After nearly two months, I'm back to blogging. For some reason I can't even explain, I've been struggling with keeping my writing on track, and I've also let my blog and daily journaling fall behind. But I'll try to rationalize it all, if only to figure it out for myself.
It's been hard to keep focused on "What Luck" because I've also been thinking about two other book ideas that have been holding my attention, and I've been making notes about them so I don't lose my grasp on them until I'm ready to fully write those projects. I really don't need any more ideas, but I really can't complain about being an idea factory, since there are other writers out there who seem to have only one book in them, and then struggle for years to come up with a follow-up. I'm grateful that ideas come so easily to me. But I have to rein my writing ADD and learn to concentrate on one project at a time.
And day-to-day life always seems to require a lot of attention and time. I try to balance work, family, and a bit of a social life with some rest and down-time. But that's usually a challenge for most artists of every medium. I know musicians who have two jobs in addition to gigging and working on recording; artists who are also students; and writers who are parents of young children. Those are just some examples of the juggle between creativity and responsibility, and they are proof that it can be done.
I also must admit (in the spirit of full disclosure) that in the past month I've invested way too much time watching a certain musician on a certain talent program on TV. But inspiration can come from a lot of different places. At least, that's how I've been justifying it! And some of his traits could very well embody a character in one of the book projects that I've had in my head for the past several months, and have been thinking about recently. But I keep telling myself that will have to be my next book, after I finish "What Luck." (Vote for Jason on American Idol! OK, that's my plug - now back to my post.)
Anyway, in the past week, I've been re-inspired to keep working on "What Luck," thanks to SCBWI. Last week, Michelle and I both registered for the regional June conference, and also for a possible manuscript critique. Critiques are limited, so we were both happy when we heard back that we were signed up! Manuscripts can be up to 15 pages, so I'm re-submitting my re-written first chapter of "What Luck," that was favorably critiqued at last year's conference. I'm hoping it will be assigned to be critiqued by another editor or an agent this time. So now I want to try to finish a rough draft of the entire book, in case I'm asked about it. I refuse to sabatoge myself and my writing again!
And on Saturday morning, Michelle and I went to the ShopTalk meeting at the bookstore. It was a pretty large group - about 15 people. Lori, an old writing friend of Michelle's, who has recently re-connected with her, came down from Schnectady just to see Michelle and sit in on the group. That's a long trip! She's a mother and a pre-school teacher, and has been working on picture book writing. She's registered for the June conference, too, so it will be great to see her there.
Three people shared their work with the group. Roxanne read a story she submitted to a kids' science magazine, and is now working on re-writing it for them. It's a creative, fact-filled story about a little girl who can't see the stars in the sky because of her town's light pollution, and how she tries to find the stars again. I thought it was great, and the others in the group liked it too, and gave Roxanne some re-writing tips. Good luck, Roxanne - I hope your story will get published soon! Roxanne is signed up for a critique at the conference, too - it will be great to see her there.
Kim read the beginning of her teen metaphysical fantasy novel, and also a chapter in the middle. She had given me her manuscript to read a couple of months ago, and I returned it to her at last month's meeting. I loved the book, especially the spiritual theme, the otherworldly setting and the characters, who are searching for meaning in their lives. She has a first draft, and is working on expanding and deepening the story in her re-write. Some of the group gave her tips on rewriting the beginning to make it clearer to the reader, and gave some point-of-view advice on writing from within the character, so each character seems real and relatable. That's advice I can keep in mind, too. This is the last ShopTalk Kim will be attending until after the conference, because she and her husband coach kids' soccer until then. I'll miss her at the meetings, but we're keeping in touch online, and I'm glad I'll see her at the conference. She's excited to have a critique, too.
Debbie, an illustrator, who is working on a picture book along with her writer husband, showed us some of her illustrations for the project. The pictures of a little girl and her pesky but lovable dog were sweet and added much to the story. Debbie said the dog is based on her own Jack Russell Terrier. The group loved the illustrations, and gave Debbie some advice for her husband on rhyme and rhythm for his text. Debbie said she'll be at the conference, and Barbara, the regional director, encouraged her to sign up for an art critique.
