Spiral Notebook and the Rolling Ball Pen of Justice

I was sitting here, staring at the screen, and feeling altogether slightly intimidated about what I should write today. I was actually looking forward to writing my post this morning but for one reason or another it just wasn't working out. That's when I decided to do what I sometimes do when I get stuck while writing a story. I took out a notebook and one of my favorite pens and here we are, working our way to a half-decent blog entry.
The notebook and pen method suits me. In fact, laugh if you must, if I haven't written in a long time I often find myself struck with a compelling sense that I need a new notebook or pack of pens whenever I'm at the store. Never mind the ten empty notebooks I have at home. It's a compulsion, a compulsion that often wins - much to my wife's amusement.
I'm not sure exactly what it is about changing mediums that helps me to coerce my thoughts to come forward. It could have something to do with the constant editing I often find myself doing if I'm typing in a word processing program or interface. It would be better to keep writing and then come back to make corrections afterwards, I know this, I just can't help but try to correct something I think is wrong the instant I see it. Physically writing something out stops that inclination at least to a manageable degree. It isn't always foolproof though. Sometimes I get so caught up in my thoughts that I find I'm skipping to the next word while halfway through the last. This usually results in stopping and correcting the mistake, which can also throw me off my track.
All in all, writing longhand isn't necessarily better than typing. I can type much faster than I can write and when I'm typing I'm not worried about how sloppy my penmanship gets when I write really fast. Also, writing longhand makes my fingers tired after a while. It's been a long time since I was in High School and taking notes in nearly every class. Now most of my work is done on the computer.
The important thing here isn't which method is better. Whether you're typing on a computer, a generic word processor, or even a typewriter or if you choose the pen and paper approach, the point is that you're writing.

So, the point of this post is that changing your writing medium can help you get out of the funk and get your mind working. I've already mentioned using music as a tool to fuel your writing, what are some other devices you've used to kick-start your projects?

Writing Exercise:

My Cabin in the Woods.

Somewhere out there is a quaint track of land with my name on it. There are a lot of trees, a creek, and the air smells fresh and clean. The view is spectacular. My dream home is a cabin on that property. I've got a well, a septic system, solar panels for hot water and power, and a backup generator just in case. We've made a garden and we grow a lot of our own vegetables. We make syrup from the sap of the birch trees outside. Everything is cozy.
Some days I just sit and listen to the stories of the creek as I write. It soothes my mind and relaxes me. On brisk mornings I look out the windows at the trees and marvel at their beauty, my cup of coffee is just right, everything is perfect.
That's my serene place, the place I like to think about from time to time. Of course, it doesn't even exist. I can only dream that someday I will find it. As of now I live in my quiet subdivision, not far from where I grew up. I worry about the water that drains into my yard from those of my neighbors and plan to dig trenches and install drain pipes that will take the extra water to the gutter. I prepare to finish my basement and move my office. I plan on building a shed out in the yard.
Maybe my cabin in the woods will be a reality some day, surely it will be much more likely if I work and save towards that goal. No one is going to knock on my door and just give it to me.
The same goes for writing. I'm not the best. I would say that I probably fall under the category of moderately good. There are many things I still need to learn, many things I still need to write. No one will knock on my door and hand me my dream of being a great writer. It surely isn't going to happen over night. So I practice. And keep practicing. It's not exactly a hard thing to do when you feel compelled to write. Sometimes it feels like I don't have a choice.
It the end it may take a little work, possibly some embarrassment, but even famous authors still have much to learn. There are always different ways to tell a story, different techniques to use to obtain different results.
In the end, nothing comes easy, nothing worthwhile anyway. I'll have to work to save up for my dream of a cabin in the woods and I'll need to keep writing before I can hope to get better.

What's your cabin in the woods?

Writing Exercise:

This post will be deleted soon!

I break the rules, I always break the rules. When it comes to exercises of creativity I always find a way to mangle them to suit my own evil plans. Today is no different, only this time I feel like the result is so phenomenal that I have no choice but to act on it. That said, this post will only remain up for a very short time. I have written a story to answer Kat's meme about showers, The meme.

So without further adieu I present, for a limited time..... (I apologize in advance if the formatting is off...)

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This story has been removed!
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I have taken down "Intuition" because I am submitting it to a writing competition. I will post it up again once I have found a home for it. This could be as soon as September. The general rules are that pieces can't be published elsewhere and some people consider the internet as a form of publishing. I figured it's better to be safe than sorry.

Writing Exercise:

Someday I'll be a Rich and Famous Author!

