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I’m spending most of my blog time at www.writerslikeme.com, so I might not post as often here.  But you can catch me Mondays and Wednesdays at www.writerslikeme.com, commenting on the latest, the greatest, and just about anything else writing related.  Come join me!

Cheryl

Comments (0) Jan 19 2010

Looking back at 2009

As CNN and People look back every year at what happened and who died, I think it’s just as important to review your own year.  What did you accomplish? What disappointed you?  What surprised you?  Are you where you thought you should be?  Why not?

For myself, I’m in a different spot than I thought I would be.  Writing is a part of my life, but it’s gone in a new direction.  That’s neither bad nor good.  Just different.  And exciting.  I love my characters and I enjoy being part of their journeys.  I’ll won’t cuss when my muse doesn’t show up, because, ultimately, I am my muse.  There is no fairy waving magic words in the air, no benevolent (or mean spirited) force influencing me.  If I don’t produce, it’s my own fault.  If the words flow, it’s because of my talent.

Not long ago, I read a writing exercise.  It’s beautiful in its simplicity:

If nothing was holding you back, what would you do?

For 2010, what’s holding you back?  Why aren’t you doing what you want?

Make a commitment in 2010.

Comments (0) Dec 26 2009

From www.helium.com

by Meghan Rizzo

A woman’s heart is a vessel of complex desires; within it lies a conflict between needs and dreams. The woman needs security and comfort, but craves adventure. She wants to be treated well, but understands the allure of the ‘bad boy.’ She knows there is no such thing as a perfect relationship, but she will never give up on true love.

No matter how content she may be, no matter how many of her needs are met, at times, wistful memories of beloved childhood fairy tales and their ‘happily ever afters’ arise. When life becomes routine and just a bit too comfortable, a certain longing takes hold, an escape is needed, and this woman suddenly finds herself in love with a fictional character.

Fictional characters represent the absolute ideal. They are perfect to the point of being inhuman (and many of them are). How many times, for example, does an author describe the central romantic character having to use the bathroom or even eat? This character leads a life full of adventure and drama, without tending to the mundane and routine necessities of life, and a women smitten with such a character imagines herself his beloved companion. She lives vicariously through the pages of a book or the glow of a TV screen.

Surprisingly, some of the characters women lust after possess highly undesirable traits. Dr. Gregory House, for example, of the TV show House M.D. has become quite the sex symbol. However, his character is addicted to narcotics, he is cold and mean-spirited, and he takes a sadistic sort of pleasure in making others uncomfortable. So, why the appeal? Each woman imagines herself being the sole individual who can tame the beast within, and how special she would feel if she were the only one considered worthy enough not only to be treated nicely by such a character, but to be adored by him. The current vampire mania also confirms this theory.

Women who fall in love with fictional characters are not delusional. They do not expect their objects of affection to climb out of their novels or TV screens and sweep them off their feet. They are merely indulging in fantasy, and this is a healthy outlet for any woman who finds herself slightly bored with the status quo.

Falling in love with fictional characters is actually quite common and there is nothing abnormal about it. Fantasy makes for a wonderful pastime and it is particularly useful for women already in relationships as fantasy can enhance sexual experiences.

On the other hand, the desire for an individual who doesn’t even exist can be damaging if it becomes overwhelming. The besotted woman might find herself expecting the real people in her life to be like these fictional characters. Obviously, no one can live up to expectations based in fantasy and a woman who has unrealistic demands will find herself sorely disappointed.

Some women even become obsessed with these fabricated objects of affection. They might spend an inordinate amount of time perusing fan websites or watching the same film over and over again. This is not healthy and might even be indicative of a mental illness such as depression.

When a woman can find a balance in which she has appreciation for her real, but flawed life and can accept fantasy for what it is, then falling in love with a fictional character poses no harm and can actually be great fun.

Comments (0) Nov 27 2009

I’m starting a new book – alien heroine vs. psychic hero, but there are a lot of irons in my fire, so I’ve decided to not try for the whole 50,000 word target of NaNo.  A mini-NaNo, however, gives me the freedom to kill my inner editor and vomit out my first draft.  I don’t have much of a plot, but I know the hero’s GMC, and I’m hoping the heroine’s will emerge.

Are you participating in this year’s NaNo?  What story are you working on?

Comments (0) Nov 02 2009

I’m back from a weekend writing retreat and feeling recharged.  It’s one thing to say “If I just had a chunk of time. . .” and actually sitting down and writing.  I pushed through and finished my latest W.I.P.

How can you kickstart your muse?

Don’t get out of the habit of daily writing.  It’s easy to do.  Life intrudes and “I’ll write tomorrow” can become a mantra.  Instead, set your alarm for 10 minutes.  You’ll be surprised how much you can write in that time and how much over the limit you’ll go.

Turn off your inner editor.  Don’t search for the perfect word.  I’m a fan of XXX.  When in doubt for the best word, the name of that character in the 2nd chapter, or whatever it is that you’re stuck on, insert XXX.  When you come back to it during your edits, it won’t seem as important.

