The difference between a goal and a dream is the written word.
-Gene Donohue
July 31, marks the last day to change our goals for my writing critique group. When I look back at my ambitious thoughts in January it all seemed very doable. But as the year advanced and I took on more and more projects, all I have to say is what was I thinking? When you are setting goals for writing they should be ambititious, you should push yourself a little but I also think there needs to be an element of reality. Write and have published an award-winning chick lit novel (while not my real goal) could be broken down into doable, achievable mini-goals. I think it's important to feel successful every step of the way. Today look at your writing goals for the rest of the year or if you don't have any take some time to write some. Are they achievable? Take a look at this article by Moira Allen on goal setting for writers. Good information.Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Rejections
If you're not failing every now and again, it's a sign you're not doing anything very innovative.
Woody Allen
I must be doing a lot of innovative work because this week I have seen a lot of rejections and one maybe/probably. But I persevere, because if there's one thing I learned from the writer's conference this year it's perseverance and passion. Sometimes it's hard to keep the passion in writing when it seems like such hard work. My advice is to switch projects, last week I didn't spend one minute writing my manuscript but now I feel the need to get back there and move ahead.My poetry was on hold too, but yesterday I wrote rough drafts for three poems. Today, look at what is stalling your writing and think about switching out projects. Today,write about perseverance and what it means in your writing. How do you keep the faith? Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Woody Allen
I must be doing a lot of innovative work because this week I have seen a lot of rejections and one maybe/probably. But I persevere, because if there's one thing I learned from the writer's conference this year it's perseverance and passion. Sometimes it's hard to keep the passion in writing when it seems like such hard work. My advice is to switch projects, last week I didn't spend one minute writing my manuscript but now I feel the need to get back there and move ahead.My poetry was on hold too, but yesterday I wrote rough drafts for three poems. Today, look at what is stalling your writing and think about switching out projects. Today,write about perseverance and what it means in your writing. How do you keep the faith? Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Saturday, July 28, 2007
It's simple
In nearly all good fiction, the basic - all but inescapable - plot form is this: A central character wants something, goes after it despite opposition, perhaps including his own doubts, and so arrives at a win, lose, or draw.
John Gardner
I love this quote by John Gardner, the way he sees story it's just that simple. But when I think about my favorite books, it is that simple. Now to just figure out how to add all the elements I need in my manuscript. I already have the ending figured out and the beginning...it's the middle that needs a lot of work. And a bad middle will lose a lot of readers, that's assuming it will even ge tpublished. Today, if you're working on a manuscript read the middle of the book objectively and if needed do some rewriting, if you're doing daily writing write about the time you were "stuck in the middle of something". Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
John Gardner
I love this quote by John Gardner, the way he sees story it's just that simple. But when I think about my favorite books, it is that simple. Now to just figure out how to add all the elements I need in my manuscript. I already have the ending figured out and the beginning...it's the middle that needs a lot of work. And a bad middle will lose a lot of readers, that's assuming it will even ge tpublished. Today, if you're working on a manuscript read the middle of the book objectively and if needed do some rewriting, if you're doing daily writing write about the time you were "stuck in the middle of something". Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Friday, July 27, 2007
Fun with Words
For me, writing is exploration; and most of the time, I'm surprised where the journey takes me.
Jack Dann
I've always loved Mad Libs so when I found this site, it reminded me of how much fun words can be.
The Funny Terror Of The Snow
It snowed a foot overnight. When they woke up, Sam and Mary went out to play. First, they made snow angels. Then they had a snowball fight and Sam hit Mary in her leg with a big scary iceball. It hurt a lot, but Sam kissed it happily and then it was all better.
Then they decided to make a snow man.
"We'll make a really damp snow man!" Sam said.
"Why don't we make a snow woman instead?" Mary said. "That would be more gray and politically correct."
"I know," Sam said. "We can make a snow dog. That way, we don't have to worry about gender politics."
So they rolled the snow up crazily and made an iridescent snow dog. Sam put on a boat for the elbow. The dog was almost as big as Mary.