So, I've decided. I'm going to be a rich and famous author. It's true. I'm going to write a book and everyone will love it, I'll be critically acclaimed you know. Getting an agent and finding a publishing house shouldn't be too big of a deal, once people get their hands on my manuscript they'll be beating down my door for it. I've read a lot of books, yes sir, and a lot of crappy ones at that. If those schmucks can make their way into print there's just plain no stopping this literary devil!

Okay, so I guess, just to make sure, I need to clarify that the first paragraph there was a joke. I WAS KIDDING! In truth though, there was a time when I did equate writing books with being famous and having insane royalties flooding in. Unfortunately, the more you research the more you learn the breaks of the industry. Some people find it extremely hard to break into the markets, some people get their books published only to find that they would have been better off working at a gas station for what they made per hour. Every now and then I wonder how many aspiring writers are actually readers. Especially in recent years with Harry Potter sales and the general popularity of the series, so many people want to jump on the band wagon. It's not only the Young Adult market and the influence of young Master P. - hundreds of thousands of people have moved to Internet Publishing (blogging) as a source of income, and not without good reason. For some people there is money to be made... but like all things, there are the successful and then there's everyone else. At this point I definitely fall into the 'everyone else' category as I view this blog as a creative release and have a hard time picturing it as an income source, it just doesn't fit.

So, yes, I suppose some people do become rich and famous authors or even 'internet publishers'. The question you should ask yourself, though, is whether you can stomach the idea of never becoming universally recognized for your work. If your dreams are all wrapped around writing as a path to financial success, I wish you the best of luck. If, however, you just feel the burning desire to write and do so because you know nothing else, well my friend, that is where true happiness can be found. No matter how many rejection letters you get you will never be able to stop writing. It is both the greatest gift and a wretched curse. But without writers who write for the passion of writing we are left with blogs on how to make money with your blog and sites dedicated to the goings on of wayward celebrities...

As I write this post my daughter sleeps in my lap and I can't help but wonder if I won't be able to somehow influence in some small way the books that will one day be published for her to read. If I was only interested in writing for money I doubt I would ever achieve such a thing, but if I continue to write for the pure enjoyment of writing I can change the world by sharing my stories with my children and their children. That is how culture and beliefs are passed down, by the stories and lessons of our elders.

Writing Exercise:

How Does Music Influence Your Writing?

I often find that I can get into the flow of my writing better when I play music that fits the mood of the scene I'm working on. If my characters are angry or something sinister is going on I will listen to music that invokes those types of feelings. If I'm writing something more subtle I may listen to Enya, The Cranberries, or some of my Celtic music collection. Sometimes the randomness of internet radio can help as well. I have found Pandora to be a great free way to discover new artists based on my musical preferences. You can create separate "stations" and through an intuitive like or dislike system you can refine the music that Pandora will look for as it searches the database for like sounding songs and artists.
Sometimes I just play music on the surround sound speakers hooked up to my computer but other times I need to drown out my thoughts, so out of respect for those around me I put on headphones and turn the volume up.
This often helps me focus on my writing and gets me in the zone. I know I shouldn't be thinking about anything else so I just let the music carry those random thoughts away and focus on the subject at hand. I imagine I'm standing alongside my characters, I try to feel what they are feeling, see what they're seeing.
Aside from Pandora, I find it also helps to have a good music collection of your own. Sometimes I have specific songs that I want to hear. For those times I find it much more convenient to have a playlist ready with my favorite songs.
How about you? What are some things that you enjoy doing to help you get in the zone?

Writing Exercise:

Ferry Poetry Seeking Submissions

Ferry Poetry is currently seeking submissions for its poetry newsletter, issue #2. I have submitted an older poem I wrote for my wife quite a few years ago. If you're interested in submitting your poem as well please check here for submission guidelines: http://www.ferrypoetry.moonfruit.co.uk/#/submisssions/4525705142

Let's get in there and show Ferry Poetry just how poetic we can be! You can submit up to 3 poems!
Writing Exercise:

Bebo Author Short Story Competition

Bebo Author is hosting their first Bebo Author Short Story competition. The deadline is March 21st, 2008. I am happy to help promote this contest and I will be putting together a short story to enter as well. The rules are subject to change so make sure you check the Official Rules page as any changes will be posted there. There is a 1000 word minimum for your short story but general qualifications for short should apply as a maximum, no 300 page manuscripts!

Are there prizes available?

Of course! Not only will your story be published on the site with full credit, there are also some pretty decent prizes on the table. Free domain and web hosting for a year, $50, $30, and $20 credits to Amazon, and the list goes on. Again, check the Official Rules page for full details!

