writing.com

Where do would be writers go? Not authors who's words are published in the slick pages of magazines or in the bright white pages of hard back tomes, but the dabblers who's heads are full of stories, We are the glassy eyed who sit in a room but are not there, instead we travel the halls of far off kingdoms, battle against evil and fall unrequitedly in love. Here we can open a window into our souls and hope for a gentle word from those who stop to take in the view. Welcome.
This is my intro to my portfolio on writing.com.
I am going to try this forum out to see if I can get my writing reviewed by other would be authors and to keep me motivated. I have spent the day on the forum when I should be cleaning my house or writing so it may turn out to be just a big distraction.

Oh joy and rapture! Have I mentioned that I got a laptop for my anniversary gift? I can sit anywhere I am comfortable and write to my hearts content.
Since last I blogged I have sent Callen and Thayla shopping at a bookstore (Tree of Life)[Chapter 4], Rosanna has had a close encounter with a ferocious bear (One Kiss)[Chapter 9] and Braden has explained resurrection to Jazmire at his father's wake (Heir)[Chapter 18]. I also added a scene in the hospital to Character Sketch, it may not stay it really doesn't further the plot. I think I must resolve myself to the idea of that story staying at the novella stage.
Progress is too slow and not steady enough but still it's progress.

Thin skinned dabbler

I recently entered a writing challenge. A story is outlined then the contestants write the first 13 lines of the story. The idea is based on the premise that the first page of a manuscript will probably only have about 13 lines on it so those lines need to be good enough and hooky enough to get an editor to read on. For the last two weeks my entry has been heavily panned. Notably this week,"That error, along with some sloppy writing, turns me off from this story".
It's hard to recover from such negative feedback when I get so little feedback of any kind on my work. It puts me in mind of the Harry Chapin song "Mr. Tanner." I posted that last stanza. I know how he feels. I am my best audience therefore that is who I will write for.
I love to write, I have stories swirling through my mind all the time, five at a time. I just don't have the tools I need to write effectively. I know what good writing is, it pulls you into the story so you aren't even aware of the writing. The words become amazing settings, well realized characters and story lines that draw you in emotionally.
I told myself last week I need to use my creative energy to write on my own stories, no more writing challenge but it is so seductive to hope someone will think your few short lines are magical.
Oh to have Shrunk and White poured into each crease of my brain so that my ideas come out as lyrical prose.
I will stop referring to myself as a writer, I am only a dabbler. It is enough if I enjoy the imperfect scrawlings.

Time Bandit

We battle through life pushing against the sands of time and wonder, as we see the silver trail of dust sift through our fingers, where all our hours and minutes have gone. It is unfathomable to me that nearly two months have past since my last entry. I have pecked away at the edges of several of my stories but never really sunk my teeth into the meat until today. With the teeth sinking and pecking I have written nearly 1200 words on the sequel, a little over a thousand words on the fairy tale but none on the main novel. I hang my head in shame. I will not have the manuscript ready for the May contest, sigh! Still without equivocation writing brings me the greatest joy. So I shall muddle on in my own erratic way.
I reread one of my favorite books this past week; Adam Bede by George Eliot. She is an artist with the written word painting beautiful pictures as backdrops to well realized characters. I can only aspire.

Anger management

Today I wrote my MC mad. It was fun. Stomping through the streets of the city trailed by his entourage. I got 1201 words written on the sequel.

On Writing

I finished reading Stephen King's book On Writing. I loved it for a number of reasons. First and foremost it gave me permission to read and read and read. It also helps me set my own head in order about what my priorities in writing should be. I write like I read. I have several stories going at one time; a book by the side of my bed, on the living room end table, in the car and possibly one in the bathroom. I often walk around with my finger in a book. And so goes my writing; in my head I will jump from getting Terran explorers out of the marshes, to having a dwarf cast a spell on a beleaguered Prince, to tromping the back streets of a city behind a troop of cats. I know I should spend my energy finishing one story before I write on another but that's not how my head works. Mr. King has helped me set a goal: one thousand words a day on the main novel and then any energy I have left on what ever else is swirling through my head. I wrote 1066 words today and didn't want to stop; the end of a chapter is in view and I want to rush to meet it. I love how once the creative juices start flowing they fill my veins with energy.

P.S. I couldn't stand it I had to finish the chapter another 406 words.

My Muse

I will go days on end and not find a minute to write. Whether it's domestic duties or a riveting book or no time on the computer it's still amounts to the same thing; no word count. Then my muse strikes and no obstacle can stop me from writing. Tonight I wrote 1206 words on the fairy tale rewrite.
My husband says that one of his favorite things about me, and there are hundreds he says, is to watch my face when I am reading or thinking about writing. He says I get this pleasant smile and my eyes light up. Tonight was one of those moments when I'm sure my face expressed absolute joy. I love the interplay between my hero and his nemesis and writing about their interaction has been a real treat. I look forward to them meeting up again.