Spring has at last sprung here in northern Illinois so writing has crept back into my life. This week I am on spring break from college. I am at last back at work from a three month absence mostly due to paper work and medications. I have a research paper to write (or finnish, more accurately, as I am on the last page already) two articles to finnish for the college newspaper, german homework to complete, and scholarships to fill out. Not much of a "break" now that I think about it.
But, life must go on here and it is so much easier to do when I don't have to run from the house to the car to keep from freezing! I have work tonight, Thursday, and Saturday. Friday my lovely Grandmother will be taking me out for our traditional birthday lunch (my 21st is next week!).
I can not drink yet though because of the chemotherapy but it doesn't bother me much cause I never was into the bar scene. I will be getting some chemotherapy the day after my birthday. It will be like "Happy Birthday! Here's some poison!" lol. I am not super bummed about it though cause this time there is no spinal tap, just some chemo.
The writer in me begs to write an elaborate story of the girl who got cancer but I am not sure I am far enough away from the pain to relive it all again. Maybe someday such a story will come all out. But not yet. It still hurts too much.
Enough about that, the days are much to pretty now to complain about that. I have a whole life ahead to live and write about. So much yet to learn and read. It makes my heart flutter sometimes when I realize this beautiful second chance is mine. I shall not wast a moment of it.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Beating the Winter Writing Blues
In summer, it is so easy. Easy to write, easy relax, and heck, it is even easier to read cause there is more sunlight to soak in! But then winter comes. Now, I am a huge fan of autumn. It is actually my favorite of the seasons for the colors and the hay rides and the bonfires. But then November hits me like a wall and I am left to wallow in my bed wondering why humans don't hibernate (seriously, why isn't that a thing?!).
I would love to say I get over it eventually, but the truth is, I want to shove every responsibility (including writing) away until spring pokes her pretty green head up. But I can't. Partly because I am an adult now and have these nasty things called responsibilities that I must take care of every day. Yeah, it sucks.
Life must go on. So in light of that, I have composed a list to help myself and other writers get through the winter:
1. Drink! This might seem super obvious, but staying hydrated in the winter is just as important as in the summer. We are told to do it more when it is hot out but your body still needs those fluids! But now that it is cold out you have some yummier options like hot coco and chi tea. Fill up on creative juice so your brain can be in tip top shape to write.
2. Sleep. Get enough, but don't over sleep. I find I feel sleepier when I sleep in late than when I get up early. What's with that? All I know is, when I am sleepy, I don't feel like writing. And when I don't feel like writing, I don't. So get the right amount to avoid the grog.
3. Exercise. Ugh. This one is the worst. Like, I can hardly drag myself out of bed on most days and you all want me to exercise?! I didn't want to believe the study after study that insisted on this for health and focus. Then I had to for school. And I was shocked. I could write more because I was more alert and felt better. Score one for fitness.
4. Don't beat yourself up. This is winter. I feel like it is supposed to be depressing. Lots of people struggle with the winter blues. Some people have a clinical depression in the winter so don't think you have it the worst! Just breath and ask yourself, what would your character do?
––TTFN
I would love to say I get over it eventually, but the truth is, I want to shove every responsibility (including writing) away until spring pokes her pretty green head up. But I can't. Partly because I am an adult now and have these nasty things called responsibilities that I must take care of every day. Yeah, it sucks.
Life must go on. So in light of that, I have composed a list to help myself and other writers get through the winter:
1. Drink! This might seem super obvious, but staying hydrated in the winter is just as important as in the summer. We are told to do it more when it is hot out but your body still needs those fluids! But now that it is cold out you have some yummier options like hot coco and chi tea. Fill up on creative juice so your brain can be in tip top shape to write.
2. Sleep. Get enough, but don't over sleep. I find I feel sleepier when I sleep in late than when I get up early. What's with that? All I know is, when I am sleepy, I don't feel like writing. And when I don't feel like writing, I don't. So get the right amount to avoid the grog.
3. Exercise. Ugh. This one is the worst. Like, I can hardly drag myself out of bed on most days and you all want me to exercise?! I didn't want to believe the study after study that insisted on this for health and focus. Then I had to for school. And I was shocked. I could write more because I was more alert and felt better. Score one for fitness.
4. Don't beat yourself up. This is winter. I feel like it is supposed to be depressing. Lots of people struggle with the winter blues. Some people have a clinical depression in the winter so don't think you have it the worst! Just breath and ask yourself, what would your character do?
––TTFN
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Late Night
Some nights were meant for writing. Last night was one of them.
School has ended, (I got A'a in all my classes, praise the Lord!) and I was free to do what I wanted with myself in the first time in forever. So I let my fingers sink down onto the keyboard and gave my imagination control. It felt so right. *sigh* so perfect.
Happily, something actually came of it. I opened my WIP and got some of those pesky notes my editor had written for me to look at. Mostly I worked on the ending of my book, the hard part. I scratched a bunch of yuck and replaced it with some (hopefully) better stuff.
