Nanowrimo is on a few short weeks away. So the hunt is on for a plot. In the meantime, I've started setting up the blockades for my schedule. I've also ordered a new TWSBI 540 fountain pen and brown ink to complement my writing experience this year. Last Nanowrimo was tough for me, so this year I'm trying to give myself every excuse to succeed.
I was thinking today about how writing has become a November tradition in my household. On November 1, my wife and I along with my ten-year-old sit down to write a book. Our seven-year-old might join us this year as well. The five-year-old has one or two more years ahead of her. But nearly every night you can find us all hunkered down over steaming cups of coffee or tea, in front of the fire, listening to music and scribbling or typing away.
I hope that my children carry on this tradition when they grow up. The creative energy we all get from it is such a high that I imagine they will. It's funny, but it is always around this time of the year that I remember how much I want to be a writer. I remember how much I love to write. How much I love stories. How many there are to tell. And how important they are to the human experience.
I guess that's another reason that Autumn feels like a new beginning for me, unlike the Spring which just feels like oppression on the horizon. Off to hunt down that illusive plot.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Why Must I?
October brings a flurry of mental activity in my household as both my wife and I start peculating with ideas for Nanowrimo. She usually skips planning and just wings it (a "pantster" for those in the know) while I meticulously plan every detail and nuance of a grandiose literary Everest...only to chuck it one week in to the month-long noveling adventure.
Why is that? Why can't I either write by the seat-of-my-pants or plan and follow through? I've completed five of my six novels; by completing I mean 50,000 words. But none of them are even remotely close to what I would consider finished or even good. I'm not sure what the answer is.
This year, I'm tossing around two ideas: one is a fantasy set in a world I've been building in my head for years, the other is an extrapolation of my current life situation. One would require minimal planning, the other extensive planning (much of which is underway or completed entirely) but still I am undecided. At least I have until November 1st to decide.
Why is that? Why can't I either write by the seat-of-my-pants or plan and follow through? I've completed five of my six novels; by completing I mean 50,000 words. But none of them are even remotely close to what I would consider finished or even good. I'm not sure what the answer is.
This year, I'm tossing around two ideas: one is a fantasy set in a world I've been building in my head for years, the other is an extrapolation of my current life situation. One would require minimal planning, the other extensive planning (much of which is underway or completed entirely) but still I am undecided. At least I have until November 1st to decide.
Check, Check, Sibilance
Have you ever noticed that some things work, but few things work well?
I've been many things in my thirty-five years: receptionist/shampoo boy, salesman, electrician, manager, pastor, technical director, writer, sound engineer. During all of these mini careers, I have striven to be the best, the fastest, the most proficient and it usually paid off. I received promotions, pay increases, more responsibility and was offered the promise of great future benefits. Yet here I am, broke, working my ass off for less than I've made since High School washing Old Ladies hair. What the hell is going on?
As I have pondered this recently, I've come to a revelation: this economy blows! Have you seen the parade of idiots running our country into the ground? It's amazing that any of them can figure out which end to put food in or which end to talk out of. Just to be clear, I'm not only speaking of politicians--although they are by far the most removed from reality--I'm speaking about bankers, business owners, investors, and common working stiffs like you and I. We're all severely screwed! And now we have a bunch of hipsters running around protesting the proverbial "man" with all his greed and power while they upload pictures from their smart-phones (made by the man) to Facebook (run by the man) on network connections and WiFi (controlled by the man).
The problem isn't the "man" it's US! We've screwed the pooch. We elected these a-holes. Made these greedy business people rich. Indentured ourselves to these corrupt bankers. And what do we do about it? Whine like the short-sighted cry-babies we are. Honestly I just don't get us--myself included.
Like any great change, it starts with an individual decision. Time to choose I guess.
I've been many things in my thirty-five years: receptionist/shampoo boy, salesman, electrician, manager, pastor, technical director, writer, sound engineer. During all of these mini careers, I have striven to be the best, the fastest, the most proficient and it usually paid off. I received promotions, pay increases, more responsibility and was offered the promise of great future benefits. Yet here I am, broke, working my ass off for less than I've made since High School washing Old Ladies hair. What the hell is going on?
As I have pondered this recently, I've come to a revelation: this economy blows! Have you seen the parade of idiots running our country into the ground? It's amazing that any of them can figure out which end to put food in or which end to talk out of. Just to be clear, I'm not only speaking of politicians--although they are by far the most removed from reality--I'm speaking about bankers, business owners, investors, and common working stiffs like you and I. We're all severely screwed! And now we have a bunch of hipsters running around protesting the proverbial "man" with all his greed and power while they upload pictures from their smart-phones (made by the man) to Facebook (run by the man) on network connections and WiFi (controlled by the man).
The problem isn't the "man" it's US! We've screwed the pooch. We elected these a-holes. Made these greedy business people rich. Indentured ourselves to these corrupt bankers. And what do we do about it? Whine like the short-sighted cry-babies we are. Honestly I just don't get us--myself included.
Like any great change, it starts with an individual decision. Time to choose I guess.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Here's to a New Endeavor
I've been pretty bored lately. But fall is nearly here and that always makes me feel like creating something; so why not a new blog? I'm not going to pretend that I have some grandiose idea or direction for my future musings here. I only promise to be honest and mostly uncouth. I don't really believe in holding back my ideas, so be warned...things might get a bit colorful. Then again, you're probably used to that by now. Anyway, here's to a fun-filled adventure to God knows where by any means necessary. I hope you join me for the journey.
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