Greetings Writers and Blog Followers!
It's been a while since I've posted anything. Mainly because I don't have anything substantial to report. I've received a couple more rejections. I think I'm starting to get used to it, which is slightly disturbing. I guess it comes with the territory.
I've also been doing a lot of reading and researching lately and I've come to the conclusion that I should share a recurring theme I've encountered. Whenever an author is interviewed, you can almost guarantee that the interviewer will ask, "Where do you get your ideas?" or "Where do you find your inspiration?" Unless a writer has only one place or situation in which they find their story ideas, this is an unanswerable question. 99.9% of writers will be unable to pinpoint exactly where or when their muse will strike. Inspiration is like lightning. You never know where it's going to strike and once it does hit you, you'll never be the same again.
In my case, I get most of my story ideas from my dreams. That's where "Wallflower" came from as well as about a half-dozen others that are yet to be written. Aside from that, my muse has pulled me aside and demanded my attention at the most inopportune times...say in the middle of church or at work when I'm dealing with a customer and can't break away.
I share something in common with many writers who say that their inspiration hits them when they're driving or in the shower. I can't tell you how many times I've been caught with soap in my hair and a brilliant idea of which I have no way of penning until I finish the showering process, dry off and make haste to my notebook. By that time, I will have surely forgotten the gist of the juiciness.
If you're just starting out as a writer or you're dying to learn how your favorite author conjures his or her magical tales, you're going to have to forget about it. He or she may be able to tell you where each individual story came from, but for the most part, a writer's muse is a fickle creature. It's always lurking in the shadows and you may or may not be able to put yourself in a situation where it's conducive to the muse, but for the most part, writers are at the mercy of their muse. You cannot, summon it. You cannot, replicate it, and you definitely cannot force it.
So you're asking, "Well, how do I find a story idea, or how do I get past this damn writer's block?"
First and foremost, calm yourself. Take a deep breath and stop trying so hard. Your muse can't work with all that stress and tension in the way. (Remember, your muse is a fickle celebrity who will storm off to their trailer at the slightest offense.)
Second, give your muse something to work with; a jumping off point, if you will. If your stories generally tend to be romantic or exotic, take a notebook and go someplace quiet and beautiful. Perhaps a museum or a botanical garden. If your stories are busy, hectic or horrific, go to a hospital, a police station or a graveyard. Sit, observe and imagine. Your muse will take one look at your surroundings and start spouting off "what-ifs" in no time.
An excellent resource for all you hopeful authors out there
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Achieving the Bliss Note
If you're a fan of Southpark, (my sympathies BTW,) you may recall an episode where they referred to what was called "the brown note". As I am a lady above all else, I will not elaborate as to what the brown note means. The reason I'm posting today is about how to achieve "The Bliss Note".
The Bliss Note is self-explanatory and has the opposite effect of the brown note. All writers have their own unique style of writing. They come from different corners of the globe, different walks of life, different work environments and each has a different way of getting themselves in the "writing zone." I'm comfortable in assuming that most writers have one thing in common: They listen to music while they write. Some may prefer complete and utter silence, but let's just say that MOST like to hear some music in the background, if only for the ambiance alone.
I am an extremely imaginative person. I see magic in everything and I soak it up like a wide-eyed child on his or her first trip to Disneyland. I have recently discovered my penchant for a certain sound in music. It is not genre necessarily, but the note arrangements. (Someday I will ask a music expert if such an assortment has a name.) This sort of music includes songs by Evenescense, Owl City and Daft Punk. It's a dreamy electronica kind of music with lots of minor and sharp notes.
Listening to this music catapults me into another world or dimension; a creative dimension. With this music in the background, (not blaring until my speakers have a tempter tantrum) my muse flows effortlessly and it actually gets me excited about writing and life in general.
Is there a certain music or artist that does that for you? Have you ever heard a song that makes the hair on your arms to stand at attention and forces you to close your eyes and sway with it? If you answered yes, you've caught a glimpse of your Bliss Note.
Don't be alarmed. They're not sending you subliminal messages in the music, the music itself has tapped into that ever-illusive spot in your brain that switches your creative juices on. Seize that song, download it and put it on a loop. I know that can get old quickly, so start making a list of more songs that have that magical effect on you. Write them down and before long, you'll have an epic playlist.
