by Sarah | Sep 5, 2011 | Writing, writing tips
I forgot to read.
I know – the first tip you ever hear when you’re writing is to read. Read a lot.
I got so wrapped in my stories. In writing what was in my head. Trying to improve what I’d written.
For the past three or four years I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words.
I’d read maybe 6 books. All by the same 2 authors, in relatively the same genre. Written in the same form (first person POV). Not even a little bit close to my genre.
Then seven months ago I sent in a full manuscript to an agent.
And somehow stopped writing.
Not because I was biting my nails waiting on a reply (I’m not new to this game) – just because real life got in the way.
Plus, I was tired. Like I said, I’d written hundreds of thousands of words. I’d made progress and improvements but I needed a break. I was too wrapped up and attached to my own work, and I knew it.
I needed to separate. Not just because an agent had my MS, but because I was so wrapped up I couldn’t see the forest for the trees, and I knew it – plus I had other ideas but I couldn’t seem to get them on paper for any amount of effort.
Then I picked up a book. And another. I remembered a commitment I’d made to myself at the beginning of the year to read 50 books this year. I used to read tons of books every year, I could handle 50, surely.
Since then I’ve read books of all kinds.
Urban fantasy, Romance, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, even a memoir, and stuff of very little substance. Books written from every POV under the sun. Books that are YA; books that make me uncomfortable; books that make me laugh out loud and my husband shake his head at me.
I’ve read 39 books this year (to be fair, there’s one or two in those numbers that I didn’t/couldn’t finish I disliked them so much).
Three weeks ago I came back to my writing.
I realized how, in some ways, I’d pigeonholed myself in what I’d written.
I’ve found new inspiration and drive to create new stories. I’ve found renewed vigor and the ability to look at my old stories in new light. My editing has gone so much smoother. My writing has been soming so much easier.
Don’t forget to read.
Sometimes it’s good to get out of your own head and into someone else’s for a while.
Apparently even my own characters needed a break (even if they never truly stopped rattling around in my head).
by Sarah | Sep 3, 2011 | Photography, Scavenger Hunt Sunday, Weekly Winners
All taken w/ Canon Rebel XS.
This week I managed to get all the Scavenger Hunt Items, so I’m starting to roll that Sunday feature in with my usual weekly winners! Scavenger Hunt gives you five items. I doubled up on a few of them – and have another outside picture or two.
1. Stairs (SH)
Away from the world and its toils and its cares,
I’ve a snug little kingdom up four pair of stairs.
~William Makepeace Thackery
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All rising to great places is by a winding stair. ~Francis Bacon
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2. Macro (SH)
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3. Clouds (SH)
A believer is a bird in a cage, a freethinker is an eagle parting the clouds with tireless wing.
~Robert Green Ingersoll
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Every cloud engenders not a storm. ~William Shakespeare
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4. Abstract (SH)
Gravity is only the bark of wisdom’s tree but it preserves it. ~Confucius
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Water is the only drink for a wise men. ~Henry David Thoreau
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5. Smile (SH)
What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. ~Joseph Addison
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6. My Soul
On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined. ~Lord Byron
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Dancing is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts, because it is no mere translation or abstraction from life; it is life itself. ~Havelock Ellis
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You can find more pictures over at my flickr account.
Weekly Winners is the brainchild of the ever fabulous and gorgeous Lotus. Head on over to her place to see more fabulous winners.
Scavenger Hunt Sunday is run by the beautiful Ashley. Head on over to see more Hunters.
by Sarah | Sep 3, 2011 | 100 Words, Challenge, The Tribe
I haven’t done much writing this week after a sort of boom last week. Not for lack of inspiration, but instead a lack of energy. I’m trying to push through and write despite the lacking energy. So, back to the challenges…
The prompt word for the 100 Word challenge was Storm. I had several flashes of inspiration, from weathering the storm to a storm front to a total blank on further ideas. When I sat down to write this morning what finally hit was the main character in the story I’m world building for. This book is tentatively called “The Tribe” (I know for a fact it’s not a final title, it’s just to tide me over until I get a better one).
The main characters name is Nirvelli. She’s been through a lot, and this short 100 words is inspired by her and the start of the trials of her life.
One of these days the 100 words will inspire something a little more light-hearted…maybe.
****
Around her everyone went about their business. To them nothing had changed, not even her.
They didn’t know the depth of evil roiling in her soul. The storming emotions threatening to erupt.
It would come out in bursts and fits, put off as teen rebellion.
They didn’t know the truth of her pain.
They would never know.
Because evil begets evil. She caused this, she had to have. It was her fault. The Spirits punished her for sins yet to be made. It was karma. She was marked for life.
Her soul already dead.
Opening her to a new Hell.
*******
Please, visit Velvet’s site to check out other more worthy entries…
by Sarah | Sep 2, 2011 | Crap, Random
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Some days you’re the squirrel…
And some days you’re the nut.
by Sarah | Aug 31, 2011 | Challenge
This week my prompt came from Cedar. My prompt was “Hey y’all, watch this!”
I admit, I feel guilty…this isn’t so much a story as a little truth telling…
*~*~*~*
Tales are told every day.
From around campfires. Sitting on porches. Over games of cards. Over shared drinks. In restaurants and over water coolers.
Tales that bring laughter. Tales that brings groans of sympathy and regret. Tales of daring feats. And tales of excess stupidity.
There’s the story of the two girls that got toasted and started wandering around the sci-fi convention asking everyone “Hey, do you want a rod?” (To this day neither of them go drinking without pretzel rods on hand).
There’s the light hearted tale of the man that cheered on the next year of his life with a ceremonial dropping of his pants. (And of course his lingering embarrassment as he remembered it the next day.)
Who will ever forget the man that thought he would become a fire thrower with nothing but a lighter and a bottle of vodka. (And his ensuing tale of a hospital stay and lingering scars marring his flesh).
We probably all want to forget the night you-know-who got wasted and got exceptionally friendly with her boyfriend in front of the house full of party goers. (To this day have any of us ever seen another person look literally gray the next morning like she did?)
The stories go on and on…bringing laughter and tears (some of regret)…
And there isn’t a one of them that doesn’t start without a few drinks and someone eventually saying “Hey y’all, watch this!”
*~*~*~*~*
I forgot to read.
