Life, the ever present obstacle to writers’ everywhere. Sigh, it would all make sense if I were at liberty to discuss it. I saw an episode of House where a blogger (played by the actress formerly known as Donna on That 70′s Show) wrote about every detail of her life. This blog would have been a great way to reach out to those who went through the same difficulties. But, I’m just not the kind of person to publish that level of detail about my life. It affects not only me but those around me.

However, I have been engaged in happier distractions as well. I found out in May that I was pregnant. Let me tell you, that first month, all it took was for me to sit still for two and half seconds and I was asleep. There was certainly no sitting down to a computer to write.

I agreed to be co-chair of the mentor committee for Tri It For Life, a non-profit organization that helps promote healthy lifestyles and motivates women to move and complete their first triathlon. Wow, that took up even more time than I realized. Not that I didn’t enjoy it but it is A LOT of work. I can’t even begin to tell you how I feel watching those women, some of whom have been everything to everyone except themselves, work so hard to become swimmers, bikers, runners. They are wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, friends…and now, triathletes.

Mentoring with this group is a passion that overtakes even my desire to write. What story could I tell that could be more empowering that what these women are accomplishing?

But, I have taken steps to pare down my life a little so I can prepare for the baby and hopefully, that means I can find my writing muse again too. Step one, write something that was not for work or catharsis. Check. Step two, quit obsessing on Chapter One of my book and finish writing the damn thing. Okay, step two might take a little longer.

(Disclaimer – my knowledge of “famous” doesn’t extend much past the fantasy/sci fi genre so those who would argue and throw a bunch of famous nonfiction, poets, mystery, etc. at me…sorry, I just don’t know them.)

Daniel Handler, a.k.a Lemony Snicket, of the Series of Unfortunate Events fame, is judging our Elizabeth Simpson Smith Short Story Contest.

Not only that, but the first prize is an Apple iPad.

ESS Press Release

I’ve already started my entry. I have a good idea. I just hope I can get it finished and edited before the deadline of May 15th. You would think that a month and a half is plenty of time but then I am quite the procrastinator. But this is my chance, cause most of the contests I have entered don’t favor fantasy fiction too much and that is what I write but Mr. Handler…he understands.

Check out the Charlotte Writers’ Club at www.charlottewriters.com.

I’ve struggled to find topics for this blog because I was too focused on making it for and about writing. I forgot the number one rule of writing—write what you know. What do I know about writing…not enough to tell YOU how to do it. That’s for sure. But, I will work harder to share my inspirations and stuff I learn as I go along. Also, this is an exercise for ME, to keep ME writing.

The other problem was more personal. A lot of “life stuff” happened this past year and it drained me. Other than journaling to burn off an excess of emotion, I couldn’t bring myself to write much. I can’t share it right now because I don’t have permission but perhaps one day it won’t feel quite so immediate and we can share the story. I’m still writing it; I just can’t publish it yet.

In the meantime, my life is full, I exercise regularly (more on that in another post) and I’m slowly getting more time with my husband. Today, in this moment…life is good.

So, on to the cat craziness.

Five animals live in my house at present: four cats and a dog. My friend April moved in with us in October, while she hunts for a job, and brought her two cats to add to ours. After much hissing and smacking and running away, everyone seems to have settled down. The dog, I might add, was completely unaffected by the cat additions (catadditions?). She ignores them but is über excited about another person being in the house. People are her “favorite thing.”

Introductions:

Tarma – A solid black domestic shorthair named after an androgynous character from a Mercedes Lackey novel or three. He is obsessed with food. Cat food. Dog food. People food. Regurgitated food. He likes being alone and hiding in plain sight. His paw prints can be seen on my glass top stove (to the annoyance of my husband).

Darien – A grey and white domestic shorthair named after a Japanese anime character (Tuxedo Mask, Sailor Moon anyone?). For the record, we rescued him from the shelter and they called him “Armani.” They said his coloring looked like a “tuxedo.” Darien enjoys chasing his tail, blocking the TV remote sensor by sitting in front of it, and laying on laps.

Roxie – The dog. She’s 13 and has no tail. She wags her whole butt when you breathe, standup, or make any movement whatsoever. She rings a bell to go out or when you are on the phone. At 45lbs or so, she desperately tries to be a lap dog whenever someone sits on the floor. “Roxie hugs” consist of her head in your crotch.

Scrooge – Named after Ebenezer Scrooge. She is a tortoise shell cat and the coloring on her face makes her look grouchy…thus the name. Also the attitude. April and I did it to ourselves, naming her that. Scrooge is Tarma’s aunt (longer story).

Clio – A rescue kitty from April’s sister’s place. Long hair…long, long, long, long haired cat. She’s really quite dainty but all that hair makes her appear “plus sized.” A sweetheart of a cat, she often comes up to you and puts two paws on your shoulder to indicate she wants to be held…not unlike a toddler.

That’s the family and they are a constant source of entertainment.

The other week, April cooked chicken noodle soup on the stove. Tarma entered stealth mode and once the soup reached optimum temperature, proceeded to drink out of the pot…on the stove…while it was on.