Sound off!

Plan on sending in an entry? Leave a comment and let me know!

Writing Exercise:

Write Now, Don't Wait for Someday

For a long time I found myself saying, "Someday I will write, maybe when things aren't so hectic." It wasn't just me, a lot of aspiring writers feel the urge to write but placate themselves by saying they don't have time or by saying they'll do it someday. I guess you could take it one step further and say that we all do it on some base level. We hang our dreams in our closet and talk about them. It's much easier to hide them away somewhere safe than it is to bring them out and start working to make them happen. What if we fail? What if we use what little free time we have and pour our heart into our dreams to have them shattered?
The funny thing about shattered dreams is that no matter what happens outside of our control, no matter how many rejection letters, no matter how many hurtful comments are made by people we trust, the only hammer that can crush our dreams is our own. When things stand in the way of what we want we have a few choices, we can persevere and temper our determination, making it stronger, we can cringe from the flames and pull our dreams back out of the fire to hide them safely once again, or we can outright give up and never face the idea of entering the flame again.
Honestly, this goes far beyond writing, it can apply to anything. But since this is a creative writing blog we'll hone it in on this particular subject. I've been doing some google searches over the last few days to find similar blogs to this one. I've noticed there are a lot of writers who have blogs out there, it's very refreshing. If you are a writer and don't yet have a blog it's a great way to write without the heavy weight of expectations. I recommend Blogger it's easy to set up and it's free! Anyway, one thing you run into on some of these blogs are the comments that the author would like to one day start writing books. Why one day? Why not start now? Working on a novel, even if you only write 500 words a week, is still much better than just talking about writing a novel. And come on, 500 words isn't that bad. Once you form the habit of sitting down to write I'm sure you could always increase your word count per sitting. Or you could always....

Write a Novel in 30 Days!

I found the National Novel Writing Month website recently and thought this particular answer on their FAQ board worthy of sharing. Check it out, http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/402759. The basic premise of the organization is to promote writing. Every year in November people take 30 days and write a novel consisting of at least 50,000 words. They then submit their entry which is word-count verified. It isn't read for content or plot, or theme. I would consider this a very good approach to a "30 day first draft" program, just think of the other writers participating as a huge support group. participation in the forums during the event could be enough to get you to your goal by sharing and receiving words of encouragement. But don't use this as an excuse for not writing now. if you say, "That sounds like just what I need! I'll work on my writing in November!" You've likely already set a bad precedent. In November the song you would sing would likely go something more like this, "This year is just so busy, maybe next November."
The key is using programs like this as a way to enable your writing, not as a way of further putting off your dream. If you are seriously interested in this event then join the site and start participating in forums now. If you need a friend to jump into it with you, send me an email at Brady at HuntingtheMuse dot com. I think it would be great to have someone to do this with, as long as you promise not to flake out on me when the time comes!!!! Haha!
Start working your writing muscles before the big day. Writing 50,000 words in 30 days without any practice is just asking for discouragement. Even if you just write in a journal or on a blog every day you are still writing. Keep at it and build up a habit of meeting a daily deadline. When you start working on other projects make similar goals. You'll know what you're capable of and if you specify a certain word-count per day you'll have a good idea of whether it's reasonable or not.
The most important thing is to not wait for someday. You have something wonderful to share, a story that we've never heard before. If your writing isn't perfect now it won't get any better on its own. It takes practice and dedication. Don't let some people fool you, writing isn't all about being published. I may not be a pro writer, but I have seen my name in print. (I wrote an article for The Hilltop Times.) Writing is about writing. There are some that will tell you that to be a writer someone has to pay you for your work or some publishing company has to publish your novel. That's just garbage. Publishing companies exist today because there is profit to be made. Your novel may be wonderful, a compelling story with complex characters and great theme. But if there is no market for the genre or hybridization you've come up with you won't get published. It isn't necessarily an indicator of your writing ability, but of the current market conditions. It could also be that you have a few more things to learn about writing. Don't let that stand in your way. One thing you can always control is how much knowledge you can acquire. You may not learn the fastest, maybe even slower than most, but nearly all of us have the capability to learn new things. Writers write.

Writing Exercise:

All hail the weekend!

