Last blog post of the year!! Exciting stuff..I think... :)
Okay, so continuing on this theme of living creatively my next topic is a bit different and it harkens back to my original post concerning a friend who asked how I get my ideas.
After speaking with said friend, I literally sat down and made a list of all of the ideas I have for books/book series. This took over 24 hours because after making my initial list, my mother reminded me of another series that she wants me to write, and then I would remember another idea I had and the list would have to be re-written. But my final tally of the books/series I could write?
23
That's right, 23 books, novels, that if I never thought of another idea I could write.
Another sobering thought?
I've already written two of them.
So 21 more books that I could (should) write.
Wow, I don't know about other creative writing types out there, but I was a bit stunned. I had never taken an objective look at the ideas I've had over the years. And yes, some need a lot more fleshing out before they could be considered for a story and written. But still, 21 more books? I had to laugh because the list of genre ranges from urban fantasy, to dark fantasy, to high fantasy, to historical fiction, to a children's series, to a fluffy romance ala Nora Roberts or Nicholas Sparks style. And someday I would like to write a murder/detective story, but don't have a solid idea yet.
Moral of the story?
People have more in them than what meets the eye. I dare any of my writer type or creative type friends (or whoever actually reads my posts) no matter what medium, to make a similar list and take a good look at what you have accomplished so far. Don't be intimidated by how much you have left, jump in and get messy! Enjoy the journey and what you create.
Until next year, keep typing and the creative thoughts coming!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Friday, December 27, 2013
Have I mentioned how much I hate editing?
I am currently reading through my first novel, for the 3rd time, and it is just tortuous!
But then again I read some great advice about writing and editing:
Write like there's no tomorrow.
Edit like you didn't write it.
So I guess I am taking that to heart, hopefully when I finish there will be an even better story!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Living a Creative Life Part 2
In my last Creative Life post I discussed the ideas of inspiration and where they come from. In this post I would like to address something that is unique to creative people, but especially to writers.
This notion that we are all depressed or bipolar or recluses.
While aspects of the above stereo-types may well be true, they are not the whole story, not by a long shot in the dark.It is true that I myself have struggled with depression, and know of more than a few friends who have done the same, but it is by no means the rule when living a creative life.
There are few aspects to living a creative life that seem to be slightly universal, that most are introverted, thoughtful, caring people. It seems to me that creative people just think differently, their brains are wired differently and they have different needs than others. Let me clarify, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS. It is simply the differences in how people operate.
I will only speak for myself here, and will use my own life as an example.
There are times when I don't feel like doing anything. Therefore, my laundry may wait longer to get done than normal, the house might not be cleaned on the correct day of the week, and I may end up sitting around watching re-runs of my favorite tv shows or movies all day. The humorous part is that often I won't even know why I feel the need to do nothing. But literally every time afterwards my mind pushes through a barrier of some sort and my stories end up better, or I am able to get through a tough spot in writing. I may find an answer for something intangible that I didn't even consciously know was a problem. But my subconscious worked it out and then handed my conscious mind the newly polished thoughts.
On the other hand there are times when I am trying to get through a blockage in writing where the entire house has been cleaned spotless, my laundry is done several times over, the rodents cage is perfect and suddenly my room is arranged like a museum. These times too, my mind is trying to work through something whether I realize it or not. And within a few days I usually have my answer to a problem that I never consciously thought about.
Yes, I understand that this sounds slightly manic and depressive, which I suppose is why the stereo-typing of writers exists. However, I am not bi-polar. This just seems to be the physical or tangible way for my subconscious to work through things.
As far as the recluse stereo-type goes...well, being around large groups of people is exhausting. Writers, I have noticed including myself, seem to be more introverted than other people. They are typically observing others, noting behaviors, personalities and so on. This observation gives them the fodder to create the characters that people love to read about.
Being forced to interact with others can exhaust their creative energies, even when they want to be social. The introverted writer or creative person would rather put their energy into creating something for everyone to enjoy for years to come, rather than suffer through an evening of stifled hostilities and redundant conversations. They need to recharge their batteries with alone time rather than with others.
These differences make each and every person unique, and adds flavor not only to our lives but also our society as a whole.
