How was your writing week?

[Jozanny]

I have no honest sensibility within as to why I am doing this. On the surface it is simply that a freelance forum that I have just started to use is moving and when all the kinks are kinked out I will post the url, and I no longer have the Speakeasy as it was between 98 and 02 and the only poignancy I have left is nostalgia- in any case, there was once a thread called "How was your writing day?" It wasn't mine but it was very popular and we all patted each other's backs with progress posts.

I JUST SPENT THE LAST BLOODY FORTY EIGHT HOURS PREPARING AN ARTICLE PITCH FOR A PUBLICATION WITH A CLAIMED CIRCULATION OF WELL OVER FIVE MILLION, AND TO THE JOURNALIST WHO ADVISED ME TO SEND OUT ONE PITCH A DAY I HAVE SOME CHOICE WORDS FOR YOU THAT THE CENSOR WOULD GO BIPITY BOP A DO.

Other than that, I have an entire poetry manuscript taking my vacation for me on the west coast, am almost finished a new science fiction story that some online editorializing disparaged without even knowing I'm alive, and I have started my third spec piece to get an online mag's attention once again.

So how is yours going?

Enjoy!:argue:

[Virgil]

This is a great idea for a thread Jozy. Perhaps it will kick me in the a$$ and get me to write more. I wrote a poem last week. :)

[Veva]

My writing week was rubbish.
Have to write an editorial for faculty newspaper, but everytime I write something it all goes wrong and ends up in naturalism (e.g. me writing about how youtube slowly kills our braincells, that you can almost hear them dying one at a second)...
So after it all goes off to the deep end, I turn myself to an unfinished short story (now turning to a novel, because I cant seem to finish it) and realise that my muse must be stoned.
So I switch on youtube instead. :brickwall

[Lokasenna]

I've written 2000 words on Anglo-Saxon ethnogenesis, a subject on which I know literally nothing; its a masterpiece of nonsense and drivel. The only problem is that I've got to hand it over to one of the world's leading authorities on the subject, who will procede to interrogate me over it.

I'm doomed.:argue:

[Maryd.]

Well, need to be honest here, when I say I haven't even touched my novel, this week. I am supposed to be editing the whole story, but am having trouble getting into the gist of things. Don't know why. Just can't get my head around it. I have already edited it once, but need to make a big change and it has just taken me forever. I suppose if I focus and put my mind to it and well... Argh, I am procrastinating as I speak... Argh. Looks like a quiet day today, might just spend two hours on it... Argh, maybe.

[tailor STATELY]

'sigh'

I was attracted to this forum to learn, re-energize, and feed my creative processes after I realized how vain and trivial, for the most part, my efforts had heretofore been.

Having the luxury of not having to make a living off of my writing, I've taken a year off from writing poetry. Perhaps my muse has been bereft of inspiration as yet.

Perchance this week.

[blazeofglory]

This week engaged me writing a variety of articles. I for instance write on a range of subjects from literary articles to economic ones. This week I wrote an article on the economic issue.

It is really hard to write something at times. There are so many familial things in point of fact that are likely to impede. While I get so much absorbed in writing things turn up impeding me. But life is a series of compromises and we cannot dispense with some important things in life. Family and friends I have to succumb to for without them what you achieve through writings will not hold any value. Man wants to share his pains and joys and joys expand and pains wanes by sharing in point of fact.

I therefore am parting with writing for that reason. My passions for writing is very intense but there are other values or things that passionately engage me.

[pjjrfan1]

I am not a writer by profession, but other than sports forums and an occasional attempt at poetry I haven't done much writing in the last 30 years, but just last month I took to writing letters to my 3 grandchildren ages, 11, 9 and 6. It seems they are having difficulty in their reading at school so I thought that this might help them. I've written 2 letters to each one and recieved 2 back none from my 11 year old, but I'm not giving up hope. In the meantime I am literally boring my grandkids to death with stories from my youth, and attempting to leave them some knowledge of their great grandparents. I'm hoping it will make inspire them to be become better writers and as well as becoming better readers, and in the process I am really enjoying doing it.

[Sancho]

I wrote a check to the IRS for a little over a thousand dollars this week. They accused me of putting the wrong number in a column on my form 1040 from a couple of years ago - or some such libel. Anyhow, it wasn’t a very creative piece of writing, but it was a difficult piece of writing none-the-less.

[Jozanny]

Mmm, if I ever need to file a schedule C then I know who to turn to :rolleyes:. Once upon a time I did need to file a schedule C but my contractor went out of business, nine years ago, and I loved them.

When I had traditional employment, I almost could not write, and between 01 and 04 I suppose I was in a significant depression because I could not cope with a serious rupture between myself and a former supervisor, but I still earned. 05 through 08 I am not sure how I survived, but achieved one significant byline.

Now I am emotionally and physically worn out, and need money and know what my odds are, since I don't know any contractors that I am aware of who'd I feel an affinity with to approach for a contract, and I do not have enough really good bylines to aim for anything salaried. Still, for me I am pushing as best I can, although I fear The New Republic. They have the sole honor of being the one magazine where I applied for a job, and to my shock they treated me with respect, at the time, but because I am afraid of them I did not aim for the column I thought was my best shot, though I am angling for a blog slot. I just cannot work as fast as I want to anymore, but I am trying for one pitch a week, and slowly returning to the literary circuit.

But I can no longer dream. I know too much, how damn hard it is, and how little technical skill or access to sources I have. The one major mistake I made when I really got my break was not keeping a source list. Writers who are actually published don't live on the ether of their reputation, and most fans make that mistake about us, which is why I keep my distance when mine have sought attention.