"It looks old," Sam said merrily. "But it seems like it's missing something."
"Here," Mary said and held up an obtuse car. "I found this on a rock." She put the car onto the dog's head.
It was perfect. For about a minute. Then the dog, even though it was just made of snow, started to move and growl like a banana that has lost its appeal.
Mary screamed dangerously and ran but the snow dog chased her until she tripped over a tree root. Then the snow dog kicked her huskily.
"Nobody does that to my little Cold Book," Sam screamed. He grabbed an icicle and stabbed the snow dog through the arm. It fell down and Sam kicked it apart until it was just a bunch of snow again.
"You saved me!" Mary said and they shared an embrace in the snow before going in for hot chocolate.
The car lay in the yard until a skinny child picked it up and took it home.
Today have fun with words.Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Jack Dann
I've always loved Mad Libs so when I found this site, it reminded me of how much fun words can be.
The Funny Terror Of The Snow
It snowed a foot overnight. When they woke up, Sam and Mary went out to play. First, they made snow angels. Then they had a snowball fight and Sam hit Mary in her leg with a big scary iceball. It hurt a lot, but Sam kissed it happily and then it was all better.
Then they decided to make a snow man.
"We'll make a really damp snow man!" Sam said.
"Why don't we make a snow woman instead?" Mary said. "That would be more gray and politically correct."
"I know," Sam said. "We can make a snow dog. That way, we don't have to worry about gender politics."
So they rolled the snow up crazily and made an iridescent snow dog. Sam put on a boat for the elbow. The dog was almost as big as Mary.
"It looks old," Sam said merrily. "But it seems like it's missing something."
"Here," Mary said and held up an obtuse car. "I found this on a rock." She put the car onto the dog's head.
It was perfect. For about a minute. Then the dog, even though it was just made of snow, started to move and growl like a banana that has lost its appeal.
Mary screamed dangerously and ran but the snow dog chased her until she tripped over a tree root. Then the snow dog kicked her huskily.
"Nobody does that to my little Cold Book," Sam screamed. He grabbed an icicle and stabbed the snow dog through the arm. It fell down and Sam kicked it apart until it was just a bunch of snow again.
"You saved me!" Mary said and they shared an embrace in the snow before going in for hot chocolate.
The car lay in the yard until a skinny child picked it up and took it home.
Today have fun with words.Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Getting Paid to Write
Writing is the only profession where no one considers you ridiculous if you earn no money.
Jules Renard
As I'm flexing my writing muscles in other areas and trying to find my niche, I'm writing for garden and hearth. Being on this website has connected me with a lot of different writers that are doing the same thing, trying to make a living with their words. I'm new to this but I have gotten some great advice on marketing from these talented writers. Getting paid to write even a small amount validates me as a writer. As a struggling poet my poetry board with their daily critiques is enough to keep me writing poetry...for now. But eventually the money is necessary.
Today, write a page about what you need as a writer to keep going...is it words of encouragement or money? Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Jules Renard
As I'm flexing my writing muscles in other areas and trying to find my niche, I'm writing for garden and hearth. Being on this website has connected me with a lot of different writers that are doing the same thing, trying to make a living with their words. I'm new to this but I have gotten some great advice on marketing from these talented writers. Getting paid to write even a small amount validates me as a writer. As a struggling poet my poetry board with their daily critiques is enough to keep me writing poetry...for now. But eventually the money is necessary.
Today, write a page about what you need as a writer to keep going...is it words of encouragement or money? Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Writing as exercise
Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.
Jane Yolen
One of my favorite teachers would always say "anything worth doing is worth doing imperfectly". Writing to me is worth doing.
If you are finding that you struggle with writing daily, do just a small bit. If a paragraph seems too much, write one sentence. You may find after your commitment to just one sentence, you have another in you, and then another and another. But maybe not, maybe on Wednesday's you have only one sentence.Just don't let your writing muscles seize up. Stretch them every day, take notes for later, record words on a walk or write a letter to an old friend.As in exercise, the effective is cumulutive. Today write one sentence. That's it, anything after that is up to you. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Jane Yolen
One of my favorite teachers would always say "anything worth doing is worth doing imperfectly". Writing to me is worth doing.
