tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36976660052240194742024-03-13T11:19:31.506-04:00JB's Aphotic Scriptorium...My writing sanctuary...J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-13143176635795313372008-12-04T17:27:00.008-05:002009-06-14T15:29:10.846-04:00Update<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >So this post is just to tell you future blog posts topics I will be writing about. And the are:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >Pen Names!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >I have been thinking about this for a couple weeks now, and I want to briefly share my thoughts on them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >Outlining!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >Basically how I outline and practical help on the subject. I have done two novels, and tried two different outlining techniques, so hopefully I can provide some insight into it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >Editing!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >This can be a stress or annoying for some people, but it is necessary. Oh boy, is it necessary. I will be talking about how I do, things that have worked for me, and things that have not.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >Rewriting!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >And not on a small scale here. We are talking whole chapters, whole sections, and the pain-in-the-neck type of rewriting. My tips on how to go about it, why do it at all, and when it is really necessary.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >Healthy Writing Tips! </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >Take it from someone who knows, writing healthily (how ever weird a concept since it is usually the last thing we are thinking) is important. I will elaborate more. It will be different from what you are thinking, easy, and practical, I assure you.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >Organization!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >How it can be your friend or enemy, and tips for dealing with both.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >Formatting!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >There are many different ways to do it, and I figured it was about time we got into something a tad more technical. 'Twill involve things like chapters, page spacing, and all that crazy goodness.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >Inspiration!</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" > </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >...And the fact that you need very little if it. More on that in the post.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >Prologues and Epilogues!<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >Both small and somewhat similar enough to include in one post. The fundamentals, why we use them, and effectiveness of them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >The Villains!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >The different types, their attitudes, figuring out what personality works for you, and how to help them reach their full potential in their own respected style.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >Character Bios!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >I use them, and love them. I will share why I do for each, and give specific detail on what I include.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >Hopefully one or more of those intrigues you! I certainly am open to suggestions too if something is burning in your mind to be answered.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >Okay, keep in mind here that I will share with you my experience, and try and point you in the right direction, aka one that works for you individually. I am not going to say "This is how you do and there are no other plausible answers that will work.". Obviously that is not true. I will put out what I know, what I have experienced myself, and what you can do to help you figure out what works best for you and your writing.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >Sound good?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >Happy Writing,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:georgia;" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-77165121684495731142008-12-02T18:13:00.004-05:002009-06-14T15:13:01.153-04:00On Writing: An End and Beginning<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Lately my posts have been most personal updates, but I will be changing that for at least the new year, or specify it in the title (maybe labels? I will decide later).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So I am nearing the end of And I Feel the Night, which is exciting (and it helps that a final fight scene is coming too), *but* it will not be the last one in the series.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Yes! I have sequel ideas! Since I have the world established, and all the characters in the sequels introduced, they will be more like short stories (but together in one book or a few depending on the length of them). Wait, back-tracking:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >The characters I have introduced are all involved in the original story, but they all have there own stories to tell (and very different stories at that). I have about...six pairs of characters (when you read it, you will know why they come in pairs, and no they are not dating/married/related or anything like that). Excluding my </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >MC's</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > mind you. So I certainly have enough material to go on. I will only be writing about certain parts of there life, so you will get to know and understand the characters, and get the main conflict they are going through.I hope this is making sense.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Anyways, so even though I am near the end of the first draft (*not even close to the last for this one*) of And I Feel the Night, the sequel of stories has just barely started to evolve.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I did write down some of the ideas I have for future reference during school today, so the beginning is still in the very first baby stages.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I am very glad about the fact that I will be continuing on in the same world, and giving my secondary characters the chance to be the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >MC's</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > and have the attention they deserve.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >They are quite happy with that.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-34346484338697076002008-11-25T14:33:00.005-05:002009-06-14T15:15:45.923-04:00On Writing: Officially Purple, Updates, and Goals<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I validated my </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >Nanowrimo</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > story, so I now have a purple winners bar on their site. I am really looking forward to next years </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >Nano</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >, and maybe even possibly the 3-days novel event. If I am still crazy enough to consider it come labour day of next year.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Yesterday I updated my website with current information. Finally! It had been way too long since I had done that, and finally it is back up to snuff.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I also have some new goals too, since my wrist forced me not to do very much the past couple weeks. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I want to finish my </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >Nano</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > as soon as I can, but I will not be putting a deadline on it; I will not put myself in any more pain, so I will write when I am able to. I will probably start editing it in December regardless of if I am finished or not. I was debating whether I should just get through it, but things will have to change drastically in it anyways so it would be pointless for me to write it (most likely over working my wrist), then just go back and change it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So my original plan for Untold (my other novel) when i finished the first draft was to get my editing done by the new year. That will not be happening most likely. I want to get this more or less on its way while I am in the story's mindset, and I refuse to quickly get through Untold and rush it. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Even though there are no real time limits, I feel behind. And it does not help that I have not written in a couple weeks. I tend to be in worse moods if I have not written, and it is now really getting to me. but I have tomorrow off, and I plan on writing :D.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I really am looking forward to it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-45898087488033892572008-11-15T16:44:00.003-05:002009-06-14T15:16:32.243-04:00On: Writing: And Now It Is Payback Time...<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >My wrist, because I have severe carpal tunnel, has apparently decided that enough was enough. It worked through those 11days of Nano fairly well, then even in the couple of days following was a good sport after I did not give it a break, but now, it appears that it is the end of the line.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >The pain and the random numbness is so awfully bad. It is so freaking painful!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Okay, pain is not exactly something novel to me- the amount shocks most people who have the time to actually listen to the list I have going on- so it is not like I complain very much (only here, and an occasionally WD post). I never do outloud, which is a big problem because I never get things checked out and wait too long so things get worse. A admitting I am in crippling pain means that I have to share feelings...my feelings...with people...Umm, not happening unless it is so bad I can not function and literally need someone to help, because I can not help myself.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >And because I really am as self destructive as I said before, I now can not type with my right hand because I have been ignoring the pain for too long! That means I have to put my story on hold for a few days (preferably I would not use it at all for a few weeks, but ya right. A few days is bad enough)! UGH. It is so frustrating though. I want to write, I want to get this done, I want to finish and reach the goals I have set for this! But nooo!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >It really is my own fault here- of course it is. I really do not want to have to go the surgery route either, but at this rate, well it is not that far off. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So what does this mean for me writing in the future long term? I really do not know. I will have to perfect my one-handed typing techniques (by the way, it is really annoying to type with only one hand). I was thinking about something like a tape recorder, but I am not sure if I would be able to be as comfortable with that- I like seeing the words right away (well, I would be able to see them after they uploaded to the computer, but still, it is not the same).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So if I may offer some advice for the writers out there with out carpal tunnel- Pace yourself. Do not over use your hand(s). Take breaks. Exercise your wrists properly. Go see your doctor at the first signs of trouble.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >*sigh*. Well, at least I have the 50k done though. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing! (write an extra amount for me!)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">JB *is in so much freaking pai</span>n*</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-75619986076979309422008-11-14T16:31:00.003-05:002009-06-14T15:16:48.976-04:00On Writing: Who Ever Heard of Not Reading Through Your Own Novel?