tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61421074797981560242024-03-13T15:23:56.821-07:00Let's Write a Novel, 250 words at a timeInklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-61007855387319245642015-06-12T11:08:00.002-07:002015-06-12T11:08:54.663-07:00Visual Art as Metaphor for Writing Process - Guest Blog by Buffy Shutt<b><br /></b>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>Good morning. Sorry about the enormous gap between entries. I went on vacation. And I have to admit that I took a break in my 250 words a day. Today I begin again. As George Elliot says, "It's never to late to be what you might have been." </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>For the next three weeks, in addition to the Beyond Baroque Workshop, I'll be at Camera Obscura in Santa Monica on Thursday evenings from seven to nine. We had a great group last night. It's fifteen dollars to drop in, or forty dollars for four sessions. At this point you are better off going on line and signing up for the whole thing. It will cost less in the long run. Type Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Laurie Horowitz into your browser and it should come up right away.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>Today we have a guest blog from the phenomenal Buffy Shutt. Among her many accomplishments, she produced the film BLUE CRUSH, and co-authored the non-fiction book COMING OF AGE...ALL OVER AGAIN: THE ULTIMATE MIDLIFE HANDBOOK and wrote the novel CREATIVE DIFFERENCES published by SOHO Press. </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 21.3333339691162px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Buffy, take it away....</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>Laurie and I share the notion
that other art forms can illuminate the writing process for us in unexpected
ways.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>This week, two unrelated ideas connected
visual arts to writing for me. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>On Sunday, I read in the <i>New York Times </i>about blind contour
drawing. I had never heard of this
method before. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>Here is what blind contour drawing is, courtesy
of Wikipedia: The student fixes his or her eyes on the outline of the model or
object, then tracks the edge of the object with his or her eyes, while
simultaneously drawing the contour very slowly, in a steady, continuous line
without lifting the pencil or looking at the paper. Blind contour drawing may
not produce a good drawing; however it helps students to draw more
realistically, rather than relying on their memorized drawing symbols. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>I mulled this over all day. I don’t draw (at all), but I thought this
idea could spark me to try writing with a different mind (and heart) set. Writing
“without relying on memorized symbols.” And not worry that it might not
“produce good writing”. <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>I am going to try writing with an untethered
eye and ear. I hope to be less reliant on what I know so well, less dependent
on “memorized symbols” and I think this experiment may help me to write more
freely, less judgy.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>Then today I went to see the
Turner Exhibit at the Getty. Fittingly entitled: <i>Painting Set Free.</i> It is a
beautiful exhibit of curated paintings by Turner from 60 until his death at age
76. So inspiring. (He had a Yeats,
Verdi, Maya Plisetskaya thing going on.)<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>One of his many sea paintings, <i>Snow Storm</i>, was roundly criticized when
it was first shown at the Academy in 1842. People said it was disruptive; the
horizon was all-wrong, the sea was confusing, no distinction between sea and
air. What was going on? In response to
his detractors, Turner said, “ I don’t
paint to be understood.” How great is
that? I love that!! <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>Of course, I want people to
understand my writing, but to be able to shed some of that <i>want</i> would help me be freer, more honest and bolder in my
writing. And then if I can write without
looking…<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
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Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-1628863011668786182015-05-08T15:19:00.001-07:002015-05-08T15:19:29.474-07:00“Nobody Asked You to Write this Novel.”<div class="Body">
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I read the above words in the <i>New
York Times Book Review</i> today (early email of
Sunday<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">’</span>s edition). Jane
Smiley said that her friend taped <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">“</span>Nobody
asked you to write this novel<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">”</span> above her desk. I<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span>m
sure I have said this or something
like it, and while it is no doubt true, it still sounds a bit punitive to me.
Would anyone say, "no one needs another painting,
or no one needs another symphony or no one needs another beautiful
building?" Smiley also said in the same
article, "What we do as writers is voluntary, so don't complain." True
enough, but it may be easier for her to say it than it is for a writer who
does not have her fame, money, literary <i>cred</i>,
or status on the bestseller list. She goes on to write that when she saw Balzac's manuscripts for the first
time, it was a revelation. She could see how hard he worked, how hard writers must toil to produce superior work. I think Smiley<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span>s
inference is that writing, like growing old, is not for sissies. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I try not to complain too much about writing. Whether my work is good or bad that day,
it gives me purpose in, I imagine, the same way faith offers meaning to those who are spiritually inclined.