If you are finding that you struggle with writing daily, do just a small bit. If a paragraph seems too much, write one sentence. You may find after your commitment to just one sentence, you have another in you, and then another and another. But maybe not, maybe on Wednesday's you have only one sentence.Just don't let your writing muscles seize up. Stretch them every day, take notes for later, record words on a walk or write a letter to an old friend.As in exercise, the effective is cumulutive. Today write one sentence. That's it, anything after that is up to you. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Success
Success comes to a writer, as a rule, so gradually that it is always something of a shock to him to look back and realize the heights to which he has climbed.
P. G. Wodehouse
What heights have you climbed to realize your dreams? If I was honest with myself I would say a very small hill. I just started this year to take myself seriously as a writer, I hope by this time next year I could say I have climbed a mountain. Today write a paragraph or a page about where you see yourself in your writing career by this time next year. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
P. G. Wodehouse
What heights have you climbed to realize your dreams? If I was honest with myself I would say a very small hill. I just started this year to take myself seriously as a writer, I hope by this time next year I could say I have climbed a mountain. Today write a paragraph or a page about where you see yourself in your writing career by this time next year. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Monday, July 23, 2007
Language
The mystery lies in the use of language to express human life.--Eudora Welty
As writers we all have our own unique voice, but many writers struggle with their voice and try to write like someone else without appreciating their individuality. We could all write about the same subject but your background, education and experiences will bring out nuances in language and word choice.
This weekend I was reading Any Bitter Thing by Monica Wood, the poetry of her voice is inspiring to me. What authors do you find yourself drawn to? What is it about their voice that inspires you. Today try to write in another voice and then write the same paragraph or page in your true authentic voice.On aboutfreelancewriting.com there is a good article on voice. After you do your daily writing, reward yourself by reading it. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
As writers we all have our own unique voice, but many writers struggle with their voice and try to write like someone else without appreciating their individuality. We could all write about the same subject but your background, education and experiences will bring out nuances in language and word choice.
This weekend I was reading Any Bitter Thing by Monica Wood, the poetry of her voice is inspiring to me. What authors do you find yourself drawn to? What is it about their voice that inspires you. Today try to write in another voice and then write the same paragraph or page in your true authentic voice.On aboutfreelancewriting.com there is a good article on voice. After you do your daily writing, reward yourself by reading it. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Story Ideas
Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don't see any.
Orson Scott Card
Working in a cafe gives me a lot of daily customer interaction. I find material for poems, shorts and characters daily. Sometimes I just write a line or two in my notebook for later...other times I am moved to write it down immediately. The lady that stole the money out of my tip jar will get a story in time or maybe an article, the "crazy" bosses I've had will make their way into a manuscript or a poem...be observant everywhere you go and you will never run out of material.
Today think back to last week what story ideas could you find in your experiences.
One of my favorite short story authors Raymond Carver had the ability to write about the everyday stuff with such insight. After you write today, read one of his short stories. Vitamins. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Orson Scott Card
Working in a cafe gives me a lot of daily customer interaction. I find material for poems, shorts and characters daily. Sometimes I just write a line or two in my notebook for later...other times I am moved to write it down immediately. The lady that stole the money out of my tip jar will get a story in time or maybe an article, the "crazy" bosses I've had will make their way into a manuscript or a poem...be observant everywhere you go and you will never run out of material.
Today think back to last week what story ideas could you find in your experiences.
One of my favorite short story authors Raymond Carver had the ability to write about the everyday stuff with such insight. After you write today, read one of his short stories. Vitamins. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Cleaning out the old to make room for the new
If you don't allow yourself the possibility of writing something very, very bad, it would be hard to write something very good.
