, winter
There's this ancient, pre-Celtic solstice clock in Newgrange, Ireland. It's really old -- 3,200 BC, meaning it's pre Stonehenge and dates even before the Giza pyramids:
For five days around the December 21 winter solstice -- the shortest day of the year -- the sun shines deep into a tomb in County Meath, north of Dublin, flooding with light a chamber where the remains of the dead were once laid.And now you can share the experience. They're going to have a live internet feed, a web-cam so we can all see, not just the lucky 50 people who were approved to be there. (I don't think it works of FF, btw, only IE).
Should be interesting, and who knows, maybe inspire a story or two.
Categories: ideas, newgrange, solstice, winter
Thursday, December 20, 2007
No Cultural Elite - Who Knew?
by HryckowianTo be honest -- well, those who know me already know it -- I am a bit of a snob when it comes to my cultural preferences. I never ever ever, though, thought my (superior ;) taste stems from anything other than myself and my upbringing; it certainly has nothing to do with money since I grew up poor.
Seems I was right. A research now came out of the University of Oxford, determining that "a cultural-elite, linked to social class, does not exist in society." In fact, "it’s education and social status, not social class that predict cultural consumption..."
More than that, Doctor Tak Wing Chan, who conducted the research with his colleague Doctor John Goldthorpe said:
There’s little evidence for the existence of a cultural elite who would consume 'high' culture while shunning more 'popular' cultural forms. [...] Furthermore, at least a substantial minority of members of the most advantaged social groups are univores (people who have an interest in popular culture only) or inactives (people who access nothing at all).Unfortunately for us writers -- and readers -- the research concentrated only on visual arts, music and theatre, dance and cinema.
Categories: art, culture
Monday, December 17, 2007
Procrastination? No, not again
I don't know a writer's blog that hasn't, at some point, tackled the subject of procrastination. Surely many other people have too.
Sunday, with the storm, was a perfect example. I knew I was going to have the whole day at home doing nothing - hubby said he'd cook, so I had planned to do some dreaded laundry, some filing, unpack the second suitcase and start a (secret) new blog. Why did I have to plan any of these? Cause these were chores in my eyes. Guess what? None got done.
Instead, I jovially went out and shoveled our whole front, including the entrance to the basement (which we never use), I shoveled the sidewalk and the neighbour's sidewalk for good measure. I constantly washed the dishes and cleaned after the vigorously cooking hubby. I surfed, I read, I wrote, I even blogged for the first time in two months. All to avoid my chores. I was procrastinating glamorously.
Procrastinating (surfing) brought me to this article in NewScientist, Procrastination: The thief of time. At last, some scientific truth to shed light on this problem, I thought. Understanding leads to solution, no? I was already half way there in solving my problem. Alas, I couldn't read the article because it's behind a subscription wall, but I could read its beginning. Who do you think the article uses as an example??? Douglas Adams. That's right, a writer. We're doomed, I tell ya. It's probably in our genes!
Categories: writing, process
Sunday, with the storm, was a perfect example. I knew I was going to have the whole day at home doing nothing - hubby said he'd cook, so I had planned to do some dreaded laundry, some filing, unpack the second suitcase and start a (secret) new blog. Why did I have to plan any of these? Cause these were chores in my eyes. Guess what? None got done.
Instead, I jovially went out and shoveled our whole front, including the entrance to the basement (which we never use), I shoveled the sidewalk and the neighbour's sidewalk for good measure. I constantly washed the dishes and cleaned after the vigorously cooking hubby. I surfed, I read, I wrote, I even blogged for the first time in two months. All to avoid my chores. I was procrastinating glamorously.
Procrastinating (surfing) brought me to this article in NewScientist, Procrastination: The thief of time. At last, some scientific truth to shed light on this problem, I thought. Understanding leads to solution, no? I was already half way there in solving my problem. Alas, I couldn't read the article because it's behind a subscription wall, but I could read its beginning. Who do you think the article uses as an example??? Douglas Adams. That's right, a writer. We're doomed, I tell ya. It's probably in our genes!