There are still openings for art critiques, but the writing critiques have been filled. They filled up fast, so I'm relieved that I sent in the registrations for me and Michelle in on time. Now I just have to polish my manuscript for the critique, and try my best to finish this book by June!
I had mentioned my ongoing struggle with finishing my writing projects when we all introduced ourselves at the beginning of the meeting. And regional director Barbara had a funny story on the topic. She's a retired art teacher, who teaches art to a nine-year-old boy. He told her about his dog who barks a lot, and she said her Sheltie also won't stop barking, so she wrote a story about it. He asked what happened in the story, and she admitted that she didn't finish it. He said, 'I know - I do that too sometimes with my stories - but summation and conclusion is everything!' Wow - wise and intellectual advice from a nine-year-old! I should be able to follow that!
Afterwards, I had lunch in the cafe with Michelle, Lori, Kim, and Moni, who's new to the group and is working on a middle-grade mystery. It was great to be able to carry over the energy from the group into a relaxed, small-group discussion. We found a common bond reason for why we write for our particular reading level. Because of family circumstances, Michelle and Moni both felt a great responsibility during their middle-grade years, and Kim and I both felt that same type of responsibility during our teen years. I think we are all writing to the kids we were then, to get back some of what we might have missed during that time in our lives. Later, Roxanne and I talked a bit about our mutual struggle with finishing. She has written many short pieces, but feels daunted by her longer middle-grade fantasy novel. We encouraged each to other to stick with it, with the conference as our goal. We all exchanged e-mails so we can keep the good momentum going. I'm so glad I took the entire day off from work to focus just on writing. The SCBWI meeting was just the first part of an inspiring day.
On Saturday night, Ian and I went to Michelle's for the Wildwood Writers group, along with Rich and his partner Mark. We had a great, lively discussion about writing, music, art and creativity. Rich and Mark talked about the music projects they've been working on, and some of the songs Rich has been writing. Ian told everyone about his upcoming solo photo show at the Muddy Cup coffeehouse in New Paltz, that opens on the last Saturday in April. That's the day of the next SCBWI and Wildwood meetings, so we made plans to go to Ian's opening too.
Michelle read some of the poems she recently submitted to some online poetry sites, and also a few new pages of the new middle-grade childrens book she's writing. It's another great story, of two boys from very different family backgrounds who are best friends. Her characters are already well-drawn, and their dialogue is natural and believable, and her early-20th century country setting is just right for the story. Michelle's re-submitting the first 15 pages of "Blackboard" for the writing conference though. She wants some professional feedback that she can use in her next re-write. I think after one more re-write, it should be ready to send out. It's already so good, and I hope that whoever critiques it will be interested in reading more.
Rich and I haven't written much in the last month, so we didn't bring anything to read. But we both talked about where our projects are going, and what we think we'll write next. We also talked about the things that have held our writing back lately. I mentioned all the reasons I wrote at the beginning of this post, and Rich said he's trying to get settled into his job in Albany, and is looking for an apartment. Neither of us have had a lot of quiet time for writing, but we both promised to bring some new pages to the next meeting.
Then we all just talked, about anything and everything - books, movies, music, TV, art, and a lot more stuff. We made tentative plans to all go and see the Gustave Courbet exhibit at the Met sometime before it closes in May. We stayed until around 11pm - really late, especially since I had to work at 9:00 am on Sunday. But it was totally worth it. I told Rich it was the highlight of my month, and I meant it!
So now I feel re-inspired and fired up, to keep on writing "What Luck." Hopefully I'll have chapter 5 finished by the end of the week. I'll try my best to keep the momentum from Saturday going. I'll post an update as soon as I reach that goal.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Shop Talk With SCBWI
On Saturday, Michelle and I went to the SCBWI "Shop Talk" meeting at the bookstore. The group meets on the last Saturday of each month. I took the day off from work, because I wanted to be able to just focus on writing. Previously, I had requested to work the closing shift at work, so I could have the morning free for the SCBWI meeting. But it was hard to have to switch from writer mode to bookstore employee mode, especially when I wanted to just have time to think about writing and to work on my project. So, since I've decided to make writing a priority this year (more than I ever have before), I also decided to request to have the entire day off on the days of the SCBWI meetings. It's one Saturday every month, but it's that important to me. I can still be available to work all other weekend days/nights.