Steven Galloway
One of my decluttering tasks last week involved throwing out/shredding some of my old writing notebooks. Some writers like to keep their "young" writing to see how much they have improved. Not me. When I look back on my writing in my twenties it's refreshing to see how much I have learned, but I don't want the possibility of anyone else reading it. Before I shredded it I did go through it carefully for the possibility of some good words, phrases, sentences I might resurrect in my new writing. Today give yourself permission to write something very bad, break all the rules, make it as horrible as you can. And then save it for this contest next year. Now get back to work! There's a market for every kind of writing even bad writing.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Steven Galloway
One of my decluttering tasks last week involved throwing out/shredding some of my old writing notebooks. Some writers like to keep their "young" writing to see how much they have improved. Not me. When I look back on my writing in my twenties it's refreshing to see how much I have learned, but I don't want the possibility of anyone else reading it. Before I shredded it I did go through it carefully for the possibility of some good words, phrases, sentences I might resurrect in my new writing. Today give yourself permission to write something very bad, break all the rules, make it as horrible as you can. And then save it for this contest next year. Now get back to work! There's a market for every kind of writing even bad writing.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Friday, July 20, 2007
Writing Material
Most of the basic material a writer works with is acquired before the age of fifteen.
Willa Cather
When I was thirteen I told my father I wanted to be a writer and he told me I needed to go out and see the world because I wouldn't have anything to write about unless I did. But many writers believe that much of their material has been gleaned from their childhood. Flannery O'Connor said "Anybody who has survived his childhood has enough
information about life to last him the rest of his days."
I find myself going back to my childhood for material time and time again. Today write about your first childhood memory and see where that takes you. It could be a poem, an essay or a short story. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Willa Cather
When I was thirteen I told my father I wanted to be a writer and he told me I needed to go out and see the world because I wouldn't have anything to write about unless I did. But many writers believe that much of their material has been gleaned from their childhood. Flannery O'Connor said "Anybody who has survived his childhood has enough
information about life to last him the rest of his days."
I find myself going back to my childhood for material time and time again. Today write about your first childhood memory and see where that takes you. It could be a poem, an essay or a short story. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Paying the bills
There's no money in poetry, but then there's no poetry in money either.
Robert Graves
A good friend of mine told me she doesn't know why I try so hard to write poetry and short stories because there's no money in either of those pursuits. And she's right there are very few successful short story writers or poets. But since I love both of those forms I continue to try and make money at them. But there comes a time when reality in the form of bills, debts, and vacation plans throws water on my writing life. I am going to actively try the freelance magazine route for the rest of the year. That means sending out queries religiously and finding my writing niche. Now when I see a market that doesn't pay or only in contributor copies I cross it off. A girls got to eat! My goal for the week is sending out five queries, now for the professional freelance writer that is probably a days work or a mornings, for me it seems insurmountable. If you're trying to make a living as a writer, what can you do today to make that happen. Think about it, make a list and then get back to work. I'll keep you posted.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Robert Graves
A good friend of mine told me she doesn't know why I try so hard to write poetry and short stories because there's no money in either of those pursuits. And she's right there are very few successful short story writers or poets. But since I love both of those forms I continue to try and make money at them. But there comes a time when reality in the form of bills, debts, and vacation plans throws water on my writing life. I am going to actively try the freelance magazine route for the rest of the year. That means sending out queries religiously and finding my writing niche. Now when I see a market that doesn't pay or only in contributor copies I cross it off. A girls got to eat! My goal for the week is sending out five queries, now for the professional freelance writer that is probably a days work or a mornings, for me it seems insurmountable. If you're trying to make a living as a writer, what can you do today to make that happen. Think about it, make a list and then get back to work. I'll keep you posted.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Sweet Peas
"As cows need milking and sweet peas need picking, so writers must continually exercise their mental muscles by a daily stint." Joan Aiken
I grow sweet peas every year, mostly because my mother-in-law loves them and I have grown to love them too. Their fragrance is both sweet and spicy. But the most important part of growing sweet peas is picking them every day after they start flowering. The more you pick the flowers the more flowers you get. A good metaphor for writing. The daily stint as Joan Aiken calls it is an exercise you do because it's necessary and you love the results. If you've taken a couple of days off from writing it's time to pick the sweet peas, otherwise the sweet pea flowers grow into hard, ugly pods. In writing that's fear, doubt and uncertainty. Today, write about the first time you gave up. And then write about your first success as a writer. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Take a Break
- You may be able to take a break from writing, but you won't be able to take a break from being a writer... Stephen Leigh
The first question that I posed to the I Ching in The I Ching for Writers was "will my writing be successful?" and the response I received was you need to take a rest. Not really the answer I wanted to hear because I'm feeling a lot of momentum right now and right now I want to be a success, no matter how hard I have to work at it. But there is a part of me that is feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything I have started. So taking a rest sounds really good. Just because you're not actually writing doesn't mean that your writing brain isn't working. Yesterday I wrote a decent poem in my head at work and didn't put it on paper until late at night. I'm going to try and slow it down this week, if you're feeling overwhelmed with writing as well, what can you do today to feel less overwhelmed. Maybe today would be a good day to set the timer for only 10 minutes and write about a favorite resting spot. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Monday, July 16, 2007
Why?