This notion that we are all depressed or bipolar or recluses.
While aspects of the above stereo-types may well be true, they are not the whole story, not by a long shot in the dark.It is true that I myself have struggled with depression, and know of more than a few friends who have done the same, but it is by no means the rule when living a creative life.
There are few aspects to living a creative life that seem to be slightly universal, that most are introverted, thoughtful, caring people. It seems to me that creative people just think differently, their brains are wired differently and they have different needs than others. Let me clarify, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS. It is simply the differences in how people operate.
I will only speak for myself here, and will use my own life as an example.
There are times when I don't feel like doing anything. Therefore, my laundry may wait longer to get done than normal, the house might not be cleaned on the correct day of the week, and I may end up sitting around watching re-runs of my favorite tv shows or movies all day. The humorous part is that often I won't even know why I feel the need to do nothing. But literally every time afterwards my mind pushes through a barrier of some sort and my stories end up better, or I am able to get through a tough spot in writing. I may find an answer for something intangible that I didn't even consciously know was a problem. But my subconscious worked it out and then handed my conscious mind the newly polished thoughts.
On the other hand there are times when I am trying to get through a blockage in writing where the entire house has been cleaned spotless, my laundry is done several times over, the rodents cage is perfect and suddenly my room is arranged like a museum. These times too, my mind is trying to work through something whether I realize it or not. And within a few days I usually have my answer to a problem that I never consciously thought about.
Yes, I understand that this sounds slightly manic and depressive, which I suppose is why the stereo-typing of writers exists. However, I am not bi-polar. This just seems to be the physical or tangible way for my subconscious to work through things.
As far as the recluse stereo-type goes...well, being around large groups of people is exhausting. Writers, I have noticed including myself, seem to be more introverted than other people. They are typically observing others, noting behaviors, personalities and so on. This observation gives them the fodder to create the characters that people love to read about.
Being forced to interact with others can exhaust their creative energies, even when they want to be social. The introverted writer or creative person would rather put their energy into creating something for everyone to enjoy for years to come, rather than suffer through an evening of stifled hostilities and redundant conversations. They need to recharge their batteries with alone time rather than with others.
These differences make each and every person unique, and adds flavor not only to our lives but also our society as a whole.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Living A Creative Life Part 1
The other day one of my friends who had noticed my Facebook posts that I had finished my second novel (my NaNo novel this year), congratulated me, and then said something that I had never even stopped to consider.
"How do you come up with your ideas?"
I was actually speechless, in typical me fashion, my awkward un-thought out answer amounted to a shoulder shrug, and saying lamely, "I dunno". But it got me thinking, where do all my ideas, and those of other writers or artists, come from?
Is it just an overactive imagination that can not be contained? Is that imagination so powerful it refuses to be silenced until put it to use on either the written word or possibly a painting? Or is it maybe an outside force like a muse? But is that Muse a specific person, idea or is it something more ephemeral? Is it a mysterious force like the ancients believed? One that comes and goes at will and we lowly humans must be there to grab the ideas before they flit away like wisps of clouds?Or is it just good old fashioned elbow grease applied to a vague idea?
Personally I believe that it is a combination of the above. For me, my imagination does tend to run crazy if I let it. And yes, a few of them are far fetched, and those ideas usually get nixed before they get shared. But the others? Those hang around up there in my noggin, or I might brainstorm on a piece of paper.
Some of what I consider my best ideas have come in flashes of inspiration. In those moments, I try to write that idea down before it flits away. I have found that even when some of them flit away, they often come back.
For those of you who read my blog, what do you think? How do you get your ideas?
More coming in Part Two!
"How do you come up with your ideas?"
I was actually speechless, in typical me fashion, my awkward un-thought out answer amounted to a shoulder shrug, and saying lamely, "I dunno". But it got me thinking, where do all my ideas, and those of other writers or artists, come from?
Is it just an overactive imagination that can not be contained? Is that imagination so powerful it refuses to be silenced until put it to use on either the written word or possibly a painting? Or is it maybe an outside force like a muse? But is that Muse a specific person, idea or is it something more ephemeral? Is it a mysterious force like the ancients believed? One that comes and goes at will and we lowly humans must be there to grab the ideas before they flit away like wisps of clouds?Or is it just good old fashioned elbow grease applied to a vague idea?