More cat tales to come…oh and Roxie too. Can’t forget about her. She won’t let you.

I didn’t start this blog with the intent to write too many personal details about my life. For one, I don’t think many people would find my life that interesting. However, I dealt with a high level of stress that began in July and didn’t really ease until about a week ago. There are still a few effects lingering from that life episode. One being a lack of decent sleep. Two being the kind of energy drain and mild depression that leaves you sitting in front of the TV watching anything that lets you escape from your cares.

Some of my writer friends are able to channel their stresses, cares, worries, and life events into the kind of creative writing I envy. I don’t think that I can do that. I had a discussion with my friend AW, The Poet, about how we have a difficult time writing with poignancy. When we hear an excerpt from a contest winner, they’ve always got these truly emotional stories or characters that tug the heart strings.

Whenever I write something like that, it comes across to me as false, fake, corny, whatever you want to call it, it feels wrong to display that much emotion in a public forum. Does that make me a bad writer? Is it just fear that holds me back?

Anyway, the spark is coming back. Life is no longer draining the life out of me. Now the problem is time and avoiding the lure of the glowing box with its ready made stories and pretty pictures.

What do you do when life get’s in the way of writing?

Wrong.

I’ll admit MacKayla Lane, a girly southern girl with long blond hair and a perfectly pink mani/pedi, did not appeal to me at first. Lounging next to the pool by day and bartending at night? No desire for higher education? No street smarts?

But all that changes when Mac’s sister is murdered in far away Ireland. That’s all of a synopsis you’ll get out of me. These books are good. Moning provides a character we can relate to and grow with.  She gives us a place and people to care about. She builds tension that keeps you turning pages.

For those who find Sookie Stackhouse annoying, you’ll love Mac.

My only complaint? The cliffhangers. Books 1-4 are out. The 5th and final book isn’t out until January. Moning leads you right up to the clift and then shoves you off…

Thanks Karen Marie Moning. I look forward to January.

Each word crafted with a piece of you inside. Heart and soul, that’s what you’ve put into this thing. Right? You send it off and with much hand ringing and dreams of the possibility, you await notice that “YES…they’ve picked you!”

Only they don’t. You receive a form letter or email that Such & Such Publication did not select your work. Or, in the case of that love letter, he or she does not return your affections. Rejection stings like hell. Writers who dream of publication put their stuff out there every day and receive tons of rejection letters. How do we deal with the pain of rejection when we’ve put so much time and effort and heart into this writing?

I don’t know how others do it. One year I submitted to every Charlotte Writers’ Club contest as a method of motivation. I never expected to place much less win. I barely made the deadlines and knew that my writing couldn’t compete with the fantastic writers in this club, most of which have decades of experience on me. I expected rejection.

This year feels a little different. I’ve learned a lot from my critique group and I think my writing has improved. When my friend and fellow critique group member told us about an anthology contest he planned to enter, a niggling idea of a story began to form. The niggling turned into a banging until the  story idea beat down the door to the page.  This is the first time I’ve felt like I might be good enough to compete.

Of course, that will make the rejection ten times harder. I haven’t heard anything yet but my friend has. He did a fabulous job and I’m very happy for him. He’s a great writer and has a fantastic novel we’re in the process of critiquing. Check out his website here.

The contest doesn’t close until 7-31 so there is still hope for my story.

In my head and heart, this contest offers some validation that I have talent. I know the mechanics of writing and I feel the spark that fuels the desire to write but do I have IT…the ability to bring a world and characters to life. I shouldn’t put so much pressure on one contest but it’s hard not to sometimes.

It’s not unlike having a child I think (I wouldn’t know for sure of course). Through hard labor and sweat, you give birth to this story. You love it and nurture it and  want it to go out into the world and succeed.

Fingers crossed.

How do you deal with the sting of rejection?

Update: At lunch I received the dreaded rejection email. They did not accept my story. I suppose I will mark it down and start looking for another place to submit. I think this story deserves a chance somewhere though maybe it is wishful thinking.

I will say that I have been busy since I returned from vacation. Tri It For Life has begun the 12 week training program for new athletes. TIFL is a non-profit that helps women train and complete their first triathlon, the Ramblin’ Rose Charlotte (Huntersville). I trained with them last year and loved it so much that I decided to mentor this year. Between the usual domestic chores, work, mentoring, and my own training, I’ve had very little desire to do anything else but read or watch TV.

However, writing is important to me–just as important as my triathlon training and I mean to put a stop to procrastination.

I will write three days a week. I will make it a part of my schedule.

I will approach motivation for writing as I do with running, swimming, and biking. If I don’t feel like doing it, I will sit down and write for ten minutes. After ten minutes, if I still don’t feel like writing, then I will stop. At least I will have gotten in that time.

What about you? How do you keep motivated?

