Category Archives: Writing

Creating my space

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wp-1459126500697.jpgI’m finally back in my room, ready to start writing again. It feels good to have my room back. It feels good to have my desk back. It feels especially good that I put my desk at a decent height, unlike last time. I’m also glad I splurged and bought myself a decent office chair. It rolls and spins, and I’ve been gliding around my room like an idiot.

It’s taken me the better part of two months to completely gut and piece together the room. It was in desperate need of upgrading. I spent a lot more than I had planned, and there are still a few things left to buy. The wall behind my desk, for one, is unfinished. I plan to build a shelf to match my desk to hang on the wall. The backsplash will be a faux stone tile, somewhat like brick. Neither project will be cheap, but it’ll be worth it. I’ll have a place to house my books at last!

The end result will be that I’ll be out of excuses to use on why I haven’t been writing. I have my quiet space back, a proper writing area, and a comfy chair to sit in. I guess I don’t have a coffee maker in here, but since I’m not a big coffee drinker, I’m not sure that’s an excuse.

For now my area is a little sparse, but I’ll soon have my shelves and some lame motivational poster up at well. I need to hang up some pictures. Actually, I really want to hang up my college diploma. I’m really proud of that accomplishment. It may motivate me in that it’s a goal I’ve actually achieved. I should look into getting it framed.

I sent my book to a friend for her to read. I want to get some input on that. I believe in that book, though it’s not without some issues. Hopefully, if she reads it, she can point me in the right direction. I’ve had a few people give me their input, but I value anything anyone is willing to give me.

I’m going to spend the next hour or so lost in my book, writing away, making up for lost time. You know what? I don’t think that time was lost at all. I think it was an investment in me. I started out with a run down, dilapidated, out-dated room, and created a warm and inviting space to both sleep, read, and write in. While I don’t plan to stay here forever, for the time being, it’s what I need.

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Vacation post #1

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You remember me saying that I was going to spend my vacation reading and writing? Yeah, about that, ha ha ha.

I finally sat down yesterday and did a little bit of writing. I also wrote quite a bit today, and I’m raring to write some more. It’s hard to get started, but once I do I don’t want to stop. I usually only stop when I get myself stuck. I have a habit of only starting once I’ve figured out where to go next. It’s a bit of a hassle, to tell you the truth, but it’s moving me forward. I’m under no obligation to write anything, nor do I have a deadline to write it in. I’m a free man, writing at my pace for my own enjoyment.

 

Going away

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It’s so close, I can hardly wait a second more. By this time tomorrow, I’ll be well on my way down to see my friend, away from the bustle of everyday living. I desperately need some time away from work and home. I need time to recuperate from the drudgery of the mundane. I really want to catch up on my sleep!

I don’t have plans per se, but I’m hoping to take some time to just write. I haven’t had a chance to write in some time. My room is in pieces, and my desk has been taken apart. I have no place to write, no place to relax, no place to hide and think up anything useful to use.

But I’ll have ten days away from work, and I’ll make good use of my time to just type away. I’ll have plenty of time to myself, with next to no distractions. Maybe I can move my story along. Maybe I’ll actually do something useful!

Other than that, I’ll do some reading. I have plenty of novels that need reading, both on my Kindle and actual books. I’ll work on some short stories, and I’ll lose myself in a movie or two. Maybe I’ll find the time to go watch Deadpool. I’ve been dying to watch it!

It doesn’t matter what I actually do. My intention is to unwind for several days, lazing inside while the world outside marches along without me. I’m pretty stoked about it, to tell you the truth. I bought the third Harry Potter book  on Audible to listen on my drive. I reupped my XM radio so I’ll have plenty of music, and I also have a catalogue of my favorite songs on my phone.

All I need is for the clock to show two tomorrow afternoon, and then I’ll be off. I can’t wait to stop in Vernon for some Taco Casa for a meat burrito and sweet tea, and I can’t wait to get to my friend’s house for a cold beer. So, so can’t wait.

Finally inspired

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WritingI’ve spent most of the past two days in bed. I haven’t been feeling all to great, and I haven’t had much energy. I even called out of work this morning. My stomach was a bit topsy-turvy and I didn’t think work was the best place for me. I’m hoping I feel better in the morning, but for now, I’m trying to relax and hoping I start feeling better.

Other than doing as little as possible the past couple of days, I spent a considerable amount of time working on my book. I’ve written close to five thousand words, and I’m still going strong, finally finding the stakes of the story, the machinations implausible, but in light of recent events, not altogether impossible.

I just finished writing the scene where my two main characters meet, at a dinner party, where the host surprises his guests with a wild claim, one that seems improbable but one they admit can happen given the right circumstances. My main characters first meeting seems to go well, until it devolves towards the end.

Maybe it would be easier were I to plot the story out, but nah. I have my antagonists in place, the plot is moving forward, and soon things will begin to happen, pushing my characters together until….

The end hasn’t been written yet, except that I have the next book in the series already written. I know where it’s going, I know the destination of the relationship, and I know the fate of my characters, the destiny they both are chasing.

I’m finally excited to be working on this project. I’ve been reluctant to write it because I didn’t have an idea of what would happen, or why, but now I do. I’m figuring out the plot structure as I write, inspiration kicking in at the right time. All it took was for me to stop forcing the story along, and to stop writing long enough to find the hook.

I’ve passed 21,000 words today and I’m pleased with the progress. I still have a long way to go before I’m anywhere near done, but for now, I say I’m well on my way.

Slowly forward

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If this was NaNo, I’d be losing. I’m currently at 13,195 words, and though I could be further along, I’m not. I haven’t set an arbitrary nightly word goal to meet. I’m just writing as much as I feel like writing for at least an hour, and I’m not even making that. I may have to go back to a word goal.  At least I would be making some progress.

I have made some headway however. I’m on chapter 3 and well on my way to creating my two main characters. They haven’t met yet, and that’ll have to wait a couple more chapters, but their paths are aligning slowly. Soon they will meet.

But what when they meet? I’ve been working this story for years, coming at it from one angle and then another. I fixed the issue with Giada, the idea of her being a high priced prostitute just didn’t work for the character. I still needed her to rub elbows with the rich and powerful, but a prostitute was clearly the wrong choice, a decision made in revenge towards someone who hurt me. I’m over that now!

I feel like I’m working a puzzle, trying to piece together a narrative that fits with what I already know about them, and that fits what’s already been written, while discarding that which makes a lie out of my characters. It’s a frustrating exercise, but it’s one that I admit I’m enjoying.