So I originally went back to college so I could hone my writing skills, get more knowledge. I wanted to make myself a better writer. The thing I did not think through was that if I get inspiration and want to write for myself while in school I may not have that chance...
I have this killer idea, and I have been working on it, but I have wasted this whole weekend! Okay, maybe not the wasted... I just spent the whole time doing a lot of homework. I have three different papers due soon, so I have been writing and researching my butt off.
I gave myself a goal of 10,000 words for each month, I started the idea in March so I was hoping to hit that first 10,000 by Thursday. However, I have not even hit 7,000 yet. Yikes!!!!
Oy...
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Authenticity
When you set your story in a particular place how well should you know that place? I spent 5 years in Connecticut so it is not like I am a stranger to the place. Yet, when I am talking about particular streets or even areas how much can I rely on my memory?
Another problem I am dealing with is being able to portray my character's vast knowledge of trees. I have gotten some help from friends, telling me what resources to look at, but how much can I rely on those resources?
Basically the big question I am trying to ask is can I write this story accurately and realistically without taking a trip to Connecticut? I know my parents are pushing for the trip since they live there. But can I write the book without it?
Now time for some homework and hopefully a little writing.
Happy words!
-MJ
Another problem I am dealing with is being able to portray my character's vast knowledge of trees. I have gotten some help from friends, telling me what resources to look at, but how much can I rely on those resources?
Basically the big question I am trying to ask is can I write this story accurately and realistically without taking a trip to Connecticut? I know my parents are pushing for the trip since they live there. But can I write the book without it?
Now time for some homework and hopefully a little writing.
Happy words!
-MJ
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Excitement
Just when I thought I would be stuck in the writing of my story, many new ideas have come flooding to me. Brilliant ideas, I hope, well maybe not brilliant but I think they fit in with my story perfectly. The most successful way of coming up with new ideas is actually brainstorming with my parents. Yesterday in a 30 minute conversation I came up with many new story lines. Perfection.
I have decided that I should probably add a little more of a personal note in my blog. That way it is just not the monotony of me hashing out my writing process. As of right now I am sitting in my robe, pajama pants and slippers drinking a beer after eating a bacon grilled cheese. My husband is on the couch behind me in his robe and we are watching the 2nd Harry Potter movie. It is 1:30pm in the afternoon. Lazy you say? Perhaps, but I have already done some house work, homework and planned out my day. Plus it is Saturday, so sue me.
Happy writing,
MJ
I have decided that I should probably add a little more of a personal note in my blog. That way it is just not the monotony of me hashing out my writing process. As of right now I am sitting in my robe, pajama pants and slippers drinking a beer after eating a bacon grilled cheese. My husband is on the couch behind me in his robe and we are watching the 2nd Harry Potter movie. It is 1:30pm in the afternoon. Lazy you say? Perhaps, but I have already done some house work, homework and planned out my day. Plus it is Saturday, so sue me.
Happy writing,
MJ
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
A Side Step
There has been a lot of tragedy around me lately, around everyone really. First of all I would like to take a moment and send my thoughts to all those affected by the terrible events in Japan last Friday. I hope those missing come out safely and those who have lost homes and/or loved ones will find a way to carry on.
A woman who works at my school lost her husband very tragically and suddenly last week, he was in his late 30's and died of a heart attack. My thoughts are with her and her 13-year-old twins.
Earlier this week my husband's Uncle died. Though we were not close to him it is a lost felt throughout his entire family.
Let us all take a little side step, a brief moment to hug those near and dear to us, for honestly you never know what will happen tomorrow, or if tomorrow will even come. Love and strength to you all.
-MJ
A woman who works at my school lost her husband very tragically and suddenly last week, he was in his late 30's and died of a heart attack. My thoughts are with her and her 13-year-old twins.
Earlier this week my husband's Uncle died. Though we were not close to him it is a lost felt throughout his entire family.
Let us all take a little side step, a brief moment to hug those near and dear to us, for honestly you never know what will happen tomorrow, or if tomorrow will even come. Love and strength to you all.
-MJ
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Writing Contests
So I am currently searching the internet for good writing contests. I am trying to find one for each month of this year. This is not a problem as much as having enough material for all of those contests will be. In the process I discovered Writer's Digest a few months ago. After months of loving the website my Husband bought me a subscription to the magazine for my birthday. My first issue came in a few days ago and I LOVE it. It just seems so relevant to everything I am thinking about and researching lately. I also love their "Your Story" contests. Great writing exercises and if I ever win one what a great bonus that would be. Anyway, if you are a writer and are not subscribed to their magazine then you should be! #Writer'sDigest
Saturday, March 12, 2011
So far so good
Hello!
Ever since I got this new idea for a story I have been really inspired to write. However, I do know myself, and I am not very good with follow through. I am, however, VERY good at achieving goals I set for myself. Therefore I have set myself a goal of writing one page a day. I realize that to write an entire novel this goal will have me writing for a very long time. I do plan on upping the goal, to lets say maybe 1,000 words a day? The further I get in my story the more I may write in one sitting. And as all of my fellow writers might know, once writing sometimes it is hard to stop if you have a really good idea and just need to get it down as quickly as possible.
I have also set a possible finish goal for myself, which is the end of the summer. This would the be the first novel I fully finish (if you do not count the semi-autobiographical piece of crap I wrote 5 years ago, that I am too afraid to go back to). So I do not know if setting a finish deadline is a good idea, but seeing that I do not have a great record of actually finishing things I figured it migth be a good idea.
Anyway, so far I have kept to my page a day goal, however it has only been four days, so I still have a long ways to go.
Ever since I got this new idea for a story I have been really inspired to write. However, I do know myself, and I am not very good with follow through. I am, however, VERY good at achieving goals I set for myself. Therefore I have set myself a goal of writing one page a day. I realize that to write an entire novel this goal will have me writing for a very long time. I do plan on upping the goal, to lets say maybe 1,000 words a day? The further I get in my story the more I may write in one sitting. And as all of my fellow writers might know, once writing sometimes it is hard to stop if you have a really good idea and just need to get it down as quickly as possible.
I have also set a possible finish goal for myself, which is the end of the summer. This would the be the first novel I fully finish (if you do not count the semi-autobiographical piece of crap I wrote 5 years ago, that I am too afraid to go back to). So I do not know if setting a finish deadline is a good idea, but seeing that I do not have a great record of actually finishing things I figured it migth be a good idea.
Anyway, so far I have kept to my page a day goal, however it has only been four days, so I still have a long ways to go.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Inspiration
I love inspiration. I love that it can come from anywhere. It is one reason if not the main reason I know I am meant to be a writer. I can be inspired by the smallest thing and then BOOM, the entire story develops in my head. Last night I started to laugh at myself, I was working on my newest idea, based off a recent inspiration, and my fingers could not keep up with my brain. Isn't that always the case?
I always feel that if I do not write it down right that instant it will vanish from my head and I will never again think of it. I think this is a major flaw in the way that I write. I write out of order a lot, which I think can be okay, but I am horrible at re-arranging it. Therefore I never really get my true point across.
Anyway, I really love inspiration, it truly is everywhere, and for that reason I will never be out of new ideas. *knocks on wood*
I always feel that if I do not write it down right that instant it will vanish from my head and I will never again think of it. I think this is a major flaw in the way that I write. I write out of order a lot, which I think can be okay, but I am horrible at re-arranging it. Therefore I never really get my true point across.
Anyway, I really love inspiration, it truly is everywhere, and for that reason I will never be out of new ideas. *knocks on wood*
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