These particular bookcases are in my living room. When we bought them, I decided to only put out the books that I loved or thought others might find interesting. Thus, the current selection contains Harry Potter 1-7, some of my college books (Complete Works of Shakespeare, World Lit, Short Stories, Theory of Rhetoric, and American Lit), Elements of Style (all writers should have a copy of this book), Jim Butcher’s Dresden Series (1-3), some other series I loved as a child, and my all time love…Jane Austen.

In the movie Conspiracy Theory with Mel Gibson, the antagonists have brain washed Mel and keep tabs on him by placing a compulsion to buy The Catcher and the Rye any time he sees a copy.  I have a similar compulsion with Jane Austen, specifically Pride and Prejudice though unlike Mel’s poor character, I can say no.

Right now, I own three copies of P&P and Emma, two copies of Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility, and one copy of Northanger Abby. No copies of Persuasion.  I have a beautiful hardback book containing all of Austin’s novels, one cute but small hardback of P&P, complete with ribbon bookmark, a paperback version of Emma for a critical theory class (it includes different types of critical essays) and then the paperback set of Austen books from my 19th birthday.

In addition to Austen’s books, I have two books of what I consider “fan fiction,” which were given to me by friends:  Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Confessions has a unique plot though I don’t think Laurie Viera Rigler quite explains the major fantasy element that is central to her plot. The heroine, Courtney, somehow swaps bodies with Jane Mansfield, an Austen time-period aristocrat and must live her life while trying to figure out her own. The swapping lives part doesn’t bother me. In fact I like the idea of it  but other than an extreme love of Jane Austen’s books and a crappy love life, Courtney has no connection to Jane Mansfield. All the same, not a bad book but one I classify as beach reading.

P&P and Zombies–sigh–is not an original plot. This book takes Austen’s novel and inserts the zombie elements periodically throughout. I have read this book out of curiosity and here is my own little confession…I felt mortified. My beloved Elizabeth Bennett has been trained to fight and kill zombies. WTH? All the elegance and grace of P&P substituted with gore and violence?

(By the way, I own this book because it was a gift. I did not purchase it. However, the friends that gave it to me are awesome and I love the fact that they thought of me enough to buy this book. Plus, the books itself is a lovely hardback.)

Yes. I am a Jane Austen Purist. You can’t mess with it because her work is fantastic. Changing or altering it might sell books but it doesn’t do anything to add to the story. I don’t know where the motivation came from to alter these classic pieces of literature but for me, it does not work and not necessarily for the reasons you might think.

1. The zombie insertions are not smooth. No matter how a modern writer tries to mimic Austen’s style and language, it fails. To me, it distracts from the love story and the language itself is jarring, ripping me from a book I would normally be absorbed in.

2. The zombie element is weak. Zombie stories have a certain formula and while I’m all for changing it up, P&P and Zombies never incorporates the zombies into the actual story. They are an after thought. They don’t further the central plot at all and there is no tension when the Bennett girls are fighting them.

It’s a fun idea and I can understand why those who don’t enjoy classic literature as it is would be excited about these books. My enjoyment of P&P and Zombies stems from deconstructing it but I can’t love it…not as I do the original.

This blog is often difficult for me to write because I want to focus on topics that others will find useful and interesting. A lot of my topics come from interactions with my writing critique group (thanks group). But, I have been focusing on my YA fantasy novel and so have neglected the blog.

I have a draft percolating regarding my status as a Jane Austin purist. It’s at 750 words though and I believe that to be rather lengthy for a blog post. I will plan to edit it and post it as soon as I can.

In the mean time…
If any of my five readers (lol) have questions about writing, perhaps you could let me know and I’ll write my two cents worth. I’m no expert by any means but I have a knack for finding solutions.

Thanks for reading. : )

Idea One:

As Patrick LoBrutto said in his workshop, character driven stories are typically more interesting than plot driven ones. Therefore, it is important to create meaningful characters…with depth. Oooo…the big D word.

One of the sins of a new fiction writer is to copy too heavily from those he or she knows in real life.  I specify “fiction” because, of course, memoirs and fiction loosely based on true stories would have more of that. Several problems crop up when a writer does this. (1) The people you know get cranky if you portray them negatively and let’s face it, it’s usually pretty obvious when you’ve used a real person for a character. (2) The traits your “real” person exemplifies and shows on the surface are the only ones you can see. There can be a tendency to have a one-sided view of this character, who based on your story, needs to be more.

At some point, your characters should take on a life of their own. I might take an unusual attribute from a friend or family member but my characters need to be their own people.  Plus, just because I find a particular person interesting or funny, it doesn’t mean my audience will or that  the character will serve the story well.

Idea Two:

One of my new critique group members suggested that the end of one chapter should be compelling enough to make the reader turn the page, to find out what happens next. I hadn’t thought about it before but it makes sense. Wrapping up each chapter in a nice little bow and completing the story line for that chapter doesn’t lead the reader to the next chapter.

This led to some discussion on how to do this. Rather than search through a myriad of  “how to style books,” my suggestion was to pick out several authors that you like, flip to random chapters in their book, and read the last sentence.

Leave them on a cliff hanger. Doesn’t have to be a big one, just a good one. : )

Thoughts? Questions? Tirades?