Wrong Turns And The Right Path

February 28, 2011 by

Have you ever made a wrong turn only to discover a new restaurant or maybe a quiet little park you didn’t know existed? Sometimes things that feel wrong, or even are wrong, can lead to new, exciting or right things. This isn’t only true in the literal sense, but in writing too, as I often learn.

right-way-wrong-way2-800x532I mentioned in a post a couple weeks ago that I was working on a new sub-plot thread. At the time I was surprised that this aspect of my heroine’s life hadn’t occurred to me before. As I was working out the elements of this ‘turn of events”, however I was finding myself less and less motivated to work on the book.  It was easy to blame my lack of motivation on the super-crud virus that had invaded my system and sucked my motivation, but somehow, it felt deeper than that.

At this past weekends MVRWA meeting, a fellow member (Elizabeth Vaughan) mentioned that when she gets blocked, it’s because there is something wrong with the story. Immediately, the bells went off.  I’ve noticed this tidbit to be true in my writing before. If there is an issue with the story, my brain begins to spin its wheels in the sand.  When I sat down to write yesterday and couldn’t propel myself forward, I knew I had an error somewhere.

So, I closed my laptop and opened my mind. After some serious contemplation I realized that it was that brand new thread: the one that felt so obvious two weeks ago, was not only the wrong thing for this story, but it was the wrong thing to do to my characters.  It complicated everything. Now, knowing that today I’m going to be pulling the thread out, my mind has been jumping with ways to move forward.

But does that mean the last two weeks have been a waste of time?

Not by a long shot.

1) I learned what doesn’t work.

2) I learned some important things about my characters in writing those wrong scenes.

3) I discovered where the story needs to go.

Little diversions in our writing process, like wrong turns on a journey, can lead to all sorts of surprising places.

Filed Under: Life, Writing Life Tagged With: , ,

It’s All About the Experiance

February 21, 2011 by

Anyone who writes knows that we do our best work when we can draw from experiences. The best descriptions of falling in love are those that are reflections of our own hearts and pasts. Same goes for anger, pain, grief…

Not that we’ll always use analogy like the coffee cup to the left suggests, but the best way to paint how a character feels, or know how a character is going to react to a situation we put them in, is to have been there, done that.

An example: When I’m working on a scene which requires one character to be attracted to another, I draw upon the things I’ve experienced: the sweaty palms, the “light stomach,” the racing heart…you get the idea. The same goes for fear, pain, grief, etc.  I have a very full box of experiences to draw from, simply because I’ve lived my life.

I try hard to be fearless when it comes to trying new things and engaging in different activities (even if I’m sure it’s not going to be my cup of tea) because a) we don’t really know until we try and b) I don’t ever want to try to imagine what something feels like by reading an analogy. I want to know what it’s like, because I’ve done it.

All of it: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Is part of my reasoning about keeping that writer’s resource box full of great ideas? Maybe a little. But, for the most part, it’s about adventure. It’s chasing falling stars and living out dreams. It’s sticking my toes in the Pacific ocean even if it’s a frigid day, just because it was something I’d always wanted to do. The crisp water washing over my feet and the icy sand scratching the bottom is a sensation I wouldn’t have known otherwise.

Traveling to Vegas — pretty much on the drop of a dime — because a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came up is one of the crazy life experiences that tops my list, not only for the actual event but every little step from making the decision, to a celebrity viewing on my layover.

I think the pictured coffee cup got it wrong. Life shouldn’t be like an analogy. Life is for making experiences. What are some of your craziest?

Note: There wasn’t a blog post this past Friday, because I was out making memories.

Filed Under: Life, Music, Writing Life Tagged With: , , , , ,

And Just When You Thought All Was Well…

February 16, 2011 by

Isn’t there some saying about art imitating life?

When working on a book, one thing I try to plan for my characters is those unexpected twists life will throw at you, plot points that will turn the action in a different direction than it was heading. But just like in life, sometimes those turns come at you out of nowhere.

For instance: early in this current work-in-progress I was crafting a scene in which the hero is laying his problems out to a friend. I knew this was going to be a pivotal goal-motivation-conflict scene and was well aware when I ht the end it needed to be pretty clear this poor guys life sucked. Dialogue usually comes pretty hard and fast for me when I’m writing first drafts. It flows through my mind to my fingers pretty organically, but hero’s friends said something that stopped me cold in my tracks: “Why can’t your brother help you out?”

My reaction:  “Oh…cool…my hero has a brother.” I truly hadn’t planned for that. (But then again, I plan for very little).