Endings have always been hard for me to write. Maybe that is because I just don't want a good story to end. But then, who does? I want everything to end happily, but I don't want it to end. But all stories end, don't they? Or do they have too… Stop it plot bunnies! I have no time for you tonight.
Anyway, back to my story. The more I write on it, in it, about it, with it, the more I feel I am living in my story. Maybe someday someone else will pick up my story and feel the same way? I girl can dream, can't she? I think I am allowed a little dreaming. Especially on late nights.
And it looks like tonight might be a very late one.
––TTFN
School has ended, (I got A'a in all my classes, praise the Lord!) and I was free to do what I wanted with myself in the first time in forever. So I let my fingers sink down onto the keyboard and gave my imagination control. It felt so right. *sigh* so perfect.
Happily, something actually came of it. I opened my WIP and got some of those pesky notes my editor had written for me to look at. Mostly I worked on the ending of my book, the hard part. I scratched a bunch of yuck and replaced it with some (hopefully) better stuff.
Endings have always been hard for me to write. Maybe that is because I just don't want a good story to end. But then, who does? I want everything to end happily, but I don't want it to end. But all stories end, don't they? Or do they have too… Stop it plot bunnies! I have no time for you tonight.
Anyway, back to my story. The more I write on it, in it, about it, with it, the more I feel I am living in my story. Maybe someday someone else will pick up my story and feel the same way? I girl can dream, can't she? I think I am allowed a little dreaming. Especially on late nights.
And it looks like tonight might be a very late one.
––TTFN
Saturday, November 8, 2014
So far… Progress?
My dream to publish seems further and further away with each day I put off editing my WIP. But every day I don't spend working on the book only pushes the day off even more.
What to do?
School comes first. School always comes first. Then my health (okay, so maybe this one should have come first). And last but far from least is work and social obligations.
What good will I be as a writer if I can't even stick a few years to something as impersonal as school work? Writing is an incredibly personal task. And I know I have many years ahead. So even if I am not working on my writing, I am working on my perseverance. And that is kinda the same thing.
My health, which, as I noted earlier, should have come first, bounces along with me in this uncertain life. But if I haven't my health then I can't write. I NEVER WANT TO BE IN A PLACE WHERE I AM UNABLE TO WRITE. Especially because of some dumb reason like I couldn't take care of myself now. Take that shower Rachael. Clear your mind (and maybe your room) of clutter. The book will be there tomorrow. Your sanity might not be.
Work. Yuck. Why does this one word in the English language have to be so spot on? I need money for, well, everything in life. Including food that I somehow turn into words that I somehow turn into a book. So I must work. And I must be well enough to work (see paragraph above).
Social obligations have been on the back burner for a long time now, I hardly get to spend time with my best friend or any friends for that matter. Many of them left me for colleges in different states, and next year I know I will have to take this leap, but man, I wish we could stay in touch better. I miss them lots. Maybe this should go into my mental health paragraph.
Speaking of health, it is past midnight here.
Happy writing everyone.
TTFN
What to do?
School comes first. School always comes first. Then my health (okay, so maybe this one should have come first). And last but far from least is work and social obligations.
What good will I be as a writer if I can't even stick a few years to something as impersonal as school work? Writing is an incredibly personal task. And I know I have many years ahead. So even if I am not working on my writing, I am working on my perseverance. And that is kinda the same thing.
My health, which, as I noted earlier, should have come first, bounces along with me in this uncertain life. But if I haven't my health then I can't write. I NEVER WANT TO BE IN A PLACE WHERE I AM UNABLE TO WRITE. Especially because of some dumb reason like I couldn't take care of myself now. Take that shower Rachael. Clear your mind (and maybe your room) of clutter. The book will be there tomorrow. Your sanity might not be.
Work. Yuck. Why does this one word in the English language have to be so spot on? I need money for, well, everything in life. Including food that I somehow turn into words that I somehow turn into a book. So I must work. And I must be well enough to work (see paragraph above).
Social obligations have been on the back burner for a long time now, I hardly get to spend time with my best friend or any friends for that matter. Many of them left me for colleges in different states, and next year I know I will have to take this leap, but man, I wish we could stay in touch better. I miss them lots. Maybe this should go into my mental health paragraph.
Speaking of health, it is past midnight here.
Happy writing everyone.
TTFN
Monday, November 3, 2014
NaNoWriMo
Ah, the wonderful month of November is upon us. So hard to believe that it was just one year ago today that my WIP, Halfblessed Halfbood, was just hatching out. I had completed the first chapter by now, day three. The first big reveal had happened and I honestly had no idea where it would go from there.
Okay, that is a lie. I knew what I wanted the ending to be. Basically. I am not a "panster" as some call those who don't plot out their ideas before writing. But I am not an over planer either. I find that once I get my characters well rounded in my head, they sort of take over from there. I don't like to tie them down with silly things like plot. If they want to randomly become a halfbood, I say go for it. For some odd reason, they seem to know much better than I do where this story is going. And for that I am eternally grateful.
