J.A. Konrath has a great post on the difference, sometimes a very grey area, between a confident writer and a delusional one. Check it out, here.
Work in Progress: Memoir February 24, 2009
I, like so many before me, am joining the memoir club. I intended to start on my memoir four years ago, but kept getting sidetracked by other projects. But now I am finally working on it. I’ve struggled with how to write it: the crux of the story focuses on the time I spent living in Paris and attending a French language school, but also integral to the story are my adventures with several French friends while they were in San Diego in an English immersion program. I’m not quite sure how to frame the story – chronological seems boring, so I’ve settled, for now, on framing it in Paris, with flashbacks to the experiences in San Diego. At this point, I’m not going to worry about it. I’m just writing; I’ll piece the puzzle together when it’s on paper.
These memories, and how best to write them in a story, have been swirling around in my head ever since my time in Paris five (!) years ago. I’ve written clips of narratives over the years, but only now am I diving head-first into the pool of memories. Time, many more trips to France, and marriage to a Frenchman have affected the way I interpret my experience there and have tempered my approach to this memoir. Funny how that works. The memoirist writes as two authors: the person they were at the time, and the person they have evolved into. I think it’s good that I’ve waited to write this story, for I feel it will be a much better book now than it would have been had I written it right away. So far, my approach is to write what I remember, then to compare this to the extensive journals I kept. It’s a fun time to revisit. I only hope I can capture the passion I feel for Paris, for the French language, for the people of France, for traveling, and on a more personal level – turning 30 and learning how I wanted to define my life.
Biohazard, Coming Through! February 23, 2009
I’ve been on a book buying binge – I can’t seem to walk into a bookstore or browse Amazon without ordering a book or two (or three…). Hence, my pile of now 50+ books that I am determined to read this year. I tend to buy them new – I like to make sure the author gets their deserved percentage. But I have another reason as well – I’m a bit of a germaphobe. Recently, I decided to order a used paperback, just to save some money (it was one I’d already bought, read, and donated to the library, and when I couldn’t find it at the library, I hated to pay full price again). The book arrived this weekend looking… weathered. And my first thought was – did someone read this while they were sitting on the toilet?
Am I the only one with this phobia? Anyone remember the Seinfeld episode where George is in the bookstore and decides to take a book into the bathroom with him? Where has this paperback been, I wonder? Having a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, I know that any microbial life forms that got on there would be dead by now, but still. I just look at that poor little paperback and think…eww.
Southern California Writers’ Conference Part Deux February 23, 2009
I always come away from SCWC inspired and ready to launch myself into my writing, and this year was no different. Thank you Michael and Wes! Stand outs for me were classes given by Phyllis Gebauer and Midge Raymond, both authors and writing instructors. And Val McDermid, author of 25 novels and owner of an instantly loveable Scottish accent, gave a witty and inspiring speech Saturday night. To my dear online writing group: Craig Berger, Lauren Hartney, Jeremy James, and Grace Yang – it was so good to see you all for our annual meet up! TJ Turner – we miss you! When are you coming back? And to Mike Crowe – good to actually get to see you, instead of just hear you (you know what I’m talking about). And finally, Rich Howard – good to finally get to know you and hear a bit about your book. I look forward to future successes for all of us! Now get to writing!
Southern California Writers’ Conference February 12, 2009
It’s this weekend! I’m very excited – it looks like there will be some good seminars offered. And, I get to see my online writing buddies again! This will be my third time at the conference, and I’m hoping for the same sort of inspiring, light-a-fire-under-my-arse sort of motivation that I’ve gotten from the first two. What better way to spend a weekend than studying the craft I love, and being with people who share my passion?
Currently Reading: SON OF A WITCH by Gregory Maguire. I really love this author. He creates richly textured worlds, and his characters are all flawed, complicated, and intriguing.
Update February 4, 2009
I’m nearing completion of the rough draft of my YA novel, tentatively titled ANNA AND WILLIAM. It’s Rough with a capital “R.” When I look back over what I’ve written, I realize most of it is not as bad as I think it is, and some of it is much worse. It’s a far cry from what I envision it being one day. That’s why it’s a rough draft, I suppose. (See my previous entry titled “A Writer’s Prayer.” I’m saying it right now.)
I wrote this one, so far, straight through, which is new for me. I tend to write several sequential scenes, then realize something before needs to be fixed or changed, so I go back and do that, then move forward a bit, go back and repave some things, move forward, then eventually I’ll start jumping around when an out of sequence scene pops into my head. I didn’t let myself go back and rewrite this time, nor jump forward. Instead I left myself notes when thoughts or ideas came up.
I don’t know that I’ll use this approach again. It pushed me toward a completed rough draft, but I fear it may have stifled my creativity somewhat when a scene popped into my head and I only outlined it instead of fleshing it out. But, this is a year of experimentation and trying to find what works best for me.
I anticipate being finished with this rough draft by the end of next week or so. I’ll then let it sit and work on a new project. I’ve got a few potentials, and I’m excited about 2 or 3 of them, and ready for something different! Placing myself in the mind of a teenager these last few months has resulted in teenage angst creeping into my dreams and has drawn me back into the world of high school drama. Didn’t anticipate reliving that!