It doesn't matter how silly your choices are. Heck, I'm sure most of you would laugh yourselves into hysteria if you heard mine. Everything from Fatboy Slim to Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade. Music = inspiration. Push play, close your eyes and feel yourself launch into that cosmic infinity. Your stories will thank you for it. Every writer needs to find their Bliss Note.
The Bliss Note is self-explanatory and has the opposite effect of the brown note. All writers have their own unique style of writing. They come from different corners of the globe, different walks of life, different work environments and each has a different way of getting themselves in the "writing zone." I'm comfortable in assuming that most writers have one thing in common: They listen to music while they write. Some may prefer complete and utter silence, but let's just say that MOST like to hear some music in the background, if only for the ambiance alone.
I am an extremely imaginative person. I see magic in everything and I soak it up like a wide-eyed child on his or her first trip to Disneyland. I have recently discovered my penchant for a certain sound in music. It is not genre necessarily, but the note arrangements. (Someday I will ask a music expert if such an assortment has a name.) This sort of music includes songs by Evenescense, Owl City and Daft Punk. It's a dreamy electronica kind of music with lots of minor and sharp notes.
Listening to this music catapults me into another world or dimension; a creative dimension. With this music in the background, (not blaring until my speakers have a tempter tantrum) my muse flows effortlessly and it actually gets me excited about writing and life in general.
Is there a certain music or artist that does that for you? Have you ever heard a song that makes the hair on your arms to stand at attention and forces you to close your eyes and sway with it? If you answered yes, you've caught a glimpse of your Bliss Note.
Don't be alarmed. They're not sending you subliminal messages in the music, the music itself has tapped into that ever-illusive spot in your brain that switches your creative juices on. Seize that song, download it and put it on a loop. I know that can get old quickly, so start making a list of more songs that have that magical effect on you. Write them down and before long, you'll have an epic playlist.
It doesn't matter how silly your choices are. Heck, I'm sure most of you would laugh yourselves into hysteria if you heard mine. Everything from Fatboy Slim to Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade. Music = inspiration. Push play, close your eyes and feel yourself launch into that cosmic infinity. Your stories will thank you for it. Every writer needs to find their Bliss Note.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
A Frantic Spirit
Writers are a sordid lot. They're also a sorted lot. (I love words like that.) It seems that all writers and artists are on the same mental plain or if you're so inclined, on the same mental "plane", flying in the same direction to the same destination. When their creative spirit flows, art is created. Those who live without this creative streak say things like, "This is an inspired work" or "Where do they come up with such ideas?"
To the writer or artist, such ideas and creations are as much of a surprise to them as they are to the observing public. We don't know where it comes from, we are simply compelled to paint it, chisel it or write it. If we don't, we feel our heads might explode from the idea growing and pressing against our brain.
This is why I'm writing this post. My head is not threatening to burst with ideas. It's already done that and I have 4 1/2 novels and countless short stories to prove it. My problem is the fact that I can't share my stories with the world. I can't find an agent or publisher, which would be my vein or channel to the world. My spirit is feeling frantic to have a writing CAREER.
People say, "You already have a writing career. You're writing, aren't you? Then you have a career." It's not like that, folks. Now that I've gotten my inspiration on paper and it's honed and ready for public consumption, I have no place to put it.
Here's a good analogy: Imagine yourself standing on a pillar of rock. This pillar of rock is at least ten stories tall and you're surrounded by the chasms of the Grand Canyon. On your pillar, you have approximately enough room to sit down, but no more. In your arms you hold all of the things that are nearest and dearest to your heart. Piled high in your two little arms you have your children, your spouse, your college degree, your photo albums, your skis or your treadmill (whatever floats your boat) and you're carrying them all gingerly and with great care, holding them as close to heart as possible. Suddenly, you have to pee. What do you do? Where can you set your things down? You turn in circles on your little pillar of rock. Beads of anxious sweat begin to trickle down your brow and your precious things have suddenly become very heavy. No one can hold your precious thing for you and you can't set them down. If you give in and take care of business as it were, you have no choice but to drop your most precious possessions into the great chasm, never to be seen again. As Keanu Reeves said in Speed, "What do you do?"