But this year there is no NaNoWriMo for me. I promised myself I wouldn't start another book until I finished this one. I have homework coming out my ears anyway. No time this sweet November. Maybe next year.
A friend from work is writing for the first time this year so I promised to read her daily entries so that she would have motivation to keep writing. I do hope she makes it. I want her to experience the thrill as I have. The joy of realizing that there is so much more to life when you have written a book.
To all of those writing this year, best of luck!
–TTFN
Okay, that is a lie. I knew what I wanted the ending to be. Basically. I am not a "panster" as some call those who don't plot out their ideas before writing. But I am not an over planer either. I find that once I get my characters well rounded in my head, they sort of take over from there. I don't like to tie them down with silly things like plot. If they want to randomly become a halfbood, I say go for it. For some odd reason, they seem to know much better than I do where this story is going. And for that I am eternally grateful.
But this year there is no NaNoWriMo for me. I promised myself I wouldn't start another book until I finished this one. I have homework coming out my ears anyway. No time this sweet November. Maybe next year.
A friend from work is writing for the first time this year so I promised to read her daily entries so that she would have motivation to keep writing. I do hope she makes it. I want her to experience the thrill as I have. The joy of realizing that there is so much more to life when you have written a book.
To all of those writing this year, best of luck!
–TTFN
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Rewrite
My editor pointed out to me that one, quite critical scene, in my book needed a rewrite. After reader her comments I couldn't agree more. Hawk-eye and Mynnah grow closer and actually (finally!) admit they love each other. I guess being on the verge of dying makes them more honest.
But long story short I didn't really want to rewrite it. Not because I disagreed (see above) but the scene had so much emotion in it that I was just afraid to even reread it.
I spent many weeks thinking about what she had said and contemplating how I could change the ever important dialogue to match the characters personalities and situation. Well, those weeks turned into months. School started and I tried telling myself I would get to it as soon as I could actually think of a way to fix it.
As fate would have it, I was walking in our woods (we live on 7 archers) and the answer came to me as most answers do: when I am least expecting them. One of the reasons I love being a writer is because my mind will never stop surprising me.
So that very night I had a little writing session with my sister and sat down to write. It was just as painful as I anticipated. So. Many. Feels. But my characters again came through for me and when I put my fingers to the keys the words just flowed out. It is far from perfect, but now it is much, much better.
Here is one of the Quotes from Hawk-eye. He really knows how to make his words count:
But long story short I didn't really want to rewrite it. Not because I disagreed (see above) but the scene had so much emotion in it that I was just afraid to even reread it.
I spent many weeks thinking about what she had said and contemplating how I could change the ever important dialogue to match the characters personalities and situation. Well, those weeks turned into months. School started and I tried telling myself I would get to it as soon as I could actually think of a way to fix it.
As fate would have it, I was walking in our woods (we live on 7 archers) and the answer came to me as most answers do: when I am least expecting them. One of the reasons I love being a writer is because my mind will never stop surprising me.
So that very night I had a little writing session with my sister and sat down to write. It was just as painful as I anticipated. So. Many. Feels. But my characters again came through for me and when I put my fingers to the keys the words just flowed out. It is far from perfect, but now it is much, much better.
Here is one of the Quotes from Hawk-eye. He really knows how to make his words count:
––TTFN
Monday, October 13, 2014
Princess and the Dragon
I had to write a dialogue poem for my creative writing class. I don't write poems. Ever. So please feel free to dislike my attempt.
In the name of trying new things, I present my poem.
In the name of trying new things, I present my poem.
Princess
and the Dragon
Princess Clarissa
Why
am I here? I see no advantage.
The
vacant halls whisper squalls of solitary air.
The
silent chambers yearn for conversation.
Chairs
sit fallow, fireplaces void of warmth.
Why
am I here? I see no advantage.
Dragon Keeper
I
keep you here. The reasons outnumber the stars.
The
blank halls sing silent songs to you.
Soundless
compartments are your charming companions.
Unused
objects offer themselves to you.
I
keep you here. The reasons outnumber the stars.
Princess Clarissa
Why
must I stay? I see no advantage.
The
nourishment is tasteless, your selection poor.
Stale,
shallow food hesitates on my tongue.
The
wine is corrupt and of insignificant variety.
Why
must I stay? I see no advantage.
Dragon Keeper
I
keep you here. The motives out number the sands.
Food
flows as free as you can consume.
The
simple sustenance sits sweetened in your mouth.
Delightful
drink divulges your appetite.
I
keep you here. The motives out number the sands.
Princess Clarissa
If
stay I must, show me the advantage.
Outside
I kept myriads to converse with.
Beyond
the fortification breathes forth sunlight.
Exterior
acreages hum out freedom in sonnets.
If
stay I must, show me the advantage.
Dragon Keeper
I
want you here. I cannot number the wishes.
Individuals
divulge disagreeable stories without drive.
Entities
can harm you past my safeguards so sufficient.
Ache
also accompanies the world of freedom.
I
want you here.
But
go if you must.
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