Well, it's the weekend! And thank goodness!!! I'm planning on taking some time and writing more on my story over the next few days. Of course, I'll be catching up on some much needed sleep as well, haha!
While a nap did sound really nice after work today, I decided to jump ahead in the storyline and worked on a fight scene I've been thinking about for a some time now. I probably didn't get as much progress as I should have but I couldn't help but stumble over initial details and I took a little longer than I had hoped on getting the general flow right. You see, I'm trying to break this old habit with my writing where for some stupid reason I feel like I have to have it perfect on the first go. This makes the writing process a little awkward sometimes as I catch myself getting far too wrapped up in semantics and staring at the screen, hoping for the right words to come to the surface. I am getting better though, I mean, at least I recognize the problem. I am coming to accept the idea of the draft and the importance of rewriting.
I often err on the side of self loathing when it comes to my writing. I find that I tear it apart way too much in the beginning but if I can write something and just get it out and then put it away for a while, sure I might find repeat words, useless adverbs, and other imperfections, but the writing itself in the base form is much better than I expected. The trick is taking myself out of the moment and letting my mind work on something else for a while. If I can learn to reprogram my mind when it comes to expectations with my writing, I definitely believe it will make me a stronger writer.
Trying to get things perfect on the first go is like trying to force a school bus through the eye of a needle. I mean, yeah, it's possible, but isn't it more fun just bending spoons instead? :)

Writing Exercise:

Writing Sample

So, I ended up working until sometime after 3:45 AM last night/this morning. I normally start work at 8:00 AM, so I guess you can do the math. I was back up and at it again at 9:30 but I actually got off on time today. One of my schools I'm working on is having some server problems of the severe variety, I turned it over to Support but they hadn't figured it out by quitting time and without getting an update from them I just wasn't going to hang around. I did finish the other school I was working on, I would say it was a day early but I don't think it counts if you stay up all night working on it. This was one of the worst weeks for data migrations, all four schools ended up having problems.
All that troubleshooting leaves me a little sapped for ideas. Okay, I lied. I have quite a few ideas actually. Every time one popped into my head I logged in and created a new post with the topic and the basic idea that I had. They are all sitting there in draft form hanging out on the sidelines. So the real answer is that all the troubleshooting I've been doing this week (and the lack of sleep) makes me doubt that I could really give those ideas the attention they need.
So far I've written a few posts with writing advice and this blog is still very young, all things considered. I haven't really shown you any of my writing. That probably isn't very fair. I figured that tonight would be a good night to share my writing with you. You don't have to like it, and even if you can't stand it we can still be friends. :) This blog is about writing and not about my ego. Any comments you have are more than welcome!

This is draft form and just a sample, it is the introduction of a major character at the beginning of Chapter 2. I hope you enjoy it. Don't mind the formatting, the blog format and my indents just don't seem to want to cooperate. :)

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Excerpt from “Coma - The Cataclysm”

Draft

Deltwathe, considered the center of culture and reason by most, stood tall and graceful, a safe haven to merchants and royal envoys of allied towns. The towers of the castle challenged the heavens, visible for miles upon the horizon. The flags flew proudly on their posts, announcing the allegiance of the White Dragon. Formidable outer walls enclosed the Lower Commons, housing for the poor and the home to small tradesmen and those peddling common goods. An area designed to serve the kingdom as a primary defense; it remained guarded day and night by both castle guard and militia formed from residents of the lower city.

An architecturally defensive structure, the outer walls were adorned with bastions along the embattled parapets, perfect cover for defending archers. The entrance to the city within included inner and outer gates, ornate wooden gates fortified with iron and steel, with a twenty yard kill zone between each gate proceeded by its own portcullis, an iron grille suspended within the ceiling of the tunnel. As a last line of defense against a breach, the portcullis could be dropped to reestablish the killing field against reinforcements. The walls in the corridor were lined with narrow slits every two feet, alternating from side to side. In the event the attackers were to breach the gates, archers and crossbowmen would be at the ready.

Such were the defenses of Delwathe, the fairest kingdom of Velmoria. A castle fortress, nearly impenetrable, the sole guardian of the nations aligned under the flag of the White Dragon. As it stood sentinel over the forests below, the red moon showered the white stones with twilight as the last glimpse of the former day dripped from the horizon.

In the distance a chapel bell clanged the hour, a symphony of echoes rang back in reply. As if on queue the torches within the bastions lit simultaneously, warning the world that the eyes of Delwathe were forever watching. The streets of Lower Commons were flooded, cobble venders pushed last minute sales before customers retreated to the comfort of homes, inns, or taverns to stave off the incoming cold that night would bring.

Through the mingling crowd a darkly dressed man made his way towards Three Swords Tavern. His rusty blonde hair whisked about his shoulders as he weaved towards his destination, the long broadsword bridled to his back cause some to quietly step aside as he passed. His movements were lithe and catlike despite his girth and muscled broad shoulders. The armband on his left bicep bore the insignia of Captain, denoting his rank in the Kaelvacci, the elite Special Forces charged with serving the Prince and high ranking members of the court.