Writing is my practice. It gives me something to do every day that I feel is
worthwhile whether or not anyone has asked me to write or not. And no matter
what I write, the days I write are better than the ones when I don't. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In my editing business, I
am always looking for the buried treasure at the heart of a client<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span>s
piece. I try to help the author unearth it. I can tell you one thing I never say <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">–</span> I never say: quit your bitchin'; no one ever asked you to write a book in the
first place. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Perhaps the world <b>does </b>need another book. Maybe it needs your book.
Maybe the reason you want to write is because what you have to offer will
enrich society the way any piece of
art can. Has anyone ever said, "No one needs another work by Mozart. No
one needs another work by Rembrandt. No one needs another piece choreographed
by Twyla Tharp."<o:p></o:p></div>
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Maybe someone has said, "No one needs another book by Jane
Smiley," but I doubt it, even though I was ready to say it after trying to
read TEN DAYS IN THE HILLS. <o:p></o:p></div>
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No one asked you to write a novel but why not act as if someone
did. <o:p></o:p></div>
Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-51563806751596169252015-05-04T18:18:00.004-07:002015-05-04T18:18:37.096-07:00 Free to Be Bold
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Today I wanted to keep on going with my writing after my
requisite word count. I discovered that sometimes even doing 1,500 words is
like breaking sticks. There <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">were</span> days in
the past when I did much more, but in those days, I wasn</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">t doing
this exercise </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">–</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> therefore, I wasn</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">t
counting. I don't know if any of what I</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">m writing now is any good, but I'm
letting myself go, creating characters so heinous that you can't help but laugh
at them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I am not being careful about anything I'm writing. I'm not trying
to make it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good</i> -- I was going to
write <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">especially good</i>, but I took out
the<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> modifier. Taking out the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> every time I'm tempted to use it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seems</i> (is) (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seems</i> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">–</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> you be the judge) the
best thing I can manage on a first draft without over-editing myself.</span> By
axing words like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seems</i> upfront, I am
becoming more sure-footed as I go along. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span></o:p> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">This is</span> fiction -- so why do
I ever have to use the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seems</i>? It
either <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">is</span></i>
or it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">isn't</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Be free to be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">bold</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-33926112860301693902015-04-28T12:17:00.000-07:002015-04-28T12:17:08.163-07:00Process is as Important as Product.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I reached 10,000 words today. They may be terrible words. <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Each one might have to be rewritten more than once.
Still, when I think that I'm an eighth of the way through my goal, and we</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">’</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">ve only <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>been at this for about ten days, it makes me
hopeful about what can be accomplished when you are consistent.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">As I mentioned last night at the Beyond Baroque group, I'd like
to see how I can morph this into a method I can use for projects I'm taking
more seriously than this one. Or, do I have to pretend, in my own heart and
mind, not to take the current story seriously if I don't want to be too
paralyzed to write it. Let's face it. No one needs another book. Even though a
few people have asked me when I'm going to have another one out, legions of
people are not waiting for my next masterpiece to hit the <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">bookstores</span>. <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">This
is</span> not being negative. <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">It is</span>
right-sized thinking. We write because we want to and because we think we have
something to say. Whether we are tortured artists or not probably has little
impact on the work. We are <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">what is</span> inside
us. We have inspired moments, but good work will likely best be accomplished my
mastering the skill. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Mastering anything takes practice. If I wanted to master a <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">martial</span> art, I wouldn</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">t show
up just twice a week for an hour and think I'd be a master <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">by</span> the end of the year. If I wanted to learn to
cook or to draw, I would have to practice. If I want to get fit, I can't just
watch other people on treadmills. Believe me, I know this from experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Writing is an action. You might think about writing in the shower
or while doing the dishes or exercising, but thinking about writing is not
writing. You may dream of penning a bestseller and having fans want to bed you,
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">but, unfortunately,</span> that is not writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">This exercise we are doing is practice like any other. One of my
favorite books is <u>Zen</u> <u>and</u> <u>the</u> <u>Art</u> <u>of</u> <u>Archery</u>
by Eugen Herrigel, 1953, it is a great disquisition on how "practice"
works. Herrigel learns about life and mastery through archery. You have chosen
writing. Practice will enrich you no matter what results from it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></o:p></div>
Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-62261548042347419242015-04-25T15:08:00.000-07:002015-04-25T15:08:16.212-07:00Where Have Books Taken You and What Have You Brought Back?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though sometimes it may feel that way, writing is NOT like
climbing Mount Everest in the dark. You can die climbing Mount Everest. You can
get caught in an avalanche. You can come back down to find a whole city
decimated by an earthquake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is real <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">tragedy</span>
in the world. Today, I am not going to moan about having to write, I am going
to be grateful for being able to write. It is, after all, in most societies
(and ours is no exception) an indulgence. That’s <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">ironic</span> because stories help us understand our world and <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">are, therefore,</span> essential. They also allow us to
escape reality when we don’t like it. At their best <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">stories</span> <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">are</span> art, and perhaps things
of beauty. I believe art raises us up, even if only from somewhere subterranean
to the sidewalk. Sometimes, it brings us higher—much higher.</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, write. Write your hearts out. Write as if you’ll die if
you don’t. Or, write because you are a person on this <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">planet,</span> and you believe you have something to contribute. And if
you have no reason to write and can’t come up with one, write <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">anyway</span>. <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">If you</span>
don’t make writing your enemy, it can be <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">a very reliable
</span>friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry this is so <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">sappily</span>
encouraging and not even funny, but the earthquake in Nepal made me take a hard
look at my blessings today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's read novels about people in places who don’t have as
much privilege as we do. I <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">recommend</span> THE <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">WOMAN</span> WHO LOST HER SOUL by Bob Shacochis,
published by Atlantic Monthly Press. It is long (over 700 pages in <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">hardcover</span>). It is convoluted, but it <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">is sometimes transcendent</span> and will likely never
leave you. Please recommend more books in the <em><strong>comments</strong></em> section. Let’s hear what
books uplift you <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">and</span> change you, which
books don’t allow you to look at a country the same way ever again. The
stories don’t have to be about foreign countries. I was never the same after
reading BROWN GIRL, BROWNSTONES by Paule Marshall or Amy Tan's THE JOY LUCK CLUB. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where have books taken you
and what have you brought back?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span>Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-49832548145408303462015-04-23T17:20:00.001-07:002015-04-23T17:20:05.145-07:00The CRITICIZER: Friend or Foe?
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I believe this is day <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">seven,</span>
and I just wanted to report in on how it is going and encourage anyone who is
doing this with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I have reached 6,390 words, all on my iPad with its <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">handy-dandy</span> Zagg keyboard. Have I felt like
doing this? Do I ever feel like doing anything? Today, if you asked me, I'd say
I rarely feel like doing <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">anything,</span> and I
only manage by stint of taking unusually tiny bites out of everything, except
food. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">They way I am making sure to keep up with this is by making my
250 or 500 words be my dessert after editing other people's work. I write
whatever the hell I <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">please,</span> and I try not
to think about it too much. The <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">self-doubt</span>
and self-criticism <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">are</span> likely to squeeze
the breath out of me if I let it. I have sent the CRITICIZER on vacation. I
don't know where she <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">went,</span> and I don't
care, but I hope she is having a terrible <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">time</span>
because that's what she deserves. I hope that every time she goes into a
restaurant, the food is bad. I hope that if she goes into the ocean, she gets
bit by a man-of-war. If she goes hiking in the desert, I hope there are plenty
of poisonous snakes. Maybe she won't come back. Oh right. I need her to come
back to help me write the second draft. But in the meantime, I hope her trip
takes her down a <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">peg,</span> and she returns <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">with</span> <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">a right-sized</span>
idea of her <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">own</span> importance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">So, the question today is: what would you like to do to your
CRITICIZER?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No fate is too <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">terrible</span> but remember, eventually you'll need
the bitch or bastard to help you on the next draft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-47866572678449001502015-04-21T22:31:00.000-07:002015-04-21T22:31:04.113-07:00WHAT TURNS YOU ON ... ABOUT A CHARACTER?<div class="Body">
Okay, I admit it. I missed a day. Yesterday. I worked nine hours
on a client's project and after that went to lead the writer's group at Beyond
Baroque. That was as much as I could accomplish in one day. In fact, it was
more than I could accomplish. I was wiped out and stayed up half the night
watching Columbo. Peter Falk was so cute when he was young, despite the rumpled
funky suit and raincoat. Raincoat every day. In Los Angeles. Why do we like
Columbo? I think it is because he defies expectations. He fools everyone by
pretending he's incompetent. It usually isn't too long before the culprit
figures out that he or she is being scammed. Still, we love to watch the
supposedly underfunded buffoon put one over on the rich murderers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
I read somewhere that there are two ways to do a mystery show.
