Last night my writing group met. Along with the latest sections from Newshound’s and Poetess’ novels, we discussed my recent story. I wound up getting a lot of praise for this story, which surprised me, because I still thought it was kinda marshy and weak in the middle. People loved the concept. The Poetess said…
Liveblogging, Fin (For Realsies)
Ok, whew. I’m back to liveblogging, and rather sorry for punking out on it last week. One of the plusses, and minuses, of a writing group is that it’s like writing with someone looking over your shoulder. That provides a lot of accountability, which is great, but it also provides a lot of pressure, and…
Liveblogging… Again?
I am going to finish this story if it kills me. Harold’s story has been a very difficult one for me to write. Dude is seriously the hardest protagonist I’ve ever worked with. Here are a few of the reasons: Harold is male, elderly, and severely handicapped. I cannot claim a lot of experience with…
I Don’t Know What I Been Told
Last night I was searching for my iPad. “I think it’s downstairs,” Mark said. “I was just wondering whether I had any email. Perhaps from a Mr. Card?” “Mr. Card?” “Comma Orson Scott.” I knew the deadline for acceptances to Literary Boot Camp was fast approaching, and I was getting a little antsy. But when…
Liveblogging, Fin
Three days before my deadline. Time to get this story done. What I’ve got: Ten and a half pages, about half of which are up to my standards What I need: About ten more pages, plus a good deal of polish 3:11 PM: Sitting here at Borders, ready to get started. 3:12 PM: Got my…
Now I’m a Believer
This week I got a late birthday present, in the form of the latest from that purveyor of excellence, Apple. That’s right, folks, I am the proud owner of the first iPad on my block. I have to say, I wasn’t prepared to love it as much as I do. It is, in a word,…
Liveblogging, Part II
So, after liveblogging on Wednesday, I have two major observations. First, it was a good motivator. I felt quite compelled to stay on task, because people (probably not a lot of people, but people) would know if I didn’t. This was good. But secondly, I felt a little rushed. I kept wanting to post those…
Liveblogging a Story
A few weeks back I wrote about the story opening I wrote for my application to Orson Scott Card’s Literary Boot Camp. I’ve been letting that story sort of gel in my head for a while, but I’ve got a writing group meeting coming up, not to mention I could hear from OSC any day. …
Now With Added Hotness
Thirty days, baby! Thirty days. Thirty days ago is when I made a deal with myself that I would not buy any more books until I had worked out for thirty days in a row. And this I have done. It’s been kind of hard. It absolutely stunk to be doing great, around Day 20…
Turns Out it Was Right Here All Along
So lately I’ve been thinking about voice. When I was in school, studying up on the Great Art of Creative Writing, there was a lot of talk about “finding your voice.” No doubt there still is. At the time, I thought that my voice was something I was going to have to make decisions about….