Coleridge was a drug addict. Poe was an alcoholic. Marlowe was killed by a man whom he was treacherously trying to stab. Pope took money to keep a woman's name out of a satire then wrote a piece so that she could still be recognized anyhow. Chatterton killed himself. Byron was accused of incest. Do you still want to be a writer - and if so, why?
Bennett Cerf
This weekend in my cleaning/organizing I found a writing book I bought last year. I Ching for Writers. Tomorrow I'll let you know how my first I Ching experience went. I Ching is similar to fortune telling or tarot reading you ask a question and the coins you throw are mapped out to a hexagram, the hexagram answers your question. Today I will try again with the I Ching and ask the question "why do I want to be a writer"? Can you answer that question. Today write a page about why you want to be a writer? Now get back to work, you're already a writer you write every day.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Bennett Cerf
This weekend in my cleaning/organizing I found a writing book I bought last year. I Ching for Writers. Tomorrow I'll let you know how my first I Ching experience went. I Ching is similar to fortune telling or tarot reading you ask a question and the coins you throw are mapped out to a hexagram, the hexagram answers your question. Today I will try again with the I Ching and ask the question "why do I want to be a writer"? Can you answer that question. Today write a page about why you want to be a writer? Now get back to work, you're already a writer you write every day.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Clutter and writing-Part 2
“Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words, circular constructions, pompous frills and meaningless jargon.”
William ZinsserPart 2 of decluttering is cleaning up your own writing. Now that the closet and files are clear it's time to look at your pages. Look at this list on removing word clutter. Can you find unnecessary words and meaningless jargon in your work? One reason I love poetry so much is the lack of word clutter. Today write a poem on clutter and enjoy your Sunday and your clutter-free workspace. Now get to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Clutter and writing
The reason 99% of all stories written are not bought by editors is very simple. Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home.
John W. Campbell
Part of my office clutter is my unorganized writing projects that overflow my file cabinet, my desk and a corner in my closet. This weekend I have decided that this might be part of the reason I struggle with submitting. I believe that once I go through my work and organize it, I will be successful. Many top freelancers say they are not better writers but just better marketers. They believe there are many markets out there for each piece of work. This weekend my goal is to spend at least two hours of decluttering along with two hours of submitting.
Do you have a manuscript that is sitting on the closet shelf or hiding in a corner? Do you get lost in the clutter at your writing area? Today after your daily writing spend one hour decluttering your writing. You may find tucked away a great piece of work that with a little polishing could be sent out to several markets on Monday morning. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Friday, July 13, 2007
Negative Thoughts
You must learn to overcome your very natural and appropriate revulsion for your own work.
