It's that time again. November is National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo) and anyone who's been writing for six months or more knows about the NaNo challenge: 50,000 uncensored, unscripted words in 30 days.
Last year I missed this event. I had just finished a novel and I wanted a breather. As I watched the month progress without me participating, I was delighted (and I'll admit, envious) of my writing buddies progress and excitement. I lived vicariously through them, offering words of encouragement when they stumbled and cheers when they succeeded. All the while I vowed to be a part of the great NaNo adventure in 2011.
Has it already been a year???
Now I feel hurried to pick a project and run with it. At first I was going to use the challenge to finish my NIP, but that wouldn't fit the spirit of the exercise. If I wanted to do it right, I'd have to start from scratch.
Mind you, this is no problem. I have what I like to call my "Safety Deposit Box". It's a list of all the novel and short story concepts I've come up with over the years, and I have plenty. At last count, I have 24 novels waiting to be born. It shouldn't be a problem picking one, should it?
Riiiigghht.
I love them all. Where shall I start?
There are a few I can eliminate on the basis that they are short stories, not novel-length. A few more I can eliminate since they require a more seasoned writer and plenty of research to pull them off properly. That leaves about 15 choices and only a few days in which to make my choice. Oh how I hate choices!
So, are you joining the insanity this year? Do you think you can handle 50,000 words or will you crack-up under the pressure?
Find me on Facebook or on the NaNoWriMo website (see above link). I'm listed under both as "Jennifer B. Fields. We can crack-up together, cuz I'm doin' this, baby!
Best of luck to you crazy writer-types.
An excellent resource for all you hopeful authors out there
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Interaction Required
Hi! Remember me?
Yes, it's been awhile, but I'm still here...plucking away. My family and I are struggling. Although we now have jobs and can pay our measly bills, we're still living in a 22ft travel trailer with three dogs. For those of you keeping count, that's three people + three dogs divided by 22ft of cramped space and stale air. Dog hair and B.O. are the biggest issues. Obviously when I'm not writing, I'm cleaning. And might I say, "Thank God for a good vacuum!" And Swiffer Dusters,
And disinfecting wipes,
And (last but not least) air freshener!
Although my life is anything but settled, I'm still writing. I have commandeered the tiny, fold-down table in the trailer as my desk territory. I have my laptop. I have my printer and I have a coffee pot. What more could a girl ask for?? Well, perhaps a door. You know, a door that is attached to four walls providing privacy when said door is closed.
But I digress.
We're as settled as can be until we can afford a house of our own. We'll get there...eventually.
Now I'm turning my efforts toward getting to know my new town and community. It's easy for me to make friends. Harder to keep them once they find out how...eccentric I am. I think Salem will be different in that department. There are plenty of people here who are the same brand of eccentric as me, if not more so. That's why we chose Salem. It seems to be where "my kind" migrates.
We've been here four months and I've noticed my need for interaction is growing increasingly urgent. I need to be with other writers. I crave stimulating conversation on the subject I've devoted my life to. I cannot tell you how hard that is to find. Once I do find it, I weep for the person on the receiving end of my deluge. Think about it: I've been holding all of this in for...how long?? Months? No, years! I'm going to be a chattering time-bomb of repressed ideas, expressions and dreams.
How can any writer contain themselves with such riches?
Easier than I can, apparently.
Since I've been in Salem, I've met two women who have always dreamed of writing a book. One of those women has a list of story ideas waiting to be written...but she doesn't do it!
How is this possible?!?
When I was starting out, there was no way I could ignore my muse until a later, more convenient time. You don't argue with your muse! A writer is ruled by their muse, so much so that it robs them of sleep, gets them in trouble at work, makes them pull to the side of the freeway when an idea hits them.
I have another example that irks me. The other day, I watched the Lifetime movie about J.K.Rowling's story. If the movie is accurate, she wrote all seven Harry Potter books and left them sitting in a box (albeit a decorative box) for ten years before she let anyone have a peek at it.
That would drive me insane!
I want everyone to read my books. At this point, anyone will do. And Heaven help the person who shows a glimmer of interest in my work. I'm shoving stories at them left and right. "Here, read this. You'll like this one. Here's a short story. Do you like Fantasy stuff? Try this one."