One is like Columbo. You know who did it right from the beginning. The fun part
is watching him figure it out. The other kind of mystery is the one where you don't know who
did it, and you have to figure it out
along with the detective. The question I'm asking today is why do I like
Columbo so much when I know from the beginning who the culprit is? This is what I posit as an answer: I think I
read and watch things more for character than for story - particularly
television. I do love a story, but I
think when it comes to TV, it's the characters I return for. The other trick to Columbo is that the writers give him
worthy adversaries. It's brain vs. brain,
and since Columbo plays such a convincing underdog, we want to see him win.
Another tricky thing about Columbo is that every once in a while we end up liking the murderer. It's a great example of a protagonist and antagonist who are well
matched, and maybe that's why I like it
so much. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
So, the question for today is why a story structure like Columbo
works and if you don't like it or don't think it works, do feel free to say so.
I won't be hurt if you disrespect my
beloved Columbo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="Body">
And again, I admit that I missed
my pages on April 20, 2015, but because we each have a day off a week, I'm getting
right back on the horse.<o:p></o:p></div>
Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-60038552471040074752015-04-18T21:25:00.001-07:002015-04-18T21:25:41.610-07:00Celebrate Books (Day 4)<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br />
<div class="body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">Today I went to <em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">The
LA Times Festival of Books. </span></em>The panelist who invited me<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;"> </span></em>was kind enough to <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">give</span> me a green wristband that allowed me to
pretend to be a <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">VIP,</span> so I had the run of
the place. </span></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">As</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;"> a <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">community,</span> we
can be proud that Los Angeles <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">can</span> attract
such a rich collection of authors -- and crazies. I enjoyed the crazies as much
as the authors. You can't buy a crystal that's going to center you from an
author, and authors don</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">t
read your palm -- usually. An author isn't likely to run over your foot with a
motorized wheelchair. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<u1:p></u1:p>
</span></div>
<div class="body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">So many <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">writers</span>
in one place <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">are</span> inspiring. Some of the
authors were even making a living with words. I went to one
"conversation" (the term used for a panel at the Festival) on publishing where one of
the panelists told us that only three hundred writers in the whole country make
a living at it. This to a group of aspiring writers. The panelist probably
hadn't heard the adage, "Know <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Thy</span>
Audience." It's always best not to make the members of your audience want
hang themselves from the nearest tree as soon as they leave the auditorium.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">If the crowds at USC mean that the
written word is alive and well, then it must be. Maybe next year three hundred
and one writers will manage to make a living -- maybe even three hundred and
two.</span></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<u1:p></u1:p>
</span></div>
<div class="body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">I got my words in after I got <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">home,</span> and I'm encouraging you to do the same. Hit the 3,000 mark today.</span></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">Day four and still going strong.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<u1:p></u1:p>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-19127487231349383052015-04-17T20:15:00.003-07:002015-04-17T20:15:43.755-07:00The Time of your Life (Day 3)<div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It may seem obvious, but writing is something that's done in time. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">What you don't write today might never get written. Writing <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">is done</span> <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">in</span> the moment, a "now" that will never come again. I find this concept both hard conceive of and difficult to describe.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Here's an example: I once started writing a book in which the main character <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">was modeled</span> after my first love. I wrote draft after draft, pondered and played with it. From initial concept to completed draft went on for years. Then, in the middle of one rewrite, the man upon whom the novel <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">was based</span>, died. He was <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">young</span> and he died. The impetus that got me to start the story was gone. <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i></span> who worked on the book before my friend's death and <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i></span> who worked on the book afterward was a different person. The feelings that sparked the book had changed. Likely, they were no longer even relevant. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">One of the reasons I wanted to do the 250 words, twice a day, is because I no longer want to lose strings of potentially valuable moments. I've heard that the Muse doesn't come unless you're there to greet her. I want to be available to her more often. Wouldn't it be sad if the Muse came with a gift of the most beautiful story ever written and you weren't there to receive it.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-73126910641366138242015-04-16T15:14:00.002-07:002015-04-16T15:14:37.218-07:00Having Fun with Flaws (Day 2)<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
My decision not to take this all too seriously has been a good
one. I am writing the most ridiculous stuff
and getting a kick out of it. I am letting my imagination run wild. I know
that there's a lot of unconscious detritus in my head. How do I know? From my
dreams. Things happen in my dreams that I could never think up. Mix up late-night television with an upcoming Bruce
Jenner interview and what to you get? An actor who played a priest in MURDER
SHE WROTE appearing in my dream as a bisexual transvestite who wants to have an
affair with me. Vivid. There must be a lot in the old noggin about which I am unaware, and I will only know what it is by letting
myself riff.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
I've been reading THE ANATOMY OF STORY by John Truby -- had lunch
with my old friend and John<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span>s wife Leslie Lehr yesterday at <i>Back on the Beach</i> - and she recommended
chapter 3 for novelists. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Truby talks about <i>weaknesses</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
I challenge you to point out some heroic flaws or weaknesses in literature:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
EMMA - Emma is a snob and a control freak.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Lizzie Bennett is sure she<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span>s
right and just a little more witty than everyone else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
JANE EYRE - What<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span>s Jane Eyre<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span>s flaw?