William Gibson
Yesterday was one of those days where I felt that I couldn't continue because my writing isn't any good. Why waste my time when there are so many great writers that I'm competing with. The answer I keep coming back to is that I can't not write. I'm tried, it would give me so much more free time, but it doesn't work for me. I love words. And stringing words together into poems, pages and manuscripts is what I do every day. Why do you write? What drives you to hit the keys or the pen every day? Today write a paragraph to a page about why you write or if that doesn't work write about friggatriskaidekaphobia. Now get to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
William Gibson
Yesterday was one of those days where I felt that I couldn't continue because my writing isn't any good. Why waste my time when there are so many great writers that I'm competing with. The answer I keep coming back to is that I can't not write. I'm tried, it would give me so much more free time, but it doesn't work for me. I love words. And stringing words together into poems, pages and manuscripts is what I do every day. Why do you write? What drives you to hit the keys or the pen every day? Today write a paragraph to a page about why you write or if that doesn't work write about friggatriskaidekaphobia. Now get to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Running Out of Time
If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster. ~Isaac Asimov
I have been writing for more than fifteen years but this year I have felt the need to type a little faster. Maybe it's my age or maybe it's because I have made the decision to either do this all the way or don't do it at all. 2007 is my year to prove to myself that I am a real writer. With seven months left the pressure is mounting...today write down your writing goals for the next seven months, push yourself a little, don't make it too easy. Today type a little faster. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Paris Je T'aime
Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader. Not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.
E.L. Doctorow
Last night I saw Paris Je T'aime. If you haven't seen it it's a collection of short vignettes by 18 different directors. Although the reviews weren't fantastic, I enjoyed it. As a writer I liked how much story was told in such a short time. I like flash fiction for the same reason. A lot of story and feeling without a lot of words. Today work on a flash fiction piece. 500 words on the first time you fell in love. Don't give me the facts but the feelings. Now get to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Imaginary Characters
It's true that writing is a solitary occupation, but you would be surprised at how much companionship a group of imaginary characters can offer once you get to know them. - Anne Tyler
Yesterday, after months of writing my manuscript one of my characters took over and did something as I was thinking "no, don't do that" where is that going to lead? But she was drawn in by the moment and couldn't help herself.
I have heard other writers talk about their characters taking over and writing the manuscript while the writer just pushed the keys, I have always thought that was "New Agey" and quite unbelievable. But it happened. It is taking the manuscript in another direction one I don't know if I like but I'm going to continue and see what happens next. Scary stuff this writing is.
Today my goal is three pages, I need to write the "what happens next" scene. If you have been procrastinating on writing a certain article or chapter or page...today would be a good day to do it. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Yesterday, after months of writing my manuscript one of my characters took over and did something as I was thinking "no, don't do that" where is that going to lead? But she was drawn in by the moment and couldn't help herself.
I have heard other writers talk about their characters taking over and writing the manuscript while the writer just pushed the keys, I have always thought that was "New Agey" and quite unbelievable. But it happened. It is taking the manuscript in another direction one I don't know if I like but I'm going to continue and see what happens next. Scary stuff this writing is.
Today my goal is three pages, I need to write the "what happens next" scene. If you have been procrastinating on writing a certain article or chapter or page...today would be a good day to do it. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Monday, July 9, 2007
Writing Goals
It's not so much how busy you are, but why you are busy. The bee is praised. The mosquito is swatted.
Mary O'Connor
Whenever I get discouraged about finishing my manuscript it's good to remind myself that if I just write 500 words a day or two pages I can have in done in six months. So that's my new goal until the end of the year 500 words a day, I probably write more than that responding to emails. Today set a goal for the day, the week or for the rest of the year. Can you commit to 500 words a day, it would be nice to think I'm not alone when I'm hitting the keyboard.
Moira Allen has a good article on basic goal setting for writers on her website.
Today be honest with yourself as a writer are you busy with a goal in mind or are you busy but not accomplishing anything. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Mary O'Connor
Whenever I get discouraged about finishing my manuscript it's good to remind myself that if I just write 500 words a day or two pages I can have in done in six months. So that's my new goal until the end of the year 500 words a day, I probably write more than that responding to emails. Today set a goal for the day, the week or for the rest of the year. Can you commit to 500 words a day, it would be nice to think I'm not alone when I'm hitting the keyboard.