I must still need therapy if I am laying all this out in this forum. I'll end with wondering if I should care.

[Sancho]

Ah-hah! That’s a splendid summation of the writing life. Or at least I think it is. I wouldn’t really know because I’m not a writer, but it’s pretty-much how I imagined the writing life to be, which is why I have a regular job (if there is such a thing).

When did it go from being a passion to being just plain hard work? Or did it? Is some of the passion still there? Does the passion get pushed to the background? Do you have to sell your soul to the devil to make a living at it?

Jeez, I’m starting to sound like Macaulay Culkin in Uncle Buck: “I’m a kid; it’s my job to ask questions.”

Here's another quote that just popped into my head for some strange reason: "Why...does jury-duty... pay more...than my regular job?" --Steve Martin

As for therapy - P'tooey! I mean, you know, unless you really need it.

[Maryd.]

Well, I am not sure about most people, but for me writing is a passion. I have been writing now since I was 11 years old and have had quite a few rejections (to say the least) I can actually get downhearted at times, but I continue to write. I love it so much. I think in my case however, it allows me to escape the reality of life. It also allows me to say what I want, when I want and how I want. I'm not necessarily a good writer, but a story teller. My literary skills are to be desired. But that is not what I write for. I write for stories/tales. I have a story to tell and everyone move out of the way because I am going to tell it. Whether anyone can understand my average literary skills, is another story... (Get it - another story, ok, so comedy is not my forte.)

[skib]

After reading the first four posts, I'm glad to find I'm not the only one vomiting on my computer and finishing the work only to find it a wreck of overly used words and senseless rantings about things we know nothing about!
That being said, my writing week has been the equivalent of a puppy running full-boar on the ice and deciding at the last minute I want to turn around.

[Paulclem]

Mmm, if I ever need to file a schedule C then I know who to turn to :rolleyes:. Once upon a time I did need to file a schedule C but my contractor went out of business, nine years ago, and I loved them.

When I had traditional employment, I almost could not write, and between 01 and 04 I suppose I was in a significant depression because I could not cope with a serious rupture between myself and a former supervisor, but I still earned. 05 through 08 I am not sure how I survived, but achieved one significant byline.

Now I am emotionally and physically worn out, and need money and know what my odds are, since I don't know any contractors that I am aware of who'd I feel an affinity with to approach for a contract, and I do not have enough really good bylines to aim for anything salaried. Still, for me I am pushing as best I can, although I fear The New Republic. They have the sole honor of being the one magazine where I applied for a job, and to my shock they treated me with respect, at the time, but because I am afraid of them I did not aim for the column I thought was my best shot, though I am angling for a blog slot. I just cannot work as fast as I want to anymore, but I am trying for one pitch a week, and slowly returning to the literary circuit.

But I can no longer dream. I know too much, how damn hard it is, and how little technical skill or access to sources I have. The one major mistake I made when I really got my break was not keeping a source list. Writers who are actually published don't live on the ether of their reputation, and most fans make that mistake about us, which is why I keep my distance when mine have sought attention.

I must still need therapy if I am laying all this out in this forum. I'll end with wondering if I should care.

It sounds like you need a good break. I hope you can have one.

[Maryd.]

After reading the first four posts, I'm glad to find I'm not the only one vomiting on my computer and finishing the work only to find it a wreck of overly used words and senseless rantings about things we know nothing about!
That being said, my writing week has been the equivalent of a puppy running full-boar on the ice and deciding at the last minute I want to turn around.


Hey skib... By the sounds of this ^ post, looks like you write comedy.:nod:

[blazeofglory]

I have tried to write something this week but all to no avail for the reason that I had hectic moments and so many other things occupied my mind. Office work is oftentimes is really occupying and tiresome and with hectic work schedule and lots of assignment it is really hard to kind of devote to writing at all.

And as such this week has been a week of un-productivity speaking through a creative standpoint. But I between tight schedules composed some verses and versification is really a very exciting job that kind of gives lots of excitement.
Creativity has been totally a thing of entertainment to me and cannot delight in other things so intensely compared with creativity in point of fact.

[skib]

Hey skib... By the sounds of this ^ post, looks like you write comedy.:nod:

hehe . . . I try, anyway! Sometimes it pays off having an awkward sense of humor.

[Jozanny]

It sounds like you need a good break. I hope you can have one.

Poverty in England is treated much differently than it is here. Your prime minister John Major comes to mind as someone who benefited through how Britain constructed its safety net. In the US, poverty is punished, especially if disability is coupled with it. An example would be say a mother of three earns 100 dollars baking sweet potato pie. Her food stamps would be cut, so she learns taking any kind of initiative will hurt her.

I've dealt with this bipolar insanity inherent in US socialism all my life, and so no, I don't have the resources to stop and go see my brother for a few days. His house doesn't have the tools I would need, and I don't feel like paying for them since I gave him a loan when he lost his job.

[DanielBenoit]

Had been having a crap week ever since losing all my work and I've only written one poem. I've been working on a screenplay though :D

[Jozanny]

Had been having a crap week ever since losing all my work and I've only written one poem. I've been working on a screenplay though :D

Well kid, since I am sort of your unofficial litnet mentor:eek2:, learn something from an old fool. Prep yourself for a good career, seriously. It isn't that I didn't work, I did, but what I did wrong was not take career planning seriously. I should have listened to my father, but I was obstinate and passionate and going to be a great poet and all that.