She seems spotless and too good to be
true. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
GREAT EXPECTATIONS - Pip<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span>s
flaw is that he is ashamed of his past and wants to hide it <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">–</span>
again, snobbery rears its head. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
LOLITA - Humbert Humbert is
a pedophile <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">–</span> seems flawed enough, but there<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">’</span>s more<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica;">…</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
THE GREAT GATSBY - Gatsby has a flaw, but what about Nick
Carroway?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD - Does Atticus Finch have a flaw?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
A ROOM WITH A VIEW - Lucy
is afraid to be natural and admit what
and who she truly wants.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
LADY CHATTERLY<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">’</span>S LOVER - What
about all the flaws that come from a person being outside their time or place.
Lady Chatterly<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Is it a weakness to want passion in Anna Karenina? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Here are two film examples from
Truby:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
In Sunset Boulevard <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">–</span> Joe Gillis<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">’</span>s weakness is that he
has a fondness for money and the finer things in life. He is willing to
sacrifice artistic and moral integrity for comfort.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
In Tootsie <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">–</span> Michael is and
arrogant and selfish.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Both of these characters are likable <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">–</span> to me anyway <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">–</span> and perhaps it is
because I want to follow a journey toward redemption. Each man does want to be
better than he is even if he doesn<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">’</span>t know it at first. Spoiler alert: Gillis ends up dead.
(Well, it<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">’</span>s not really a spoiler alert <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">–</span> you find out right at
the beginning). Gillis is redeemed when he chooses to break away from comfort
in favor of integrity. (Tragedy)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Michael, in Tootsie, is a womanizer,
but he learns to literally stand in a woman<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-no-proof: yes;">’</span>s shoes and his attitude toward
women changes. He learns to have a fulfilling relationship.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
(Comedy)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
In these two cases, you could say
that the story is embedded in the flaw. If a character has to move from one
stance to another, it may make the starting point for the writer more of a
trampoline than a plank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Flaws. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
Flaws.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
Flaws.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
Flaws.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
Give me flaws.</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-42228872883238620282015-04-15T16:51:00.000-07:002015-04-15T16:51:11.615-07:00We're on the Starting Line<div class="MsoNormal">
So, here is where the rubber meets the road. It’s our first
day. Everyone else in America is worried about taxes, but not us – we are
beginning our journey, one that begins like all journeys do --with a single step.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, because some people have been confused, and that means I probably wasn’t clear – I want to
emphasize that we are each writing our own
books. This project is not a combined effort. What we get from forming a
community is momentum and support. Also, there is no physical location for this project until we are finished. If you want ongoing support in a physical location, I recommend that you attend the free Beyond Baroque Monday evening workshop www.beyondbaroque.org or the Thursday evening classes at Camera Obscura which are four week session advertised on the Santa Monica Cultural Website http://www.smgov.net/Departments/CCS/content.aspx?id=39798.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope you have your dedicated notebooks and a pen or
pencil. I will be writing on an iPad most of the time using <i>Pages</i> - App. It’s simple, not
distracting, and I can figure out what to do with the text later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have chosen a character, a name for that character, and a situation. That’s it. That’s
all I have. I am not ready to share any of that yet. I think sharing your ideas
too early can be like taking a pin to a bubble of inspiration.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would like to recommend a recreational visit to an
inspiring stationary store, a store that caters to the art of writing. You can
find my favorite in Westwood, California or on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FlaxPentoPaper?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/FlaxPentoPaper?fref=ts</a>
Ask for Joan or Phil – say I sent you. That will get you welcoming smile. Well, you'd get a welcoming smile anyway, but I encourage you to do it anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s another thing: I was thinking about the extent of this undertaking. I
don’t want people to quit if they miss a day. Therefore, I think we should each
be able to take one day off a week without feeling we have failed the challenge. We're in it for the long haul. If you need a day
off each week, take it and know that you are still succeeding with the
challenge. I think that will give us all a little breathing room. Very little,
but enough to let get our shoulders fall from somewhere up around our ears to a
more normal location. (anything to keep
