uh. Maybe it was the Other Homer who said that.

I am heading late out of the starting gate for what promises to be a fascinating Creativity Workshop. Whether I make it around even the first lap remains to be seen, since    [Continue reading]]]> Yet verily these issues lie on the lap of the gods. — Homer

uh. Maybe it was the Other Homer who said that.

I am heading late out of the starting gate for what promises to be a fascinating Creativity Workshop. Whether I make it around even the first lap remains to be seen, since I’m also competing in a totally non-related javelin throw elsewhere on the planet. (My sports analogies stink; I have a lot of non-related, time-sucking things going on now.)

Here is my first assignment on Issues and Interests:

My Issues

Plodding Plotting: I can’t figure out how to get my main character, Becca, to have that ‘aha’ revelation that leads to her change/growth in a credible, lively way.  And without being preachy.  I have two sub-plots, which They (whoever They is) say is too many for a first-timer.  One of my sub-plots, in the hands of a pro, should be able to flow into Becca’s space and help lead to her character evolution.  But I haven’t figured out how to do that.  I also have another sub-plot (my love story, and at this point, my fave) that might feel like an add-on until and unless I figure out how to mesh the story lines better.

Whatever, my plot lines are still boring and could use a massive infusion of creativity to hook a potential reader and keep him or her hooked.  I am stuck in the middle.

Not only stuck in the middle, but I’m having problems with tone as well.  Sometimes I try to be funny, sometimes serious.  Can I blend these tones into the same work?

Producing, Producing, Producing: Not.  I think Merrilee and Chris Baty are both right.  I need deadlines.  I wrote as much during November 2009 and National Novel Writing Month as I have in the five months since.  I am just not getting it done.  I could have called this section Focus just as accurately, perhaps more accurately, but I’m trying for some alliteration (which is another thing I believe They say is a turn-off).

Proving Myself Publishable: I sure could use some validation as a writer.  Twelve short stories out of this workshop?  And all I have to do is write them?  Awesome!  The road — at least my road — to a novel that’s remotely ready to submit for publication is long and littered with boulders and uprooted trees.  But short stories?  Maybe doable.  I did have one short story published last year, and it was a real rush.  So a goal of this workshop for me will include completing a set of (how many?) publishable short stories.

Pfftt…  Time: Where does it go?  ‘Nuff said.

My Interests

I would like these elements to shine (or if not shine, at least show up occasionally) in my writing:

• Quirky but believable characters who grow in unexpected ways
• Unexpected juxtapositions of different backgrounds and experiences
• What-happens-next (?!?) plot
• Social justice without a heavy hand
• Simple yet lyrical language
• Ironic conflict — I’m not sure what this is, but I think I’ll recognize it if it shows up.

Many thanks to Merrilee for developing and hosting what looks like an exciting trip together!  I’m looking forward to meeting my fellow travelers along the way.

I was plodding along and realized that Becca, protagonist and my own personal alter-ego, was an insufferable little prick who was boring the pants off    [Continue reading]]]> This morning, Day Three of NaNoWriMo, I seemed to be somewhere that Chris Baty says should be the realm of Week Two. That would be the infamous ‘storm cloud’ scenario.

I was plodding along and realized that Becca, protagonist and my own personal alter-ego, was an insufferable little prick who was boring the pants off me and would cause any potential readers to flee from the moralizing she was slinging out as I tried to throw some social relevance into the soup. Becca was miserable; I was miserable. By lunchtime I realized there was no way I’d make it to December or 50,000 words this way.

So the dogs and I went to the state park. When we got back I started thinking about how pissed off I am at something that’s going on in my real life. And I started thinking, wouldn’t it be nice if I could only blankety-blank-blank-blank.

And I realized that I could — in my novel. I spent an hour or so banging away at a ridiculous premise and a lovely revenge scheme. I had a whole lot more fun than I had had earlier in the day, and cranked out a lot more words to add to the count. I have some ideas that may carry me for another day or two. They’re nasty.

No more Ms. Nice Guy. Thank heaven.

Me? I’m feeling dangerously unprepared for the upcoming NaNoWriMo experience,    [Continue reading]]]> Wow. I’m singing along with Dayner’s play list for novel writing. And perched on the edge of my seat to see what happens to Kathan’s Mean Girls. And cheering that Dark Angel’s voice is coming on so loud and clear….

Me? I’m feeling dangerously unprepared for the upcoming NaNoWriMo experience, with a measly two and a half pages of hand-written notes in my own back-scratch handwriting that even I can’t read. And these notes are scribbled on the back of the mileage log from our last road trip – not even in the spiffy new notebook I bought expressly for NaNoWriMo!

So I tried deep, meditative breathing for focus, which hasn’t helped squat, and now I’m turning to you, Chris, for inspiration. And I see you shape my mantra for the coming month: PLOT HAPPENS.

Oh, Chris, I hope you are right!! You write: “If you spend enough time with your characters, plot simply happens.”

I do have characters, lots of them. I’m going to spend the next ten days trying to get to know some of them better to see which ones are most interested in going on a wild ride with me. I have a few ideas where we might go, but they will probably have some better thoughts, and maybe not until we actually hit the road.

Plot.

Happens.

Oh, Chris, I hope you are right!!