Catching a glimpse of a familiar face, the Captain smiled and quietly followed the retreating figure into an adjacent alleyway. Long stealthy strides quickly closed the gap between predator and prey, within fifteen paces the mousey old man squirmed feebly against the Captain’s unyielding grip.

“Good to see you again Tibias,” the Captain grunted into the man’s ear, pressing his face into the stone wall of the building.

The old man’s eyes winced shut in pain, his long stringy gray hair pulled tight into the fist of his assailant. “Always a pleasure, Captain Reshald, how may I be of service to the Kaelvacci this evening?” he asked politely, struggling against both pride and pain.

“Not to the Kaelvacci tonight old man, “ Reshald loosened his grip. “It’s time for one last payment, payable to me. Play your cards right and tomorrow you could be a free man, cross me and we both know what happens.”

“An-anything, M’lord, name it and it shall be done.” Tibias smiled, exposing the rotten teeth jutting up from his gums.

“Tomorrow night, Tibias StormWeaver, your life depends on it.” Reshald thrust a small scroll marked with the royal seal into the trembling hand of the terrin addict and backed silently out of the alleyway, disappearing into the murmur of the crowd.

Clenching the wrought iron handle of the tavern door, Captain Reshald checked himself and straightened his jerkin. Once everything seemed in order he swung the solid wooden door outward and stepped into the dark parlor, the smoky atmosphere swayed as the flames of candles danced upon their wicks, the clamor of glasses clinking and patrons laughing drifted from the main hall.

Nestled deep within Lower Commons, Three Swords Tavern bore a very exclusive membership comprised of powerful men and women among the middle citizenship, imperial agents, and a select few upperclassmen with a propensity for slumming and a taste of lower class appeal. For all matters the tavern was a place of discrete business, a safe-house, an organization threatening to breathe with a life of its own. It was the perfect place for the type of business the Captain had on this particular evening.

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Writing Exercise:

Putting Your Best Foot Forward

Tonight is one of those nights. You know the ones, where everything seems to go wrong and it all gets in the way of writing. It would be easy on a night such as this to just throw in the towel and decide that I will make up this blog post tomorrow. On a night like tonight that would be a very easy thing to do.
I work from home, I'm a Technical Project Manager, and tonight that means that I get to stare down some of the most stubborn servers ever made. I'm currently watching the image of the world firing off little bits of paper at an overwhelmingly large folder. It's been like this for over an hour and I imagine I still have a ways to go before my night is through. I was supposed to be off work two hours ago but when you work from home there's really no escape from it. It haunts you like a bad dream, there's no drive home to cool your nerves, there's no logical separation.
Don't get me wrong, I know I've got it pretty good. I'm not spending ten dollars a gallon for gas, I'm not exactly stuck in a cubicle all day, but on nights like tonight it's my writing that suffers. Actually, it's been a rough week.
Last night I took some time to type up part of a draft of the novel I've been working on. I submitted it for consideration to join a new writer's group forming in the area. With my mind so bogged down by work this week, I didn't even realize I hadn't proof-read my 800-some-odd word sample. Luckily I was rewarded with an email this evening accepting me into the group despite my literary mistakes. It was so refreshing to know that I've finally found a writing group! Working in a technical atmosphere for so long I've often felt very isolated from other writers. It will be so nice to share ideas with other people who view language as an art.
It's important, however, to learn a lesson from the situation. To be a writer you must write, even when you don't feel like you have a moment to spare, but when it comes to deadlines and submitting your work on short notice you must make sure you read and re-read over your submission. Never forget that you are putting your best foot forward and your writing should be in top form when you send it out to represent who you are and what you bring to the table. When we are tired our brain becomes even more lazy. It can easily read over a mistyped word or fail to catch it's when you meant its. It's easy to pass over tense switching and other mistakes that would only take a moment to catch otherwise. My best suggestion when you are on the wire to get something out and your mind is tired is to take a few moments before sending and do something else. Turn your mind back to your work or go to the bathroom. After your break sit down and re-read what you've written. This separation will force your brain into paying a little closer attention. If that just doesn't seem to work, I always find it helpful to print out what I'm looking at and then I go over it with a pen, marking up any mistakes or repeat words I might see.

Remember, it's important to write and it's important to meet deadlines whether they are someone else's or your own, but it's also important that you always put your best foot forward.

Writing Exercise:

Why Do We Write?