us calm and motivated).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I try to provide what I need myself. Structure, support,
encouragement, and community. These things will help me. I hope they will help
you. It is almost 4:30 and I haven’t done my words yet, but thanks to this, I
know I will. In fact, I’m looking forward to it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s to a great start. I look forward to hearing how your
first day goes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-66138619771724428832015-04-10T16:23:00.001-07:002015-04-10T16:23:56.149-07:00Midnight at the Oasis<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spoke with someone last night who
is thinking of joining the novel challenge,
and he had some trepidation. Me too. I'm not crazy about commitment of any sort so when I do commit to
something, it means I'm serious. I wanted to write "fairly serious," but strong-armed myself to
remove the modifier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How, then can I make this long process into something I can wrap my head
around? The first thing I did was break it into tiny manageable steps. Still,
you can't help but see the mountain looming up in front of you. If I wanted to get to the top of the mountain of
80,000 feet and I was worried about it, I'd be much happier if I knew that
there was a spa every 10,000 feet where I could rest, get a massage. So, I guess, we must each figure out
what our idea of an oasis is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is what I can offer: when I
reach 10,000 words, I will name a place and time and those in the area who want
to join me there can let me know. We can talk about the joys and
travails of climbing this mountain together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We could see this as our version of WILD -- a walk along the
Pacific Crest Trail. Just think of how much more comfortable we will be than
Cheryl Strayed was. Every time she reached one of those spots where there were
other people and food, I breathed a great sigh of relief. And remember how
confident she felt when she finally made it? Think of how you’ll
feel when you cross that bridge into the
land of Completion. I get excited just thinking about it. Strayed’s
journey was so all-encompassing. No bathing, rudimentary eating. Something in
me craves that kind of tunnel vision. Step. Step. Step.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is what I'm packing for my first draft trip: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 1. an idea
(notice I didn't say good idea)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 2. a dedicated
notebook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 3. an iPad mini <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have any suggestions about what we should take with us,
let me know. </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to travel light.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-74133877492337486762015-04-08T11:28:00.001-07:002015-04-08T11:28:27.013-07:00Do we Need a Blueprint to Build this House?<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, I want to talk about STEALING. Yes, stealing.
Always steal from the best and make sure whatever you are "borrowing" is in the public domain. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my novel THE FAMILY FORTUNE published by William Morrow,
I borrowed from Jane Austen as so many
have done before and after. The whole thing started as an exercise to see if,
through using Jane Austen’s structure and characters, I could learn from her,
much like an art students who copies the masters in a museum. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, though, I’m a little
miffed, because Alexander McCall Smith, the most prolific man in the universe (who
created THE NUMBER ONE LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY series and several more – SERIES)
found the need to do an updated version of EMMA. Don’t tell me the man
ran out of ideas. He writes so much he must have hypergraphia, (and if you’re
sensing a little envy there – you got it). Couldn’t Mr. Smith leave
these “remakes” for the people who really
need them? And then there’s Joanna Trollope,
who claims to have descended from the great Anthony Trollope –oh man of the zillion
written words. He balanced a lap desk of his own
devising on his knee while he took the train all over the country in his work
for the postal service. Talk about prolific. Now,
his descendant, not content with tales of ordinary domestic woe, has written SENSE
& SENSIBILITY, another modern retelling. In both Smith and Trollope’s novels,
neither the name of the story nor the names of the characters have been
changed. At least my version was like transposing in another key; theirs is like a disco version of Beethoven’s 9<sup>th</sup>. Can’t
they leave the old masters to those of us who truly
need them? Of course not and why should they? Their name recognition alone sells
books so they could, as the saying goes, put their names on the telephone directory and sell quite a few
copies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My advice: don’t wait until you’re all written out to steal
a plot. Do it early and often. I did it to provide myself with a ready-made
outline. I’m tempted to do it again,
because as we embark on our new projects – and I have an idea of what I want to
do – I still worry that I will reach a day when my boat will go still in the
water. No breeze anywhere.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This apprehension leads
to this: to outline or not to outline. Everyone has something different
to say about it, and I think each writer
must maneuver into the system that works best for them. That’s why I’m doing
this in the first place. I’m still and always seeking a process that works better than the one I used last time. I am at the end of my current novel, and I am confused. I hate being
confused. I don’t want to be confused, I have been writing for a while now
and when working on a long piece, I
always reach a point where I am thoroughly confused (not as much when I steal). Must I accept it? Maybe. But perhaps I can also ameliorate it. My perennial hope. I wish I had a structure, a road-map to get me through
this process. It’s what worked before. This time, I have an idea, and I want to
explore it. At the moment, I can only see a few feet in front of me.