I suppose, if I do not want to be too hard on myself, that when I am *on* or in the zone, I am a not bad confessional poet who knows her good points well enough, but I have never been financially secure, ever. I have been upper middle class; I've been destitute; I was a career professional who crashed and burned, and right now I am hanging on to my economic self-determination by my fingernails.

I cannot return to fieldwork, and trying to get accredited to teach would be unrealistic. So all I have right now is that I've been a competent journalist in conjunction with the literary publishing. You will not have my problems, I'm not saying that, but there is no glory in calling yourself a writer. Very few earn a decent living at it, and it also takes luck, and that is an unknown variable.

[DanielBenoit]

Well kid, since I am sort of your unofficial litnet mentor:eek2:,

Lol
I am honored :D



learn something from an old fool. Prep yourself for a good career, seriously. It isn't that I didn't work, I did, but what I did wrong was not take career planning seriously. I should have listened to my father, but I was obstinate and passionate and going to be a great poet and all that.

I suppose, if I do not want to be too hard on myself, that when I am *on* or in the zone, I am a not bad confessional poet who knows her good points well enough, but I have never been financially secure, ever. I have been upper middle class; I've been destitute; I was a career professional who crashed and burned, and right now I am hanging on to my economic self-determination by my fingernails.

I cannot return to fieldwork, and trying to get accredited to teach would be unrealistic. So all I have right now is that I've been a competent journalist in conjunction with the literary publishing. You will not have my problems, I'm not saying that, but there is no glory in calling yourself a writer. Very few earn a decent living at it, and it also takes luck, and that is an unknown variable.

Yeah I know what you mean and I'll take your advice to heart. Since most writers live on scraps and do need a real source of income, I've decided that independent filmmaking is an appropriate choice; a means of some income, while not compromising my artistic endevors. Whatever my means of income, I just don't want to end up having a job which pays, but does not allow me to express my creative ends.

[Granny5]

I haven't written anything except a couple of posts this week but I've thought about some things. I have been in hibernation for so long. But I've decided to try my hand at something again. Don't know what just yet. Maybe a short story or maybe expanding a short I already have. But I do vow to visit daily, well at least on my days off, and hopefully get some inspiration from the wonderful writers here.

[Haunted]

Since most writers live on scraps and do need a real source of income, I've decided that independent filmmaking is an appropriate choice; a means of some income, while not compromising my artistic endevors.

Isn't independent filmmaking and writing in the same predicament? How does one pay oneself a regular paycheck while filming all day without knowing if anyone will buy the film? Perhaps the production is backed by an angel investor, venture capitalist, or a big fat trust fund?

[DanielBenoit]

Isn't independent filmmaking and writing in the same predicament? How does one pay oneself a regular paycheck while filming all day without knowing if anyone will buy the film? Perhaps the production is backed by an angel investor, venture capitalist, or a big fat trust fund?

That is true, but filmmaking certainly pays more than writing would, even though there is plently of money to go into it. Of course all of this is in the long term, one does need a regular job to start off with, until filmmaking pays enough in which it does become the equivelent to a regular job. This is something that writing can almost never do, unless you're Dan Brown or something of the like.

[Haunted]

That is true, but filmmaking certainly pays more than writing would, even though there is plently of money to go into it. Of course all of this is in the long term, one does need a regular job to start off with, until filmmaking pays enough in which it does become the equivelent to a regular job. This is something that writing can almost never do, unless you're Dan Brown or something of the like.

Before selling 2 million copies of The Lost Symbol in the first week of release, before selling 80 million copies of The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown had a day job — schoolteacher.

[DanielBenoit]

Before selling 2 million copies of The Lost Symbol in the first week of release, before selling 80 million copies of The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown had a day job — schoolteacher.

I wasn't talking about that. I meant that if you are willing to sell out by writing cheap mystery novels, then yeah, you are going to make some money.

[Haunted]

I wasn't talking about that. I meant that if you are willing to sell out by writing cheap mystery novels, then yeah, you are going to make some money.

Take it easy. There's no need to attack another writer just because he is successful and writes something outside of your genre. Such an attack is also an attack on the readers, which includes some fellow Litnetters and myself.

My take is, aspiring and frustrated writers could possibly study and learn from ANY bestselling authors how they captivated millions of people. One reader can be wrong. One hundred readers can be wrong. One million readers can be wrong. But not 80 million readers.

[DanielBenoit]

Take it easy. There's no need to attack another writer just because he is successful and writes something outside of your genre. Such an attack is also an attack on the readers, which includes some fellow Litnetters and myself.

My take is, aspiring and frustrated writers could possibly study and learn from ANY bestselling authors how they captivated millions of people. One reader can be wrong. One hundred readers can be wrong. One million readers can be wrong. But not 80 million readers.

Even though this is besides the point, and getting quite off-topic; I didn't mean to offend anyone who enjoyed his novels, just not me. . . . . .

Sorry :)

[Jozanny]

I haven't written anything except a couple of posts this week but I've thought about some things. I have been in hibernation for so long. But I've decided to try my hand at something again. Don't know what just yet. Maybe a short story or maybe expanding a short I already have. But I do vow to visit daily, well at least on my days off, and hopefully get some inspiration from the wonderful writers here.

I can help if you like. I am not famous but do have a consistent track record and I know a great deal, and there are markets that cater to people over 50.

