Day 13

I've discovered that Steinbeck kept a journal when he wrote. I would be so lucky to have a fraction of his talent. Spent the morning writing.

Day 12

Rewriting creates more depth. I'm analizing my character on a deeper level now that I know where she is going and what will happen to her.

Day 11

Still writing. I am reworking my first draft. I think that this will be a long process.

Day 10

Transfer from paper to computer, complete. Now, I'm working on a new beginning. No, not new, more detailed. I've been writing for 10 days, I'm hooked.

Day 9

Finished the first draft of my short story. Now, I typing out my hand written words. It helps to use paper and pen. It's less official: less anxiety. More freedom to make a mess. Or as Hemingway put it, freedom to create shit. Every first draft he said was shit but it gives you a start and something to work with.

Day 8

My character continues to develop even as I wrap up the story. Right now, I am writing out so many ideas or directions that I want the story to take that I make side notes to go back and fill in the details. I want to get the main structure down before I give the story more depth. I feel like I am where I am supposed to be when I write.

Day 7

I can't decide on an ending. I could go one way or I could go another way. Which way should my character go? Should she die? Or should she live a normal but hard life??? I love this kind of contimplation.



I've been taking the advice of many writers: read to learn. Dostoyevsky has been teaching me this week.

Day 6

I've climaxed. I brought my story to its peak! It was such a thrill.

Day 5

Writing is simple. Learning to write is a pain.

I can write and write for hours in my own way, but apparently, there are correct procedures. This evening, I worked on perfecting my show-don't-tell skill. It seemed like an easy concept. I even thought that my writing was beyond such a simple lesson, but I've discovered that sometimes going back to the basics is the best way to learn. My problem: I tend to stay too much in my characters minds, I think I've mentioned that. Showing, not telling, is one way to get out of that internal dialogue. I also worked on creating scenes. The details of learning, ugh. I think I prefer the details of descriptive writing: I like practicing the process better than learning it. Although, it was interesting to take my work in a new direction. Frustrating, yes, but I think it was a good lesson. 

Day 4

I spend some time describing the rain today. Again, I can set up a scene really well but getting my characters out of their minds is something that I need to work on.

Day 3

Pat Schneider reminded me--in her book Writing Alone--why I created this blog. She says, "When we neglect the artist in ourselves, there is a kind of mourning that goes on under the surface of our busy lives. She says that Peggy Reber's poem reiterates this point:
                                       Poem From The Abandoned

                                        There is always something else--
                                         the dishes to wash,
                                         the bills to pay,
                                         the bathroom to clean,
                                         the friend in need,
                                         the dog's ear medicine.
                                         Wold without end!

That is my problem. There is always something that needs done. I want more than anything to write. I want to create art: beautiful pieces of written art. I want a collection of short stories to hide under my bed like Dickinson did with her poems. Schneider says that writing requires discipline more than routine but a love affair with the practice of writing. Today, I wrote.

Day 2

Day two and I'm still writing. I had a busy day today so I didn't get a lot of time to write but I did write. This blog project helps. I don't want to have to say I failed after two days. My writing: I've got my character engaged in some action: she drinks tea! I love the feeling of writing. I'm in my head--like usual--but things besides my life are happening. I like it.

Day 1

Why am I blogging? Motivation. Blogging makes a goal public even if no one reads it. My goal: I want to write ficiton. I've wanted to write ficiton for years but I keep putting it off. I want to develop my skills as a writer. I have to start some where. If not now, when? My skills will never improve if I keep putting the work of writing off. Every great writer has to start at the beginning. So, this is day one.

I'm working on a short story about a women stuck in false perception. She developed that perception as a coping mechanism. I'm going to write a collection of short stories so that I can develop ficiton writing techniques.

I've discovered that I set up a scene really well but I have problems pulling in the action. I need to make my characters do something. I've been reading Chopin for inspiration.

Well, day one is finished.