<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Getting right to the point here (to tired for anything but that), I have yet to read my Nano story. Seriously though. I have about 90 pages of words I have written and strung together, but have yet to actually read them all. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Most of the time when I had time to write or even look at my story, I would be writing it, not reading it. Eventually I realized that, but I was too far in to take that much time and read it. Now I am done the 50k and have some time to read it, I am *dying* to!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Yet, I refuse to do so until I finish. I have reasons though- I am not doing it to punish myself in a weird way (*makes mental note* "Good way to torture writers- force them to write stories, but not read them! Baha!").</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I know that I will edit. And believe me, once I start, I will not be able to stop and there is a heck of a lot of things to edit. I suspect several story aspects will have to change, which means that outcomes and subplots and then everything will change...I would be locked in my room for days editing if I started.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I want to read it so badly too. *darn inner editor!*</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-80774706820836468772008-11-13T15:55:00.003-05:002009-06-14T15:17:07.809-04:00On Writing: Head Over Nanowrimo<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Yesterday I started to post, but it was late and subsequently I was very tired, so here are the thoughts I can remember from my yesterday musings.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I was thinking about Nano and also my story and can up with some randomness to post.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >The first being that, even though I am not done my novel yet, I have reached the 50k. The challenge has been complete, and I will have to wait for another year before I can officially do it again. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >It is kind of sad.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I will not be able to officially do this again for another year. I expect my Nano novel to take about 10 times that amount of time before it is actually readable, so I will be busy (and I do have another novel to edit too, so I will be very busy), but I wish that it would not take 342 days until Nano '09. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Skipping over that because I could ramble on for pages basically saying the same thing, my story will definitely be about another 10k as far as I can tell from where I can metaphorically see now. Which I plan on getting done before Nano is done (this is official now- I will get it done before the end of Nano.). I plan on taking it a little more slowly now (only a little though), but that just means I will be spending more time doing the things I should be (like passing classes, eating, sleeping- all the things I have neglected to do recently). Maybe 1 or 2k a day- something like that. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I have yet to read over anything I have written! How strange is that! Believe me, if I start reading it, I will edit it like *crazy* and no one will see me for days because I will be on the computer, killing myself over editing it. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Oh! Speaking along those lines, two people asked me to read my story today, and the strange thing is, they brought it up. Like, one of them knew I was doing it; he was thinking about doing it himself for a little bit and knew I was really excited for it. The other must have been talking to a friend of mine or something....I really do not know how he found out exactly but with only 150 people in my school, things get around. Well, he wants to read it too. I proceeded to tell them both that it was crap. Now, like I said, I have not read it yet, but I can still guarantee that it is crap. But they both knew that it was about the word count first, and I would edit it later. I am not sure when I will give it to them, but I do plan on sending it them- something for us to laugh over pretty much. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >As my other novel, a couple people have wanted to read that too. One guy I am friends with heard me briefly mentioning it in our Writer's Craft class and wanted to read it when I was done. It was like six months later and he asked me again, and wondered about how I was doing. I was honestly a little surprised that he asked me again (I forgot he wanted to read it actually), and I told him he could. I would also very much like a male's perspective on it too, so I am glad he is so intrigued. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I would love to share my Nano story to with people, and have them read it, mainly because it is really bad, and I know it. So if they said it was bad and told me things to fix, I would be all for it because I know it is awful and needs a lot of work. My other novel I just am very territorial over right now for various reasons that I am sure you can come up with on your own :).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-90156114800747910202008-11-11T21:14:00.006-05:002009-06-14T15:17:34.423-04:00On Writing: OHMYFREAKIAMDONENANOWRIMO<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >At 9:14pm on November 11th, guess what I finished.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >A FIFTY THOUSAND WORD NOVEL.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >YES that is right! I finished Nanowrimo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >*dances* *noise making* *celebrates* *throws confetti*!!!!!!!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Okay, recap of this post so far:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I WROTE 50K OR FIFTY THOUSAND WORDS IN ELEVEN DAYS.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >HECK FREAKING YA.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Wow am i excited, and yes I will have an even worse headache in a few minutes, but HECK YES I FINISHED!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Wow this is great. I really did doubt my ability to get even 20k in 30 days, but I am 11 days in and I have more than 50k!! </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >My story is yet to be done, although I could end it where I have stopped, but it would be an incomplete ending. I plan on getting it all done, whether it takes another 30k or more, in before November is done so I can start editing right from the get go of December.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >HECK.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >YA.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >*is so excited*</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Thank to everyone for the support! Really, I probably woUld have given up. My characters thank you too ;)! Oh I love the story, I love the characters, I love writing! And I love Nanowrimo!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >*hugs go to all*</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-28853044573292217752008-11-11T16:37:00.005-05:002009-06-14T15:17:58.246-04:00On Writing: Best. Experience. Ever.<span class="postbody"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So last night, writing amazing. As in it was the best writing experience I have ever had. Maybe I have not written much compared to others, but I have written enough, and this was the first I ever felt so...into my writing.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >When I was writing a couple scene, they were so intense and I got so into them; it was amazing. They might not be that intense to read, but I was definitely with my characters right in the middle of the story going through it with them. It did not feel like I was writing it, but that I was actually *there*. It was crazy awesome (emphasis on the 'crazy' and 'awesome' part). I am so in love with that part, and even more in love with writing and this story, which I was hard pressed to believe I could love it anymore. It was a phenomenal experience, and I hope it happens again! Boy has Nanowrimo been good to me so far </span><img style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;" title="Very Happy" src="http://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/icon_biggrin.png" alt="Very Happy" smilieid="1" /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >And let me be clear here; I am in no way saying that my writing technique or the words I chose of the very writing itself was amazing. It is somewhere in between 'meh' and 'holy cow this is freaking awful!' on the writing scale, but as I said before, December is when I will get it neat and polished.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Also, at the end of writing yesterday, I realized that I had written about 6k in total that day, which I thought was great. Sure, I wrote twice as much the first day, but still; I was writing on and off from about 2pm and I did not think that it was that much writing. Normally I check a couple times an hour of my word count, but I was so into it I wrote about 2k without even realizing it, and I was shocked when I looked at my word count.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I swear I have used the words shocked and comfort (or some variant of it) at least a hundred times each, and my characters have nodded their heads so much I am surprised their brains have not been rattle into mush. Honestly.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >But whatever- I will edit it later with a thesaurus on hand </span><img style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;" title="Smile" src="http://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smile" smilieid="2" /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Side Note:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I changed my blog theme! Horoscope signs aside (although they are growing on me even though they do not exactly fit in with the theme), I *love* it. The whole header picture with the night sky and the trees and such fit in well with the 'aphotic' part in a kind of irony that I enjoy, partly because I love what the picture shows, but then again what 'aphotic' means. Perfect for me. Although again, minus the horoscope symbols.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >JB</span><br /></span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-88730211109135869662008-11-09T17:29:00.006-05:002009-06-14T15:18:18.277-04:00On Writing: Knee Deep in NaNoWriMo<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So with my first draft aside for the moment (editing has been slow, but almost coming...), I have taken up the lovely people that created NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) up on their challenge. A 50k word novel in 30 days.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I thought it would be awfully hard and I would only get to 20k at best.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Well as it stands right now, I am at 40k and it is only day nine. Also, the past 3 days I have been mind bogglingly (....I wonder if that is a word.....) sick, and had a friends wedding to help out in (while I was sick too mind you). I did maybe 1k or 2k when I was sick, so basically I have shocking myself at the amount of words that are coming out who knows where.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I also thought going into this that I would end up not liking my story or not being very happy with it because I would not have time to really work through it because of the deadline, but I was wrong there too.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I LOVE it! I love this story. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Now, I know. The other novel I have written (and you have no idea the pleasure of my saying that) is so important to me. That novel has been years in the making already, and is basically at the root of my writing love. But with that said, I can not just write it, and then let it go. I really need to make the novel the best and most flawless work I can because I see it as my baby really. My other unfinished works (like my NaNo story) I will see through and of course make them as flawless as possible, but the novel I have done is like 'the ultimate' in my mind right now. A dream reached. Yes, even unpublished, it still is a dream reached for me.