If it seems that I go into a mood sometimes, I am sorry that I let that come out. It is only that I have been very poor, sometimes struggling for meals, long before the 08 crash and the steep recession scarring us now, and if I become that poor again I have real problems with returning to what some of us used to know as the traditional day job; this is not just Jozanny being a lazy spastic. My state has taken away support resources I used to take for granted in order to hold a job, and I now have chronic symptoms tied to my underlying condition, so it is ironic now that I have to be the writer I always wanted to be able to call myself, and I am, but I don't know when I will find my next assignment, or my next sale, and I'm stressed.

In the online writing community I used to be in I felt excluded at times and that led to problems, but that won't happen here, as I've felt accepted pretty much in this forum, but I still have down moments now and again.:nod:

I would like to add one other thing: In terms of writing as a business model, arguing about Brown's qualities as a writer isn't what you should be looking at, but what he did to actually make himself financially successful. He no doubt had to pitch himself and his projects to more than one literary agency, secure his royalty for the sale of his copyright, and make sure his agent got him the best possible deal on the film and the screen play.

These are not easy things to do, and they need to be learned. I know this is a literature network, but as I have stressed from time to time, publishing is a business, despite Ursula K. LeGuin's protests to Poets & Writers. Your truth to your own vision has to be weighed against your ability to sell. James Joyce nearly drove his publisher for Ulysses out of business. She survived, but without her we might have been absent one Irish modernist.

Back on topic: my week has been a little hit or miss, but I am close to menopause, and have to ride this horse without estrogen therapy :rolleyes:.

[Sancho]

Menopause! Hey, is it hot in here?

Ya ever have one of those days when everybody else on the road has decided, independently, to get in your way? I call them, ‘pull out in front of Sancho days.’ So there I am, driving along, minding my own business, cranking some Zeppelin, and enjoying a Mickey-D’s Fillet-O-Fish sandwich. The guy behind me has a small hat size and a huge diesel pickup and is visibly annoyed at my technique of driving the posted speed limit. I know this because his bumper is only inches from mine and I can see him gesticulating wildly and shouting something at me. Although he’s close enough for me to hear him, I couldn’t really make out what he was saying because, as I think I mentioned, I had some Zep going at a glorious volume. Anyway, he finds an opening, stomps the diesel, passes me, pulls in front of me (barely), and slams on his brakes. My lightning-quick reflexes, along with my Japanese antilock braking system, saved the day. Small-hat-size man checks his handy work in his rearview mirror, and so I smile and flash a peace sign – I find that works better than the other sign.

The next person to pull out in front of me was a Georgia State Trooper; I only had to brake lightly for him. So there I am, me and the fuzz, rolling down a rural two-lane. He gets to a four-way intersection and rolls through it just like everybody else does there, and so – so do I. Now I’ve got a blue light flashing in my rear view mirror and I’m thinking: ‘Hey look, I’m the meat in a cop sandwich.’ I’m also thinking: ‘I wonder if the one behind me is planning on pulling me and the one in front of me over.’ I mean, we both rolled through the same stop-sign after all.

As it turned out, he only wanted me to pull over. So my writing project for the day was writing my name on the bottom of a Georgia State Traffic Citation. Fascists!

[Jozanny]

Before my life got shot to hell, I tracked my submissions in college ruled notebooks. Name of publication, genre, date. This became harder to do as the Internet started to dominate traditional literary presses and journals, but I still use this method for submissions with traditional response times. I use red ink to write out the full submission, black ink for notations, like SS (simultaneous submission).

Before I came online I had two pages back to back of poetry, fiction and non-fiction submissions. As of this wet Sunday morning, I have all of three, and my visceral fury @ my landlord would frighten the lot of you if this forum wasn't so heavily moderated, given the extent to which they disrupted my life from point A to point B.

I have, however, been spending a good deal of time pitching to publishers who pay freelancers, so I cannot be too furious, even though I am. (I have actually decided to seek legal counsel over the conduct of this, mmm, incorporated entity which treats low income people like chattel, and reminding myself of this eases my blood pressure, ever so slightly).

Anyway, for those who are babes in the woods, a query, or pitch, is an informal term for proposing ideas to your editor or publisher. I used to do it as a contracted freelancer, and now independently. The difference between a contract freelancer and an independent one isn't much; it is sort of a way for the company which "employs" you not to have any legal obligations toward you as a salaried writer. Those of you in a salaried profession understand your employer contract provides for certain contingencies. A consultant is a different cup of tea, and that is a contract freelancer.

If I could relax, find a plateau of tranquil space, I can get back in the zone. Getting the witches that run this building fired would be an immense restorative, but one can only dream ;).

I'm having an excellent morning otherwise.

[Haunted]

As it turned out, he only wanted me to pull over. So my writing project for the day was writing my name on the bottom of a Georgia State Traffic Citation. Fascists!

That's one piece of sheer entertainment right there! Totally unexpected. Thanks for a good chuckle :)

[DanielBenoit]

Submitting poems and fiction to the American Literary Review as well as some other smaller journals from around the country :D

Thanks again Jozanny for the links :D

[Maryd.]

Having a bad few days at the moment. 'Tis Melbourne Cup here on Tuesday, (public holiday, for a 3 minute horse race... Blah!) but as it is on a Tuesday all the schools and some employers allow everyone to have Monday off. Any excuse for a long weekend. So have had visitors and the computer has been used by everyone except me... I shouldn't complain, I do get most of the use with it, but I haven't edited any of my book for 3 days and I have itchy fingers...

[Jozanny]

Having a bad few days at the moment. 'Tis Melbourne Cup here on Tuesday, (public holiday, for a 3 minute horse race... Blah!) but as it is on a Tuesday all the schools and some employers allow everyone to have Monday off. Any excuse for a long weekend. So have had visitors and the computer has been used by everyone except me... I shouldn't complain, I do get most of the use with it, but I haven't edited any of my book for 3 days and I have itchy fingers...