Sure. I sound desperate, but the truth of the matter boils down to two things:
1.) As Stephen King said in his book "On Writing", everyone needs their Ideal Reader, someone who will read their stuff and be perfectly honest about what they read.
2.) Writers need the interaction of other writers. If they're anything like me, they might implode if they don't get the interaction they need. More so if you're an introverted writer. You could be a literary genius, but if you don't get out there and meet people, no one will ever know you exist.
I thought that was the end of my post, but as I reread, I felt the need to add a critical piece of advice. When you're talking to a writer who is spilling their creative guts to you about their work, listen to them. Don't shut them off or find some way to get away from them (unless they're creepy, and you know what I mean by creepy.) Perhaps they're just like me. They haven't had a kindred spirit to talk with. Once the initial barrage is over, your relationship could have the potential for give-and-take.
Too often I've met writers who don't care about anybody else's stuff. Their work is all that exists to them. Sure, your time is valuable, but you might be looking at your Ideal Reader. The motor-mouth you meet at a party could be your most valuable critic in the future. Give 'em a chance. You never know...
Yes, it's been awhile, but I'm still here...plucking away. My family and I are struggling. Although we now have jobs and can pay our measly bills, we're still living in a 22ft travel trailer with three dogs. For those of you keeping count, that's three people + three dogs divided by 22ft of cramped space and stale air. Dog hair and B.O. are the biggest issues. Obviously when I'm not writing, I'm cleaning. And might I say, "Thank God for a good vacuum!" And Swiffer Dusters,
And disinfecting wipes,
And (last but not least) air freshener!
Although my life is anything but settled, I'm still writing. I have commandeered the tiny, fold-down table in the trailer as my desk territory. I have my laptop. I have my printer and I have a coffee pot. What more could a girl ask for?? Well, perhaps a door. You know, a door that is attached to four walls providing privacy when said door is closed.
But I digress.
We're as settled as can be until we can afford a house of our own. We'll get there...eventually.
Now I'm turning my efforts toward getting to know my new town and community. It's easy for me to make friends. Harder to keep them once they find out how...eccentric I am. I think Salem will be different in that department. There are plenty of people here who are the same brand of eccentric as me, if not more so. That's why we chose Salem. It seems to be where "my kind" migrates.
We've been here four months and I've noticed my need for interaction is growing increasingly urgent. I need to be with other writers. I crave stimulating conversation on the subject I've devoted my life to. I cannot tell you how hard that is to find. Once I do find it, I weep for the person on the receiving end of my deluge. Think about it: I've been holding all of this in for...how long?? Months? No, years! I'm going to be a chattering time-bomb of repressed ideas, expressions and dreams.
How can any writer contain themselves with such riches?
Easier than I can, apparently.
Since I've been in Salem, I've met two women who have always dreamed of writing a book. One of those women has a list of story ideas waiting to be written...but she doesn't do it!
How is this possible?!?
When I was starting out, there was no way I could ignore my muse until a later, more convenient time. You don't argue with your muse! A writer is ruled by their muse, so much so that it robs them of sleep, gets them in trouble at work, makes them pull to the side of the freeway when an idea hits them.
I have another example that irks me. The other day, I watched the Lifetime movie about J.K.Rowling's story. If the movie is accurate, she wrote all seven Harry Potter books and left them sitting in a box (albeit a decorative box) for ten years before she let anyone have a peek at it.
That would drive me insane!
I want everyone to read my books. At this point, anyone will do. And Heaven help the person who shows a glimmer of interest in my work. I'm shoving stories at them left and right. "Here, read this. You'll like this one. Here's a short story. Do you like Fantasy stuff? Try this one."
Sure. I sound desperate, but the truth of the matter boils down to two things:
1.) As Stephen King said in his book "On Writing", everyone needs their Ideal Reader, someone who will read their stuff and be perfectly honest about what they read.
2.) Writers need the interaction of other writers. If they're anything like me, they might implode if they don't get the interaction they need. More so if you're an introverted writer. You could be a literary genius, but if you don't get out there and meet people, no one will ever know you exist.
