I can do Dialogue, me!
"Oh no, you can't!"
"Oh yes I can!"
Well, maybe...
I've just devoured, and I do mean devoured, one of the books Kai had on her shelf about how to write dialogue. It was interesting reading. Very interesting reading, especially seeing the sort of things that I do in my dialogue that are wrong, as well as the stuff that seems to be right. Every now and then there was a "oh, so thats how that works" moment. I'll be doing some of the exercises it suggests at some point, since I think it'll do me a lot of good.
Always learning. Level 1, every day.
What have I gotten myself into?
Last time I posted I mentioned that I might need some "incentives" to keep up momentum on this story I'm writing. I'm not sure that word now covers whats happening.
I just completed my first daily "goal"...I have a folder with little stickers on it and a whole bunch of stuff inside it. It certainly seems like Pawprints might be the most coherent story ive ever done...because its actually getting planned out. Which is slightly daunting, but less than I'd expected...and that is, in no small part, down to Kai guiding me through this new world of story outlines and 30 day plans and daily goals. This is all new to me.
It shouldn't be, really, since its not dissimilar to planning out a project for Uni, and I did plenty of those. So I guess its not so much new, as old...as in a long time ago. It IS helping, though. And thats the main thing.
Putting my “proverbial money” where my mouth is.
Here goes.
Kai has rightly said that I need to put myself in a position whereby I can't wriggle my way out of this. If I just keep saying im going to do it, but dont commit to it, it'll never happen. Im too good at procrastinating. Therefore I need to declare it as loudly as possible and then buckle down and get started before I become someone who talks a lot but never delivers.
"It" in this case is the story I mentioned in previous posts. "Pawprints" now has a basic outline, written and everything, and I have enough to work with to get started on writing. So im going to do it.
Watch this space. MAKE me continue, help me finish. Bonk me on the head if need be..(though id prefer bribes). I "am" going to write this story.
Whats in a name?
So, now I have a title for my story. Or, to be more accurate I should probably say "working" title. Its something to go on, at least. So, for now, the story is called "Pawprints". I'm not sure why but I sort of like it, and it seems to fit.
Also, interestingly...(well, for me), the scene that I thought was going to start off the story isnt going to start it off at all, and now the starting scene involves two totally differant characters. Who are busy writing themselves in my head...arguing actually...and I'm almost wary about starting to type out the scene in case they really go to town once they get onto the page. So if you hear about a freak disappearance of a wannabe writer in Lanark, IT WAS THEM WHAT DID IT!!!!!
Scratching
Its started, it seems. The scratching and clawing on the inside of my head, in the nooks and crannies...where the ideas breed. All it took was getting a light thump on the arm, I guess...
Ideas are forming. Slowly, surely and, as usual, in no particular order. I have an opening scene, or at least the seed of one, yet I also have a scene that I don't know where it should go and at least two conversations between characters taking shape. I haven't really done anything. I've only just started reading the books Kai loaned me, I only know about three of the characters (and only two of those by name) and I don't even know where the story would be going yet. That doesn't seem to be making much of a differance to the melon on my shoulders, though. While walking round the supermarket, buying dinner, my brain stumbled on a little piece of lore for this fictional, not quite fantasy/not quite reality, world in my head. Its a small detail, and its not exactly unsullied originality, but it fits, and one of the scenes I've been pondering has changed drasticly because of it.
One thing is for sure, its nice to be able to think about something other than the emotional hurt of recent weeks. I'm not saying the black mood has lifted, but it has to fight for dominance in my thoughts now, and thats a step forward, yes?
Don’t Be Afraid….
Be very, very afraid...
I'm back.....
Yeah, bet you thought this corner of the web was so covered in dust that it would never rise again, such was the weight. But, like Balrogs and David Cameron, there are fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world. And one of them is my blog.
I'm about to start research and planning for this years Nanowrimo, since trying to jump straight into it last year went SO well...and Kai is prodding me to join the V7N blogging challenge thing, so you might see more of me from now on.
Now, theres your warning, the scary music has started...let me get my hockey mask and my axe....I'll give you a head start.....
Define “Irony”……
When a high ranking member of a racist, xenophobic, Holocaust denying Fascist organisation calls other people "thugs" because they threw eggs at him. Personally I think he got off lightly with only a few eggs. Considering the evil that this criminal (yup, hes got a criminal record for inciting racial hatred) spouts from his mouth, he doesn't have much right to point fingers at anyone else.
I guess theres also a certain amount of horrific irony that members of that same loathsome organisation have somehow managed to get themselves elected to the European Parliament. The very idea turns my stomach.
All those veterans who fought, and saw their comrades fall, on the beaches of Normandy must be wondering what the hell went wrong....Didn't we go to war against Hitler to end the evils of xenophobic fascism?
That ol’ Torch
Meeting up with an old flame isn't always as fun as it sounds. It starts off great, but then sometimes the emotions and memories mix and then it F'ing sucks.
Just thought I'd mention it.
Oh, and to all those who waltz though life all happy and bouncy with everything falling into place and love and happiness stretching before you like a f'ing meadow in front of F'ing bunnies.....I hate you.
Now im going to go curl up in a ball for a bit.
World of Stuff-Craft-Thing
My dear friend Kai posted the following on her blog, so Im doing the same. Same rules, same restrictions and so on. My only caveat for this is that since I am about as Craft-Inclined as a hampster, the thing you get if you respond to this will most likely be a short story. Since I can do those. Think of it as a way of incentivising me to write more.
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! my choice for you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make you. But I certainly will try.
- What I create will be just for you.
- It will be done this year (2009)
- You have no clue what its going to be,it may be a story, it may be poetry. I might draw or paint something. I may make you something and mail it to you. Who knows? not you, that’s for sure!
The ‘catch’ is that you have to post this in your journal as well. Come on, we can all make something!
Alas poor Beardie, I knew him well…
A facefuzz of infinite jest....
Yes, I know that the line is "Alas poor Yorick, I knew him, Horatio,,," before anyone starts quibbling.
My beard is gone. It is an ex-beard. It is...no more....it is pushing up the daisies.
I shaved it. I fancied a change, and Id been going on about thinking about maybe, perhaps contemplating shaving it off, so on Saturday I just went ahead and did it.
So its gone. My face is oddly smooth, apart from the shaving cuts. Well, its been a while since I shaved that part of my face, frankly its been a while since I last SAW that part of my face, so its taking a while to get used to shaving it properly.
So far most peoples reactions have been positive. I havent seen anyone collapsing in hysterics. The worst thing ive heard people say (at least to my newly smoothed face) is "It makes you look younger."
I can live with that.