Categories: writing, process
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Winter made me do it (blog, that is)
So, with the storm we're having, everybody's been posting pictures of winter. Me too then!
You have to understand that less than two weeks ago I was in Israel. While winter was in its midst there, I could still go to the beach for a walk on occasion.
Categories: blogging, winter
You have to understand that less than two weeks ago I was in Israel. While winter was in its midst there, I could still go to the beach for a walk on occasion.And today ... there was this:
When the snow calmed a bit, I went out to shovel:
And for the regular seasonal photo:
And just two more cute ones:
Categories: blogging, winter
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Getting the itch again
Am I back? I'm not sure. I just know that in the past few weeks I've really been getting the itch to write in this blog again.
I could not believe how many of you wonderful people occasionally popped by and dropped me a line. It was just amazing. I have these friends I've never even met, and they've become true friends...
Okay, so really, NaNo is only a month and a half away and I hope to be able to participate again. Hey, why not? It can only help, right? Et tu?
Meanwhile, great news for fellow Toronto writer Stephen Kotowych, who won the grand prize in the Writers of the Future contest. Just amazing! A little bit of a belated congrats is in order.
One more thing before I end my first post in ... what ... a year? I'm thinking of changing the focus of ze blog a bit, or rather have it less focused on writing. Oh well, too early to talk about that. Better see if I keep this up first, right?
I guess Hello (again) World is appropriate, no?
I could not believe how many of you wonderful people occasionally popped by and dropped me a line. It was just amazing. I have these friends I've never even met, and they've become true friends...
Okay, so really, NaNo is only a month and a half away and I hope to be able to participate again. Hey, why not? It can only help, right? Et tu?
Meanwhile, great news for fellow Toronto writer Stephen Kotowych, who won the grand prize in the Writers of the Future contest. Just amazing! A little bit of a belated congrats is in order.
One more thing before I end my first post in ... what ... a year? I'm thinking of changing the focus of ze blog a bit, or rather have it less focused on writing. Oh well, too early to talk about that. Better see if I keep this up first, right?
I guess Hello (again) World is appropriate, no?
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Calling a spade a spade
Thanks for all the emails and comments. I guess I just have to admit it once and for all though.
Sure, first there was Nano and between work and that, I hardly had time breathe. But I'm pleased to announce I've successfully completed Nano.
And now I have no excuses, so I guess I should call a temporary hiatus in the hopes I'll some day return to blogging. Maybe on some other site where my "real" family and friends can't find me. I find it really difficult to write here now that I know they might be reading it. Weird, I know, but I can't help it. I mean, if you knew my MIL, you wouldn't think that :)
So until I'm back, I still hope to occasionally visit you all. I do lurk around even if I say nothing.
For temporary hiatus -- Cheers!
Sure, first there was Nano and between work and that, I hardly had time breathe. But I'm pleased to announce I've successfully completed Nano.
And now I have no excuses, so I guess I should call a temporary hiatus in the hopes I'll some day return to blogging. Maybe on some other site where my "real" family and friends can't find me. I find it really difficult to write here now that I know they might be reading it. Weird, I know, but I can't help it. I mean, if you knew my MIL, you wouldn't think that :)
So until I'm back, I still hope to occasionally visit you all. I do lurk around even if I say nothing.
For temporary hiatus -- Cheers!
Friday, October 27, 2006
Results of first writing session
So last night we had our first writing session. I am so pleased with the results.
Melly - goal: editing and writing 500 words. Result: 90%
R - goal: coming up with 3-5 scene ideas and write smthg up on each. Result: 100%
T - goal: finish reviewing my NaNo outline and to make the difficult changes I know are necessary. Result: 100%
L - goal: 500 words in new short story. Result: 100%.
M - goal: work on character development, further story building, read over/edit existing section. Result: 100%
S - goal: wiring a certain year of memoir. Result: 100%
Nienke - goal: work on outline. Result: 100%
We'll have another session tomorrow morning. That's Saturday at 10:00 a.m. ET if you want to join.