It was the first meeting of the new year, and also the first since the meetings went on hiatus for the holiday season. It was good to be back. It was a large group this time - 17 of us. A mix of regulars, newcomers, and writers and illustrators who attend as often as they can.
Everyone introduced themselves, and talked a bit about what they've been working on during the break. Several writers are working on mid-grade books; some have short stories and/or articles for magazines; and a few have picture books in the works. There were also a few artists - a couple of them have done paintings that were in local art galleries; and an artist, Diane, shared some charming and skillful illustrations that an art director had critiqued at a recent conference. Seeing them made me wish I'd kept up with my artwork. I always loved drawing and painting when I was younger, but as work and other responsibilities began to take up more and more of my time, I narrowed my creative pursuit to the one that I loved best and felt I was best at - writing. Michelle was very interested in Diane's artwork, too - I think she was inspired by it. She is as talented in art as she is in writing, and she does illustrations for Whimsy, the children's magazine that she and Kathy H. self-publish. Afterward, I told her that I think her artwork could lend itself very well to children's picture books, and maybe she could try to get an art critique at this year's conference. And she said that looking at Diane's pictures inspired her to think of her own artwork.
We heard some great writing, too. Sylvia, who's new to the group, read a story about a young girl's lesson in self-esteem. It was a great story as is, but I think it could also be expanded into a mid-grade book. It also fits in with the multi-cultural trend that's been growing in children's publishing. The story led to a lively conversation between the men and the women about the differences between boys and girls regarding self-esteem. Roxanne, who's been working on a mid-grade fantasy book, brought an imaginative science fiction story about a girl who's the first person born in space. She wrote it for a magazine contest, and I think it's good enough to win. Good luck, Roxanne! Sal shared with us the first chapter of a mid-grade, humorous/suspense novel about a boy's run-in with the Irish mob in 1940s Boston. He's in the process of trying to find an agent for it, and I think it has a lot of potential. I lived in Boston for three years while I was in college, so I especially liked the setting, and I thought he did a great job of describing what the city must have been like in the past. And Kim read a sweet, song-like, picture-book story about how different animals say good-night. It works well as a bedtime story, but I also think it would be a great read-aloud storytime tale. I overhear much of the bookstore's storytimes, and I think little kids would respond very well to the repetition, rhyme, and all the animals in the story. Kim has also been working on her teen metaphysical fantasy novel, and she gave me her latest draft to read. I really enjoyed reading her earlier draft, and I promised I would e-mail her my feedback.
It's interesting to find out that I have a similar writing habit as Kim, and Roxanne. We've all talked about it, and it seems like we all re-write - a lot. Kim and I made a pact to encourage each other and do our best to finish a draft to bring to this year's conference. It's in June, so there is enough time for us to reach our goals.
Val, the group leader, gave information about the upcoming regional conferences. The major New York City one is in February, and there's also a sizable one in the Poconos, in April. I'm not yet at the level where I can afford (time or money-wise) to attend these conferences. But hopefully, in the next year or two, I'll be able to make it to one or more of them. For now, the local conference in June is perfectly fine. Michelle and I are really looking forward to it - according to the early information, it looks like it's shaping up to be another great event. I'll write more about it as I find out more about it.
Afterward, Michelle and I had lunch in the cafe, and we read each other's recent writing. Michelle liked how I ended the chapter of What Luck that I've been working on (in bits and pieces - unfortunately, during the retail holiday season, that's about all I've had time to write) - she said my character development is coming along well. And I really enjoyed reading her latest pages of Just Will, her new mid-grade novel. She writes boy protagonists so well, and I told her she's lucky she has a brother, because I think it has given her an understanding that she can use to portray her boy/male characters. They all seem very real. She also does a great job of depicting historical settings - this book is set in the rural 1930s. She also showed me her latest poem, Timelessness, that she plans to send in to a contest. I think it's one of her best poems I've read - it has a spiritual tone, and lyrical language, with a gentle (not forced) rhyme. I wish I could write poetry like that.