This is how my spirit is feeling. I'm frantically dashing around the literary planet saying, "Can you help me with this?" "Excuse me, do you have a home for this story?" "Pardon me, I'm sorry to bother you, but would you possibly be interested in publishing my work? I have lots more where that came from." I've gotten to the point where I just want to scream, "Heeeeyyyy! I'm a damn good writer. Publish me or point me to someone who can!!"
I can see you now: giving your computer monitor a wary leer as you contemplate just how mentally unstable I am. You may be on to something there, but I am in no way certifiable. I'm just getting older. I'm running out of time to achieve my dreams and my stories aren't doing anyone any good gathering dust in my proverbial drawer. They are homeless stories, without a voice, without an adoptive family. I am merely a catalyst, a foster home for these stories. I need someone to give my stories wings. If my stories never learn to fly, I will never fly and I'm feeling the pressure.
I'm writing this post against my better judgment. I feel that blogs of professional subjects should remain just that: professional, but according to Neil Gaiman, you should speak from the heart in your blogs. Let the world see you. I hold a lot of respect for Mr. Gaiman, so I'm taking his advice and giving you a glimpse of my own frantic writer's spirit.
We writers are a sordid lot; a sordid, sordid lot. *sigh*
To the writer or artist, such ideas and creations are as much of a surprise to them as they are to the observing public. We don't know where it comes from, we are simply compelled to paint it, chisel it or write it. If we don't, we feel our heads might explode from the idea growing and pressing against our brain.
This is why I'm writing this post. My head is not threatening to burst with ideas. It's already done that and I have 4 1/2 novels and countless short stories to prove it. My problem is the fact that I can't share my stories with the world. I can't find an agent or publisher, which would be my vein or channel to the world. My spirit is feeling frantic to have a writing CAREER.
People say, "You already have a writing career. You're writing, aren't you? Then you have a career." It's not like that, folks. Now that I've gotten my inspiration on paper and it's honed and ready for public consumption, I have no place to put it.
Here's a good analogy: Imagine yourself standing on a pillar of rock. This pillar of rock is at least ten stories tall and you're surrounded by the chasms of the Grand Canyon. On your pillar, you have approximately enough room to sit down, but no more. In your arms you hold all of the things that are nearest and dearest to your heart. Piled high in your two little arms you have your children, your spouse, your college degree, your photo albums, your skis or your treadmill (whatever floats your boat) and you're carrying them all gingerly and with great care, holding them as close to heart as possible. Suddenly, you have to pee. What do you do? Where can you set your things down? You turn in circles on your little pillar of rock. Beads of anxious sweat begin to trickle down your brow and your precious things have suddenly become very heavy. No one can hold your precious thing for you and you can't set them down. If you give in and take care of business as it were, you have no choice but to drop your most precious possessions into the great chasm, never to be seen again. As Keanu Reeves said in Speed, "What do you do?"
This is how my spirit is feeling. I'm frantically dashing around the literary planet saying, "Can you help me with this?" "Excuse me, do you have a home for this story?" "Pardon me, I'm sorry to bother you, but would you possibly be interested in publishing my work? I have lots more where that came from." I've gotten to the point where I just want to scream, "Heeeeyyyy! I'm a damn good writer. Publish me or point me to someone who can!!"
I can see you now: giving your computer monitor a wary leer as you contemplate just how mentally unstable I am. You may be on to something there, but I am in no way certifiable. I'm just getting older. I'm running out of time to achieve my dreams and my stories aren't doing anyone any good gathering dust in my proverbial drawer. They are homeless stories, without a voice, without an adoptive family. I am merely a catalyst, a foster home for these stories. I need someone to give my stories wings. If my stories never learn to fly, I will never fly and I'm feeling the pressure.
I'm writing this post against my better judgment. I feel that blogs of professional subjects should remain just that: professional, but according to Neil Gaiman, you should speak from the heart in your blogs. Let the world see you. I hold a lot of respect for Mr. Gaiman, so I'm taking his advice and giving you a glimpse of my own frantic writer's spirit.