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I have a feeling that I will not be trying to get it done and sent out to be published right away. I want to have time to work through it, and work on my other piece(s) because right now, it is still in that 'mine' process. It is </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >my</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > baby here. Give me some time to love it before I send it off to be rejected in college.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >No wait, I really did not mean...okay, awful analogy. But I hope you get it. I want to enjoy working with it on my own time and really giving it the time it deserves instead of rushing through it just so I can send it off. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Wow, I should have just said that. But writers digress of course (and give the occasional </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >awful</span> analogy. Seriously- very sorry for that).<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So back to the focus of NaNo. This is the story I see myself working through and getting done and sending off. Not that i think it deserves less time or needs to be edited less (by the way, it is awfully written right now, and for good reason; I have gotten more then half way through it in only 7 days!). It is because I am so enthusiastic about it, and really want others to read it and enjoy.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Perhaps to non writers, writing one book and writing another would be believed to have the same feelings. But that is definitely not so. The feelings I have for both books are impossibly different, yet impossibly the same.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >NaNo is amazing for the record. I absolutely love it. The process is so different then what I have done before. It took me six months to write 50k, and I have done all but 10k in nine days. It really has not sunk it yet because it is so shocking to me. I have put in the hours, typed the words out myself, have the almost 70 solid pages of writing in front of me, but it still is surprising every time I think about it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I am going to enjoy it while it lasts, because I have a feeling the editing that will come in December will not be as fun. Not *nearly* as fun.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Speaking of, I figured out the hours that it takes me to edit one chapter for the finished novel. I think it was ten. Hours I mean. And really NO ONE has the amount of time lying around. NO ONE. Least of all me at the moment. Like sure, I am probably doing not a half bad job editing in those ten hours, but I have TWENTY chapters! That is part of the reason I have not edited that much, and the fact that I have not updated that much (since there was nothing to update on).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Now, about blogging and updating:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I make no real promises to update, because I have no idea when things will happen to me/writing that will be worth updating you on. Now, with NaNoWriMo, I have a feeling that I will be updating when I get to the 50k and when I am editing and all the jazz that comes after. Who knows though.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Either way, Happy Writing!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-44753357019798320512008-08-16T07:27:00.005-04:002009-06-14T15:19:32.503-04:00On Writing: Links and Editing (...so technically not about writing at all...hmmm)<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >As is my tendency, I write first for my novel, then for my writing journal, then for my online writing community, and if my carpel tunnel is not acting up (unlikely), then I update my website, and then I post here. If I have something worth saying...which is becoming more and more a rarity these days.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Besides my blog, I have my other two, more prominent online havens:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://writersdraft.englishboards.com/">Writer's Draft </a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >This is a forum for aspiring writers, having been created and run by myself.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://jazzellebraewyn.webs.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">JB</span> Website</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >This is my website, which has information about me as an author, my current work, and future work.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://aphoticscriptorium.blogspot.com/2007/11/on-writing-aspiring-writers.html">On Writing: Aspiring Writers</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >My first post (and, yes I am well aware that is a little bit odd to link your blog in a blog post of said blog when you don't have many blog posts to begin with. Regardless, there it stands).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Secondly, editing is going well. I have finally overcome some crippling feelings, and have moved past them. Of course I expect them to catch up sometime, but for now I am in the clear.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I have chapters one and two to edit/revise, then I have to transfer the revisions.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Honestly, it is in times of disaster and editing when I really appreciate my need to organize. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Okay, really I am in the middle of an insomnia attack here- it is 7:50am and I have yet to get some sleep. Don't think that I haven't gone to bed yet, because indeed I have. I was there for hours. Hours.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So I will leave before I type something embarrassing (lucky for you!).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-87906051521987674882008-07-28T13:33:00.007-04:002009-06-14T15:19:52.146-04:00On Writing: Personal Progress<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Hello!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >It has been ages since I posted last. Ages and ages. I have several posts half done, but I wanted to say something important :)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So, I am done my first draft!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Certainly a cause for celebration, but also serious contemplation.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Okay, I have gotten this far right? Isn't everything supposed to be easy now?? I have the thing down, shouldn't all the editing and revising just come???</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Sadly, no this is not the case. I really really wish I could say something more encouraging, but unfortunately I can't. It is reality I deal out here.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I really did think that once I reached this that it would be clearer sailing, which was the first problem.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I focused everything on reaching the point of being done my first draft, that when it came and I didn't feel the relief I thought I would, I was so disappointed.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I have so much work to do now! Real work! My first draft was to get things down, not make a literary piece worthy of an audience.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >NOW I have to do that, and that my friends, is hard. I need to make this agent worthy, publisher worthy, and reader worthy.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Before it was purely for me and I had only me in mind (which was not a bad thing). Now I have to make this ready for someone else, and the standards are higher. Much higher.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >With all that in mind, I have forged ahead and am half way done my first round of revising. The past two weeks I haven't been doing that much (which was not my fault exactly, but still), so this week I will continue on and get more done.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Sometimes it is hard though. I think my work is crap some days, then great others. I am finding a hard time striking a balance there, but I know now that things won't be perfect.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Yet.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I am getting there though.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing,<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-78682469071674681802008-04-22T22:05:00.006-04:002009-06-14T15:20:11.696-04:00On Writing: Oh To See The End In Sight!<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I have finished the last part of my novel. I'm not done by any means- I still have to write the beginning- but I have written the middle and now the ending of my novel. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Such a hard ordeal. Really.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >To be honest, I don't want it to end. Now I know I still </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >have</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > to write a third of the book still, add in new chapters, revise the heck out of everything I've done, edit like mad, polish it, possibly make another draft (first is to get things down, second is for revision and editing, third is for polishing), and then start the gruelling process of finding an agent.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >By no means am I close to being done.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Yet I found it so hard to let go and make the ending work like I know I can. I didn't realize just how much this novel is apart of me until I 'became close' to seeing it end. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So, maybe you are not even close to finishing, or maybe that part is just around the bend, but I do have some advice that might be a repeat of what I've said before; be careful with your work.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Whether you think so or not, the more you work on what you are writing, the more it becomes you own and apart of you, and the harder it is to let that slip away. If you, in any way, have decided to let that piece of yourself go and show it to public (whether that be one person or several), take care of who you show it to. Personally, I would think of it as trusting someone with your life in the literal sense. If you can't trust them with your most valuable </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >possession</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > (you life a.k.a. your writing), just don't do it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >On a different note, I'm done the ending! That means I am two thirds done! No matter how heartbreaking it is to see my characters story's come to a close, it means that I am that much closer to seeing them reach their full potential.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >*sniff* They grow up so fast *sniff*</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-68857057396792976072008-02-23T20:27:00.004-05:002009-06-14T15:21:06.518-04:00On Writing: Choices...<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >We all make choice for day to day; what will we wear, where we will go, how we will act, and the list can go on for many pages. This is true for our characters as well.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I could tell you that when I write, I tell the reader every single thing they decide on, but that would be a large waste of time; as most as big a waste as spending time reading about it. But you know that, right? For this post, I am going to assume that you do and that you do not do it in your own writing (partly because this is my blog, and I can).