Unfortunately, Rich couldn't make it down for our Wildwood group this weekend, and we both missed him a lot. But we're looking forward to the end of next month, when we'll all be together again. And I plan to have a lot of new writing to share. Maybe a whole new chapter? That's a goal I think I can reach. So I better get working on it!
It was the first meeting of the new year, and also the first since the meetings went on hiatus for the holiday season. It was good to be back. It was a large group this time - 17 of us. A mix of regulars, newcomers, and writers and illustrators who attend as often as they can.
Everyone introduced themselves, and talked a bit about what they've been working on during the break. Several writers are working on mid-grade books; some have short stories and/or articles for magazines; and a few have picture books in the works. There were also a few artists - a couple of them have done paintings that were in local art galleries; and an artist, Diane, shared some charming and skillful illustrations that an art director had critiqued at a recent conference. Seeing them made me wish I'd kept up with my artwork. I always loved drawing and painting when I was younger, but as work and other responsibilities began to take up more and more of my time, I narrowed my creative pursuit to the one that I loved best and felt I was best at - writing. Michelle was very interested in Diane's artwork, too - I think she was inspired by it. She is as talented in art as she is in writing, and she does illustrations for Whimsy, the children's magazine that she and Kathy H. self-publish. Afterward, I told her that I think her artwork could lend itself very well to children's picture books, and maybe she could try to get an art critique at this year's conference. And she said that looking at Diane's pictures inspired her to think of her own artwork.
We heard some great writing, too. Sylvia, who's new to the group, read a story about a young girl's lesson in self-esteem. It was a great story as is, but I think it could also be expanded into a mid-grade book. It also fits in with the multi-cultural trend that's been growing in children's publishing. The story led to a lively conversation between the men and the women about the differences between boys and girls regarding self-esteem. Roxanne, who's been working on a mid-grade fantasy book, brought an imaginative science fiction story about a girl who's the first person born in space. She wrote it for a magazine contest, and I think it's good enough to win. Good luck, Roxanne! Sal shared with us the first chapter of a mid-grade, humorous/suspense novel about a boy's run-in with the Irish mob in 1940s Boston. He's in the process of trying to find an agent for it, and I think it has a lot of potential. I lived in Boston for three years while I was in college, so I especially liked the setting, and I thought he did a great job of describing what the city must have been like in the past. And Kim read a sweet, song-like, picture-book story about how different animals say good-night. It works well as a bedtime story, but I also think it would be a great read-aloud storytime tale. I overhear much of the bookstore's storytimes, and I think little kids would respond very well to the repetition, rhyme, and all the animals in the story. Kim has also been working on her teen metaphysical fantasy novel, and she gave me her latest draft to read. I really enjoyed reading her earlier draft, and I promised I would e-mail her my feedback.
It's interesting to find out that I have a similar writing habit as Kim, and Roxanne. We've all talked about it, and it seems like we all re-write - a lot. Kim and I made a pact to encourage each other and do our best to finish a draft to bring to this year's conference. It's in June, so there is enough time for us to reach our goals.
Val, the group leader, gave information about the upcoming regional conferences. The major New York City one is in February, and there's also a sizable one in the Poconos, in April. I'm not yet at the level where I can afford (time or money-wise) to attend these conferences. But hopefully, in the next year or two, I'll be able to make it to one or more of them. For now, the local conference in June is perfectly fine. Michelle and I are really looking forward to it - according to the early information, it looks like it's shaping up to be another great event. I'll write more about it as I find out more about it.
Afterward, Michelle and I had lunch in the cafe, and we read each other's recent writing. Michelle liked how I ended the chapter of What Luck that I've been working on (in bits and pieces - unfortunately, during the retail holiday season, that's about all I've had time to write) - she said my character development is coming along well. And I really enjoyed reading her latest pages of Just Will, her new mid-grade novel. She writes boy protagonists so well, and I told her she's lucky she has a brother, because I think it has given her an understanding that she can use to portray her boy/male characters. They all seem very real. She also does a great job of depicting historical settings - this book is set in the rural 1930s. She also showed me her latest poem, Timelessness, that she plans to send in to a contest. I think it's one of her best poems I've read - it has a spiritual tone, and lyrical language, with a gentle (not forced) rhyme. I wish I could write poetry like that.