We writers are a sordid lot; a sordid, sordid lot. *sigh*
Sunday, January 2, 2011
There's No Such Thing as an "Aspiring" Author
First of all, I hope everyone's Holiday went smoothly and with minimal drama. If not, I feel for you. If it went well, please don't rub it in.
Mine was better than expected. Being low on funds this year, my husband and I decided to forgo gifts for each other and concentrate on giving our 11 year old daughter an awesome Christmas. Her belief in Santa Claus is hanging on by a frayed and fragile thread and we figured we'd better make this Christmas count before all the fantasy and magic of Santa was a thing of the past.
Due to the Holidays, this blog has been neglected. Until now I was dreading to post, but now that all the hubbub is over, I have no excuses, so I sucked it up and here I am.
The aforementioned request for my full manuscript was rejected two days before Christmas. This is my twelfth official rejection, although this one hurts more than the rest. I felt that I had a pretty good connection with this agent, if not the potential for a blooming friendship. Our lighthearted communications were encouraging and gave me a glimpse into this person's personality. I crossed my fingers even tighter at the thought of acquiring such a wonderful agent.
His rejection letter was kind with a air of regret that he must reject my story. That in itself made me feel a little bit better, although I couldn't help but wonder if I'd ever get the chance to work with an agent that was so personable and, for lack of a better word, normal.
It is with a heavy heart that I feel compelled to deliver this message to every aspiring author out there. Are you ready?
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN "ASPIRING" AUTHOR.
Yes, you heard me right and I hear you saying, "Well, I haven't been published yet. Therefore I am in the category of 'aspiring'."
Not true.
The truth of the matter is, if you have written anything, be it an epic novel or a limerick, and you intend to do it again, you are a writer. There's no "aspiring" about it. You've already done it.
When I finished my first novel, I hadn't yet decided whether or not to seek publication, but I knew one thing for sure: I had written a book, which is something most people only talk about. I did it and I loved it. I loved it so much that I decided to write another book and another and another. I am now working on my fifth book, but I am in the same swaying, rocking boat as all the first-time writers out there; the SS Author. We're in this together, you and I. Don't short-change yourself and don't let anyone tell you that you are less of an author simply because your story hasn't graced the bookstore shelves.
I say, welcome to Author-ship. (pun intended)
Mine was better than expected. Being low on funds this year, my husband and I decided to forgo gifts for each other and concentrate on giving our 11 year old daughter an awesome Christmas. Her belief in Santa Claus is hanging on by a frayed and fragile thread and we figured we'd better make this Christmas count before all the fantasy and magic of Santa was a thing of the past.
Due to the Holidays, this blog has been neglected. Until now I was dreading to post, but now that all the hubbub is over, I have no excuses, so I sucked it up and here I am.
The aforementioned request for my full manuscript was rejected two days before Christmas. This is my twelfth official rejection, although this one hurts more than the rest. I felt that I had a pretty good connection with this agent, if not the potential for a blooming friendship. Our lighthearted communications were encouraging and gave me a glimpse into this person's personality. I crossed my fingers even tighter at the thought of acquiring such a wonderful agent.
His rejection letter was kind with a air of regret that he must reject my story. That in itself made me feel a little bit better, although I couldn't help but wonder if I'd ever get the chance to work with an agent that was so personable and, for lack of a better word, normal.
It is with a heavy heart that I feel compelled to deliver this message to every aspiring author out there. Are you ready?
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN "ASPIRING" AUTHOR.
Yes, you heard me right and I hear you saying, "Well, I haven't been published yet. Therefore I am in the category of 'aspiring'."
Not true.
The truth of the matter is, if you have written anything, be it an epic novel or a limerick, and you intend to do it again, you are a writer. There's no "aspiring" about it. You've already done it.
When I finished my first novel, I hadn't yet decided whether or not to seek publication, but I knew one thing for sure: I had written a book, which is something most people only talk about. I did it and I loved it. I loved it so much that I decided to write another book and another and another. I am now working on my fifth book, but I am in the same swaying, rocking boat as all the first-time writers out there; the SS Author. We're in this together, you and I. Don't short-change yourself and don't let anyone tell you that you are less of an author simply because your story hasn't graced the bookstore shelves.
I say, welcome to Author-ship. (pun intended)
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