Write about writing and the writing life

I had a call last night from a person I was in a writing group with almost ten years ago. We’ve been in touch off and on over the years, but don’t work closely any more. She was on a terrible deadline… Needed to have a script treatment out by 5 a.m. and it was 9 p.m.

She told me what she had so far and we talked about what needed to happen in the story, and I think I was really helpful. I always thing of myself as the person who gets theme, not plot, but there I was discussing plot and what was made inevitable by the story she had laid out so far. It just needed some tweaking and some motivation for one of the characters, which I think I helped with.

It was such a surprise to hear from her, and so wonderful to be able to actually help. I think she contacted be partly because she knows I work in the industry and can be discreet about the details.

It was good to feel a part of the writing world like that and to think I have some useful skills. Very empowering!

When I was home I was visiting a good old friend I’ve known since I was 18 years old. She said, “I just don’t get blogs…people writing about mowing their lawns.” Which seemed really insensitive considering that writing my blog is a way that I feel I am making it happen for myself and not sitting around waiting for someone to give me permission to publish.

It really hurt me, and I don’t think she knows that it did. I know she doesn’t read my blog, but she’s aware of it. What if I said all her gardening and canning seemed like a worthless boring pursuit? I can’t imagine saying that.

I was so stunned I didn’t respond. Ugh, it’s still bothering me a couple of weeks later.

My writing group is too fabulous. They really helped me figure out what to do next with my writing. I am really busting at the seams to get something going, and this long project I’m working on feels just…long, sometimes.
They gave me some good ideas.

But I get a break during my vacation. Guilt for not writing is not acceptable during vacation!

Accidentally leave your notebook on the seat of a chair in a coffee house.

All those pages you thought were drivel will instantly be transformed into some of the best writing you’ve ever done in. your. life.

For Extra Credit : If it’s still there when you get back, take the time to transcribe those pages into your computer.

[Apologies to those who read my blog for the duplication, but I thought this info needed to be shared widely.]

The last time I wrote about this, I was really blocked. The assignment my group gave me took a long time to work, but I think it did work.

I am working on a novel rewrite and I am feeling so creative I can hardly settle on one thing. Wrote this morning. The time passed so fast.

Last weekend was when I returned to the novel. It sort of broke my heart at one time. I think I paid way too much attention to trying to show without telling. It was really drummed into me in a writing workshop that I was in for five years.

But reading The Thirteenth Tale reminded me that what we love is to be told a story. And that if I can do this in real life, I can do it in my fiction. I kind of just need to get out of my own way.

Being back to writing has overflowed into excitement about making Christmas gifts: photo scrapbooks, dolls, etc. I sat up late sewing a sock monkey last night and started on my own ugly doll this morning.

I feel more like myself than I have in a long time.

a few weeks ago and I am loving it. Writing family secrets. After I finished up with everyone else, I had to look at my own. I can’t believe the amount I’m writing every time I work on this project. I’m learning some things about my life and my attitudes.

My writing group is really excited about the work. They think it’s beautiful and interesting, and are encouraging me not to think about how I can’t imagine publishing this… under my real name, anyway.

Now that’s kind of sad isn’t it? I mean, my Mom is proud of me, but I would really like for her to see that I have published a book.

Well, I’m trusting that it’s worthwhile work and I am really loving it, and feeling charmed that it’s actually of interest to people I admire.

I could use more time and more focus to go with them. Which to work on?

I’d forgotten about the deadline for the monthly column I’ve been writing for the Songmaker’s newsletter, “The Bard Chord.” When I got online this afternoon and saw a nudge from the editor, I really felt like blowing it off.

I only had about 5 hours of sleep last night, broke camp in 95 degree heat, drove nearly 100 miles out of my way coming home, unloaded the trailer in 103 degree heat, and was really not feeling like writing.

But I picked a venue I’m familiar with, did a little online research and made one call to the place for a couple of details, and it’s done. Whew.

I read some of this to my writing group last night. They thought it was beautifully written, as well as interesting. Amazing! It wasn’t edited at all.

Maybe I should be writing creative nonfiction rather than fiction, at least for now. Or both?

I’m going to take a break from the novel and play around and write something about each person in my family. It’s an exercise my writing group gave me. Probably won’t ever see the light of publication, but will be a really fun exercise. It doesn’t have to be mean, but it has to be true.