So, I explored said brother and wondered what role he’d play in the story–except not being present to help hero with his big-bag-of-crap life. I soon realized he a huge influence on my hero and going to be a pretty big part of the plot. It was one of those unexpected turns I hadn’t planned for, that in the end, made for a better story.

Now, I’m almost done with my first draft of this work, and something has been bothering me for several days about one of the subplots. My heroine had an issue in her past that came up time and again. Part of her background that, when planned, I thought was just part of who she was. Not huge and definitely not something that needed a whole lot of examination on the page. Lately, though, I realized that this little point had become too big. I had two choices: in my second draft I could either play down the issue or I had to blow it up.

My answer was thrown at me in  yesterday’s writing session. I was working on a scene that I thought was going to be about the main plot, a buildup to a turning point, when heroine’s best friend dropped a big ol’ bomb on her.  This bit of information was enough to devastate her–just when she was starting to feel good too!

Just the kind of plot twist you want in a story. The unexpected kind. The art imitating life kind.

Filed Under: Fiction, Life, Uncategorized, Writing Life Tagged With: ,

Love and Romance for Midlife

February 14, 2011 by

Happy Valentines Day!

It’s funny.  As this day came closer and closer, I couldn’t help but reflect on how my attitude toward it has changed over the years.

When we’re young — like elementary school young — Valentines Day is all about those little paper valentines and candy hearts that say “Be Mine.” We decorate shoe boxes as a class art project and then pour over each and every card as we indulge in way too much sugar for one afternoon.

Time passes and we become hormonal teenagers. We believe every instance of attraction we feel is true love and we obsess over high school dances and the carnations the cheerleaders sell as a fundraiser. Beginning at this stage and through the early twenties, not being in a relationship on February 14 feel like a mortal sin. Or worse, you feel as though somehow you don’t fit into the grand-scheme of life.

But when you are young and in a committed relationship, Valentines Day is like the holy grail of holidays. It’s the day to celebrate love in all the traditional ways: Wine, chocolate, flowers and candlelight dinners.

But what about for those of us who have been married for twenty-plus years?  I would hope that we still value romance. (I know I do!) But the definition sort of changes, doesn’t it? I know I find taking care of a sink full of dirty dishes or running the vacuum so I can have more time to work on my latest work-in-progress is a much more treasured romantic gesture than a box of chocolate or a glass of wine. (Although, the glass of wine is a very close second!)

The sad thing, to me anyway, is that people fell they need a reason to share a quiet candlelit dinner or a glass a wine. Why do we need to honor a date and only send flower or tell another what they really mean on one day year?I think maybe that’s the beauty of really finding the one of your heart. It’s knowing that sentiment behind Valentines Day is one to be cherished and shared all year round.

And that’s definitely the plus side of writing romance. Everyday I indulge in true romantic gestures.

Still, share today with someone you care about. It’s good to honor those who’ve captured our hearts. Just don’t feel like your limited to do it only today.

Do you have any grand romantic plans tonight?

Filed Under: Life, Writing Life Tagged With: , ,

Dream Big; Reach High

February 11, 2011 by

I’m still watching American Idol. Yes, even though I was sure all the changes (especially the exit of Simon Cowell) would be its demise.  And yes, I take a lot of criticism for claiming to love music, yet watching a show that highlights the more commercial aspects of an art form.

Even though I’m the type of person who cares very little what others think or say, I’ve been really thinking about what Idol’s appeal is. If the ratings are any indicator, it isn’t what everyone believed it is. No Simon this year, and everyone is still tuning in.

Yes, a fraction of the pie is the music and the talent, but another piece–a larger piece–is about the people and their dreams.

I’m sure there are a great number of viewers who believe that those who put themselves in the spotlight have a need for attention. Those people don’t understand what it’s like to have a dream, to want something so bad you’ll do almost anything for a chance of making that a reality. Even if it means laying yourself bare in front of millions of people.

That’s what I see in the tears of those who are sent home. Not a missed moment of celebrity, but a heart breaking.

Putting your heart and soul into something you want is a huge risk. Like with most gambles, sometimes you win, but a lot of times you lose. Of the more than 300 people who made it through to “Hollywood Week” (which began airing last night) only twelve will make the final round. Only twelve will be faces we remember six months from now.

But as someone who tends to dream big, I know if you have a hunger, it’s the only way to go. How does the saying go…play tough or go home? On another level, I think the only way to really live this life we’re given is to dream big…and reach high.  Playing it safe might save you from disappointment, but you’ll miss out on a world of experience and the high of reaching for the stars and holding them in your hands.