I thought that was the end of my post, but as I reread, I felt the need to add a critical piece of advice. When you're talking to a writer who is spilling their creative guts to you about their work, listen to them. Don't shut them off or find some way to get away from them (unless they're creepy, and you know what I mean by creepy.) Perhaps they're just like me. They haven't had a kindred spirit to talk with. Once the initial barrage is over, your relationship could have the potential for give-and-take.
Too often I've met writers who don't care about anybody else's stuff. Their work is all that exists to them. Sure, your time is valuable, but you might be looking at your Ideal Reader. The motor-mouth you meet at a party could be your most valuable critic in the future. Give 'em a chance. You never know...
Sunday, July 10, 2011
There's No Vacation for Writers
Hi, remember me?
I don't want to know how long it's been since my last post. My family and I have been planning, executing and dealing with the aftermath of moving to a new state. We're still in limbo since we haven't found a house yet, but despite our physical discomfort, one thing remains constant: I am still a writer. Even though I don't get to write as regularly as I could before, my mind is constantly working, cranking out new ideas and working over the old ones.
That's why I wanted to write this post, because a writer is never NOT writing. Even if I was vacationing in Fiji, I would be writing about the things I see there. If I was relaxing at an ultra-posh Spa, I'd be writing about the things I experience there.
So even though I haven't been able to sit down and write as regularly as I would have liked in the last month or so, I'm always writing in my mind. I think any true writer would do the same.
Now, as I'm getting settled in my new surroundings, I've come up with a better storyline for my first book "Hibiscus, Believe". It was such a good storyline, that I decided to rewrite the whole thing. Quite an undertaking, but it will be very much worth it. Perhaps I should change the title of my blog to "The Evolution of Hibiscus." Naaaaa.
I hope it won't be as long before I get around to another post, but I fully intend to share my adventures with you about living in my new town of Salem, Oregon.
TTYS!
I don't want to know how long it's been since my last post. My family and I have been planning, executing and dealing with the aftermath of moving to a new state. We're still in limbo since we haven't found a house yet, but despite our physical discomfort, one thing remains constant: I am still a writer. Even though I don't get to write as regularly as I could before, my mind is constantly working, cranking out new ideas and working over the old ones.
That's why I wanted to write this post, because a writer is never NOT writing. Even if I was vacationing in Fiji, I would be writing about the things I see there. If I was relaxing at an ultra-posh Spa, I'd be writing about the things I experience there.
So even though I haven't been able to sit down and write as regularly as I would have liked in the last month or so, I'm always writing in my mind. I think any true writer would do the same.
Now, as I'm getting settled in my new surroundings, I've come up with a better storyline for my first book "Hibiscus, Believe". It was such a good storyline, that I decided to rewrite the whole thing. Quite an undertaking, but it will be very much worth it. Perhaps I should change the title of my blog to "The Evolution of Hibiscus." Naaaaa.
I hope it won't be as long before I get around to another post, but I fully intend to share my adventures with you about living in my new town of Salem, Oregon.
TTYS!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Grain of Salt or Complete Overhaul?
I've recently had my work critiqued and annihilated twice. I've been eager to find a critique partner who writes the same genre as I do. I need someone to read my work with fresh eyes and give me an honest opinion. Unfortunately, I'm getting a little too much honesty. People can be downright cruel.
I try to take their advice under serious consideration; look at it with an open mind you might say, but when I go back and read my work, I fall in love all over again. I just don't see what is so awful. I love my writing. I think it flows nicely. I love the dialog (this is my strong point and I've never heard anything to the contrary.) I read it over and over and I simply cannot see anything that would constitute a public flogging.
Yes, I want to improve my writing.
Yes, I want other writer's opinions of my work.
Yes, I have every intention of taking their advice to heart and making the necessary changes to make my novels appealing to the masses.
But I have to admit, folks: I'm in love with my stories and my characters and as we all know, love is blind.
What's a writer to do when they can't see past the end of their keyboard?