Maryd: Novelists most benefit from hiring a good mid-press literary agent, though I don't know of any from memory who serve Australian authors; it would be a good idea for you to think about hiring one though, if you believe in your abilities with the novel. SE Hinton was near my age 30 years ago when The Outsiders made her the beloved sensation of my upper track English teachers.

I don't know if I prefer her fate (a flash in the pan) or mine as the interminable flat foot, but hiring an agent is like much else: you research, pitch, and make sure you do your best to understand their commission, the percentage you will get off your sales, and what you are giving to the publisher. It is a good idea to reserve film rights, etc.

This stuff is daunting, even for me, but for a novelist especially. I keep up now and again about agent deals. You should start reading up too :rolleyes:.

Agents are good for novels, some non-fiction deals, and scripts, especially. You can't get anywhere near a studio without a reputable agent representing you. For journalists, poets, most freelancing situations, agents aren't really necessary.

[Maryd.]

Maryd: Novelists most benefit from hiring a good mid-press literary agent, though I don't know of any from memory who serve Australian authors; it would be a good idea for you to think about hiring one though, if you believe in your abilities with the novel. SE Hinton was near my age 30 years ago when The Outsiders made her the beloved sensation of my upper track English teachers.

I don't know if I prefer her fate (a flash in the pan) or mine as the interminable flat foot, but hiring an agent is like much else: you research, pitch, and make sure you do your best to understand their commission, the percentage you will get off your sales, and what you are giving to the publisher. It is a good idea to reserve film rights, etc.

This stuff is daunting, even for me, but for a novelist especially. I keep up now and again about agent deals. You should start reading up too :rolleyes:.

Agents are good for novels, some non-fiction deals, and scripts, especially. You can't get anywhere near a studio without a reputable agent representing you. For journalists, poets, most freelancing situations, agents aren't really necessary.

Thanks for your advice Jozanny. Will keep it in mind when I am completely finished... It won't be for a while yet... Need to get the novel looked at for spelling, grammar and continuity. But am nearing the end of all that and am very excited so may have to do some research on Agents... Was seriously thinking about it anyway. So thanks once again.:nod:

[Sancho]

Thanks for a good chuckle :)

Thank you for the shout-out, Haunted. How ‘bout them Yankees?

Jozanny, you paint a depressing picture. I guess I hope that the publishing business is still run mostly by lovers of literature, unlike the music business which seems to be populated mostly with lovers of money. Here’s a fun quote about that business by Gonzo:


The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side. --Hunter S. Thompson

Why is it that the finest things in life - art, literature, drama, and music - are also some of the hardest ways to make a living? And why is it that artists, writers, actors, and musicians - those people who see things more clearly and feel things more intensely than the rest of us – are also among the most viscous at making a buck?

[Jozanny]

Thank you for the shout-out, Haunted. How ‘bout them Yankees?

Jozanny, you paint a depressing picture. I guess I hope that the publishing business is still run mostly by lovers of literature, unlike the music business which seems to be populated mostly with lovers of money.

I don't mean to make it seem like an entirely joyless process. It is not, but it really isn't the way to become economically secure. If I had to live on the money I actually earned, I'd be dead, and since I am almost dead anyway that raises some interesting questions:brow:.

But I don't want to turn this into another narcissistic exercise, as I have work to do.

I will not be "leaving" litnet again, but I will be posting much less than I have been, and will begin to stay with particular reading commitments. I am too advanced for the GW forum and need to find another Speakeasy even though Speakeasy is still here (it now functions much closer to what these forums are here, young people policed by super moderator, and for an entity devoted to writing that is a shame).

A place where professional writers can talk, and WM moved theirs to WD, which is fine, but I only just started posting when they moved, so I am still trying on my boots, and staying on the lookout for others.

TC peoples!

[blazeofglory]

This week has really been a very bad week, to start with. I got so much engaged in my official works and went home late night. Workload has fatigued me all the while. Of course I have some imaginations raised within me but they settled down when I could not make any use of them. I am a professional and write as my pastime. I can not finance myself by writing in my part of the globe. Here writing gives you entertainment not money. Writing cannot a profession here but a luxury and of course a kind of leisurely pursuit. I cannot be a fulltime writer. I write at weekends, on holidays only. When I write I do it passionately and intensely and I get totally lost in the world of writing and nothing on earth can distract me from writing, but the problem with me is I have little time and the amount of time at my disposals is also divided between reading and writing. I have a list of books awaiting my attention. I have started two bulky books simultaneously but am unable to complete them. In fact I do not have specific writing weeks the rest of others may have.

[Maryd.]

My writing week has been totally exceptional. I have completed editing my novel, but would still like to spend next week adding in a few fancy words here and there. Then it is off to some family for some good old fashioned, constructive criticism. Wahoo!

[Virgil]

My writing week has been totally exceptional. I have completed editing my novel, but would still like to spend next week adding in a few fancy words here and there. Then it is off to some family for some good old fashioned, constructive criticism. Wahoo!

:banana: Fantastic!

[Maryd.]

:banana: Fantastic!

:banana: Thanks:D

[Jozanny]

I suppose I could add one or two more comments from my sterile mountaintop: With creative writing submissions, it is generally understood that an editor will get back to you, whether it is yea or nay.

This is not always the case with article pitches, however, my writer friends of the 90's misled me slightly on this issue. Sometimes a publisher will write back to you in this instance, even in turning you down, because they are indicating one or two things.