Personally I believe that it is a combination of the above. For me, my imagination does tend to run crazy if I let it. And yes, a few of them are far fetched, and those ideas usually get nixed before they get shared. But the others? Those hang around up there in my noggin, or I might brainstorm on a piece of paper.
Some of what I consider my best ideas have come in flashes of inspiration. In those moments, I try to write that idea down before it flits away. I have found that even when some of them flit away, they often come back.
For those of you who read my blog, what do you think? How do you get your ideas?
More coming in Part Two!
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Finally Finished!
Last night I finished my second novel, which happened to be the second in s series and my NaNo Novel from this year.
So in about 5 weeks I wrote an 86,868 word novel!
I am so excited to be finished with this one, it is by far the best laid out writing project I have ever done, and I am feeling really positive about it. Now my project is to go through and edit/add to the first novel and start sending out query letters to publishers/agents-I haven't decided which course of action I want to take first.
I am already thinking a head to the Camp NaNo sessions in April/July of 2014 as well as the next NaNoWriMo in November of next year! My goal is to write two novels this next year, hopefully three!
My question, to whomever actually reads my posts is:
What goals do you have for writing in the upcoming year? Or other personal goals?
I know that it's not the new year yet, and most people save their resolutions for December 31/January 1st, but it just feels like the new year already after NaNo.
It's a new writing year!
So what do you have planned?
So in about 5 weeks I wrote an 86,868 word novel!
I am so excited to be finished with this one, it is by far the best laid out writing project I have ever done, and I am feeling really positive about it. Now my project is to go through and edit/add to the first novel and start sending out query letters to publishers/agents-I haven't decided which course of action I want to take first.
I am already thinking a head to the Camp NaNo sessions in April/July of 2014 as well as the next NaNoWriMo in November of next year! My goal is to write two novels this next year, hopefully three!
My question, to whomever actually reads my posts is:
What goals do you have for writing in the upcoming year? Or other personal goals?
I know that it's not the new year yet, and most people save their resolutions for December 31/January 1st, but it just feels like the new year already after NaNo.
It's a new writing year!
So what do you have planned?
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Post NaNo..late (Sorry)
Well the pens have stopped scratching furiously, the keyboard fires have been put out and every single one of my friends who participated this year are brain dead, or nearly so.
NaNoWriMo 2013 has officially ended, HUZZAH!
And it doesn't matter if you "won", meaning you hit the 50K mark, or if your count ended somewhere below that. If you attempted the challenge at all then you are a winner in my mind! Just dedicating time out of a busy schedule to attempt to write a novel is an accomplishment in and of itself.
For myself, NaNoWriMo ended on a high note. My final word count was 80,031 as of midnight on the 30th. As this is my first year I was very excited about this. I don't think I have EVER written that much in such a short amount of time. I was not able to finish the book, as of right now I have 81,908 words, and only 3 or 4 more scenes to write to finish it.
My goal is to finish it before the end of December, which after participating in NaNo should not be too hard, but we'll see. I just tonight got through writing a very emotional scene that had me, the author, wanting to shed some tears. I just hope that whomever reads these works feels the same emotions towards my characters that I do.
Now to finish the book, and enjoy the holiday season!
NaNoWriMo 2013 has officially ended, HUZZAH!
And it doesn't matter if you "won", meaning you hit the 50K mark, or if your count ended somewhere below that. If you attempted the challenge at all then you are a winner in my mind! Just dedicating time out of a busy schedule to attempt to write a novel is an accomplishment in and of itself.
For myself, NaNoWriMo ended on a high note. My final word count was 80,031 as of midnight on the 30th. As this is my first year I was very excited about this. I don't think I have EVER written that much in such a short amount of time. I was not able to finish the book, as of right now I have 81,908 words, and only 3 or 4 more scenes to write to finish it.
My goal is to finish it before the end of December, which after participating in NaNo should not be too hard, but we'll see. I just tonight got through writing a very emotional scene that had me, the author, wanting to shed some tears. I just hope that whomever reads these works feels the same emotions towards my characters that I do.
Now to finish the book, and enjoy the holiday season!
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