In the words of E.L. Doctorow, “<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/e/eldoctor154857.html" title="view quote"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">It's
like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but
you can make the whole trip that way.</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="background: white;"> Not sure I have the courage
to hit the road at night, but I’m willing to try, yet again. Any suggestions, street signs, etc. would
be welcome. <span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142107479798156024.post-31931161602998979832015-04-07T12:50:00.000-07:002015-04-07T12:50:16.746-07:00I need to finish a novel -- let's do it together, one tiny step at a time.<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unless someone asks me to write a blog, I've been extremely
reticent about doing it. I worry about the daily obligation. I worry about any
daily obligation. Perhaps that is the
reason I want to do this. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Although I have written and published a
novel with William Morrow, I still deplore my work habits. And I'm sick of it.
Have I tried the novel writing month? Yes, sort of. That didn't do it for me.
Pure speed didn't turn out to be my method. What I hope to employ here is more
of a "slow and steady wins the race" model. Not too slow, but very
steady. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And there's another important part of this, and that is that we're going to write not
only a draft, but we're going to go through at least one rewrite. Maybe more.
Together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Think of this as you might a modern
version of John Steinbeck's<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><u>JOURNAL
OF A NOVEL: the East of Eden Letters.</u> Of course, I'm no John
Steinbeck and would never claim to be. (You'll will
find my self-deprecating humor -- I hope, throughout.) I'm always interested in
what makes writers tick, and I recommend
that book -- as I will likely recommend many others since I am a writing book
junky. I'm also addicted to books on
organization, but that's not relevant -- yet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will be writing about the process, helping to lead whoever wants to go on
this journey with me through the sometimes lonely, often labyrinthine process
of writing a long piece.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been leading the Monday Night Fiction Workshop at Beyond Baroque in Venice,
California for three plus years. This year, I instituted the 250 word a day
challenge. We were all astounded by the what it did for us, creatively and even
psychologically. I did it because that's what I needed for myself. I needed the
support of the group to write fresh material every day. Otherwise, I could be
contemplating the navel of endless edits of my current work eternally (how do
you like that for alliteration?) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So now for the math -- and if I get it
wrong -- don't tell me -- okay, tell me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">80,000 words. We are writing a full novel,
not a novella or novelette. After the first draft process, you should have plenty of words and pages to work with. I recommend 500 words a day -- or
two sessions of 250 which is so unobtrusive you could do it in the bath, The
idea is that the entire process will take less than a year. We'll write the
first draft in approximately six months.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We'll start on April 15, 2015. You don't
have to do anything to join. No payment.
You might want to write comments on this blog. We'll all be interested to see
how we all are doing. My role is much the same as it is in class every Monday
-- to lead and encourage and offer the few tricks of the trade as we go along.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am choosing a subject I will pretend not
to care too much about because that's how
I can make myself do it. If I put too much pressure on myself, I'm toast. And
the thing is -- I don't think it matters whether you think you are writing the
great American novel or the next piece of
pulp that will be devoured on the beach.
It's just a belief. You don't know how it will turn out. Use the mindset that
will help to get it done. For me, it is to not take myself too seriously. You
may need to believe that the world will cease spinning if your voice is not heard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our watchwords: WHATEVER WORKS<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, don't expect these blog entries to
be edited and pondered over. I have other things to do -- like write 500 words
a day and clean my tub.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Inklings by Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702712134500650281noreply@blogger.com8