The first story I ever wrote was called something like "The Lion and the Turtle." I was in first grade and my mom helped me put it together in a nice plastic document protector. I remember seeing it hung outside the classroom on the bulletin board and feeling an overwhelming sense of pride.
The next memory of writing that I have was in fifth or sixth grade when a few friends and I started writing a story together. By then I could walk from the library, all the way down the hall, and to my desk while still reading the book I had checked out. It was during this time that I got my first look at the writer's ego. As senior elementary students, all boys at that, the topic of our story was none other than the secret adventures we shared with our super secret supernatural powers. As the story went on it seemed as if each of us had to compete to be the toughest superhero. In no time at all the steam fizzled out and we gave up the venture, the competition for having the best super powers sapped our desire to write the story.
In Junior High I started writing poetry and attempted a few short stories. More than anything I loved to draw. I wasn't really ever very good at it by normal standards but it was my passion. There is a sad story behind why I stopped drawing but we'll save that for another topic.
Once I reached High School my writing really took hold and I wrote very passionately. I took Creative Writing classes every semester I could and was even allowed to join the High School paper for the second semester without having participated in the first semester. It wasn't that I was an exceptional writer by any means, I was just passionate. In all actuality my articles in the school newspaper were a joke, a mockery of the hard work and dedication that the rest of the students had put into the process. I had no beats, I wasn't assigned specific events to cover. I was nothing more than a funny/quirky editorialist. Though I must admit, I am still quite proud of my article on the adverse effects of smelly lotion on teenage females, even if it wasn't factually based.
It was in High School that I first suffered my major disappointments with writing. Every year I would submit what I felt was my best work to the school literary magazine and each year I was told by the presiding faculty member that while they had felt my entry was very well written, the student members of the magazine staff had felt it was too dark. This was probably true of a lot of my writing during that time. My parents were getting a divorce and I, like most High School students, felt utterly alone. Part of me wants to say that I never got into the literary magazine but another part of my memory wants to believe that I finally made it during my senior year.
Another huge devastation for me was all the attention I got in my creative writing classes. People would ask me for suggestions on plot or ask me to read over their stories and give them my honest opinion. It almost felt like being some kind of quasi-celebrity. It turns out that at this particular time of my life I just wasn't ready for that kind of attention. I stopped writing for me and started writing for everyone else. As soon as I wrote something I would rush to show it to someone, devouring their praises in my greed. I honestly believe this was a turning point in my writing development, I stopped trying to expand my writing ability because I began to feel like I already knew so much. There comes a time when consistent rejection and consistent praise start to intersect in a young writer's mind. One day it became impossible to separate the two emotions and the first real form of writer's block set in.
So all of this boils down to the question of why writers write in the first place when it can be so hard on them emotionally. Well? What drives you to write? For me, in recent years, it has been a very underlying feeling somewhere deep inside of me. I've mentioned before that I have an overwhelming desire to create. Writing allows me to do just that. Even if I never show a single person what I've written, there is a certain form of release that comes from writing.
In all honesty, it could be months before I start to see regular visitors to this blog. Why even bother? It's simple really, I don't have much of a choice. It's a decision ingrained into who I am, and if by writing this blog today I can help another writer later down the road then it was all worth it!
If you happen to come across this post please take time to share your comments on why you write. I would love to hear from you.

Writing Exercise:
Today we'll do something a little different. Write about the first thing that comes to your mind after reading the following word:

Disintegration

New Link!

I have added a link to Poetikat's Invisible Keepsakes. This blog is a perfect example of sharing your creativity on the web. She also has some good postings about her efforts as a blogster and touches not only on the challenges associated with keeping a blog up to date, but also on the enjoyment she gets from keeping it going.

Poetikat's Invisible Keepsakes definitely gets the Hunting the Muse seal of approval! Keep hunting that muse and keep writing!

-Brady

Writing Exercise:

Keeping a Journal

Blog v.s. Journal

A blog is a lot like a journal of sorts but there is, or should be in my mind, a huge separation between the two. There are things you just shouldn't share with the world such as where your kids go to school and other tidbits of personal information that could end up causing part of your life to be remade into a Hollywood suspense/drama movie in ten years. Blogs are nice but when it comes to self inspection they really just don't cut it.
The importance of keeping a journal isn't always up front and in your face. "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger." That's how the phrase goes, right? How about, "If you can't learn from someone else's mistakes, at least learn from your own. " A journal captures the raw emotions we feel as we go through life's ups and downs. The bad thing about those situations that upset us and have us on nerves is that we don't have all the information yet. We don't know the cause of certain events, we don't know the outcome. Later, when we look back on these events we find that there are lessons to be learned. We find out more about ourselves simply be rereading a few journal entries than we might expect. Have you ever had a conversation with someone where your thoughts all sort of string together and the junk that comes out of your mouth actually makes more sense than the junk that's in your head? Writing in a journal helps to facilitate this sort of process of working things out. Sometimes it just makes more sense when it hits the paper because you're tricking your mind into letting go.