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Your </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >characters</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > need to make choices. But more importantly, they need to make choices that suit them. If you want your character to eat a jelly doing the slips, then go ahead. But what if they are a vegetarian and think that the slips are a way for the evil </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >temptress</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > from the Chasm of Doom to escape when you breathe out causing the Earth to spin out of control because she control the Earth's rotation???</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Okay, abstract example, but do you see what I mean? Sometimes it helps to have those way out there examples.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >When I write, I have a clear idea of what I want to happen in each chapter of my story. But things can go wrong when I choose to make things go a certain way because that is not always how the story will work. I might have my story thought out from start to finish, but what happens when a character suddenly </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >chooses</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > a different path then the one that was set out for them?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Now, I, in the past, made a few little mistakes with this. I wanted a character to do one thing, but they weren't too keen on going in that direction. So what happened was a sloppy, totally out of character scene that was just too poorly done. Instead of letting them make the choices that suited them, I made them. It's like going to a </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" >restaurant</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > and wanting a salad, but the person at the next table orders a steak for you. Things just don't work out that way.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I'm not saying give in to every little thing your characters want, I'm saying that you </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" >have</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > to be opened to your creations making there own way and deviating from the path a little. Don't make poor </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" >decision</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > for them; they'll do it </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" >themselves</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I hope that made sense. This is one of those things that you think about, but make better sense in your head. Basically, don't force your story and make sure you stay within the confines of what works within your characters.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Perhaps I should have just said that. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" >Meh</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-62378946958299065672008-02-06T17:06:00.001-05:002009-06-14T15:21:31.331-04:00On Writing: Not Your "Be All, End All"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Hey everyone, I know I haven't been keeping my blog up to date, but I have a lot of things currently going on, so expect updates, but don't expect too many too soon (sorry about that). This one is short, but important.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >So the topic for today; your opinion. It's a valuable thing really, and when combined with writing, it can be wonderfully accurate. Or completely, absolutely, totally, dead wrong.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >I was catching up on a backlog of editing recently on a chapter that I thought was really terrible. When I wrote it I was very dissappointed with it, and thought that it was best just to get through it, and redo it later. So begrudgingly I finished it, and put it deep in the confines of my filing system where it would never see the light of day.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Things left unfinished tend to bug me, and I knew that it was time to edit the thres chapters I had neglected to edit straight away. So up from the depths that cursed chapter surfaced, and I started editing it. After the first few pages I stopped and reread it agian.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >It was good.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >And I actually liked it.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >You see, I am my own worst critique, as most writer's are. I thought that what I had written was horrible right after I had finished it, but later I found that it worked really well and wasn't bad at all.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >You might think what you are doing is wrong and horrible and aweful when you are writing it. Maybe you are right, maybe you are wrong though. It is your opinion.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >But can I advise something? Give what you do a fair shot. It isn't fair to you, your characters, or your future readers to miss a potentially wonderful part in your writing just because you had a bad day, or your opinion is wrong. your opinion is not the 'be all, end all' so give yourself time, forget about it, go back to it, and then make up your mind. Perhaps you will find that it is actually really good.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-84245598020561140902008-01-23T20:58:00.002-05:002009-06-14T15:22:23.965-04:00Update<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Okay, I will be getting back to my literary musings shortly. If this is your first time reading this, skip to my second post, then go from there; everything will make more sense. Well, if I was to be philosophical about that statement, it would be infallible to say that least, but I hope you are eximious in your reading to be able to figure that out. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >I have a website; </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;" href="http://jazzellebraewyn.webs.com/index.htm">Jazzelle Braewyn Zariel</a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Second topic to discuss; I have another website, but that is for me alone. I fill it with all the philosophical musings I can think of, which is by no means small, and discuss in writing what I can't express out loud. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Why the second one? Well, I have taken on some interesting and thought provoking reading lately, which brings up many intriguing thoughts. Things like duality, transformation (a synonym for those being the Tempest by Shakespeare), pre-destination, and the list goes on. I've had it up for a while yet, but I plan on keeping it to myself unless there is a great interest in it (which translates to you will probably never see it). Most of it is on the computer in draft form, so even if you are canny enough to figure out what it is called, you wouldn't see much.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Anyways. Happy Writing all,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-91498321478820456482008-01-08T22:05:00.002-05:002009-06-14T15:22:41.067-04:00So Sorry<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Ugh, I am cringing where I sit right now.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Okay, I write these blog posts very quickly because generally I like to spend the time I spend writing, actually </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >writing my story</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Now, you may not know, but I am very OSD about spelling and grammer, and am throughly disgusted my myself right now. I also edit to no end, and I can barely stand this.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >My posts are so atrocious when it comes to all three, and for that, I apologize profusely. I am sure that some of you were sitting at your computers completely confused when I misspelled words, or made up my own for goodness sake!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Ugh, one horrible example: I wrote 'pasted' instead of 'passed'. How abominable.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I really do not have time to go and edit all of the posts I have done. I have enough to do with writing my novel, school, and life, so it's just not going to happen until March Break or the summer (I know I know, it should be done sonner, but it's just not possible).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Just to reinterate; I do not spend a lot of time typing my posts. I do spend a great deal of time when I can thinking of what I am going to write, so I can try and help those of you that read this. I really want to help those of you who are going through some of the things I have and offer practical advice. This means that there will be a lot of spelling, and grammatical mistakes in my posts.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Again, so sorry.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-74411061249164115782008-01-02T18:19:00.001-05:002009-06-14T15:23:02.082-04:00On Writing: First Major Milestone!!!<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Bit of a milestone to talk about today.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Now, if I was going in chronological order, I would have put this before my last post... but I'm not. I also wanted to put the more unfortunate news first, then the good stuff.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Well, on the 31st of December 2007, I, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">JB</span>, finished HALF of my book!!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I AM HALF WAY DONE</span>!!<br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Do you know how ameliorated I feel right now?? <a href="http://aphoticscriptorium.blogspot.com/2007/11/on-writing-goals.html">My goal </a>was to get half way finished by January 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> (a.k.a. my birthday), but I did it a little less then a week early!! And I am almost done another chapter too!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >More good news: I have finished the middle section of my book, and have two chapters done for the end section too!! <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">BOO YA</span>!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >I am so happy, I can't describe it. Getting half way makes it see so much more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">attainable</span> now!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >So set your goals! Work to get there! Reward <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">yourself</span>! You will feel good! Trust me!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >:D</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing and Goal Reaching,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" ><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">JB</span></span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-31898465128186472982008-01-01T20:37:00.001-05:002009-06-14T15:23:18.784-04:00On Writing: Knowledge Can Bring Disappointment...<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Hey </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >everyone</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Today this is more of a personal blog to begin with (I do have a point at the end, I promise), but I wanted a place to write down all of the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >possibly</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > stupid things I have done over the break (and it's probably not what you are thinking), and share a little bit of my experiences. Hopefully they can relate to you, and I hope even more that you don't make the same mistakes!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So, I made a writing forum called </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;" href="http://thewritersdraft.englishboards.com/index.htm"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">Writer's Draft</span>.