Unfortunately, Rich couldn't make it down for our Wildwood group this weekend, and we both missed him a lot. But we're looking forward to the end of next month, when we'll all be together again. And I plan to have a lot of new writing to share. Maybe a whole new chapter? That's a goal I think I can reach. So I better get working on it!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Some Progress
So far, I've made some progress with my writing since the new year began. So it's gotten off to a pretty good start.
I've written in my "morning pages" journal nearly every day. (OK, I admit I skipped 3 out of 14 days, but considering my inconsistency with journal writing, that's good for me!) Morning pages are a tool of "The Artist's Way" program, created by writer/artist/creativity expert Julia Cameron. I wrote a description of morning pages in a post for my old blog, Write to the Finish Line, so I won't repeat it here. But Julia Cameron is like a writing guru to me. I've tried to follow the instruction and advice in her books as closely as I can, and I think it's one of the things that's made me a better writer. I was excited to see a new hardcover collection, The Complete Artist's Way, at the bookstore, so I bought it as a Christmas presents for myself last month. It contains The Artist's Way, Walking in This World, and Finding Water. So what if I already have them in paperback (and I have 2 copies of The Artist's Way - one of them she signed for me when I took a day-long workshop in NYC a few years ago) - when I really love a writer's work I have to have all that I can get: hardcovers, paperbacks, even first-editions and signed copies, if I'm able to get them. I'm like that with bands and musicians too - some of my favorites I have on CD, cassette, and even some older recordings on vinyl, and singles and imports if I can get them. I just like to support people whose work means a lot to me.
I've also worked on new scenes for my current book, What Luck, on the days that I've been off from work. So I wrote on Thursday (the 3rd), Tuesday (the 8th), Thursday (the 10th), and even on Saturday (the 12th) before I went in to work the closing shift at the bookstore. I want to try to stick to a schedule of writing on each day off, and also on the mornings of days that I have to work at night. (Like today.) That would be 3 or 4 out of 7 days each week. I should be able to do that. I'm glad I was able to get right back into the story, since it had been over a month since I'd last written anything new. And I feel pretty good about how the new scenes turned out.
The Wildwood Writers Group has met at Michelle's twice since the year began. Our meeting on the 3rd was our last weekly meeting with Rich. He moved last week, so he could start a new job in Albany. But, instead of being sad about it, we focused on having fun instead - we celebrated his birthday (which was the next day) with sinfully good chocolate birthday cake. And though I already miss Rich terribly, we are all still committed to our friendship and supporting each other's writing. We are going to try to meet in person once a month, and Rich plans to set up an online Wildwood Writers Group for us. I know we'll make it work.
Last Thursday, Michelle and I read our work to each other - we'll be the "Wildwood Two" for now. Michelle gave me good feedback on my new scenes, and I worked on re-writing them on Saturday. I still have to e-mail my pages to Rich, but since I'm somewhat computer illiterate, I need to get Ian to help me with it. Maybe we can work on that tomorrow.
And now I'm finishing my 2nd blog post for the year. I plan to post as often as I can, but I'm making it a priority to write and finish What Luck. As long as I can keep consistently working on my book, writing my morning pages, and writing blog posts, I'll be satisfied with my writing progress during this year.