How do I begin?

The first thing you want to do is to get a journal that you feel comfortable with. If you feel comfortable writing in a hardbound book with a leather cover, so be it. If you don't like leather you may choose another style of hard bound journal. If money is tight or you prefer something more simple, a notebook works well enough, even a 3 ring binder can do the trick. The important thing is to feel comfortable with the journal that you've chosen.
Whenever I start a new journal I like to introduce myself. In this introduction I try to write about where I am in life, how I see myself. I also write about where I want to be or what I would like to change. Basically we're starting off with a resounding, "This is ME, this is WHO I AM! And this is where I've been and where I would like to go." Be honest with yourself. This first entry will set the tone for how you feel about your journal and will give you a purpose for continuing to write even when it gets tough.

Do all journal entries have to be about something?

Definitely not! Grab yourself a cup of coffee or tea or crack open a nice cold soda or beer and just start writing. If your writer's block is so severe that you just can't think of anything to write in your journal then thumb back a few weeks or months and re-read a previous entry. You can always write about what you've learned or provide an update on events. Some days it seems like I have so much on my mind that nothing I'm currently thinking about comes out with any clarity. During these times I just try to reflect on something else. Writing in my journal helps with this. You don't always have to write about what's bothering you. Your journal is there to listen to the thoughts that you share with it, nothing more. It won't scold you for leaving parts out, it isn't there for vindication against someone else. It's just there. It's like a silent friend that will never tell you that you're talking too much or ask you what point you're trying to make.

What to avoid?

This is really going to depend on you and the more you write in your journal the more you will know about what helps and what doesn't. I've written in journals off and on since I was in High School. Obviously, the advice in this post would have helped me greatly when it comes to what to put into my journal. The result of my writing pretty much came out to me being a goof and not writing anything of substance at all. I took the avoidance approach to the extreme but unfortunately that leaves me with little life lessons to take from those years. Though I do know that writing something for the equivalent of hearing my own voice was a serious pitfall in my writing. Throwing in lofty words just for the sound of them doesn't help you in the long run, a journal is the place where you should be focussed on being honest with yourself. I was just so wrapped up in being someone I wasn't that it spilled over to my journal. That's the breaks, it's a part of growing up. Rule #1, Be yourself.
Another thing from my early years of journal writing was the lovesick phase. Though I don't specifically remember it, one of my early entries discussed a conversation I had with my mom. She had told me, I wrote, "don't write about relationships in your journal because later it just seems silly." Right after I entered that I wrote that I was going to write about it anyway and then we spill right into I love so-and-so and not even twenty pages later my love was devoted to someone else. Rule #2, Don't stress it. Write what you feel comfortable writing. My mom obviously didn't stop me from doing it and if that's what you feel like writing about, by all means, do so. It seems so cold hearted to me to ignore those feelings when you're young because someone tells you that all relationships at that age are terminal. Your feelings of elation and disappointment are all a part of who you are. In time you may look back at those entries and mock your own foolishness but if you can get past your own self-loathing and embarrassment for being in the situation and not outside of it then there are valuable lessons to be learned.
Do not write your journal for anyone else to read. Journals can contain very personal information. If you want someone to read what you've written then write a memoir. Likewise, do not write a deliberately brutal entry and then leave it out on purpose for someone to stumble across. A journal is not a weapon. Rule #3, Write for yourself and keep it that way.

Where should I write? How Often?

This, of course, is all up to personal preference. Some people may enjoy closing the door to their bedroom and taking a few minutes to write in their journal. Others my have to get out of their surroundings to feel comfortable writing what they need to get off their chest. Some people like quiet, others enjoy the hustle and bustle of public places. The where isn't all that important as long as you are comfortable, it doesn't even have to be consistent as long as you are actually doing it.
How often? Well let's just say that the world won't end if you don't get your daily entry in. I would be lying to you if I told you I wrote in my journal every day. At best I would say that you should write whenever you feel like it but as a minimum you should write at least once a week. Also, and I've found myself doing this as well, if you've already made an entry one day but later feel like you're ready to enter more, don't let the previous daily entry stop you from writing what's on your mind.

Is there any other reason to keep a journal?