</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > Personally, I think it's pretty nice, and put a lot of work into making it. In a nutshell; it a place for aspiring writer's to come and talk about </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >everything</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > about writing (wow that was quick). </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Now, I was checking up on it when I was at my cousin's house over the holidays (we slept over and I had only opened it up the day before). I was checking it, and lo! and behold a member of my family asks me about it. Well, I tell them the nutshell explanation of it, and eventually I told them that I was writing a book. I didn't want to, but it was one of situations that I knew I wasn't going to get out of unless I just got it over with and told them. Naturally there were a few others in the room (all adults, although no parents, grandparents, aunts, or uncle so thank goodness), and I'm fairly sure they think little of it. What stock can they put in someone my age who </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" >probably</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >;y knows so little about anything, much less the world of writing?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Well, I </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" >intend</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > to prove them wrong naturally.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So that pasted with only the slightest amount of conversation, which I found both </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" >disappointing</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >, and relieving. I wanted them to be interested; they are my family and main source for support, so if I can't get encouragement from them, I know I'll be hard-pressed to find it elsewhere! Only one comment (well </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" >argument</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > would be a better description actually)</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > was when an immediate member of my </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" >fairly</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > said that they would go on my computer, and read what I have.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >This shows the ignorance and ineptitude of my family no doubt. I'm sure many of you are feeling the horror of just the though of it; having someone go on your personal computer, and read you work. Work that you have poured you heart, energy, time and effort into creating, and just letting some person that has no idea what good literature entails, read it and make a mockery of all you have done.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I was hurt, shocked, and so very nervous.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I avoided much of the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" >persistence</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > of this individual, and told them I had written it by hand, and didn't keep it in the house. They said that they didn't believe it, but I repeated it, and the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" >subject</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > dropped (for the record I have a hard copy and soft copy and they are both in the house).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Now, last night I was up very early (five in the morning) talking to friends of mine, and I </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" >brought</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" >up</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > the topic of dream jobs. Eventually we veered from that, but one of my friends ask another friend if she had ever thought of writing a book. I sat there and debated for a while before deciding that it would be alright to tell them. I wouldn't let them see it, but I could simply tell them about it.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So I did. Apparently they had tried writing a book (although neither </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" >getting</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > past the first page), and I told them that I was currently writing one. They asked </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" >how long</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > it was, and I had the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" >privilege</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > to tell them the length (which I am so very proud of, but more on this later). They seemed vaguely </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" >impressed</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >, but we moved on to other things.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I am not going to lie and say that I was expecting both parties to react in that fashion. I was expecting genuine intrigue and long conversations on my works and choruses of support and well-</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" >wishing</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Alas, that was not so.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I didn't right out think I wanted these, but it was more subconsciously wanted. I wanted approval and </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" >enquires</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > (which I would deny of course) so I </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" >could</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > feel like what I was doing could be important to other people </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" >besides</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" >myself</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >. I was basing every future reader on their reactions, and I know now that that wasn't fair. The people that tend to value reading, writing and authors either weren't in the room, or would be too quite or reserved to say anything (mind you, I could be mistaken). Sure I could have planned telling people about it better, but it's not exactly the thing you plan for, and regardless, the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" >disappointment</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > would still be there.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I really do implore you; don't let people make you, or what you are doing, feel insignificant. People are going to be unimpressed, jealous, uninterested, or not take you </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" >seriously</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >. Trust me, I didn't think it would happen to me, but it did. I really wish it could have turned out differently, but this way you can learn something from me. Perhaps if I had the hard copy with me I could have showed them and threw it in their faces and told them that I was really </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" >doing</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > this and I am proud of it, but really, what would that have done? I can't change how they feel </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" >about</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > it now, but hopefully once they see the final copy (which will get done) they perhaps </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" >appreciate</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > my work and me a little more.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >So, I march on this under-appreciated path in hopes that my journey will lead me somewhere where I can be </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" >amongst</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > people that care enough about my work to take it seriously. For now though, I am stuck here, surrounded by uncaring people.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >DO NOT get stuck! Sure, you can tell people about it, but don't have high (or even mediumly placed) </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" >expectations</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > because you do not want to be let down like I was.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >I hope that in this new year you reach your writing goals, and never give up on them.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing, and a Happy New Year,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-4155258231505964402007-12-02T14:17:00.001-05:002009-06-14T15:23:37.165-04:00On Writing: The Dreaded Writer's Block...<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >So, your sitting there, in front of your computer, looking blankly at the screen. You're mind forms the word you've dreaded since your story first started taking form. Your palms start to sweat, your pulse rises; ringing in your ears, and the palpable feeling of panic starts to build in the room.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Writer's Block.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >It's definition: a usually temporary condition in which a writer finds it impossible to proceed with writing a novel, play, or other work.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >And lets be realistic and add to it that we all go through it. Every writer has had it; every writer will.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Perhaps you are sitting there, reading this, in the middle of it. Well good. What I've got to say should, with any luck, steer you in the proper direction.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >So as is seemingly the tradition, I'm going to open up with stuff about what I've gone through and done to get out of it.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >So you all know that I had the idea for the book I'm doing now for years. And you also should remember that it took me a long time to get going on it, and finally start writing. (and if you didn't remember I just said it so you're good). One would think that that would lead us to the present day of me writing away, but no. Now, what I didn't tell you (because I was waiting for this topic), was the time in between those two points. And it was rough. Really really rough.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >So I started at what I believe to be a November, but I can't exactly recall. So I started writing some things down: character bios, family trees, summaries of plot, sub-plots </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >et</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >cetera</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >, but with quite a lot of self doubt and nervousness. Those feelings were well founded because I had never done anything even close to writing a novel.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >So, you'd expect me to go full-speed ahead, right? Well, not exactly.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >For maybe three months or so I would write here and there; nothing really solid, and never for too long.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Then I hit the biggest Writer's Block in my history.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >It lasted for more then nine (yes, count them; nine) months, and almost reached the tenth month mark. From January to August I wrote not a word for my story; nothing.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Perhaps you're asking"Well why didn't you? What was the reason?", but change the question around a little and ask yourself "Why have I stopped? What is the real problem?".</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Okay let's do some self-searching. Look at the list below, and analyze each one to see if could/is a factor in your Writer's Block. I'm going to be specific, but if you need to (and I encourage you) change it around as you see fit.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >1) task seemed to big so you gave up (whether you realized this consciously or unconsciously)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >2) felt like idea has been done before, so no point was seen</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >3) no ideas came to mind/every idea tried just didn't fit</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >4) tired of writing</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Now I will attempt to take on these problems and finally win the battle over the dreaded Writer's Block!