Moira Allen has a good article on basic goal setting for writers on her website.
Today be honest with yourself as a writer are you busy with a goal in mind or are you busy but not accomplishing anything. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Writing to annoy?
If you can't annoy somebody with what you write, I think there's little point in writing.
~ Kingsley Amis
I'm guessing for some genres it is ok to write without ever annoying anyone but what I think Kingsley Amis is referring to is to avoid bland, vanilla writing whenever possible. Your writing may never appeal to every reader but what if your intent was to annoy? Could this be your motivation to write in another voice.
Today what is the one subject you could write about that may annoy someone. It doesn't ever have to see the light of day but this exercise could give a different voice to a character or motivate you to step outside of the norm. Now get to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
~ Kingsley Amis
I'm guessing for some genres it is ok to write without ever annoying anyone but what I think Kingsley Amis is referring to is to avoid bland, vanilla writing whenever possible. Your writing may never appeal to every reader but what if your intent was to annoy? Could this be your motivation to write in another voice.
Today what is the one subject you could write about that may annoy someone. It doesn't ever have to see the light of day but this exercise could give a different voice to a character or motivate you to step outside of the norm. Now get to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Words with Echo
I would hurl words into this darkness and wait for an echo, and if an echo sounded, no matter how faintly, I would send other words to tell, to march, to fight, to create a sense of hunger for life that gnaws in us all. ~Richard Wright, American Hunger, 1977
Today I wrote with anger and it felt good. It felt good to send my words out with no editing just raw emotion. Truth. Remember a time when you were angry and write about it...writing your anger is a good exercise even if you just keep the words to yourself. If that's too difficult write a scene where your character feels anger. Don't forget about the details, the physical parts of the anger, the shaking hands, the feeling in your stomach, the way you manifest your emotion. Now get back to work.
Lovingly even in anger,
The Writing Nag
Today I wrote with anger and it felt good. It felt good to send my words out with no editing just raw emotion. Truth. Remember a time when you were angry and write about it...writing your anger is a good exercise even if you just keep the words to yourself. If that's too difficult write a scene where your character feels anger. Don't forget about the details, the physical parts of the anger, the shaking hands, the feeling in your stomach, the way you manifest your emotion. Now get back to work.
Lovingly even in anger,
The Writing Nag
Friday, July 6, 2007
The Cricket in Times Square
In each of my characters there is a little of me. Not strictly autobiographical but a little piece of my soul.
Dario Argento
Last night when I was locking up the cafe I heard a cricket chirping from somewhere up in the high ceiling. I immediately thought of the children's book The Cricket in Times Square and even though it's been more than thirty years since I read the book I could visualize the characters and the little details that George Selden wrote about. That is great writing. I'm guessing that Mr. Selden put a lot of his soul into this book. If you write fiction are your characters memorable or will the reader forget them once the book in closed? My goal is to create characters that readers will think about when they put down the book. Today create a character that is memorable because of the details, it could be a page or two or the beginning of a short story. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Dario Argento
Last night when I was locking up the cafe I heard a cricket chirping from somewhere up in the high ceiling. I immediately thought of the children's book The Cricket in Times Square and even though it's been more than thirty years since I read the book I could visualize the characters and the little details that George Selden wrote about. That is great writing. I'm guessing that Mr. Selden put a lot of his soul into this book. If you write fiction are your characters memorable or will the reader forget them once the book in closed? My goal is to create characters that readers will think about when they put down the book. Today create a character that is memorable because of the details, it could be a page or two or the beginning of a short story. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Drunk on Writing
You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you. ~Ray Bradbury
When I'm working on a piece of writing that is really moving along, I do feel that buzz, the euphoria, the slight out of reality feeling that can be exhilarating. But some days I just don't feel it but I write on those days too because I may find in the monotony of placing word after word something good. And it's practice, so just like my piano lessons years ago I lift my fingers to the keys and I go through the motions. Some days I don't spend very long on the keys...a short poem, a little bit of editing but every day it gets easier and unlike my piano lessons I can see the improvements weekly. Practice writing. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
When I'm working on a piece of writing that is really moving along, I do feel that buzz, the euphoria, the slight out of reality feeling that can be exhilarating. But some days I just don't feel it but I write on those days too because I may find in the monotony of placing word after word something good. And it's practice, so just like my piano lessons years ago I lift my fingers to the keys and I go through the motions. Some days I don't spend very long on the keys...a short poem, a little bit of editing but every day it gets easier and unlike my piano lessons I can see the improvements weekly. Practice writing. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Happy Fourth! Protect the Freedom to Write
"Writing is a form of personal freedom. If frees us from the mass identity we see in the making all around us. In the end, writers will write not to be outlaw heroes of some underculture but mainly to save themselves, to survive as individuals."