I will let you in on a secret, Nienke and I had two sessions prior to starting the group. I had written over 1,000 words in each! Yesterday I needed to edit what I had written so I set a smaller word-count goal. But I know that I can do about a 1,000 words an hour and that makes me absolutely ecstatic and I'm so thrilled with how this is going.
Melly - goal: editing and writing 500 words. Result: 90%
R - goal: coming up with 3-5 scene ideas and write smthg up on each. Result: 100%
T - goal: finish reviewing my NaNo outline and to make the difficult changes I know are necessary. Result: 100%
L - goal: 500 words in new short story. Result: 100%.
M - goal: work on character development, further story building, read over/edit existing section. Result: 100%
S - goal: wiring a certain year of memoir. Result: 100%
Nienke - goal: work on outline. Result: 100%
We'll have another session tomorrow morning. That's Saturday at 10:00 a.m. ET if you want to join.
I will let you in on a secret, Nienke and I had two sessions prior to starting the group. I had written over 1,000 words in each! Yesterday I needed to edit what I had written so I set a smaller word-count goal. But I know that I can do about a 1,000 words an hour and that makes me absolutely ecstatic and I'm so thrilled with how this is going.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
First Writing Session Tomorrow!
Well, response to my latest post has been quite positive. Nienke had posted on her blog too with similar response. Seems like we're all struggling with the same problem - discipline.
So I went ahead and started a public Google Group: Writing Session.
I think that means anyone can join, but let me know if you have difficulties.
Also, I scheduled the first session for tomorrow, Thursday October 26 at 8:30 Eastern.
If you're interested, go join the group and see more on your only responsibilities:
- Post goal
- Write for an hour
- Post achievement
I will try to aggregate the results after the session and publish them.
I hope you join and have fun.
Categories: writing, group, writing-session
So I went ahead and started a public Google Group: Writing Session.
I think that means anyone can join, but let me know if you have difficulties.
Also, I scheduled the first session for tomorrow, Thursday October 26 at 8:30 Eastern.
If you're interested, go join the group and see more on your only responsibilities:
- Post goal
- Write for an hour
- Post achievement
I will try to aggregate the results after the session and publish them.
I hope you join and have fun.
Categories: writing, group, writing-session
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Discipline, again and again, but Melly and Nienke have a suggestion
I have an idea.
Actually, I came by the idea due to a good friend whom most of you know. Nienke from The Writing Life told me the other day, "Let's do a writing war. Let's meet and write. This way we would simply have to," she said.
So we did. We met online, clocked the time, and after an hour we said - how did it go?
She made some serious advance in her outline; I had written 1,036 words!
We were ecstatic.
So I was thinking... Most writers often complain about lack of discipline. Why not try and inject some discipline into us?
Here's the idea:
Nienke or I will set up a group in, say, Google or Yahoo! or something.
We won't talk about writing in the group, but we'd write.
Here's how I think it might work:
- We'll "meet" twice a week at set times, let's say (this can all change). For example: Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET.
- Before 9, all participants will post their goal for the hour-long-session. Examples:
- Then, at 9:00, I'll sound the bell and everybody would start working.
- The session will be an hour-long and at 10:00 I'll sound the closing bell. Of course, you can continue working.
- After the session has closed, all participants will send me a quantifiable success rate. 0%-100% of goal accomplished. No reasons, no excuses. Just goal and success rate.
- I'll compile the results and either post it here on our blogs, or in the group.
So what do you think?
Is that an idea that's already been done somewhere?
Is it completely retarded?
If you think it is a good idea, then tell us if you would like to participate and what would be good times for you.
If we get a move on it, we might be able to have it ready for NaNo.
Now it's up to you.
Categories: writing
Actually, I came by the idea due to a good friend whom most of you know. Nienke from The Writing Life told me the other day, "Let's do a writing war. Let's meet and write. This way we would simply have to," she said.
