Tag Archives: writing
Irreversible Change
In How to Revise Your Novel lesson two, Holly Lisle says that the kind of change that matters is “irreversible change”. Using the example of a character getting a new haircut, she points out that it isn’t interesting to the reader because the character’s hair will grow back, there is nothing life-changing about it. I [...]
Staying Connected With the Work
I have a policy of not working on Sundays, even just writing, and even when it’s fun. However, I find that if I spend more than one day away from a manuscript, I get totally lost, and it can take me a couple of days to get back into a comfortable working rhythm. In the [...]
Reasons to Write
I frequently ask myself the question, “Why do I have to write?” I think it’s a crucial question if one wants to survive the ups and downs of the writing life for the long haul. As a visual, tactile person, who sees strange visions of the story and feels the emotion of it before getting [...]
Goals for 2010
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnh/ / CC BY-SA 2.0 At the beginning of each year, I wonder whether it’s wise to set these goals, or if it’s even important. I think about skipping this step every year, and this year is no exception. This morning, though, I realized that I finally met a long-term goal of mine in 2009: [...]
The mysterious “Evening Primrose”.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yashima/ / CC BY-SA 2.0 Last night I tried to start work on one half of the story that was Amaranth, pulling out the crucial pieces and renaming it Evening Primrose. I’m hoping a re-christening will give me a fresh perspective. I shouldn’t be stressing yet. But last night a question occurred to me that [...]
Sharpening My Skills
He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it. If the axe is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must [...]
Forcing myself to do the fun stuff.
I keep forgetting what I’m supposed to be doing. I keep trying to write a novel. I made a deal with myself that I would pull back from that goal for the time being, and yet I continue trying to choose one of the projects I’m tinkering with and force it into shape. Last night [...]