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >1) Okay, let's not beat around the bush here: writing a novel is a big task. A very big one. Naturally this reality is going to catch up with you so time or another, but remember that an impossible task and a big task are two completely different things. So what if it's a challenge? That's part of the experience, and you'll be all the better for it if you embrace the troubles that come along with writing than giving up on it altogether. Why? Because if you give up, your story will never be written. You will never get that euphoric feeling of elation when you finally finish your final draft. Above all, you need to try, and follow through with it and not be paralyzed in the fear of what's ahead of you.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >2) </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >News</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > Flash; </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" >everything has</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > been done. Name any book and I can </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" >promise</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > you that the topic has been broached before. Perhaps it has been done in a slightly </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" >different</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > way, but all in all there are no new topics to do. Don't let that make you feel down though; on the contrary, you should feel a sense of freedom now. Now you don't need to worry and compare you writings to other stories that hold similar ideas/topics/themes. But DO NOT steal the exact same ideas/character </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" >et</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" >cetera</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > from someone </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" >else's</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > work. I'm not going to write about a girl named Alison that falls down a hole into another world and chases a black rabbit that is </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" >obsessed</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > with time, and then call it my own idea. Do you see the difference then me writing about a boy named Adam falling into a well that is a portal to another </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" >dimension</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > where time runs backwards? Finding another world and the theme of time and dreams have been done, but remember to make the story your own, not just copy someone </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" >else's</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >3) I put these two together because they encompass the same basic idea; things just aren't working out. To be honest, it happens. Sometime characters or plots throw you a curve ball and you've just got to take it as they come. My advice on what to do next: go read a book, watch a movie, talk to people, watch television; anything to that could spark your interests. I know, the advice is simple and nothing innovative, but sometimes you need someone else to tell you (which is where I come in). Often you will be focusing too hard on our story and what you want to happen, that you won't see all of the other wonderfully creative ideas around you. So take some time away, and put it out of your mind. Give your mind some time to build up those creative juices again.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >4) I like this one. Why? Because the answer is the easiest. STOP.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Yes, that's what I said: STOP.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >You've hit the point where you just don't want to do it anymore because you don't like it. Why though? You've most likely over-written yourself. I need a break from writing sometimes because it can help me to refocus and let you find that passion again. Getting tired is a way of showing you need to rest and take a break, so follow that instinct, and leave for a while. Remember though, that's only half of it, coming back and starting to write again is the other part to it, so don't forget.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Conclusion: Writer's Block is beatable. It's takes some patience, yes, but eventually you will get through it (and chances are it won't take you almost ten months, so find some comfort in that!)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-8665930772950552912007-11-18T15:31:00.002-05:002009-06-14T15:23:56.238-04:00On Writing: The "S" Word...<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Support.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >I said before in my "On Writing: Aspiring Writers..." post that I would come back to this, and today's the day.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >So I have no personal support in writing whatsoever. No one knows that I'm writing a book, or everything that goes along with it: writing forums, searching the Internet for articles and good web pages, buying many reference books, keeping a "Writing Journal", and my general involvement in the world of writing.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >I'm not going to lie; it was not easy.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >I felt like on my own, I couldn't achieve anything, and certainly not something of this magnitude. At first, the reason why I didn't tell anyone because I knew they would tell me that I flat-out couldn't do it. Call it the rebel in me, but I decided that I would prove them wrong and try my hand at it.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >That stage in my writing wore off pretty quickly, and soon I had bigger worries then people telling me I couldn't do it. I was afraid that if I told them, they would question me as to </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >why </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >I was doing it, and judge me about it. Things like:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >-Why are you doing your story on </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >that?<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >You should do it this way.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >-It doesn't make sense. Do it like this.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >-No offense, that is a really stupid idea.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >And I think you get it.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >I had (and still do have) a very clear idea of where my story is going (just call me "</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >uber</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > organized"), and I was petrified that people were going to change my story.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >And I don't mean sneak on to my computer at night and write it themselves, I mean pressuring me into changing it.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Let's face it, I have never done this before, and I want to know that I'm doing a good job and doing it right. If someone came in and said one of the comments I listed above, it would eat away at me until I changed it to exactly what they wanted. Which is exactly what I </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >don't </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >want.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >The story I'm writing is for me, and only me. Yes, the dream is to get it published, but right now, I have an audience of one, and that one is the only person that counts. I don't want to change my story into something I don't like, and didn't originally want.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >So it was just another reason to keep it to myself.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Then I got to the point where I thought "Okay, you've gotten really far, and your story is looking fairly good, so tell just one person. This way you can get another opinion than your own. Maybe your story will turn out better with some criticism, and you can get someone to edit after you have edited.".</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Fairly good </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >argument</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >, really.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >If you haven't already guessed, I am territorial about my book to an extreme. So I needed to find someone that I wouldn't have a panic attack even thinking about giving them my book.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >At first I thought of my family. That way I didn't have to email my story, which basically would be putting it online (*shudders*), and they could just read it off of the computer. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >Those</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > were the pros. But it didn't make sense for a couple </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" >reason</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > to have them read it. One was because my family is not big on reading. Yes, they do read occasionally, things like magazines, or work related things, but not novels. Also, they weren't my target audience, and are not interested in the genre I'm working in. It didn't make sense because there opinion wasn't one that really counted.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >So family was out. What about friends? I had one friend in mind specifically, so I went the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" >hypothetical</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > route, and thought of what would happen if I did give her my book to read/critique/edit. Well, first I had would have to get it to her. Email was out, because I refuse to </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" >put my</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > work over the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" >Internet</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > and have who-knows-what happen to it. So that left giving her my printed </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" >versions</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > (After I finish a chapter I computer edit, than print it out and edit/leave comments for further revision). What if she lost it? And someone found it? What if?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >What if, What if, What if...</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >So many of these ran </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" >through</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > my head, a panic attack was </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" >imminent</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > (the one thing I was trying to avoid in this whole process).</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >I eventually can to terms that I just can't let anyone know; at least not until I'm finished my first draft.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >So know let's relate this to you. Ask these questions and be honest.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >-Do you think that people will tell you you can't do it?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >-Do you think people will </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" >judge</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > you?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >-Are you writing for yourself? And if yes, do you think telling other people will change that? (if no you should seriously pull back and reassess your motivations)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >-Do you want someone </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" >elses</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > ideas, maybe to help you see a different perspective?