I try to take their advice under serious consideration; look at it with an open mind you might say, but when I go back and read my work, I fall in love all over again. I just don't see what is so awful. I love my writing. I think it flows nicely. I love the dialog (this is my strong point and I've never heard anything to the contrary.) I read it over and over and I simply cannot see anything that would constitute a public flogging.
Yes, I want to improve my writing.
Yes, I want other writer's opinions of my work.
Yes, I have every intention of taking their advice to heart and making the necessary changes to make my novels appealing to the masses.
But I have to admit, folks: I'm in love with my stories and my characters and as we all know, love is blind.
What's a writer to do when they can't see past the end of their keyboard?
Friday, April 29, 2011
The Genre Swamp
99.9% of the time, the work of genre fiction writers does not fit neatly into one designated category. Not knowing exactly where you belong can be so frustrating. Especially for a writer. For example: I like to say my novel Wallflower is a Paranormal, romance, mystery, fantasy. Although that sums it up for others to understand what they're about to read, it doesn't help the author to know how to market it.
As an author seeking representation, do I categorize Wallflower as a Paranormal Romance? Sounds fine, but what about the fantasy aspect of it? Fantasy commonly uses things like gnomes and fairies in some invented kingdom. My story deals with a girl who's half ghost and half tangibly real on modern day Earth. Although it has a fantastic theme, it doesn't really fit the general Fantasy genre.
And what about the mystery in my story? My two protagonists get themselves in trouble when they inadvertently connect a series of assaults and killings to one man in their own hometown. Does this mean I should query agents that represent Mystery?
It's enough to pull your hair out.
No one's book fits neatly in one box. So how do you sort it out?
Two words: Critique Partner
In this department, I am lacking. As of now, the tiny town I live in isn't exactly bursting at the seams with writer to writer interaction. That's why I'm so thankful for the internet. A world of fellow writers awaits at my fingertips and believe me, I've scoured the planet for my perfect match.
I was beginning to think that I was an anomaly, that no one writes the same sort of stories I do. But I've found new hope in two new websites I've recently discovered.
I'd like to introduce you to Crit Partner Match.com. This website is like a dating service for writers, only you're not looking to marry them, you're looking to find a like-minded critique partner. I've spent hours upon hours lost on this site. Aside from finding a CP, you can post questions on their forums, start your own blog and join study groups and contests. Very much worth your efforts.
Last, but most definitely not least, is a new beta site called Bookcountry.com. Started by the well known publisher Penguin Books, Book Country offers a vast network of resources for writers. This site concentrates on sharing your work with other writers for reviews and critiques. You can post some or all of your work on your profile. Others can find your work using the impressive "genre map" that tells the reader exactly where your book fits in. Aside from sharing your work, the detailed profiles they offer help you find like-minded writers to connect with all over the world.
As of now, this site is free to join. Be sure to tell a friend and help this site grow, but be warned: you will spend hours glued to this site. There's so much to see and take in that it will easily eat up your afternoon, heck your whole day. (Just ask my husband. He went without dinner all week.)
I've babbled enough, but I'd like to finish by saying that I'm no closer to finding out where I fit in. I'm hoping that with the feedback I receive from these two sites, I'll be better equipped to target the most appropriate agents.
TTYS
As an author seeking representation, do I categorize Wallflower as a Paranormal Romance? Sounds fine, but what about the fantasy aspect of it? Fantasy commonly uses things like gnomes and fairies in some invented kingdom. My story deals with a girl who's half ghost and half tangibly real on modern day Earth. Although it has a fantastic theme, it doesn't really fit the general Fantasy genre.
And what about the mystery in my story? My two protagonists get themselves in trouble when they inadvertently connect a series of assaults and killings to one man in their own hometown. Does this mean I should query agents that represent Mystery?
It's enough to pull your hair out.
No one's book fits neatly in one box. So how do you sort it out?
Two words: Critique Partner
In this department, I am lacking. As of now, the tiny town I live in isn't exactly bursting at the seams with writer to writer interaction. That's why I'm so thankful for the internet. A world of fellow writers awaits at my fingertips and believe me, I've scoured the planet for my perfect match.