1. "We can't use this but we like you and try again."

Or

2. "You won't get into this market until hell freezes over, so stop trying." Ignore this, but get a sense of when to take a break from said publication.

3. Sometimes they get back to you and you don't know what it means.

And, as a rule, I don't critique. I had my looney fan club mail me book length manuscripts as early as the late 80's and came to have some sympathy for more successful writers on the basis of this experience. However, if, like Daniel, you really want to become a pro one day, perhaps I will look at something once in a while.

Perhaps the blahs will surprise me yet, but so far my week is in blah upset stomach mode.

[Veva]

1. "We can't use this but we like you and try again."


I love this one, it is so eloquent in its own way.... :) But I wish I had the guts to tell that to some people who are writing to a magazine, where I am an editor-in-chief.... then I have to do so much editing :argue:

[Jozanny]

I think digital technology and the economic changes congruent to that are going to continue to rock the publishing industry for some time to come, but, even allowing for my level of anxiety at certain times of the month, since I am definitely in the pre-stages of *the change*, I was genuinely provoked with a thread last week, to the point that I will not be around LN that often anymore.

It may be that my 1990's virtual writing clique cannot be replaced, which is most likely the case, as the more a writer builds their career the less useful interactions such as these become, but I will stop in once in a while.

It isn't just the simplistic binary oppositions that this community prefers in framing certain issues--it is genuinely, as I attempted to pm some members, that my health prevents the level of posting I used to engage in between manuscripts. In any case, however those of you who create your work perceive it, I hope your good writing weeks are many.

[tailor STATELY]

Better week than most.

Found a short poem I doodled around the first of the month and will soon post it to my personal poetry page.

Studying the Waka_(poetry) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waka_(poetry)) form and am polishing up my humble first attempt in a Bussokusekika format.

Posted my first .mp3 to the web based upon one of my more humble poems.
It's one of many variations of the same theme; an instrumental of two parts. You may download to listen if you wish at: http://www.supashare.net/zqm42ggf4g98. (Sorry the site's other controls seem buggy [at least for me] but the download function seems to work ok. It's my first time with this file sharing web site.) The music needs a little more work and a little more to the lyrics; then I'll worry about the vocals, somehow. I still need to convert the rest of my .wav files to .mp3, but that's a simple enough thing to do, I just need more time (and to cut down my time on this forum a bit [less reading and playing, lol]).

I'm going to purchase a good supply of yellow note pads soon to begin my poetry doodling more in earnest.

Oh, and after a few admonitions, I think I have a signature suitable for my postings that will suffice for now.

[DanielBenoit]

Whoo hoo! I got my mojo back! Last night on an impulse I just started writing. I don't know exactly where I'm going, but I think I'm going to write a series of vignettes comprising one whole novel.

[Jozanny]

People with cerebral palsy are somewhat congenitally lazy; it is in the nature of the disease. I used to feel very guilty if I was lax in my job duties because of the verbal dreams in my head, and the irony of that is, now that I can write all the time because going back to work would break me (it has been a slow battle accepting that I am on the margins, as I once appeared on a playbill) I am ripping my hair out because I know the odds of making steady sales, and in between kindle breaks, I am literally exhausting myself trying to target my way into selling steadily. I have almost given up on being a creative writer too.

Funny, in its way.

[Jozanny]

One of the perils of owning a laptop is waiting for Joey my adorably pretty cat to get off the chair so I can plug in my printer to print my rather painful essay about his predecessor, which I am going to try for local markets.

I know I had to euthanize Oliver, but I'm still anguished over it, despite sharing with my rehab psychologist. Guess I suck at death.

[MGK]

my story has by now arrived at the spectacular (at least for me) landmark of 25k words, without me really registering how it got there. i'm finding out a lot more about my own views than i'd like to by pushing the plot forward, it's a thrilling experience.

[Wade-newb]

I wrote about a page for a screenplay hybrid thing. And wrote a few articles for my Bukisa and Xomba pages.

Just if you would consider reading them, Xomba:http://www.xomba.com/user/wadenewb
Bukisa:http://www.bukisa.com/people/Wade-newb

[Veva]

Are here any editors-in-chief... let's form a support group! I had a terrible week managing people around me and I am so sick of taking all their crapp, when they aren't even trying to look diligent! :rage:

[Lumiere]

My writing week was like every other writing week: pathetic. I don't understand what this problem is that I have with writing. I love it passionately, but it never works how I want it to. I am always falling short. I have a story plotted out in my head. I have characters living in every corner of my heart. I cannot write in out. I don't know why.

[Jozanny]

Lumiere,

I am only a moderately successful writer, but my best advice to you, is, if you really want to write, get something to bite on, take the pain, and write, then show it to people with experience, let them point out what is not working, revise, and keep at it.

I get rejected all the time, but I also get surprised. On only my second attempt to publish an op ed in my regional paper, the metro editor took my piece and paid me, and when I get back up to speed, I know things like that will happen again.

I think the biggest obstacle for students who want to write is fear of failure, and I fail constantly, but believe in what I'm doing. A poetry publisher once rejected me by telling me I wasn't a poet because I had no sense of form. Well, I have over 300 poems published, and a small collection out of print. I may not be famous, and the selling myself angle may need some fizz, but I am a poet. He was just a publisher with a nostalgia for blank verse and structure, and I got past being upset about it.