So we did. We met online, clocked the time, and after an hour we said - how did it go?
She made some serious advance in her outline; I had written 1,036 words!
We were ecstatic.
So I was thinking... Most writers often complain about lack of discipline. Why not try and inject some discipline into us?
Here's the idea:
Nienke or I will set up a group in, say, Google or Yahoo! or something.
We won't talk about writing in the group, but we'd write.
Here's how I think it might work:
- We'll "meet" twice a week at set times, let's say (this can all change). For example: Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET.
- Before 9, all participants will post their goal for the hour-long-session. Examples:
- - My goal is to write 500 words.
- - My goal is to finish chapter 4, or that complicated fighting scene
- - My goal is to work on the outline for chapters 11-20.
- - My goal is to find a market for my latest short story and submit.
- Then, at 9:00, I'll sound the bell and everybody would start working.
- The session will be an hour-long and at 10:00 I'll sound the closing bell. Of course, you can continue working.
- After the session has closed, all participants will send me a quantifiable success rate. 0%-100% of goal accomplished. No reasons, no excuses. Just goal and success rate.
- I'll compile the results and either post it here on our blogs, or in the group.
So what do you think?
Is that an idea that's already been done somewhere?
Is it completely retarded?
If you think it is a good idea, then tell us if you would like to participate and what would be good times for you.
If we get a move on it, we might be able to have it ready for NaNo.
Now it's up to you.
Categories: writing
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Preparing for NaNo, or, How to write successfully
Lately, as NaNo approaches, I've been talking to friends and reading writers' blog posts about their own preparation for NaNo. I've noticed that many are trying to be plan ahead so that they wouldn't get stuck or something of the sort come November. Usually, this getting ready includes creating outlines, organize scenes, think thoroughly of their characters etc.
Talking to or reading about what other writers do in order to prepare for NaNo tends to almost always make me feel awful. See, I never do these things, I never prepare and when I read how many have their outlines ready or what not, it makes me feel guilty as I'm sure I should too. But it's not me. I sort of write from the hip -- if you'd allow me to tweak the expression -- seat-of-the-pants method, just let it flow, organically. (Maybe that's why I don't like books about writing, none of their methods ever worked for me).
Oh, I know that we've been through this a million times before probably, and if you recall, I always say the same thing - each writer should do what's good for him/her. Writers should use the tools they feel make their writing better. These tools just happen to not work for me.
So, I'm sorry to bring this up again, but NaNo preparation made me do it.
By the way, don't get me wrong, I do prepare an outline, but usually after I've started writing and after I'm done a few chapters. I also write notes about my characters, but again, not before, only while I write; things I want to remember about my characters -- either things I've already mentioned, or things I want to later mention and so on.
I even remembered reading a post Tambo wrote from a few months ago because I agreed with it so very much. Tools, not rules, she calls them. Editors don't care how writers write and writers are the only ones who know what works for them. Hear, Hear!
Categories: writing, plot, characters, nano, outline, process
Talking to or reading about what other writers do in order to prepare for NaNo tends to almost always make me feel awful. See, I never do these things, I never prepare and when I read how many have their outlines ready or what not, it makes me feel guilty as I'm sure I should too. But it's not me. I sort of write from the hip -- if you'd allow me to tweak the expression -- seat-of-the-pants method, just let it flow, organically. (Maybe that's why I don't like books about writing, none of their methods ever worked for me).
Oh, I know that we've been through this a million times before probably, and if you recall, I always say the same thing - each writer should do what's good for him/her. Writers should use the tools they feel make their writing better. These tools just happen to not work for me.
So, I'm sorry to bring this up again, but NaNo preparation made me do it.
By the way, don't get me wrong, I do prepare an outline, but usually after I've started writing and after I'm done a few chapters. I also write notes about my characters, but again, not before, only while I write; things I want to remember about my characters -- either things I've already mentioned, or things I want to later mention and so on.
