Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Some Random Thoughts On A Tuesday Evening

JEN ON WRITING

I've made a decision about my "habits" as a writer. Over and over I've heard people say that they never share anything about their current wip because it makes them lose energy/enthusiasm/that certain mojo they have for it. Eventually, if they share too much, their writing comes to a standstill. Hence the reason they've learned to keep things on the downlow--plucking away at the keyboard in some obscure corner of the world, never really seeking or needing any kind of feedback until they're able to plop a full manuscript into another person's lap.

Hmmm, that sounds totally reasonable to me. Honest. In fact, that's what I've been trying to do. Ask anyone in my writing circle. Hardly any of them has read anything beyond that first 100 that I had to send into D.A. If they've read a full scene after that, I'd be shocked. Oh sure, I've posted small snips, but no one has seen a clear picture of where this new revision is going. Heck, I don't know all of the answers, so I'm absolutely positive no one else does.

And well, to be honest... I had to ask myself, Dr. Phil-style: "How's that working for you, Jen?"

To be blunt. It isn't.

Why? I don't know.

All I do know is that I get a certain level of energy from feedback. Writing, as we all know, is such a solitary venture at times, and I've begun to feel like a lost ship trying to make its way through a storm. Am I going in the right direction? Will one misstep on my part cause the whole thing to shatter on the rocks? Will anyone even care if I never succeed in reaching my final destination??

To sum it up. I need to know if what I'm writing is good -- and if people will want to read the blasted thing once I've put Madison through the damn wringer a bazillion times. And then back again. Seriously. I used to trust my instincts, but heck, who am I kidding? I've been humbled by these revisions. Where once I would've flown by the seat of my pants, I'm now second-guessing myself and fixating on every single line. Gah, it's frustrating. (g)

Anyway, to sum it up... Last night I had a late night chat with a friend (Jenna) and her enthusiasm over my ideas...some realized, some still works-in-progress..rejuevenated me. I'm still writing like a snail on valium, but tonight I got this nervous ball of excitement in the pit of my stomach when one of my scenes started to come together in my head. It was such a fantastic feeling, and one I haven't had in a long time. I was "there" -- in the scene, back where I used to take myself when I was writing. A place I haven't visited in a LONG, LONG time. And boy, is this scene a doozy. Maddy and I are both tied up in knots over it. It's pretty awesome. (g)

So yeah...all that to say, I need to share more often. To bounce ideas off of others every now and then. It's good for my soul. Therefore, hopefully ya'll will be seeing a little more of me on IM. I know I've been scarce.


FOR THE LOVE OF GABE!

I'm so not one of those writers who figures out what they're MC's favorite colors are...what subject they really hated in high school...who they had their first crush on. I'm sorry... that works for some, but I've never been one to hammer out all of those minute details before beginning a project. When I need those tidbits or anecdotes, they spring up... like Magic. (g)

Anyway, I've been listening to Pandora a lot...and Colbie Caillat is a new favorite of mine. I MUST get her CD. Anyway, I heard a song today, and it pretty much epitomizes Maddy's feelings for Gabe. It's kinda sweet. If you care to listen, have at it. SAP Alert (g):




THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

1. DOLE lime fruit bars. Yummmmmmm.

2. Pandora. My new fave station is KT Tunstall. It pretty much rocks. My new must-haves are anything by Colbie Caillat and Jack Johnson. Add 'em. You'll love them, promise.

3. A house all to myself. I'm getting a lot of writing time in, even with the dogs yapping at me every hour, on the hour. Tomorrow they go to doggie daycare. They should be so tired they'll sleep all tomorrow evening, leaving me time to write to my heart's content.

4. Growing as a writer. Can't you just jump for joy when you feel a scene begin to come together? To know you're stretching yourself and taking things to a bigger and better level? Even though I've been freaking out about tying up all the loose ends in FI, I took a moment to contemplate advice I've been given in the past. One tidbit that stood out for me today was Barbara Rogan's tip on tracing each subplot through the book, to make sure every one of them ties up. I sat down and made a list of my subplots...and brainstormed ways to combine things (this book is getting way out of control, word count-wise)...and voila, this latest scene started to form. It's actually part of a larger scene I've already written, but it's going to enhance it SO much. It'll take some reworking as a whole, but I'm so up for it. (g) Can you tell I'm excited? :)

5. The first signs of fall. Today it reached the high 60's with a light breeze that added just the slightest chill to the air. Mmmmmm. I love this time of year. Time to break out my fall jackets and sweaters. Soon Halloween will be here...yay.

Okay, time to hit the hay. Have a good night!

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