[Veva]

So, happy new year 2010 to everyone and how are you people getting on with your writing, I find myself hard to get on the train again after some wild partying... it will take some time... how about u?:)

[wlz]

My Bluebird - (A typical night of writing): despair in searching for ideas facing writer's block which usually comes just in the middle of a night's work when all seemed to be running smoothly; the frustration in attempting to execute those ideas; the drinking due to working alone on terrible ideas, badly reviewed ideas, rewrites, deadlines, colleaques writing better or more entertaining works, the almost nerve-shattered compulsive laughing at the stupidity of the dialogue written as though it were a story dating from about the 1800's in Ireland; late nights with red eyes and the endless streams of smoke coming from a shoulder-slouched body that looks like a volcano waiting to errupt; the heart palpitations, and doubts, about the (nicotine and caffeine induced shaking) hands producing this talentless crap and wondering if the local school could use a new janitor!... the closest position in education available because you finished up college after the degree and two additional years of creative writing assuming that you're going to be the next Charles Bukowski or Hunter S. Thompson; Gay Talese or Tom Wolfe. "Steady job... steady job, (regular pay), get a steady job - buy things!" running train-like through the mind -

First Voice: They all went through it.

Second Voice: Who?

Fist Voice: All the greats. The GREAT WRITERS: Joyce, Proust, Beckett...

Second Voice: Maybe I'll go down to the employment office tomorrow...?

First Voice: I wouldn't bother. Not if I were you!

Second Voice: Why not? ("Need a job... steady job, find work - good pay - buy things.")

First Voice: You can't do anything and besides you're too bloody lazy - look at the time!
You'll be 65yrs in another minute. "GET ON WITH IT!"

Second Voice: I need a drink.

First Voice: So do I. I knew there was a bukowski in there.

"F*** it! Another cigarette, walk a bit... "where's the wall gone? -OUCH!! Browse the internet, find forums: others going through similar issues... nothing better than a bit of mindless procrastination to while the hours until around six in the morning: I'm off to bed - GOODNIGHT!"

[Dinkleberry2010]

My writing week was good. I composed a poem and I began and have half completed an article/essay.

[wlz]

Jermac, where can I find the poem that you received so much criticism over? I enjoyed the line which you had to provide an explication of for some reader/s?

[Dinkleberry2010]

Wiz, for some reason which I can't figure out, someone decided to close the thread on the explication of my poem. The thread was closed after you made your post.
My poem, "The Son of Dionysus" is posted in the Personal Poetry section

[Jozanny]

I had mentioned here (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?p=827629#post827629) doing a proposal for the Henry James Society, and today wrote the gentleman in charge that I gave up, for now.

If I am really going to do a thesis for my own reward, I cannot play at winging it, and will have to work as hard as I would for an editor who assigned me an article.

I have been upset all week about it, because I'd like to write a paper or two, really, but engaging in critical studies is just as hard as anything else--I did, however, give the man a rough sketch of my idea, and what direction I would be headed into. All I have to do now though is make up my mind about attending the conference.

(Sigh)

I cannot be everything at once, and most writing guides warn about that, but this is my weakness. I seem to believe I can be journalist/scholar/poet/fiction writer and occasional novelist, and exhaust myself juggling these outfits. I am somewhat angry at myself right now.

[King Mob]

Strangely, it was a good week for me. I was wondering desperately about my talentless and hiperambitious nature over my dish of spaghetti (my meal just about every day) when i suddenly, almost without thinking, pushed the dish away and started writing a story about a dish of spaghetti. It's small and playful and I'm quite proud of it.

Still, I need that strength to just sit down for hours and write and read and research. How do you guys do? My Power of Will sinks after 10 minutes, with luck.

[Jozanny]

I too, am getting too old to beat myself up, and if I want to do two long term projects on James and Lampedusa then I cannot get frustrated that they must be long term, and plot my points, as I want to do a good job, for myself, and not just because I could not take on a post-graduate mantle.

I just hope I live long enough and can find the discipline. I am debating, however, giving up my novels, and I did a lot of research on one before search engines came into being. Sigh.

I am an old woman people :)

[qimissung]

I cannot be everything at once, and most writing guides warn about that, but this is my weakness. I seem to believe I can be journalist/scholar/poet/fiction writer and occasional novelist, and exhaust myself juggling these outfits. I am somewhat angry at myself right now.

Well, maybe you can't do it all at once, but maybe you could cycle through them, maybe. Pick one, finish it, then turn to another project. Maybe it's like reading more than one book at once, although obviously more time-consuming. Good luck anyway.

[Jozanny]

gim:

My problem was I thought I had enough experience behind me as a freelancer to whip up an abstract by the deadline, but I started digging up the critical theorists to whom James is important a little late, and realized there was no way I could wing it--and I can do that on regular queries--and not sound confused, but it is okay.

The closer I get to Henry James in his late middle age, the more things I begin to see in his work, and the more I understand why he is an intellectual writer's writer. The man who introduced me to James really liked a paper I gave him on Osmond as the Anti-Christ and wanted me to turn it into an article--but that is too easy for me now.

I have to figure out my focus--and I am oddly closer on that with Lampedusa because Henry James is a critical industry unto himself--but I will get there.

Happy New Year to you too ;)!

[ozhansean]

Very productive week. Learned a little bit about what I need to work on with my writing. On the other a little depressing since, well... I am so far away from where I want to be, as far as writing skills are concerned.

[Lumiere]

Made the mistake of reading the beginning of a short story I had written on some toilet paper, (I occasionally do this to psyche myself out: "it doesn't matter what you write, it's just toilet paper for Christ's sake!" It doesn't typically work). I thought "my God! This is trash!" I haven't written anything since. Perhaps I'll go through my notebook tonight and scrounge for bits of quality in hopes of a cheap ego boost. It's exhausting, this business of keeping your ego afloat....