I even remembered reading a post Tambo wrote from a few months ago because I agreed with it so very much. Tools, not rules, she calls them. Editors don't care how writers write and writers are the only ones who know what works for them. Hear, Hear!
Categories: writing, plot, characters, nano, outline, process
Saturday, October 07, 2006
One of my turns coming on
Uploaded on Aug 30, 2006, by jzakariyaAnyone not living in a place where they literally dread the winter, will probably not relate to this post, although it's not just about the weather. Or maybe it is.
Cold as a razor blade,
The weather is turning here. The degrees are plummeting.
This Thanksgiving long weekend, though, is supposed to be nice, and we're planning a trip up north to see the leaves turning, the autumn, fall colours. That's about the only nice thing that is happening now.
Tight as a tourniquet,
I've been working hard lately and I've been really tired too. This could be a lingering effect from the war, but it could also just be normal. I do feel as if I have less time though.
Hubby and I have been doing what most people in this weather do around this time of year, prepare the house for winter - isolation, I mean, insulation, furnace, windows, evestroughs etc... everything we need to do before turning in for winter hibernation. I dread the winter.
Dry as a funeral drum.
The first thing I notice, this time of year, is that my hair turns flat. The jump and curliness are gone. This weather sucks me dry. I hope the dryness remains on the surface; I hope it doesn't reach my brain. I hope I don't find myself in a month planted in front of the TV until summer returns.
So you better believe it. I sure know it.
One of my turns coming on
I don't know what kind it would be. I hope it's the creative kind, not the depressive kind. I hope it's an active kind, not a "blah" kind. Maybe NaNo will turn me around from whatever winter mood I know I'll be in, help me through the first month of winter and make it all more bearable. I hope.
[[I also hope I don't get sued by Pink Floyd for this... More importantly, actually, I hope I didn't offend any Pink Floyd fans, I can understand if you're mad, I might have been too if I was reading, not writing this.]]
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Wishes vs. Goals
It's funny, but I never thought about it until today. It makes sense, obviously, but I just never thought about it before.
I have hopes and dreams, just like anyone else. Wishes. I have no disillusion that that's all they are.
Some of these hopes and dreams I do want come true though. I try to achieve this by establishing goals. Some wishes, I don't. They remain in the realm of hopes and dreamland.
It's especially relevant to my writing.
I actually never hoped to write a bestseller. I never even hoped -- and it might come as a surprise to the few who have known me a while -- to write a critically acclaimed novel.
I did, still do, however, hope to sustain myself from my writing. I didn't, don't write fiction for that purpose, I write it because I like writing, but I hope. That one day. Maybe.
Because I have hopes I believe might be achievable, I set goals. You can all imagine what they are as I'm sure most of you have similar ones. In short, these goals amount to 'write and publish.' And I did, do. Both. Not to the extent I had hoped, but that's just it, that was a hope.
The goals I set are accomplished. Then, perhaps it's time for a new set of goals. Perhaps it's time for a new set of dreams too. Shouldn't we always try to aim higher than what we intend?
Why did I start thinking about it? Because of the way I write my current WIP. Somehow, I'm much more relaxed about it. I think that's good, it helps. I don't stress myself too much if don't write. And when I write, I enjoy it so much. I even write in bed in a journal. It's the best think that could have happened to my writing, I think.
So I can't really control my dreams, they're quite subjective. But I can control my goals. Maybe instead of aiming higher, I'll just stop aiming; have no more goals. Does that make sense?
Does everyone feel the disparity between their writing goals and their writing wishes? Does it affect the writing process?
Categories: writing, process
I have hopes and dreams, just like anyone else. Wishes. I have no disillusion that that's all they are.
Some of these hopes and dreams I do want come true though. I try to achieve this by establishing goals. Some wishes, I don't. They remain in the realm of hopes and dreamland.
It's especially relevant to my writing.
I actually never hoped to write a bestseller. I never even hoped -- and it might come as a surprise to the few who have known me a while -- to write a critically acclaimed novel.
