It's been a while since I posted about my writing progress. Here's the latest ...
Well, it only took me 8 weeks to finish Lesson 1 in my revision course. Eight weeks? Yep, eight weeks. Life interuptions (the holidays, family visits, daily life, new books to read) made it difficult to always get in my 2-3 hours a day to work on the revision. Eventually I got through it with pen, pencil, lots of worksheets and even more determination. But, man, that first lesson was a killer!
Now I'm working on Lesson 5, which is all about identifying conflict in each of my scenes. Or finding out that I have no conflict in the scene; found quite a bit of those yesterday. On scene 55, only 200+ to go. Wonder how long I'll be working this lesson? Any bets?
At this point I am only seven lessons behind with lots of completed worksheets but little new work. Everything so far has been about identifying broken and weak spots in my manuscript. I'm also supposed to find strong points, but me being me, I've focused on the bad stuff and everything else just seems ok.
No beast slaying yet, but lots of looking at my beast from different angles to find broken bones, blemishes, missing scales, grime and strange behavior. Through this process of looking at her, really getting to know who she is, I realize I don't want to kill this awkward beast. Every once in a while, I spy her potential through the mud and blemishes.
Hope and excitement are welling up again, making it bareable to review, yet again, each scene and jot notes for possible fixes. Fixes that will make my beast shiny, healthy and beautiful. In my mind, I imagine my beast looking like Saphira from Eragon ... sleek, beautiful, smart, engaging, but with attitude.
Until then, I'm off for more observations of my beast. Hope she doesn't breathe fire ... at least not in my direction.
Showing posts with label course. Show all posts
Showing posts with label course. Show all posts
19 February 2010
10 November 2009
An Outline that's Working
Friends and family know that I am usually very organized and prepared.
Take my purse for example ... 3 sets of earphones and a splitter for the kids, iPhone charger, band aids, antibacterial medicine, hand sanitizer, moisturizer, nail trimming kit, son's asthma inhaler, hair bands and clips, notebook, 2 pens and a pencil, sunglasses, wallet, keys, a folding brush/mirror combo, Leatherman with scissors and a wine opener ... and this list goes on.
My iPhone holds all my digital data, or least as much as I can cram on there ... contacts, calendar (with 5 different personal calendars), games, movies, music, books (yes, I read on my iPhone), podcasts, productivity apps, etc... this list too goes on.
Anways, I mention this because you'd think that I'd be a plotter, you know one of those that writes everything down in outline, prepared and structured.
Which is what I did last year when I started NaNoWriMo. The first few scenes followed the outline to a T. But then as I continued writing, I deviated from the outline to the point that my novel was completely different from my outline within only a few thousand words.
Imagine my disbelief that I couldn't follow a simple outline. Me, of all people! I had resigned myself to being a panster, writing by the seat of my pants. But maybe this creative thing called writing was much more fluid than I had anticipated and shouldn't be held down to an outline. While it may work for others, and it sorta worked last year, it just didn't feel right to consider myself a pantster.
I should've known: one data point does not make a trend.
Getting ready for this year's NaNoWriMo endeavor, I wrote another outline using the tools and tips from the writing course, HTTS. Using digital notecards, I outlined nearly every scene in the story with POV, setting, conflict, and twist.
I was sure all that pre-work would be for naught. After all, hadn't I already proven that I couldn't follow an outline?
I began my novel and was pleasantly surprised at how easily the words appeared on the screen. Before starting each scene, I'd review what I'd written for it and know exactly where to start. And most of the time, the resulting scene would match what I had planned.
Now, at 43% to my 50,000 words by the end of the month goal, I'm still on course with my outline. I've had to make a few minor teaks as I hadn't thought everything through before hand, and there has been lots of room for creativity within this outline. But, what I find a relief is that it's working.
A great thing for someone like me who likes structure. While this is just one more data point, so not a trend, I can confidently say this this feels right to me. I guess I'll know for sure with a few more novels, when I can hopefully see the trend. (But if you ask me, I'll just tell you I'm a plotter.)
Take my purse for example ... 3 sets of earphones and a splitter for the kids, iPhone charger, band aids, antibacterial medicine, hand sanitizer, moisturizer, nail trimming kit, son's asthma inhaler, hair bands and clips, notebook, 2 pens and a pencil, sunglasses, wallet, keys, a folding brush/mirror combo, Leatherman with scissors and a wine opener ... and this list goes on.