Filed Under: Life, TV, Writing Life Tagged With: , ,

Silly Love Songs

February 9, 2011 by

With the upcoming Valentine holiday, we were treated to a theme episode of Glee last night: “Silly Love Songs.” Though the storyline was great (All the turmoil definitely looked like an average day at my high school) and the McCartney song is one of my favorites, I have to take issue with the title. Love songs are silly?  I think not!

No secret. I’m a romantic. I love romantic books and movies. And I dig on flowers, chocolate and candlelight dinners. So, of course, love songs also hold a special place in my heart.

Hey, I even create playlists in iTunes for the characters in my books. They include songs that speak of their journey and songs that I think they would have on their MP3 player. When I’m stuck on how they would react in a given situation, turning on the playlist is usually enough to help me figure out the answer.

Of course, I have to admit there are more than a few ballads that are so sugar-sweet, they’re diabetes inducing…or at least will give you a cavity upon multiple repeated listening.

And then there are the ones that evoke a bitter-sweet memory every time you hear it, making your heart shudder and causing tears to spring to your eyes.

But silly love songs? Oh yeah, there are plenty of them too.

I guess my point is even if they are silly or overdone, or even heart wrenching, I couldn’t live without them.

Do you have a favorite love song?

Filed Under: Life, Music, Writing Life Tagged With: , , , , ,

False Expectations

February 7, 2011 by

Toward the end of last week, I did something out of the ordinary.  I was riding such a high from completing one project and finding my way with another, I set weekend work goals.

This idea was destined to fail on two levels. One, weekends are crazy around my house. People come and go and there is rarely quiet of any kind. I’m invited to participate in activities with my family and want to catch up with people that may have got neglected in my work-week shuffle.

The other reason is after expending a huge amount of creative energy, like I had during the week, that part of my brain needs some down time.

On Saturday, it was sort of  like my batteries went dead.

Even when I was afforded a chunk or time, I couldn’t force myself to open either file. Those synapses in brain that would helped me put good words on the page, or pushed me through some edits, couldn’t make the necessary connections.

That little graphic to the left is a misnomer though. I refuse to look at it as a failure.

No. I’m not being too easy on myself. I was being too hard last week.

I know those two things about me. Monday – Friday I can filter every single spare minute to my work, but once the weekend arrives, I have to give myself that time off. And I have to remember those little breaks are what keep me productive during the week.  If I were working a regular 9 – 5 job, I wouldn’t sit back and let my boss tell me I had to give up my days off…forever.  It’s unrealistic.

And the only failure that really happened, was the expectation that I should change.

Like with every rule, there are exceptions. And there are times when I will push through and put in the extra hours. If the muse is firing red hot, or I feel a deadline bearing down on me. But I can only go like that for short streaks. This is a truth about me I need to accept, and not create the false expectations that lead to negative emotions.

Are there certain truths about yourself that you sometimes lose sight of?

Filed Under: Life, Writing Life Tagged With: , ,

Grown Up Snow Day

February 2, 2011 by

Here in Northwest Ohio we’re on day two of a major snow event. Call it a snowpocalypse or a snowageden of any of the other media friendly terms local and national news have adopted, it all comes down to the same thing. We get to stay home!

Much of our area is under a level three snow emergency today, which means unless your “essential” (Doctor, nurse, police, fire) it’s illegal for you to be on the road. Many businesses are closed and all the the area schools (including most of the colleges) have closed their doors for the day.

I remember when I was a kid, we looked forward to these days so that we could bundle up in our snow gear and go outside. We’d build snowman, have snow ball fights, make snow angels and not come back inside until frostbite was a real concern. Then we’d drink hot chocolate, watch TV, and play video games (Just remember in my day that consisted of Atari and games like Pong, not WoW or HALO.)

And while that may be how my kids plan to spend the day (Not the playing in the snow, they’ve passed the age where that is fun.), I have my own set of plans for the day.

*A never ending-cup of coffee — check

*A fire in the fireplace — check

On all other fronts, it’s a catch up day. Catch up on laundry. Catch up on my editing. Catch up on my writing. And spend the afternoon and early evening catching up on movies I haven’t seen yet.  I might even catch up on some reading too.

Sounds like the perfect grown-up way to spend a snow day. (Well…at least all the details I can post here and keep this blog safe for all eyes.)

What is your favorite way to spend a snow day?

Filed Under: Life, Writing Life Tagged With: , , , ,