Deadlines

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that deadlines and writers are not a good combination.

Writing is an art form, as inspired and creative as painting, sculpting, dancing... You wouldn't walk up to a comedian and say "Say something funny" (actually I think people do that and I'd imagine it's really annoying.) The point is, writing comes when it comes and deadlines mess up that whole process. I sit here with a pressing deadline and my right brain says, "Yeah, f*ck you, that's not how I roll". Thanks right brain.

N

Blank Page

I've stared at this blank page for a bit now, waiting for that lightning bolt of inspiration to hit me. Still hasn't and I'm starting to think my insistence on inspiration is more a cloaked procrastination tactic. So I should probably stop rambling and get to work.

N

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from Canada!

I'm at my desk today because deadlines don't have holidays! But I'm happy as a clam sitting here typing away. I'm taking a break between synopsis writing and story rewrites to post here.

It's hard to list what I'm thankful for without sounding trite or cliche. I mean the list is kinda the same isn't it? Good, healthy family and friends, food to eat, warm place to sleep, safe place to play and work and the right to individual thoughts, opinions, identity. Don't get me wrong, I know there are many people around the world without these basic things, even here in Halifax. But listing them at the dinner table becomes repetitive and the repetition kinda takes away from the effect, don't you think?

So yeah, I'm thankful for all of those things too, but here's my list of unique things:

... for colours and light in the fall.
... for my pup who loves me no matter what I do.
... for the time I have to peck at my computer and the ideas that come out.
... for chocolate, especially the kind that doesn't melt in my hands.
... for sticky notes that make me feel more organized and less frantic.
... for sports, especially hockey and basketball and baseball, that let me see my kids feeling passion.
... for books that let me be someone else for a bit.
... for social media that lets me talk to friends I'd lost touch with.
... for sentences that end in prepositions.
... for the 'f' word, because it's so versatile and sometimes it's the only word that works.
... for sparkly things.

:) Happy Thanksgiving, from this Proud Canuck.

N

Meeting of the Minds

So I had a work meeting today, with another literary-type who does writing and editing and other cool stuff. She is helping me get my latest WIP ship shape - I get to ask her questions and we bounce ideas off of each other. She rewords an idea forty seven times until I understand what she means, that kind of fun stuff. Fun for me at least!

I've said it before, there's something surreal that happens when artistic people talk about art. I'm sure it's there when math people talk about math, but I can't say I've experienced it, not being a math person myself. There's an aura or an energy that is more than the sum of its parts.

And my Pumpkin Spice Latte without the latte was pretty yummy too.

N

Happy Writing Friday

I know those titles are getting boring. You'd think that someone who writes would be more creative with titles, but nope... my second story is currently called USB (for untitled second book) and my third story is - wait for it - UTB. You can figure out what it stands for.

Today I have lots of direction.

I'm excited to be contributing to the online magazine, Understorey. It's a great collection of stories and thoughts on motherhood - check it out! I'm not sure when my story is going in, but you should read what's there already. So I have edits to do for that to do.

I've uploaded a part of Game Plan's first chapter to Wattpad. Wattpad is a really great community of writers, take a look. It's free and has a mobile app so you can read on your phone.

After I'm done all those tidily bits, I have to take a serious look at my Big Editing Project. I have edits back on a story that are giving me swirling thoughts and explosive ideas. SO excited to move forward with it until I actually OPEN the document and then I'm  totally daunted. I'm at the point where I'm considering rewriting much of it because it may be easier than changing what's there... we'll see. I'm eating M&Ms in an effort to boost my courage.

N