Don’t reread what you’ve written.  In preparation for this retreat, I printed off the last ten pages of what I’d written.  I never looked at them.  I started from the last sentence and pushed on from there.

Even if you think you’re writing dreck, it’s good dreck.  Not every building can be the Taj Mahal.  Sometimes you have to start with a straw hut and make a lot of improvements.

Now that my book is done, I have a week to go through it and make my first cut of edits.  On Nov. 1st, I’m starting a new story.  I won’t be shooting for the full 50,000 words, but I’ll be participating in my own version of NaNoWriMo http://www.nanowrimo.org/ and taking my own advise.

Happy writing!

Comments (0) Oct 25 2009

Could I get any closer?

Apparently, Wordpress has a maximum limit for photos.  This shows 1/4 of the true picture.  The photographer wasn’t two feet from me, and you can’t see the pretty deep rose sweater I wore, but the squint is at a minimum!

And I’m not scowling, as my daughter always claims – I think hard.  Hopefully, about my characters and what trouble I can make for them.

Comments (0) Sep 15 2009

How long do you read into a book before deciding to give up on it?  Or do you “suffer” all the way to the end?  Don’t laugh – if Amazon reviews are any indication, there are tons of reviewers who force themselves to read those terrible books they give 0-1 stars to.

I ask because I recently picked up a new book at the library, a novel I’ve heard good things about.  I’m barely 40 pages into it, and wonder at the wisdom of plunging in any further.  Maybe I’m put off by the daunting size – almost 800 pages.  Or maybe I’m used to the Hero’s Journey style of storywriting.  This book has no gripping hook or invitation to the other world, and I haven’t related to the myriad characters introduced so far.

I once read you should use the following formula in determining how many pages you should read before giving up : 100 minus your age.  I think that’s about right.  There are too many good books out there that are more worthy of my time.  Goodness knows, I have lists and lists of them, not to mention my TBR pile (currently outweighed by my discard pile.)

What is your book “nyet” factor?

Comments (1) Sep 01 2009

Recently, I asked for advice on how to spark my creativity. I’m at an odd place in my writing – too close to the end of one book to be interested in it (no surprises left) and not far enough into another to know what the characters are doing. Plus, it’s summer, and my attention has been pulled toward vacations, sunny days, and a four-day work week.
What to do, then, to spark the creative side of my mind and get back into the swing of writing?
Not plotting. Not goal, motivation and conflict.
No, folks, we’re going back to old school. Hand writing. It’s an exercise called Morning Pages, and it’s the brainchild of Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way. The premise is to set aside a specific time every day and free write until three pages of 8-1/2″ x 11″ paper is filled.  No plotting, no stories, just whatever comes into your head and DON’T REREAD.  The thought is deeply buried problems will be revealed as well as the solutions.  After a specific period of time (I was given seven weeks.  I’ve made it through three days so far)  you’re to reread all your writing, circling the items you want changed and underlining action steps.  More often than not, the solutions are tucked away within your gripes.

Now, I haven’t read the book yet, and I’m taking the exercise from someone who participated in a class a decade or more ago, but it sounds like a solid theory.  I’m willing to give it a try.  So far, the writing has swung between griping about not having enough organization in my life and lists of ways I could organize it.  See, it’s working already.

Off now to put in my pages for the day.

Good luck on yours.

Comments (1) Jul 24 2009

Recently, while surfing the internet, I found some tips for maintaining a healthier lifestyle that could easily be applied to a healthier writing life style:

• You can become whatever you envision. Yeah, that’s right. If you think like a best-selling author, you’ll draw more attention and success than if you believe you’ll always fail.
• Claim your power.  You know you have it, or why pursue writing for a career/hobby/something to get away.  Empower yourself with your talent and get to work.
• Set your priorities.  Write another scene or blog?  Send out a query to an agent or an editor?  Research your next work or edit your last scene?  Without a clear path, you won’t make progress.
• Get pushy with yourself.  The book won’t write itself.  If you think you’ll only have time for one page today, write two.  Set your timer for fifteen minutes, turn off your inner editor, and push through, no stops, no looking up stuff, until the timer goes off.  Then write another page.
• Give yourself permission to succeed.  Nothing makes me angrier than hearing a fellow writer talk about submitting, then hearing her follow it up with a self depreciating remark.  Hey, if you’re going to write, then at least believe you’ll succeed at it.  As Yoda said, “There is no try, there is only do.”
• Give yourself permission to be awesome.  Yes. You.  You tell it to your kids everyday.  Why treat yourself to a lesser attitude?
• Become part of a circle.  Whether it’s a writing group, a critique group or a good friend who’s not afraid to tell you when your story has strayed, find a foundation of support that will help you grow.

These tips were meant to help lose weight, but if they work to make you a better writer, so much the better.

Comments (1) Jun 29 2009

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

You were odd, bizarre, and downright weird sometimes, but there was no denying your talent.

If you, reader, have a modicum of talent, don’t hide it, don’t be afraid of trying, of rejection, of being different.  Blaze a trail.  Don’t look back and say “I wish I had -”

You never know when time has run out.

Give yourself permission to be awesome.

Comments (0) Jun 25 2009