I've written in my "morning pages" journal nearly every day. (OK, I admit I skipped 3 out of 14 days, but considering my inconsistency with journal writing, that's good for me!) Morning pages are a tool of "The Artist's Way" program, created by writer/artist/creativity expert Julia Cameron. I wrote a description of morning pages in a post for my old blog, Write to the Finish Line, so I won't repeat it here. But Julia Cameron is like a writing guru to me. I've tried to follow the instruction and advice in her books as closely as I can, and I think it's one of the things that's made me a better writer. I was excited to see a new hardcover collection, The Complete Artist's Way, at the bookstore, so I bought it as a Christmas presents for myself last month. It contains The Artist's Way, Walking in This World, and Finding Water. So what if I already have them in paperback (and I have 2 copies of The Artist's Way - one of them she signed for me when I took a day-long workshop in NYC a few years ago) - when I really love a writer's work I have to have all that I can get: hardcovers, paperbacks, even first-editions and signed copies, if I'm able to get them. I'm like that with bands and musicians too - some of my favorites I have on CD, cassette, and even some older recordings on vinyl, and singles and imports if I can get them. I just like to support people whose work means a lot to me.
I've also worked on new scenes for my current book, What Luck, on the days that I've been off from work. So I wrote on Thursday (the 3rd), Tuesday (the 8th), Thursday (the 10th), and even on Saturday (the 12th) before I went in to work the closing shift at the bookstore. I want to try to stick to a schedule of writing on each day off, and also on the mornings of days that I have to work at night. (Like today.) That would be 3 or 4 out of 7 days each week. I should be able to do that. I'm glad I was able to get right back into the story, since it had been over a month since I'd last written anything new. And I feel pretty good about how the new scenes turned out.
The Wildwood Writers Group has met at Michelle's twice since the year began. Our meeting on the 3rd was our last weekly meeting with Rich. He moved last week, so he could start a new job in Albany. But, instead of being sad about it, we focused on having fun instead - we celebrated his birthday (which was the next day) with sinfully good chocolate birthday cake. And though I already miss Rich terribly, we are all still committed to our friendship and supporting each other's writing. We are going to try to meet in person once a month, and Rich plans to set up an online Wildwood Writers Group for us. I know we'll make it work.
Last Thursday, Michelle and I read our work to each other - we'll be the "Wildwood Two" for now. Michelle gave me good feedback on my new scenes, and I worked on re-writing them on Saturday. I still have to e-mail my pages to Rich, but since I'm somewhat computer illiterate, I need to get Ian to help me with it. Maybe we can work on that tomorrow.
And now I'm finishing my 2nd blog post for the year. I plan to post as often as I can, but I'm making it a priority to write and finish What Luck. As long as I can keep consistently working on my book, writing my morning pages, and writing blog posts, I'll be satisfied with my writing progress during this year.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year, New Blog
It's a new year, so I'm starting a new blog. I've always liked the fresh-start feel of New Year's Day - the chance to have a do-over is also one of the reasons I believe in reincarnation.
So I've reincarnated my writing blog. In its old life, it was called "Write to the Finish Line," (and can still be found at www.writetothefinishline.blogspot.com) and it existed from January to August of 2007. Its purpose was to help me keep track of my writing progress, and to help me keep my New Year's resolution to keep working on my writing projects until one of my books was finished, and in good enough shape to send out for publication.
I started out pretty strong - I posted 9 blogs in January, and committed to writing a teen novel, What Luck, that I had started in the fall of 2006. I wrote on my days off from work, and brought the newly-written pages to the bi-weekly meetings of the "Wildwood Writers Group" (WWG) - a critique/inspiration/support group that I'm in with several close writing friends. After reading and hearing helpful critiques from the group, I would re-write the pages, and then continue with new scenes, to bring to the group's next meeting.
I've always had a perfectionist attitude towards my writing, and I know it's one of the reasons I have so many unfinished projects. Years ago, I wouldn't even write something until I felt that it was perfect in my mind first. But when I studied journalism, first at Northeastern University in Boston, and then at New York University, I learned to write more freely and then edit the piece quickly, to produce a clean draft in a short amount of time. So I've developed a three-steps-forward, two-steps-back, and then forward-again writing habit. Somehow, it seems to work for me.
My closest friend, Michelle (who hosts the writing group at her place), and I also started going to the local Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) monthly meetings at the bookstore where I work. And in June, we attended our fourth SCBWI conference, which was held at a local hotel/conference center. I had submitted 15 pages of my book for critique, and met with an editor who gave it a favorable critique, so I felt like I was making some good progress.