Sure there is! If you write in your journal you're writing something. You don't have to be canny or coy, you don't have to attribute what you write to any kind of stylistic approach. It's your own personal world that's yours alone. Sometimes it's frustrating trying to fight writer's block by trying to write a story or an article. Writing in your journal doesn't have to meet any specific expectations so we can feel good about the gunk that comes out while working through the block. Sometimes writing something, anything, can be a big confidence booster. Feel free to get creative. I doodle in my journal and often draw cartoon pictures of myself to go along with my entries. I most often spend a little time at the beginning of my entry to decorate the date. This helps prepare me for my writing session and eases me into it. It's a way of slowing down and clearing my mind before I begin. Over time it gets more and more comfortable and easier to write for longer periods of time. This can help even the most blocked writer feel more comfortable writing again given enough time. Think of it as a form of subterfuge against the block monster.

Writing Exercise:

Book Review: "On Writing" by Stephen King

When we decide we want to write and the wind catches us just so, we'll put pen to paper or allow our fingers to set sail on the keys of our keyboards. Our voyage will take us here and there and back again, because that's what writing is for most of us, a form of escape.
Sometimes, however, we can't seem to get there. We lose that intimate relationship with our medium and that gap soon drives a wedge between us and our storytelling. It's a common occurrence, I suppose. If it weren't all that common I doubt Barnes & Noble or Amazon would have so many books available to get you writing again.
Writers are a delicate bunch. We have ego's and we loathe criticism. After all, who knows better than we do how our stories should go or how they should end? Obviously there must be something else, so we turn to books, as if someone out there has written something that will give us all the answers and confirm our belief that we really are that good.
I suppose that was a very wordy way of saying that I've bought my own fair share of books to get me writing again. To be honest, none of them kicked me in the pants enough to get me to churn out the rest of my novel. I'm still getting there, but I'm not ready just yet. The last book I read on the subject was Stephen King's "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft". I thought I would take a little time to write a review since it took me a little off guard in a very refreshing way.

Whether you like horror or not Stephen King is, without a doubt, a very good writer. Of course he has the sales to prove it, but what makes him so likable to me is that I don't really like all of the things I've read with his name attached. This makes him human and if Stephen King is human then that sheds a little hope for the rest of us.
In "On Writing" Stephen King takes the first part of the book to explain to us, and very likely to himself, exactly what it is that makes him qualified to offer advice when it comes to writing. He weaves a tale about his childhood and the events that made him who he is today. Once we know where he's coming from he starts to slide in the way it all applies to writing.
There is actually only one writing exercise in the book. At first I was a little disappointed but I took the time to finish it and what I found was that I had written the short story in a whole new light. I approached it from a new angle and hadn't really even realized it until I sat back and read it afterwards.
The mantra of becoming a writer, according to King, is that writers write. They don't always have to write well, but they have to write. Another important aspect of being a writer is reading. A lot. If you don't have time for these, King says, you probably won't become a famous author.

These words sting a little but the truth of it is there and it's staring us in the face. It's a lot of fun talking about that novel we're writing or the story we're working on, but if we don't actually sit down and write then we're not writers at all, just dreamers and talkers. Today I am a writer because I have written. I'll have to earn that title again tomorrow if I'd like to wear it.

I give "On Writing" a big thumbs up!

Writing Exercise:

Beginnings.

Who am I? What am I looking for?
My name is Brady, I am 27 years old. I want to write. That's the skin of it.

The real answer is that I have this burning desire in me to share something, to create something. I wouldn't say that I have writers block exactly, because it's more than that. I don't just want to write, I want to make music, movies, I want to draw and paint, I want to put the images in my brain out there for the world to see. It's everything, really.

I'm not saying that I'm a brilliant artist. I'm not the best writer out there, in fact, I have a lot to learn when it comes to the arts. I'm not rich, I don't really have time for classes, I would like to join a writer's group but I just haven't really looked into it. At this point I think the biggest obstacle in my way of writing and creating is... myself.

What can you expect from my blog?

When I was in High School, more than ten years ago, I had a Humanities teacher that had us write in notebooks each day of class. Sometimes she would pass out items for us to look at while writing, we didn't have to write about that item if we didn't want to but it was always fun seeing what she would come up with next.
I'll be writing about what's on my mind, mostly. You'll find that sometimes I can be a little weird. It's just the way I'm wired. But this blog is titled 'Hunting the Muse' for good reason. I would hope that this blog might help other aspiring writers and artists out there. Hopefully some of you will find my posts to be thought provoking and, no promises, but maybe - just maybe - we can find that elusive muse together on our journey.

First writing exercise (Optional):



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