My iPhone holds all my digital data, or least as much as I can cram on there ... contacts, calendar (with 5 different personal calendars), games, movies, music, books (yes, I read on my iPhone), podcasts, productivity apps, etc... this list too goes on.
Anways, I mention this because you'd think that I'd be a plotter, you know one of those that writes everything down in outline, prepared and structured.
Which is what I did last year when I started NaNoWriMo. The first few scenes followed the outline to a T. But then as I continued writing, I deviated from the outline to the point that my novel was completely different from my outline within only a few thousand words.
Imagine my disbelief that I couldn't follow a simple outline. Me, of all people! I had resigned myself to being a panster, writing by the seat of my pants. But maybe this creative thing called writing was much more fluid than I had anticipated and shouldn't be held down to an outline. While it may work for others, and it sorta worked last year, it just didn't feel right to consider myself a pantster.
I should've known: one data point does not make a trend.
Getting ready for this year's NaNoWriMo endeavor, I wrote another outline using the tools and tips from the writing course, HTTS. Using digital notecards, I outlined nearly every scene in the story with POV, setting, conflict, and twist.
I was sure all that pre-work would be for naught. After all, hadn't I already proven that I couldn't follow an outline?
I began my novel and was pleasantly surprised at how easily the words appeared on the screen. Before starting each scene, I'd review what I'd written for it and know exactly where to start. And most of the time, the resulting scene would match what I had planned.
Now, at 43% to my 50,000 words by the end of the month goal, I'm still on course with my outline. I've had to make a few minor teaks as I hadn't thought everything through before hand, and there has been lots of room for creativity within this outline. But, what I find a relief is that it's working.
A great thing for someone like me who likes structure. While this is just one more data point, so not a trend, I can confidently say this this feels right to me. I guess I'll know for sure with a few more novels, when I can hopefully see the trend. (But if you ask me, I'll just tell you I'm a plotter.)
05 September 2009
Letting Lightning Strike
This week’s assignment for my HtTS course is to help create lightning. Lightning = story ideas. I have seven days to get three strikes.
So like the diligent student that I am, I did what I was supposed to do - last week’s assignment then the bit of writing from this week. The rest of the assignment is to wait and see what happens - letting lightning strike as it will.
I’m not usually one to sit by and let things happen. If something needs to be done, I just do it. So imagine: two days after starting the assignment and I haven’t experienced lightning. I’m began to wonder, more like fret, what will, or won’t, happen. How do I complete the assignment if nothing is happening?
On Friday, I commented on a post over on GenReality, mentioning how antsy I am waiting for lightning. And nightsmusic, having taken the same course previously, reminded me that not all tools work for every person. But to go with it, not to worry and see what happens. (Which is what Holly said in the course material but I had promptly forgotten.)
One of those “duh” moments. Of course.
Being a parent requires trying things out, finding what works for the family, be it discipline, encouragement, managing it all. Parents receive lots of advice on what to do on all sorts of things - cry it out, family bed, time-out, spanking, not saying “No” to your child. Then there are the tons of books suggesting what one should or shouldn’t do - some seemingly contradicting each other. In the end, the parent has to pick and choose what to try before finding out what works. And, of course, not all things work for everyone. Each family, through lots of trial and error, develops and evolves as they need to, using what tools work and giving up those that stop working. Same goes for anything in life, like writing.
Since I’m so new to this writing gig, earnest efforts only since last November, and being an engineer by education and training, I’m keen to try new things, to see what works. It’s just that this assignment goes against my usual nature - let someone (my Muse) take control. (Don’t get me started on the Muse thing.)
So after reading nightsmusic’s comment, I relaxed and didn’t worry about it the rest of the day.
Saturday morning brings with it a small flash of something. Not a huge lightning bolt that streaks, crooked and bright, from the clouds down to the ground. But a nice flash of light in the clouds.
Looks like I just needed to get out of my own way and let nature take its course.
So like the diligent student that I am, I did what I was supposed to do - last week’s assignment then the bit of writing from this week. The rest of the assignment is to wait and see what happens - letting lightning strike as it will.
I’m not usually one to sit by and let things happen. If something needs to be done, I just do it. So imagine: two days after starting the assignment and I haven’t experienced lightning. I’m began to wonder, more like fret, what will, or won’t, happen. How do I complete the assignment if nothing is happening?
