Get That Writing (Revising, etc.) DONE

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had this crazy notion knocking around in my head that I needed large blocks of time in order to write. I waited around for the perfect set of circumstances to line up. Now, I’m a slow writer anyway. Add this and, well, it’s no surprise it took me so long to write my first draft or that I’ve been working on my revision for a year and only half way done.

Holy crap, has it been a year already?!

Yes, I’ve seen contrary advice before. I’ve also managed spurts in which I worked like mad at every opportunity. But it didn’t last and didn’t really change my thinking. Until I read examples in the blogs of two writers, husband and wife, Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith.

Introverts Can Step Outside Their Comfort Zone

As an introvert, I feel happiest at home spending time with my family, writing, reading, or puttering in my gardens. As much as I prefer doing these things, though, I’ve found I need more. There are times I want to stretch my abilities and learn something new. This often involves leaving my comfort zone and — gasp! — actually interacting with people.

It’s hard to step out when all you want to do is hide.

I CANNOT Complain

I absolutely cannot complain about anything in my life.

Not after this past week, with the Boston bombing and manhunt and the Texas fertilizer plant explosion.

And not after all the other tragic, senseless killings that have occurred in the past few years.

While we can’t live in daily fear, we can remember, and we can learn.

And we can choose to live our lives in the most decent way we know how.

 

 

Creativity Resources – IWSG

The last two months I was seriously in need of help and support. The Insecure Writer’s Support Group made me feel welcome, calmed me down, and pointed me in a new direction.

The Aftermath of “All Hell Broke Loose”

A couple weeks before Christmas, my side of the family blew apart.

Without going into details, the fact is the whole family dynamic shifted. The drama was a long time in coming, but unexpected in it’s method of arrival, and certainly didn’t end in a satisfying way for much of the family. Really, when do these things ever?

2012 Wrap-Up & IWSG

I consider 2012 my year of two steps forward and one-and-a-half steps back. And just when I needed it most, it’s time for the Insecure Writers’ Support Group. IWSG is a blog hop I recently joined where writers pull together to help one another.

On Reading Gatsby Again, With My Daughter

I was excited F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby was a novel my daughter’s English class was reading this semester. Last year, when her class read my all-time favorite, To Kill a Mockingbird, she and I had wonderful discussions.

I wanted to repeat the experience.

Now, it’s been many years since I read Gatsby. I decided this time I’d read along at the same pace as the class and get the benefit of their discussions in talking with my daughter later.

2012 Yard Haunt

We skipped the party this year but we did the yard haunt.

I just wish the weather would cooperate. It was cold and snowed – yes, SNOWED – though, happily, it didn’t stick.

I’m a Ramblin’ Down the Road…

Well, sort of. The kids are back at school and I have all kinds of time to write. But I’m not. Or, at least, not as much as I could.

What Month Is This?

This summer is going by in a flash! At least that’s the way it seems to me.

Pffftttt. Gone. See-ya.

I apologize for being AWOL here, folks. So much has been happening I’ve found it difficult to get on the internet. I haven’t been here, on Twitter (much), or reading other blogs (so sorry to the folks whose blogs I used to comment on regularly). I joined a writers’ social network and didn’t get past: “Hi, I’m E.K. Carmel and I write epic fantasy fiction…”

I’ve been reading, though, and managed to write a couple book reviews on Goodreads.

Oh, and I’ve been watching the Olympics, jumping up and down and cheering for my favorites and sometimes for athletes I’ve never heard of before, but whose personal stories are so incredible. Gotta say, it’s quite the vicarious energy boost.

And, as expected, my family has been keeping me on my toes – or at least on the roads.

Despite all that, I’ve made progress on my novel. I’m learning to grab whatever time I can early in the morning and throughout the day. Honestly, I have to because I’m fried by the time the sun goes down.

I’ve completed most of my revision course and am finally at the “cutting” stage. Yeah!!! But I have so many new scenes to write, it’s disorienting when I speed through ones that only need minor touch ups, then slow down to write new material – speed up – slow down – speed up – slow down.

I now consider it a good writing day when I emerge from my room and have to shake my head and focus before I understand what language the natives are speaking.

Anyway, I hope you all are productive and successful in whatever endeavors you are striving toward.