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >-Do you think that having someone cheer you on will be beneficial to you?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >-Do you know someone that is in your target audience, and/or likes your genre?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >-Would you be comfortable telling someone?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Those questions should lead you into the right direction.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Now, I'm not saying that support is bad. It isn't at all! I'm sure that having someone there to cheer you on is wonderful , especially when things get tough and you need some encouragement.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >All I am saying is that it isn't right for me, and that you need to think about everything pertaining to telling someone about your writing. Don't be flippant about who you give it out too, your work is valuable, and you need to be able to trust it with </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" >someone</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > that you can trust, if that is the way you want to go. The way I chose was to keep it to myself until the first draft is done. You will probably chose something different because you are a completely different person. But please, be careful about who you give it too, and remember; what you are doing is astounding, it really is, and some people will no doubt be jealous of what you are accomplishing.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Okay, what about the online resources out there, like forums, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" >chat rooms</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > etc.? My advice; again, be careful, but there are many writing resources online. I won't list any here, because I don't want to </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" >premote</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > sites that might not be reliable, and have your work be stolen, or posted on the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" >Internet</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > for everyone to see (I do have some that I have looked into, and can help if you ask directly and understand I'm not responsible if you post things on the sites).</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >There is one thing I can help you with, though, and in this way you have more freedom in what you choose. On Google click the "more" button, go to the "Directory", click "Arts", than go to "Writer's Resources". On the page there should be many links in which you can define your search. They have thing like agents, poetry, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" >organizations</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >, non-fiction, song-writing, young writers, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" >publishers</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" >publishing</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >, writing exercises, chat rooms and forums, along with many others. They have gone through and picked out </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" >some</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" > of the better sites, and have given them to you.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >I hope that that helps you.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Remember, I'm here too and am not going to ask you about the specifics of your writing, so feel free to ask me about whatever. As I am finishing my first draft {*throws confetti*}, I'll keep you updated on my support status and what I've learned along the way (hopefully it will help you too).</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Happy Writing!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" >JB</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /></span></span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-78880729113722635472007-11-15T08:49:00.000-05:002007-11-15T20:52:01.308-05:00On Music: Paramore...<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:Arial;" >I'm sure everyone is shocked right now, but it's true: this post isn't about writing! I figured that I should leave it for a while, and move on to other things (if only for a few days). AND </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:Arial;" ><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">I'll</span> try to keep this post shorter <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">that</span> the others (key word "try" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">haha</span>).</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:Arial;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:Arial;" >Okay, normally, when it come to music, I tend to obsess with one band/singer and play their songs constantly. And by that I mean over and over until I can not stand the band/singer or their songs. Occasionally I won't get sick of them and will love them forever : ).</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:Arial;" >Examples include: Tchaikovsky (1812 Overture is amazing), Evanescence, Michael <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Buble</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Relient</span> K and the list goes on.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:Arial;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:Arial;" >But I've found a new obsession and it's name is <strong><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Paramore</span></em></strong>. The lead singer, Hayley, is one of the best I've ever heard. It isn't as though the recording studio has made her voice sound good, her voice actually is good on it's own. Complete raw talent. They <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">have</span> a new CD out (their second, not including the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">EP</span>) called Riot!, and I find it well worth my time listening to. It's considered Rock/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Emo</span> (and if anyone thought of them dressing in black and cutting themselves, you should be ashamed, because that is not what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">emo</span> means! At all!), but even if you don't necessarily like that type of music, I would listen to it first and then decide.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:Arial;" >They have a single called <em><strong>Misery Business</strong></em>, which I love, but if you want to hear how great her voice is on it's own, listen to <strong><em>Misery Business (Acoustic)</em></strong>. Some of my other favourites include <strong><em>Fences</em></strong>, <strong><em>For a pessimistic I'm pretty optimistic</em></strong> and <strong><em>Hallelujah</em></strong>. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:Arial;" >So for the next few months, if not forever, this is what I'll be listening too. I hope you like it, but I want to know, so leave me comments!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:Arial;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:Arial;" ><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">JB</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:Arial;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:Arial;" >Misery Business Acoustic: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiR838VOCrA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiR838VOCrA</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:Arial;" >Misery <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Business</span>: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYJEORHbIKE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYJEORHbIKE</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:Arial;" >Hallelujah: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sApyi41SoVM&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sApyi41SoVM&feature=related</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:Arial;" >Fences: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeCxGXdtnxk&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeCxGXdtnxk&feature=related</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:Arial;" >Let the Flames Begin: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPZrKRxQxYM&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPZrKRxQxYM&feature=related</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:Arial;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:Arial;" >Official <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Paramore</span> Site:<a href="http://www.paramore.net/">http://www.paramore.net/</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:Arial;" >Good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Paramore</span> Site:<a href="http://www.paramore.org/">http://www.paramore.org/</a> </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:Arial;" >If you want to listen to a little of all of them: <a href="http://store.fueledbyramen.com/albumview.asp?idproduct=30567">http://store.fueledbyramen.com/albumview.asp?idproduct=30567</a></span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-47058724740246795932007-11-12T11:16:00.000-05:002007-11-15T20:52:16.133-05:00On Writing: Goals...<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Okay, by "Goals" I don't mean the ones that your teachers made you write out when you got your report card (I abhor those. Really). This only </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >involves</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > writing if you want it to.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Now, since you've read the post below this one and yes, I know, it's very long, but to save time throughout my posts I might reference it, so take a look.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Going back to my personal experience, I find goals to be very helpful (see "On Writing: Aspiring Writers..." post for my story). They not only put things in </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >perspective</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > for you, they add some motivation into your daily writing life.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Having a goal is productive, in my opinion, but at first when you set them, they might not be realistic. The first writing goal I set was few months ago (and I definitely should have made one sooner). I wanted to finish four chapters by my birthday, which is only a couple days after New Years. Sufficient to say that goal wasn't realistic. I finished doing a whole chapter in one weekend, so my goal was way to easy.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Advice #1: Set your writing goal, </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >whatever</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > they may be (i.e. one chapter a month, a book a year etc.), but make sure they fit you. If it's too easy, don't take the easy way out: make it more challenging, and makes sure it fits you. Don't say you want to write two full length books in one year like one author did, because you are yourself, not that one author, so you need to tailor you goals to fit you. And don't be vague with yous goal! Write them down if you won't remember, but make sure you have a specific target.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Advice #2: Stick to it. Once you have what you believe to be a realistic goal, don't change it around to make it easier or harder. If you become a published author, and have a deadline due, unfortunately to say, you are not going to have the option of moving it around, so practice for it now. Okay this is important; When things get tough, whatever you do, don't change your goals! That was always my first thought when I hit a rough patch in my writing. I would completely put myself down, and say that the goal now seemed to ridiculous to achieve, and I needed to change it. But that is normally when we doubt ourselves the most, and see things through black-coloured glasses as it were. You </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" >need</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > to have confidence in yourself and believe you can do it, especially when things are hard. Which leads me to my next point...