I just HAD to share with anybody who will read this…I’ve been writing this book, actually writing it, for the last three nights…in a row!! I’ve been averaging about 500 words a day, which doesn’t sound like a lot but look at it this way—if I can keep up this pace I can actually be finished writing the first draft in less than two months!!
Likely, this won’t happen, but it’s fun to think about, isn’t it?
I’m pretty happy with how things are going. The biggest struggle for me is to continue recognizing that this is indeed a first draft. It’s not supposed to be perfect, and a lot of what I spend a bunch of time detailing probably won’t make it into the final cut but I’m at least having fun writing!
I’m finding that a good way for me to get focused about the day’s writing is to begin by saying, “I will not get up from this computer until I write at least 500 words.” And then I take a few minutes to go through and re-read/make minor adjustments to what I wrote the day before. I find that this allows me to feel better about the first draft because I’m giving myself the freedom to at least make small changes each day, and it’s easier to start writing again when I can refresh my memory about what I wrote the previous day.
They say (whoever “they” are) that it takes two weeks to make or break a habit, right?? Well, in 11 short days I should have a comfortable habit formed and be feeling like I’m making some serious movement in the right direction!
Cool, right?! :)
07 June, 2010
03 June, 2010
Dogs Think Every Day is Christmas
While on my trip to the east coast, I flipped through the airline-supplied magazine and stumbled upon an interview with Ray Bradbury. Ray Bradbury! Admittedly, I haven’t read much of his work, and at 89 years old the man is an ICON!! Still! He has two books coming out this year and so far, one for 2011. The man just doesn’t stop writing!
I appreciated his interview because I have been struggling to stay motivated and really dig into this project. I haven’t been able to write past the first few pages because I’m worried I won’t like what I write. More importantly (although not really) I worry that other people won’t like what I write. So I’ve been letting myself get hung up on this fear of my work being hated! On the plus side, I’ve been coming up with lots of ideas and bits of the plot…although I’m not exactly sure how they’ll be arranged yet! Bradbury said, “Love is easy, and I love writing. You can’t resist love. You get an idea, someone says something, and you’re in love”. I hope I don’t misconstrue the meaning of his words here! Bradbury writes because he loves it. Seems easy enough! I imagine that, like all writers, he gets hung up on wanting other people to like his work, but that doesn’t stop him. He also said that some 20 years ago he was at a restaurant in Denver and heard a woman at the next table say, “Oh my god, I’ll bet dogs thing every day is Christmas!” And there was an idea for a book! It was THAT EASY! Well, sure, the ideas are the easy part!
Mr. Bradbury got me thinking, why stop writing? It’s silly! It’s impossible to write something that everybody likes. It’s important that we write something we’re proud of or we’ll never get anywhere, but we have to learn that it’s ok if other people don’t like it. So that’s what I’m going to do…keep on writing! As a matter of fact, as soon as I finish this post I’m going to type up my first pages (they’re handwritten right now). Maybe that’ll get the ball rolling and the words will start flowing.
The interviewer asked Bradbury what the key was to his prolific career and continuing to be so well-loved. He responded, “Don’t try to do, just do. If you live this life without trying, it’s good. If you try too hard, it won’t be any good. It just has to be done, period—like an explosion.”
(The article with Ray Bradbury was written by J. Rentilly. It was published in the May 1, 2010 issue of American Airlines “American Way”)
I appreciated his interview because I have been struggling to stay motivated and really dig into this project. I haven’t been able to write past the first few pages because I’m worried I won’t like what I write. More importantly (although not really) I worry that other people won’t like what I write. So I’ve been letting myself get hung up on this fear of my work being hated! On the plus side, I’ve been coming up with lots of ideas and bits of the plot…although I’m not exactly sure how they’ll be arranged yet! Bradbury said, “Love is easy, and I love writing. You can’t resist love. You get an idea, someone says something, and you’re in love”. I hope I don’t misconstrue the meaning of his words here! Bradbury writes because he loves it. Seems easy enough! I imagine that, like all writers, he gets hung up on wanting other people to like his work, but that doesn’t stop him. He also said that some 20 years ago he was at a restaurant in Denver and heard a woman at the next table say, “Oh my god, I’ll bet dogs thing every day is Christmas!” And there was an idea for a book! It was THAT EASY! Well, sure, the ideas are the easy part!
Mr. Bradbury got me thinking, why stop writing? It’s silly! It’s impossible to write something that everybody likes. It’s important that we write something we’re proud of or we’ll never get anywhere, but we have to learn that it’s ok if other people don’t like it. So that’s what I’m going to do…keep on writing! As a matter of fact, as soon as I finish this post I’m going to type up my first pages (they’re handwritten right now). Maybe that’ll get the ball rolling and the words will start flowing.