I did, still do, however, hope to sustain myself from my writing. I didn't, don't write fiction for that purpose, I write it because I like writing, but I hope. That one day. Maybe.
Because I have hopes I believe might be achievable, I set goals. You can all imagine what they are as I'm sure most of you have similar ones. In short, these goals amount to 'write and publish.' And I did, do. Both. Not to the extent I had hoped, but that's just it, that was a hope.
The goals I set are accomplished. Then, perhaps it's time for a new set of goals. Perhaps it's time for a new set of dreams too. Shouldn't we always try to aim higher than what we intend?
Why did I start thinking about it? Because of the way I write my current WIP. Somehow, I'm much more relaxed about it. I think that's good, it helps. I don't stress myself too much if don't write. And when I write, I enjoy it so much. I even write in bed in a journal. It's the best think that could have happened to my writing, I think.
So I can't really control my dreams, they're quite subjective. But I can control my goals. Maybe instead of aiming higher, I'll just stop aiming; have no more goals. Does that make sense?
Does everyone feel the disparity between their writing goals and their writing wishes? Does it affect the writing process?
Categories: writing, process
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Meeting an Online Friend
Have any of you ever done that? Have you ever wondered how a person you've only met online would be like had you met that person?
Sometimes, I get the feeling that I know some of you so well that I can actually have a pretty good handle on what you are like in real life.
Well, the other day I got to test that theory of mine. I met a long time bloggy friend. It made so much sense, we both live in TO, we both like writing, we both seemed like reasonable sensible people, we both like the occasional drink ...
I can't lie. I had the normal fears and hesitations before the meeting took place. Will she turn out to be a total kook? Will she think I'm one? You know, all the regular stuff.
We met for 5 o'clock drinks. I love 5 o'clock drinks. And I'm glad to say I had the best time! It was so much fun. We got to know each other, even basic stuff such marital status and what not and we talked 'writing' and it was a blast.
I think that other than me staring at her amazing eyes occasionally and making her feel uncomfortable perhaps, it went well. To my defense, anyone would get lost in those eyes.
But hey, I had my first real blind "online friend" date and I think I came pretty close to what I thought she would be like.
Naturally, there were many surprises, and they were good. Besides, it would have been quite boring if there weren't any. I mean, who wants to know everything about another person within five minutes of meeting them, right? It will be fun to get to know her.
Categories: personal
Sometimes, I get the feeling that I know some of you so well that I can actually have a pretty good handle on what you are like in real life.
Well, the other day I got to test that theory of mine. I met a long time bloggy friend. It made so much sense, we both live in TO, we both like writing, we both seemed like reasonable sensible people, we both like the occasional drink ...
I can't lie. I had the normal fears and hesitations before the meeting took place. Will she turn out to be a total kook? Will she think I'm one? You know, all the regular stuff.
We met for 5 o'clock drinks. I love 5 o'clock drinks. And I'm glad to say I had the best time! It was so much fun. We got to know each other, even basic stuff such marital status and what not and we talked 'writing' and it was a blast.
I think that other than me staring at her amazing eyes occasionally and making her feel uncomfortable perhaps, it went well. To my defense, anyone would get lost in those eyes.
But hey, I had my first real blind "online friend" date and I think I came pretty close to what I thought she would be like.
Naturally, there were many surprises, and they were good. Besides, it would have been quite boring if there weren't any. I mean, who wants to know everything about another person within five minutes of meeting them, right? It will be fun to get to know her.
Categories: personal
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Multi-dimensional Characters
I don't know about you, but my greatest fear is to write one-dimensional characters. Sure many a successful books had one-dimensional characters, but let's just not go there, I might get too frustrated.
You see, where can a writer draw his characters from? Real life, right?
So if I'm looking at a little sample of people I know very well and love, here are a few examples (from mild to extreme):
So what am I saying? I'm saying people aren't one-dimensional. I'm saying that my greatest fear is to write a character that is all evil or all good or all something. Yes, one-dimensional characters can be funny (re The Simpsons :), but they're not real (and I don't know how to write funny anyways).