On Friday, I commented on a post over on GenReality, mentioning how antsy I am waiting for lightning. And nightsmusic, having taken the same course previously, reminded me that not all tools work for every person. But to go with it, not to worry and see what happens. (Which is what Holly said in the course material but I had promptly forgotten.)
One of those “duh” moments. Of course.
Being a parent requires trying things out, finding what works for the family, be it discipline, encouragement, managing it all. Parents receive lots of advice on what to do on all sorts of things - cry it out, family bed, time-out, spanking, not saying “No” to your child. Then there are the tons of books suggesting what one should or shouldn’t do - some seemingly contradicting each other. In the end, the parent has to pick and choose what to try before finding out what works. And, of course, not all things work for everyone. Each family, through lots of trial and error, develops and evolves as they need to, using what tools work and giving up those that stop working. Same goes for anything in life, like writing.
Since I’m so new to this writing gig, earnest efforts only since last November, and being an engineer by education and training, I’m keen to try new things, to see what works. It’s just that this assignment goes against my usual nature - let someone (my Muse) take control. (Don’t get me started on the Muse thing.)
So after reading nightsmusic’s comment, I relaxed and didn’t worry about it the rest of the day.
Saturday morning brings with it a small flash of something. Not a huge lightning bolt that streaks, crooked and bright, from the clouds down to the ground. But a nice flash of light in the clouds.
Looks like I just needed to get out of my own way and let nature take its course.
28 August 2009
A Writing Course and Smiles for my Loved Ones
Two weeks ago I signed up for an online novel-writing course, How to Think Sideways. My first course since I’ve been writing my novel. The last writing class I took, Technical Writing, was when I was an engineering undergraduate, way back when. A handy course for writing scientific papers and non-fiction, and mandatory since I had failed the undergraduate writing exam. (Yes, for those of you who know me well, I failed an exam.)
But back to this course ...
A few months ago I learned about the course when Holly Lisle, the creator, was still developing it. I was very tempted to enroll, but we were getting ready to put the old house market. I didn't want to have too much on my plate, so I put it off until two weeks ago when I read another writer's take on the course and what she was getting out of it.
I wish I had signed up back then. Sure, the course is interesting. So far the material has focused on getting to know yourself -- what stops you, mapping your likes/dislikes, finding your muse. And I’m looking forward to working on the future assignments.
But what got me was how things have shifted for me, almost like a lightness of being. Before the course, I've been irritable and quick to anger, not wanting to write.
Signing up for this course, besides helping me to develop my writing skills and career, was something I did for myself. As opposed to always doing things for the kids, the husband, the house. Other authors write/advise that you feed your muse and take care of your body. Sounds good. After all, it's just common sense to take care of yourself. But how many of us, writer or not, really do that? I know I’m guilty, it's too easy to let taking care of yourself become a luxury and not a must-do item on the to-do list.
These past two weeks, I'm recharged. Actually itching to do some writing -- hence this blog, thinking about new story ideas, looking forward to NaNoWriMo, revising my WIP. But there's more: I'm not so quick to anger, having fun. And I’m smiling more at my family.
Just for signing up for a course, who'd a thunk it?
But back to this course ...
A few months ago I learned about the course when Holly Lisle, the creator, was still developing it. I was very tempted to enroll, but we were getting ready to put the old house market. I didn't want to have too much on my plate, so I put it off until two weeks ago when I read another writer's take on the course and what she was getting out of it.
I wish I had signed up back then. Sure, the course is interesting. So far the material has focused on getting to know yourself -- what stops you, mapping your likes/dislikes, finding your muse. And I’m looking forward to working on the future assignments.
But what got me was how things have shifted for me, almost like a lightness of being. Before the course, I've been irritable and quick to anger, not wanting to write.
Signing up for this course, besides helping me to develop my writing skills and career, was something I did for myself. As opposed to always doing things for the kids, the husband, the house. Other authors write/advise that you feed your muse and take care of your body. Sounds good. After all, it's just common sense to take care of yourself. But how many of us, writer or not, really do that? I know I’m guilty, it's too easy to let taking care of yourself become a luxury and not a must-do item on the to-do list.
These past two weeks, I'm recharged. Actually itching to do some writing -- hence this blog, thinking about new story ideas, looking forward to NaNoWriMo, revising my WIP. But there's more: I'm not so quick to anger, having fun. And I’m smiling more at my family.
Just for signing up for a course, who'd a thunk it?
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