</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" >Advice</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > #3: Okay, so you set you goal, stuck to it and guess what? You did it! Now what do you do? Easy: Reward yourself! You achieved your goals and now it's time to feel accomplished about it. Do something out of the ordinary that makes you feel good, because after all that work, you deserve it.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Advice #4 (thought that was the last one didn't you?): Start all over again. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" >When you</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > think about it now, you </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" >probably</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > don't think you'll want to, but once you hit the point where you are celebrating your newly accomplished goal, you'll want to start all over again. Not only that, but it's productive for you to have a motivation when things get tough. Instead of thinking "There's no point in doing it anyways" hopefully </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" >you'll</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > be thinking "Okay, I have to reach that goal. Only one month. One month, one month...". It'll help you to push through the things you might not want to push through. But if you find yourself doubting, read the post below!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >But what type of goal should be set?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >I left this until last, because that is something you'll have to figure out. Factor in what you do with your day (work, school etc), and how much time you can reasonably devote to your writing (remember, you always have more time than you think you do). Also consider what type of writing you are doing, and how you are doing it. I have chapters that consist of about eleven Microsoft Word pages. I figured that I could finish at least eight chapters by my birthday, but I thought of the amount of time I can spend on it, the length of the pages, and I included editing and a little writers block into it too. You need to put it in </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" >perspective</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >. Key word being YOU because no one else can do it but you, so step up and get it done. When you get to advice #3, you'll be glad you did.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-24564603160998214772007-11-08T17:31:00.001-05:002007-11-15T20:52:33.616-05:00On Writing: Aspiring Writers...<span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Okay, this is for everyone that is currently writing a novel, has ever thought about writing a novel, or has given up on writing one.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Let me start off by saying: You can do it!! And I'm dead serious!!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >You're right; I don't know you personally, or what your possible book idea might be, but I do know that everyone has the ability to write a book. I know that many of you will exit my page thinking that I'm deluded into thinking you could actually do it, but stay with me if only until this post is done, then you can decide.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >First things first; my story (it's relevant, trust me on this).</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Okay, a several years ago, I started getting these wonderful ideas about everything imaginable. I thought they were perfect for a story and naively sat around waiting for some other author to come up with it so I could read it. Then, a few years ago, I started thinking about what it be like if I made the stories come to life, because, by then, I was old enough to know that no one was going to come up with exactly what I had in mind. The only thing that got in the way of grabbing a pencil and furiously writing down my own ideas was...</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Me.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >I was the only thing standing in the way. Not the fact that I had no time to do it, or the resources, or the support. I was the only problem.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >I had no </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >confidence</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > in myself what so ever. I told myself that I could never do it, so why even try? Which often became a self-</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >fulfilling</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > prophecy, because I wouldn't try, and would mentally go back to it later and say "See, you didn't do that, so what makes you think you can deal with this?".</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Vicious cycle, really.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >After a good 2 years, I was exhausted with having to deal with my constant belittling and negative thoughts on writing. It was then that I gave in to my ideas, and they have carried me far beyond what I had ever thought remotely possible.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >How does this relate to you though? A completely </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >different</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > person, with a completely different life?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >It relates quite a bit actually. You need to get over that first immediate and reflexive thought of "I can't". I thought I couldn't. I </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" >wou</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >ld have bet the entire world and all of it's inhabitants that I would never ever be able to write a book.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >You're all really lucky that I didn't bet that, because what am I doing now? I am writing my very own book. MY own book. Something I would have never thought possible, but the fact is I'm doing it.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >But what if you don't have the talent to? Firstly I disagree (I firmly believe you can, because I can, and what better example do you need?). Let me use an example to get my point across.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Okay, imagine there are 20 people in a room. Ten of them have absolutely fabulous ideas with practically no time on their hands, and the other ten have good ideas with some time in between their jobs and are </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" >committed</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > to writing.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Who do you think has a better chance of writing a book?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >I believe that less emphasis shouls be put on the </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" >actual</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > idea of a story, and more on </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" >actually</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >finishing it. I know, sounds off, but think it through a bit. If you don't put the time in, you'll get</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" >nothing</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > out whether or not you have the best ideas. You need to put time into it while you are doing it, and time after to edit what you've written.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >And no excuses! I relied on those to push down my writing urge for years, but in the end my creative side won out. Don't say:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >-I don't have time</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >-I don't have the support I need</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >-My idea just isn't good enough</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >-I'll never be as good as the famous authors.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >You do have time, and if you don't think you do than how do you have time to be reading this post (ha, got you there, didn't I?)? If you don't have the support, that's okay, really. None of my friends or family knows I'm writing a book, and won't most likely until I finish. Why? I want his book to be about me. I don't </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" >want</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > other people influencing it, and I don't want to change what happens because that's what everyone else wants. My book is for me. Some people do need support, but I will come back to this at a later date (don't worry).</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >And really, I'm a fairly nice person, and would love to hear about your stories and what you need help with. I would love to give you all the advice I can, because I probably have come across it or problems like it at some point.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Don't think you ideas are good enough? Well, you aren't writing for the general public (yet), so write the book for you, and not for what people will think are "good" ideas. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" >Remember</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >, you are writing for you, so if you don't like the idea, find a new one. You have the control over this, so </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" >exercise</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > it!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >As far as the last one goes, if you don't try you'll never be as good as famous authors. Don't give up on it before you have even started. If it helps, I'm positive that even the most famous authors had some doubts about their work while they wrote their own books, but they tried and did it. So can you.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Now, before I end this, I'm not saying that it's always going to be butterflies and unicorns and </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" >chocolate</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > bunnies all the time; you, like every other writer, will hit some rough patches, and hard situations. But that's just like everything else in life. You don't give up on sports because you sprained a toe; you deal with it, and work with it, and move past it, and </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" >remembered</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" > what you've learned from it. Hard thing to deal with means you have a better oppurtunity to grow from it. Count it as a blessing.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >You can do it!!!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >A few of the points I made I will come back a elaborate on, but for now, I'll leave you ponder (as you leave comments :D).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" >JB</span><br /><br /></span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697666005224019474.post-32992428082192706742007-11-05T19:13:00.000-05:002007-11-15T20:51:40.873-05:00The Beginning...<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Hey! This is my first blog post, so I figure I better set some goals to accomplish on this, yes? Well I guess the main goal is to be able to express myself on different topics, and how I feel about certain things. From my stand point now, I suppose the main things I will be talking about are: music, literature (read and writing), as well as the big factors and situations going on in my life. Hopefully I can come on this regularly and talk about what's on my mind slash what things I have gone through that would be useful to other people.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:georgia;" >Please be patient as I get everything figured out. Give me a little while to start blogging regularly, and leave comment to keep me encouraged! :)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >Wish me luck!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-family:arial;" >JB</span>J.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589879039242815812noreply@blogger.com1