So what happened? There were a few roadblocks on my way to trying to finish my book, and also in the way of blogging.
In August, my boyfriend Ian's computer (that I also use, for writing and editing) somehow got a virus, and became nearly impossible to use. It was really slow, and would sometimes shut down for no reason. Some pages that I'd written got lost before I could save or print them. And it was hard to go online without having problems. Ian tried to resurrect the computer a couple of times, and got it running again, but it kept breaking down. The printer broke, too, and we got a new one, but couldn't use it much with the old computer.
I tried writing on my computer, but it's a relic, and my printer broke, too. So I went back to writing by hand in a notebook, just so I could have something to bring to the WWG meetings. But it's hard to write for a long time by hand, because I sometimes feel pain and numbness in my neck, shoulder and arm, from an injury I had at work in August '06. So I started writing less and less.
Finally, in November, Ian got some birthday money to use for a new computer. It's really great, and just what we need for my writing, and his photography work. But by that time, the busy and strenuous holiday season had started at the bookstore, and I had even less time to write.
So that's basically why I didn't "write to the finish line" in 2007.
But it's a new year now. And a new chance to keep my new/old New Year's resolution to finish writing my book. And, hopefully, this new blog will help me to "write to the end."
Happy 2008, everyone!
So I've reincarnated my writing blog. In its old life, it was called "Write to the Finish Line," (and can still be found at www.writetothefinishline.blogspot.com) and it existed from January to August of 2007. Its purpose was to help me keep track of my writing progress, and to help me keep my New Year's resolution to keep working on my writing projects until one of my books was finished, and in good enough shape to send out for publication.
I started out pretty strong - I posted 9 blogs in January, and committed to writing a teen novel, What Luck, that I had started in the fall of 2006. I wrote on my days off from work, and brought the newly-written pages to the bi-weekly meetings of the "Wildwood Writers Group" (WWG) - a critique/inspiration/support group that I'm in with several close writing friends. After reading and hearing helpful critiques from the group, I would re-write the pages, and then continue with new scenes, to bring to the group's next meeting.
I've always had a perfectionist attitude towards my writing, and I know it's one of the reasons I have so many unfinished projects. Years ago, I wouldn't even write something until I felt that it was perfect in my mind first. But when I studied journalism, first at Northeastern University in Boston, and then at New York University, I learned to write more freely and then edit the piece quickly, to produce a clean draft in a short amount of time. So I've developed a three-steps-forward, two-steps-back, and then forward-again writing habit. Somehow, it seems to work for me.
My closest friend, Michelle (who hosts the writing group at her place), and I also started going to the local Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) monthly meetings at the bookstore where I work. And in June, we attended our fourth SCBWI conference, which was held at a local hotel/conference center. I had submitted 15 pages of my book for critique, and met with an editor who gave it a favorable critique, so I felt like I was making some good progress.
So what happened? There were a few roadblocks on my way to trying to finish my book, and also in the way of blogging.
In August, my boyfriend Ian's computer (that I also use, for writing and editing) somehow got a virus, and became nearly impossible to use. It was really slow, and would sometimes shut down for no reason. Some pages that I'd written got lost before I could save or print them. And it was hard to go online without having problems. Ian tried to resurrect the computer a couple of times, and got it running again, but it kept breaking down. The printer broke, too, and we got a new one, but couldn't use it much with the old computer.
I tried writing on my computer, but it's a relic, and my printer broke, too. So I went back to writing by hand in a notebook, just so I could have something to bring to the WWG meetings. But it's hard to write for a long time by hand, because I sometimes feel pain and numbness in my neck, shoulder and arm, from an injury I had at work in August '06. So I started writing less and less.
Finally, in November, Ian got some birthday money to use for a new computer. It's really great, and just what we need for my writing, and his photography work. But by that time, the busy and strenuous holiday season had started at the bookstore, and I had even less time to write.
So that's basically why I didn't "write to the finish line" in 2007.
But it's a new year now. And a new chance to keep my new/old New Year's resolution to finish writing my book. And, hopefully, this new blog will help me to "write to the end."
Happy 2008, everyone!
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