I was beginning to think that I was an anomaly, that no one writes the same sort of stories I do. But I've found new hope in two new websites I've recently discovered.
I'd like to introduce you to Crit Partner Match.com. This website is like a dating service for writers, only you're not looking to marry them, you're looking to find a like-minded critique partner. I've spent hours upon hours lost on this site. Aside from finding a CP, you can post questions on their forums, start your own blog and join study groups and contests. Very much worth your efforts.
Last, but most definitely not least, is a new beta site called Bookcountry.com. Started by the well known publisher Penguin Books, Book Country offers a vast network of resources for writers. This site concentrates on sharing your work with other writers for reviews and critiques. You can post some or all of your work on your profile. Others can find your work using the impressive "genre map" that tells the reader exactly where your book fits in. Aside from sharing your work, the detailed profiles they offer help you find like-minded writers to connect with all over the world.
As of now, this site is free to join. Be sure to tell a friend and help this site grow, but be warned: you will spend hours glued to this site. There's so much to see and take in that it will easily eat up your afternoon, heck your whole day. (Just ask my husband. He went without dinner all week.)
I've babbled enough, but I'd like to finish by saying that I'm no closer to finding out where I fit in. I'm hoping that with the feedback I receive from these two sites, I'll be better equipped to target the most appropriate agents.
TTYS
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Uncensored Writing
What would happen if you were to "let it all hang out" writing-wise? Are you the type of writer that buffers their prose in an effort to keep anyone from being offended or, God forbid, letting the world see that you too can be crass and without manners? I can think of a time or two in which I sugar-coated my writing. I wouldn't want to ruffle anyone's feathers now, would I?
Well, what's wrong with a little ruffling, or rocking if you happen to be in a boat? While you're in the water, make some waves, why don't ya'. (Gotta' love the cliche'.)
In my last post I mentioned a writing exercise that may help some people cast off their writing inhibitions, as it were. This exercise was initially intended to stop writers from chronically self-editing their book on the first draft. But after completing the exercise, I was pleased to find that the exercise had a pleasant side effect. It forces your words to lie naked and exposed in all their uncensored glory.
At first I tried blindfolding myself, starting the kitchen timer and diving in to the exercise. After two minutes, I lost my place on the keyboard and had to peek out from under my blindfold in order to reorient myself. When I looked at the monitor, I was dismayed to find that I had been typing one letter off for the entire two minutes. (BTW, when you do that, it looks a lot like German.) So, grumbling a few choice words, I cast aside the blindfold, reset the timer and turned the monitor away from my view so I couldn't watch what I was typing. Below is 10 minutes of my storytelling at it's first uncensored blush, typos and all:
Well, what's wrong with a little ruffling, or rocking if you happen to be in a boat? While you're in the water, make some waves, why don't ya'. (Gotta' love the cliche'.)
In my last post I mentioned a writing exercise that may help some people cast off their writing inhibitions, as it were. This exercise was initially intended to stop writers from chronically self-editing their book on the first draft. But after completing the exercise, I was pleased to find that the exercise had a pleasant side effect. It forces your words to lie naked and exposed in all their uncensored glory.
At first I tried blindfolding myself, starting the kitchen timer and diving in to the exercise. After two minutes, I lost my place on the keyboard and had to peek out from under my blindfold in order to reorient myself. When I looked at the monitor, I was dismayed to find that I had been typing one letter off for the entire two minutes. (BTW, when you do that, it looks a lot like German.) So, grumbling a few choice words, I cast aside the blindfold, reset the timer and turned the monitor away from my view so I couldn't watch what I was typing. Below is 10 minutes of my storytelling at it's first uncensored blush, typos and all:
Our story starts out like any other: quiet and unassuming in a quiet and unassuming town located in America’s heartland. A village really. The town didn’t consist of much. If you were to blink, you’d miss it.
To the west of this town, A vast patchwork of corn fields reached up and around to the north all the way to the horizon. In the South was the Hastings Popcorn plant. And in the west, the little town of Hastings sat, looking like dollhouse miniatures. This town may not look it, but it was growing rapidly. The population sign at the edge of town had always read: Hastings, population 1,302. But recently, just the last five years or so, the sign read: Hastings population 1,302 ½. The ½ was added in red spray paint. This was a scandal in Hastings. Grafitti was the worst crime to have ever been seen here. But there the vandalism stayed. The town didn’t have the funds to pay for a new sign.
