I am writing

As of this morning, this picture really does depict where I am in my writing process: the beginning. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I've been reading some 'how to' books lately that have made me re-think the whole writing process and the way in which I've written at least two of my long-term endeavours - novels that I've shelved at 50,000 words or more.

I remember writing my first novel. I had no idea what it was to craft a story, and it went a little like this: 'something happened, then this, and then, then, then, then and finally.' Although the imagination was ticking over, technical ability was zilch.

I did a lot of work on that novel, and it was good experience to write and play around with. I think the main thing I learned from that was discipline to sit down and write. I had structure to my writing process, of which there is a lot to be said.... oh, there we are at that dreaded thing we must do if we want to write..

Writing is heaven writing is hell, writing is work.

First Novel: Keeper or Loser

Just as everyone has a love they find difficult to forget and move on from, I believe every writer has a first novel that stays with them long after the passion has been extinguished. Face it, the affair is over! But no, I know how to fix what was wrong all this time, give me five more years.  Know the feeling? But can it be harmful to keep the previous project burning bright when the time comes to move on?

Thing is, some first novels deserve to stay hidden in the closet, happily to be forgotten in the mists of antiquity, others may have a spark about them, set to rekindle and are worth keeping, even if in the distance, at arms length, just in case. Just in case what, exactly?

My childhood reading consisted mainly of Doctor Who books. It's no wonder the first book I tried to write was science fiction. I wrote and re-wrote the same story for around five years, and if anyone thinks that's a long time, you haven't tried being a writer! The thing is, every time I re-wrote, I was re-dreaming the dream until it became a clear and focused land. Even though I had little technical knowledge, the place and setting became tangible, so much so, it's never really left my head, and if I ever dragged it from the closet, I could easily re-emerge myself in that creation. But I've moved on, I have a brand new story. I'm creating new characters, and I have the experience, tools, techniques to make this story a better place.

The question is when do you let go. How can you ignite your passion if you're still hankering after the past writerly-you. Do you have to let go completely to re-dream a different dream, live another character and love the new world you're creating for yourself?

Healthy mind, healthy body

It's my belief that both go hand in hand - healthy body, healthy mind. So often, with stress, lifestyle choices and lack thereof, and of other commitments, the mind/body can misalign itself: like a clock that's forgotten to tock.

It can be so easy to fall into the trap of not feeding ourselves a healthy balance of diet and exercise, either because as writers, we sit for the time we are writing, sit when we read, and sit while reading about how to write. The mind becomes stifled, the body begins to adopt the hallmarks of a sedentary lifestyle. There are ways to combat this. Exercise is touted as being a reliever of most ailments, from lifting the doomy clouds of depression to improving physical stamina, strength and endurance. It helps cognitive functioning, improves focus and concentration, which can only be beneficial to writers.

In the past, I've taken to the outdoors, packed a bag with my writing pens and notebooks and found a cafe but I've decided to swap that for a gym bag. Yes, I've actually joined the gym! No longer do I go on an ad hoc basis. I will be a regular.  How do I know this? Because I'm determined to get my money's worth from my membership fees, and with a plethora of fitness classes available, a large and airy gym complete with mezzanine gym area, mind and body classes in soundproof room, swimming, sauna and steam room, I'm sure there will be something I can find to get my body and mind working in harmony, and I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is.

I'll let you know how I get on fitting all this into my working/mothering/writing life.

There's colour in them thar shades of gray and white.

What colours are best for blogs? Light and clear, black, landscape photos?

For this one, I've tried all different types of layout, fonts and backgrounds imaginable, with various shades of white and not much more in-between. But plain, crisp lines appeared clinical and formal; it was cold and un-homely. It was a biscuit missing from the coffee laid out carefully on the coffee table.

Soooo... I had a quick scout around the internet, found a site that had ready-made backgrounds and installed, which I think has given it a bit of personality. 

I love the new colours, feel and look. 

Writing on the back of a very big sigh of relief

I've finally made it through my latest literature module - exam was yesterday! Level three is such hard work, and the books I've had to read for this course have been massive tomes, some with up to one thousand pages. But the multi-dollar question is: Has it been worth it?

This particular course is one I've wanted to do for the past couple of years, and it has far surpassed my expectations - hard work, but of immense value both in terms of opening my horizons with varied reading and in deepening my understanding of how literature works. Consequently, it's bound to have a positive effect on my writing. 

You may, thus, be wondering what the image of the wine symbolises. It's for the celebratory weekend I'm about to indulge in. Not that I'm a massive drinker, but one or two glasses along with lots of cooking and relaxation is in order. 

The really good thing is I can watch TV now without worrying about not reading stipulated theory or course books, but best of all, I can CHOOSE to read whatever I want. Yippee!

Help! There's a Grim in this story.

That's what the main character should be shouting whenever a Grim rears its shadowy hood. The Grim foretells of something that is yet to happen, and usually in a story, it marks the passing of good times, and is the catalyst for some impending doom. It's no wonder that when one appears, the fated character may be liable to shout help, and run in the opposite direction!

Lately, I've been sifting through my characters, scrutinizing their potential for Grim behaviour. I say behaviour, because although these heralds of information and symbolism can be characters, they can also come in the form of events, of settings or of thoughts, and I've been looking for ways to incorporate more of this into the story I've been writing. Why? Because they add spice: they are the pepper to the ami, a speck of salt in a bowl of sugar, and a droplet of blood on OCD hands.

What type of Grims do you incorporate into your writing?