Don DeLillo, American novelist
Today I received a rejection from a literary magazine I would have been honored to be published in. All in all, it was a good rejection because they said to keep writing, your work will find a home. So I'll think about the rejection for just a little bit and then get back to work. Today reflect upon the freedom of writing and the writing word like this organization does. The Freedom to Write should not be taken lightly. Happy Fourth! Enjoy your day off.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Don DeLillo, American novelist
Today I received a rejection from a literary magazine I would have been honored to be published in. All in all, it was a good rejection because they said to keep writing, your work will find a home. So I'll think about the rejection for just a little bit and then get back to work. Today reflect upon the freedom of writing and the writing word like this organization does. The Freedom to Write should not be taken lightly. Happy Fourth! Enjoy your day off.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Writing Down the Bones
"It is by sitting down to write every morning that one becomes a writer."
Gerald Brenan
Don't wait until you're published to say you're a writer. You're a writer if you write, period. In Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones, Natalie talks about making lists of topics for writing practice. When you're faced with the blank page in the morning you can look to your list for inspiration. One example from the book is What is your first memory? Today write about your first memory and concentrate on the details, don't let your internal editor edit you, write it as you remember. Write for thirty minutes. If you haven't read Writing Down the Bones, read it. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Gerald Brenan
Don't wait until you're published to say you're a writer. You're a writer if you write, period. In Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones, Natalie talks about making lists of topics for writing practice. When you're faced with the blank page in the morning you can look to your list for inspiration. One example from the book is What is your first memory? Today write about your first memory and concentrate on the details, don't let your internal editor edit you, write it as you remember. Write for thirty minutes. If you haven't read Writing Down the Bones, read it. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Monday, July 2, 2007
Getting Better Every Day
"If you're a singer, you lose your voice. A baseball player loses his arm. A writer gets more knowledge, and if he's good, the older he gets, the better he writes."
--Mickey Spillane
This is comforting to me...and I believe quite accurate. Many authors talk about their first bad novel that lurks underneath their bed covered in dust bunnies. I don't have my first bad novel finished yet but I do have many notebooks of old writing that I can pull out and compare against my current writing. I can see the improvement and it inspires me. If I keep up this daily writing I might just have a chance at this. Find some of your old writing today even something from last year. How does your work this year compare? I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Today write a page about where you were a year ago. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Barren Nothingness
If I'm trying to sleep, the ideas won't stop. If I'm trying to write, there appears a barren nothingness. ~Carrie Latet
The hardest part of the barren nothingness is writing past it, freewriting is the answer. Many of my morning pages show that if you keep writing past the I have nothing to say you will eventually break through. Some of those pages have turned into poetry or the start of a short story. Look through your morning pages or your daily writing this week and pull out one sentence. Take that sentence and write for thirty minutes. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
The hardest part of the barren nothingness is writing past it, freewriting is the answer. Many of my morning pages show that if you keep writing past the I have nothing to say you will eventually break through. Some of those pages have turned into poetry or the start of a short story. Look through your morning pages or your daily writing this week and pull out one sentence. Take that sentence and write for thirty minutes. Now get back to work.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
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