I’ve done and “won” Nanowrimo a couple of times but I haven’t really done anything with the stuff I wrote. This year it’s special, different and quite serious.
I’ve had plans, notes and a couple of crazy ideas for various creative projects. It’s time to turn all that stuff into something tangible and starting throwing crap at the virtual wall that is the Internet and see if anything sticks. I’m not expecting to be rich or famous or anything like that. But if I pull in a dollar or two, cool. November is one thing. CREATIVE CONTENT! The goal, of course, is 50,000 words. And I’ll do that. It just may not be all in one project.
Normally, I wouldn’t be that focused on bring in a couple of bucks. But here’s the deal. The day job is in serious jeopardy. With the economy and job market the way it is, I don’t think it really hurts to start throwing some Hail Mary passes before it’s too late and any little bit of financial padding couldn’t hurt.
So what does this mean for this little blog? Well, nut much for November. There should be just about the same amount of posts as usual. December and beyond. Well, that’s when things should start to get interesting. Wish me luck and stay tuned.
Some Advice for New Writers: Don’t Write
Don’t even think that I’m sort of expert. I’m just like so many of you out there. A budding writer chomping at the bit to get something published.
But as I sit here getting geared up for a new year with new goals, I have to say to myself, “What is the most important thing that I need to remember?” Make time to not write. I know that sounds silly and counter productive. It’s easy to say that if you aren’t writing then you aren’t moving forward.
You need to spend that time hunched over your keyboard in your writing cave. It’s like a freaking drug. You’re addicted and you have to do it. But you need to take the time to observe and interact with humanity in its natural habitat. Remember, your characters are “people” too. You need to set aside some time for friends and significant others. Take the time to actually network with people face to face. Take the time to unwind and refocus. But never use it as an excuse not to write.
Now just shut up, quit your whining and get back to your cave, word monkey!
Nanowrimo is done & Victory is mine!
Well, two days early and I hit the mark and just at the end of the story. This little story has been clogging up brain for over a year now and its finally out and waiting to through a massive edit sometime in the future.
The thing about Nanowrimo for me is that its not about coming out the month with a finely tuned manuscript. It’s about just sitting down and grinding out the words. Sometimes they flow and sometimes they don’t. It’s chance to take lazy fat assed muse and get her back into shape and working for me.
So with all that said, we now return you to your regularly scheduled geeky blogging.
Yes, it’s that time of year again. Budding writers including myself are hunched over their keyboards ready to crank out 50,000 words in a month. But I think we should take a moment to warn our family and friends.
For the entire month of November, we are going to be edgy, nervous, sleep deprived, and quick to anger. We will barely eat and generally be antisocial. We will ignore you. We will snarl at you and just be darned right pissy. We are taking our writing time by the throat and doing our damnedest to get those words written.
It we hit our goals then we’re going to be bouncing off the walls with joy and if we don’t make then we’re going to be moping around the house for couple of days. But that’s what it’s like hanging around someone who wants to be a writer and if they gain any success chances are things will get worse. Get used it.
Cooking & Writing Part II
I blogged a long time ago on how writing is like cooking. Well, another little incident has brought forth another similarity. Some folks expect you to work for free.
A lady connected Chef S.O. the other day and wanted her to do a catering gig. But here’s the catch, the lady only wanted to pay for the food and not the labor. The woman just couldn’t grasp the concept that the labor wasn’t a freebie. Being a budding (I hate saying aspiring) writer, I see things like this all the time and some of the pro’s out there have probably seen them as well.
Some parasite says they have a great idea for a story/novel/screen play but he’s looking for writer. He doesn’t have the money to pay you now but you can share the profits with him later. Sorry, dude. I just didn’t fall off the turnip truck. If it’s a great idea then you fricking write it. Or how about the small press that came out of nowhere and nobody has heard of. They’ll publish your stuff for “the exposure”. If I’m going to expose myself, I’ll do it right here. (OK, maybe that didn’t come out like I wanted but you know what I mean).
If I was car mechanic would you expect me to fix your car for free? No. If I was a landscaper would you expect me to mow your lawn for free? No, again. Then why in the world do some people expect writers and chefs to work for free.
I’m not pounding my head against the keyboard thinking that J.K, Rowling and Stephenie Meyer are going to show up my door step and ask for a loan. I’m doing because it’s something that I just got to do. It’s a writer thing. I’m not even saying that I will ever get paid for any of the things I write or some of them will see the light of day. Writing just like cooking is work. Some people just don’t get it.
Last year, I missed my favorite local convention but this year I went despite the pounding my my bank account has taken over the last few months.
The great thing about this convention is that gives me a jolt to the creative centers of my brain. Being around so many creative people and hearing their horror stories, their success stories and just plain amusing anecdotes is my equivalent to a spa weekend. I come out of it feeling refreshed, re-energized and ready to get back on track with my own projects.
It was a great weekend and hope to see many more great people next year. Now, I need to shut up and write.
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