I think that when it comes to my main characters I'm okay, I manage multi-dimensions, but I think I'm having a bit more of a problem with the supporting characters. I believe I mentioned something about that before.
In any event, I don't understand one-dimensional even though I've been known to read several books like that. These were either bad, or had a lot to offer in other departments to offset the weak characterization. I just wonder if there's any time a one-dimensional character could be justified.
I know, this haven't been a very structured post with a well defined point to it. I just shared my thoughts. Can you tell I'm writing again? Yay!
Categories: writing, characters, process
You see, where can a writer draw his characters from? Real life, right?
So if I'm looking at a little sample of people I know very well and love, here are a few examples (from mild to extreme):
- An over-sensitive person to the point of a mental condition and medication, yet that person is also very smart, loving and financially calculated.
- A person obsessed about weight, putting the fear even into that person's children, yet this intelligent person is a loving parent in all other respects.
- An alcoholic who is self absorbed and extremely jealous, yet can also be the best friend any person could ask for without asking for anything in return.
- An extremely selfish, self-absorbed person who lives in his own little invented la-la land. That person conned people out of their money, truly believing he deserves that money. And yet, that person is a caring father and a funny guy.
- And the worst - an abusive person. Although I didn't know it at the time, that person turned to be cheating and abusive, while also being a friend. This person is still a friend, and if you'd seen him with his wife and child today, you wouldn't believe the possible monster hiding in him.
So what am I saying? I'm saying people aren't one-dimensional. I'm saying that my greatest fear is to write a character that is all evil or all good or all something. Yes, one-dimensional characters can be funny (re The Simpsons :), but they're not real (and I don't know how to write funny anyways).
I think that when it comes to my main characters I'm okay, I manage multi-dimensions, but I think I'm having a bit more of a problem with the supporting characters. I believe I mentioned something about that before.
In any event, I don't understand one-dimensional even though I've been known to read several books like that. These were either bad, or had a lot to offer in other departments to offset the weak characterization. I just wonder if there's any time a one-dimensional character could be justified.
I know, this haven't been a very structured post with a well defined point to it. I just shared my thoughts. Can you tell I'm writing again? Yay!
Categories: writing, characters, process
Monday, September 18, 2006
Writing as a profession
I know several writers who manage to make a (good) living from their writing. Among them, some are novelist and some freelance writers. I've never seen bank accounts information, but I know they're well off.
I also know that those whose primary vocation is fiction writing, dabble occasionally in writing a freelance article, or something similar. Same holds true the other way around. The freelance writers try their hand at a short or eventually publish a novel as well.
I guess, what I was wondering is what is important. And you're all probably going to say that this is a stupid question -- what's important is what makes you happy in life. Nevertheless, I was wondering what is important to each writer. Is it the ability to make a living off one's writing? Or is it the actual writing itself -- writing only what one likes? (Of course, if one can combine the two - that would be sweet).
Also, for all you fiction writers out there. Some of you are holding a day job that isn't particularly relevant to writing. Some of you are holding a day job that involves writing of some kind (technical writing, manuals, what not). Some of you are freelance writers, meaning you have a day job, but maybe you work from home, etc. Yet in heart, what you would have wanted to do was to write fiction. So, how much does it matter that you're an architect during the day and a writer at night? Is one of your goals being able to support yourself from your writing? Any writing? Would you rather have a writing related job?
I hope I'm explaining myself properly. Last thing I want for anyone to think I think any less of any writing or job of any kind.
I'll tell you what's important to me. Being able to sustain myself in a job (a job that doesn't make me hate life) and that matches my life's goal and way of life, while continuing to plow away with my fiction writing. One short story at a time. One chapter at a time. And if one day I didn't need to hold a job to do that, meaning fiction writing could sustain me, well then, so be it. I wouldn't say no :)
Categories: writing, work, business, fiction, freelance, non-fiction
I also know that those whose primary vocation is fiction writing, dabble occasionally in writing a freelance article, or something similar. Same holds true the other way around. The freelance writers try their hand at a short or eventually publish a novel as well.