With Hasting’s growth, came a lot of children. If you look into the census records, I’m sure you would find that Hastings had more children than adults. The schools were bursting at the seams with young kids, teenagers, tall kids, chubby kids, athletic kids, dirty kids. All kinds of kids. For the most part, they got along fine if not for the occasional scrap on the playground. Hastings was proud of their children; featuring them in the local rag when they won the track meet, spelling bee or or made it a month without any caveties. Hastings was proud of all of their kids except one. You wouldn’t know it, but there was one child that no one in Hastings liked to talk about. As if it were a dirty word, no one mentioned the name Rosie Hawthorne. To do so would bring a pox on your family.
I like this little exercise. The words that I put on paper are more like the way that I think. It is as if I'm holding a microphone and reciting a seat-of-the-pants story for the audience. If you would like to see your writing in a new light, I highly recommend this exercise. Set the timer for 10 minutes or more and go for it. For more details on this exercise, please review my previous post.
Write happy, write often and never give up. :-)
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The Inner Writer vs. the Inner Editor
Yes, I've heard it before, but I didn't listen. As a writer, I educate myself by reading articles and blogs as well as attending as many classes and conferences as I can afford. On more than one occasion, I've been told NOT to edit as I write. "First blush is the best" they say. Don't interrupt the muse or distract it by going back and tweeking the last paragraph.
Well this is hard for me. Very hard.
I don't expect a perfect first draft, but I do expect something that's readable, if not remotely resembling the finished product.
If you're anything like me, you'll finish a paragraph or two and go back and read it over. For me, this helps realign my thinking with the plot ahead. I become so completely immersed in the subject at hand, I need to be reminded where I'm going with this.
Well, yesterday I received my daily email/writing prompt from savvyauthors.com. It laid out a detailed exercise of free writing for 10 minutes. (10 minutes is just an example, but you can set the time however long you want.) They suggest that you set your kitchen timer, or your watch for a ten minute alarm, sit down with a notebook and write without self-editing for the set duration.
"Write the first thing that pops into your mind." They said. "Don't pause to reflect or come up with a better adjective, just write. And above all, don't go back for corrections. If you misspell something, leave it. No matter what you write, leave it."
Sounds intriguing, doesn't it? I'm not sure I can pull it off, but I will admit that I spend entirely too much time self-editing on a first draft. I wonder what it would look like if I just scribbled down the uncensored words in my head. I think I'll try it.
What about you?
Are you a chronic self-editor or perfectionist? Or are you the "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" kind of person? Let me know. Hopefully, I'll post the results of my 10 minute exercise later today.
Ta-ta!
Well this is hard for me. Very hard.
I don't expect a perfect first draft, but I do expect something that's readable, if not remotely resembling the finished product.
If you're anything like me, you'll finish a paragraph or two and go back and read it over. For me, this helps realign my thinking with the plot ahead. I become so completely immersed in the subject at hand, I need to be reminded where I'm going with this.
Well, yesterday I received my daily email/writing prompt from savvyauthors.com. It laid out a detailed exercise of free writing for 10 minutes. (10 minutes is just an example, but you can set the time however long you want.) They suggest that you set your kitchen timer, or your watch for a ten minute alarm, sit down with a notebook and write without self-editing for the set duration.
"Write the first thing that pops into your mind." They said. "Don't pause to reflect or come up with a better adjective, just write. And above all, don't go back for corrections. If you misspell something, leave it. No matter what you write, leave it."
Sounds intriguing, doesn't it? I'm not sure I can pull it off, but I will admit that I spend entirely too much time self-editing on a first draft. I wonder what it would look like if I just scribbled down the uncensored words in my head. I think I'll try it.
What about you?
Are you a chronic self-editor or perfectionist? Or are you the "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" kind of person? Let me know. Hopefully, I'll post the results of my 10 minute exercise later today.
Ta-ta!
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