The interviewer asked Bradbury what the key was to his prolific career and continuing to be so well-loved. He responded, “Don’t try to do, just do. If you live this life without trying, it’s good. If you try too hard, it won’t be any good. It just has to be done, period—like an explosion.”
(The article with Ray Bradbury was written by J. Rentilly. It was published in the May 1, 2010 issue of American Airlines “American Way”)
Three for Thursday
So many of you have been in contact with me and asking how my novel is coming along. I wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I appreciate your questions and encouragement! This challenge has proven to be much more difficult than I ever imagined it could be! I feel bad that I haven’t had much to say in response to your questions asking what the story is about! Truth is…I’m not entirely sure what my story is about. But I am learning a bunch about my characters! So, I figured as a teaser (and perhaps an even bigger motivation, since you’ll be able to ask me more specific questions!) today’s Three for Thursday will not only relate to my novel, but will actually be ABOUT my novel! Happy? So, I’ll tell you a little about the two main characters and the setting. One, two, three!
My story has two main characters—a man and a woman—as well as several supporting characters (and probably some that I don’t even know exist yet!). The man’s name is Nathaniel, the leading lady is Jane. I haven’t gotten all the details worked out but I do know who they are!
As of now, I picture Nathaniel as a professional man in his…oh let’s say…late 30’s or early 40’s. He’s never been in love; never had a romantic relationship. I haven’t figured out why yet. He lives in an eastern metropolitan location. He is traveling to the book’s setting (just wait for it), a place he hasn’t been to since he was a young child. He is returning to this location because his ailing grandmother lives here and is coming to help her take care of her will, etc etc. As far as his physical traits, I picture Nathaniel as a very attractive man. He has the “big city” look. He’s the type of guy who shows up for a first date in a suit jacket and tie. He is tan and fit (but not grossly so!) and has dark, just rolled out of bed but absolutely perfect hair. He is clean-shaven. All the time.
Jane is the ideal small-town beauty. She grew up in the setting (still wait for it) and teachers theater and choir at the local high school. (Yes, you knew there had to be a teacher somewhere in this story!) She is of just below average height, petite, and has long dark brown hair with subtle hints of red. Think dark chocolate cherry. Yummy, right? Jane lives in a house down the street from her childhood home which has a down-to-earth, lived-in feel. Jane has a child from a previous relationship. I haven’t determined yet why this relationship didn’t work out but I’m sure it’s for the best.
The story takes place in a town similar to where I grew up. This is great because I feel like I can write accurate descriptions and details. I don’t have a name for the town; I’m not sure it matters a whole lot. It felt natural for me to choose this location and I absolutely feel I can do it justice. On the past couple road trips I’ve taken through St. George I’ve been paying special attention to the memories the journey recalls and the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
So there you have it!
My story has two main characters—a man and a woman—as well as several supporting characters (and probably some that I don’t even know exist yet!). The man’s name is Nathaniel, the leading lady is Jane. I haven’t gotten all the details worked out but I do know who they are!
As of now, I picture Nathaniel as a professional man in his…oh let’s say…late 30’s or early 40’s. He’s never been in love; never had a romantic relationship. I haven’t figured out why yet. He lives in an eastern metropolitan location. He is traveling to the book’s setting (just wait for it), a place he hasn’t been to since he was a young child. He is returning to this location because his ailing grandmother lives here and is coming to help her take care of her will, etc etc. As far as his physical traits, I picture Nathaniel as a very attractive man. He has the “big city” look. He’s the type of guy who shows up for a first date in a suit jacket and tie. He is tan and fit (but not grossly so!) and has dark, just rolled out of bed but absolutely perfect hair. He is clean-shaven. All the time.
Jane is the ideal small-town beauty. She grew up in the setting (still wait for it) and teachers theater and choir at the local high school. (Yes, you knew there had to be a teacher somewhere in this story!) She is of just below average height, petite, and has long dark brown hair with subtle hints of red. Think dark chocolate cherry. Yummy, right? Jane lives in a house down the street from her childhood home which has a down-to-earth, lived-in feel. Jane has a child from a previous relationship. I haven’t determined yet why this relationship didn’t work out but I’m sure it’s for the best.
The story takes place in a town similar to where I grew up. This is great because I feel like I can write accurate descriptions and details. I don’t have a name for the town; I’m not sure it matters a whole lot. It felt natural for me to choose this location and I absolutely feel I can do it justice. On the past couple road trips I’ve taken through St. George I’ve been paying special attention to the memories the journey recalls and the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
So there you have it!
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