I guess, what I was wondering is what is important. And you're all probably going to say that this is a stupid question -- what's important is what makes you happy in life. Nevertheless, I was wondering what is important to each writer. Is it the ability to make a living off one's writing? Or is it the actual writing itself -- writing only what one likes? (Of course, if one can combine the two - that would be sweet).
Also, for all you fiction writers out there. Some of you are holding a day job that isn't particularly relevant to writing. Some of you are holding a day job that involves writing of some kind (technical writing, manuals, what not). Some of you are freelance writers, meaning you have a day job, but maybe you work from home, etc. Yet in heart, what you would have wanted to do was to write fiction. So, how much does it matter that you're an architect during the day and a writer at night? Is one of your goals being able to support yourself from your writing? Any writing? Would you rather have a writing related job?
I hope I'm explaining myself properly. Last thing I want for anyone to think I think any less of any writing or job of any kind.
I'll tell you what's important to me. Being able to sustain myself in a job (a job that doesn't make me hate life) and that matches my life's goal and way of life, while continuing to plow away with my fiction writing. One short story at a time. One chapter at a time. And if one day I didn't need to hold a job to do that, meaning fiction writing could sustain me, well then, so be it. I wouldn't say no :)
Categories: writing, work, business, fiction, freelance, non-fiction
Friday, September 15, 2006
Writing a novel
I'm back, and I'm getting right back into it without any small talk - writing a novel.
What's your biggest obstacle in writing a novel? When writing a novel?
Mine has almost always been word count. That is, getting to the 100,000 or so words. Finishing the darn thing. I've done it, but it always was the biggest struggle.
Why am I mentioning this? Why now? Because I've just realized that I've actually written a novel length amount of words in the past three months. Three months! But it wasn't a novel.
Never mind. I wrote five days a week, a few hours a day and managed to produce around 100,000 words. Ha! All because I had to. Because I had deadlines. Because it's been my freaking job!
So what's the trick? How can I apply that to my fiction writing? Well, that's an easy answer, isn't it? It is something we all know the answer to even if we pretend we don't. Discipline. Treating writing as work. Making oneself write.
I have a good writer friend that might disagree with me, and I used to think the same way, but now I think I've changed my mind again.
In any event, I'll tell you in three months if I managed to apply this lesson to my fiction writing. Meanwhile, I was wondering, is that really the most common obstacle among novel writers?
Now, if I feel like it, I might tell you what I was up to the past couple of weeks. Might even include a picture or two! Depending on how quiet my weekend is and how much time I have left after cleaning the house. Plus, I really miss you all and desperately want to visit you :)
Categories: writing, novel, fiction, process, work
What's your biggest obstacle in writing a novel? When writing a novel?
Mine has almost always been word count. That is, getting to the 100,000 or so words. Finishing the darn thing. I've done it, but it always was the biggest struggle.
Why am I mentioning this? Why now? Because I've just realized that I've actually written a novel length amount of words in the past three months. Three months! But it wasn't a novel.
Never mind. I wrote five days a week, a few hours a day and managed to produce around 100,000 words. Ha! All because I had to. Because I had deadlines. Because it's been my freaking job!
So what's the trick? How can I apply that to my fiction writing? Well, that's an easy answer, isn't it? It is something we all know the answer to even if we pretend we don't. Discipline. Treating writing as work. Making oneself write.
I have a good writer friend that might disagree with me, and I used to think the same way, but now I think I've changed my mind again.
In any event, I'll tell you in three months if I managed to apply this lesson to my fiction writing. Meanwhile, I was wondering, is that really the most common obstacle among novel writers?
Now, if I feel like it, I might tell you what I was up to the past couple of weeks. Might even include a picture or two! Depending on how quiet my weekend is and how much time I have left after cleaning the house. Plus, I really miss you all and desperately want to visit you :)
Categories: writing, novel, fiction, process, work
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