[heroman]

i read harry potter novels, they were fascinating. i don't help stop reading them again and again.


he who starts reading them, need anothe twos or threes weeks to read them.

[wlz]

I'm still waiting for it to start!

[Maryd.]

I'm still waiting for it to start!

:lol::lol::lol:

[applepie]

Almost entirely non-productive I imagine. I got a few notes down, an idea or two, but not a single solid paragraph to show for the week.

[Veva]

it's exhausting, this business of keeping your ego afloat....

:d ...

[blazeofglory]

I had a wonderful writing week and I wrote a variety of articles particularly on global economic issues and spirituality. In fact these are the articles I have been writing for local newspapers and magazines.

I am intoxicated with writing and I cannot sleep well without writing, yet the problem is not with writing but with what to write at times. While writing is a mechanic activity and I can engage in writing but to write up to the expectation of readers is a challenge facing me.

Against all these challenges however I will not refrain from writing,for it is my cup of tea and I cannot dispense with it at any rate.

Overall I must say I have a good writing week.

[ozhansean]

Not so well, have a story in mind, even halfway in. Now I feel like I want to tear it all out and start fresh, but for some reason I just cant figure out how I want to tackle it. Tried to leave it for later and start something new for now. But this story just wont leave my head, its stuck like an ear-worm....constipated.

[wlz]

I went to church yesterday.

[wlz]

My writing week is going well. I am working on a final draft of my third screenplay that I am currently working on which is called, 'Chaconne'. The treatment needs re-writing but otherwise all's going well.

[Maryd.]

Mine, was non-existent... But with the kiddies back to school tomorrow, I should get straight back into it. Can't wait.

[MANICHAEAN]

I've had a good week. Airport lounges are a great place to write, in a kind of transit limbo at 2am, with the notebook computer across your lap, a large malt to my right & three hours to kill. Hemingway apparently, ( and somewhat unkindly commented upon) was inclinded to take a new wife every time he ventured on a new book. Seems rather excessive to me.
I've currently got two bits on the go:
A novel called "Murder in Accra" after getting immersed in Raymond Chandler, Dashell Hammett & John Buchan.
A series of short stories called "The Portals of Sluttish Time", mainly involving steamy love affairs in different countries that always stick in your mind. I find it theraputic to quickly & honestly get it down on paper & then edit accordingly.

[Dinkleberry2010]

I've had a very good writing week. I composed a poem, and I have worked on a short story in which I an collaborating with another wrtiter. I'm in the process of going back over the poems I've composed in the last forty years and revising them. This is something that may take me years to do.

[wlz]

...grand, aye!

[Jozanny]

I have a strange question, but maybe a member would be kind enough to pick up on it for me to help me in my research: I am writing a story about an assault that happened to me, but based the main character on a dead woman who I knew very briefly and liked, and might have stayed friends with if her disease had not been so progressive, and the disease in question rarely is, but her genes made it mortal. I stuck her in Chicago for the main part of the action, and yes, I surfed for this and that over the years, but I don't know the city, and was wondering if anyone could tell me about neighborhoods there under significant economic stress that I could stick her in when her condition worsens?

I don't really like discussing my work online, but I would like to give Chicago a kind of thematic resonance, which is why I picked it, and it would not be reasonable for me to visit for a story that will probably not land a home easily.

[Heid]

So far it's a slow week for writing on my part. Still in the process of editing my first novel. Which is a huge task (in my eyes) that I'm undergoing in minute, bitesize innings.

I need to get back into doing game reviews again. It's been a while and I need to keep loose...

[wlz]

My writing week has been going very well. It tends to go better when I stay away from the internet, regular jobs, drink, music and the shower.

[MANICHAEAN]

On of my peculiarities and difficulties as a writer is that I won't discard anything. I have heard this is unprofessional and that it is a weakness of the amateur not to be able to tell when his stuff is not coming off. But I can't overlook the fact that I had a reason, a feeling, for starting to write it, and I'll be damned if I won't beat it.

[Maryd.]

Non-existant. I should put those paint brushes down and spend a day writing... I miss it.:cryin:

[Jozanny]

On of my peculiarities and difficulties as a writer is that I won't discard anything. I have heard this is unprofessional and that it is a weakness of the amateur not to be able to tell when his stuff is not coming off. But I can't overlook the fact that I had a reason, a feeling, for starting to write it, and I'll be damned if I won't beat it.

As you mature you'll toss it, eventually ;).

What the hell is this?:party: Beatniks died out in the 80's Admin, if or when you're lurking about... :)

[MANICHAEAN]

I wrote nothing this week, but continued to absorb/read and reflect a bit. I find I'm getting like a battery being charged. I've got one of those contracts: two months work, then 18 days off. So I alternate between reading in the former during whatever little spare time I can attain & actually writing in the latter.
Robert Louis Stevenson wrotethat "Fiction is to the grown man what play is to the child; it is there that he changes the atmosphere and tenor of his life." So true.

[prendrelemick]

Manichaean

[prendrelemick]

Manichaean Have you ever been completely satisfied with the end result?

I got my short story out again. I have been 5 years writing a short story, ( not constantly, you understand:D) and I can't get the first paragraph right. So every couple of months I get it out and change it, then 2 months later change it back. I'm going for impact and explanation, can you do both at once?

[Maryd.]

Very good thanks, 4 poems and happy with all over them.

[AimusSage]

Confusing mostly, I didn't write much last week, but what I did write was just plain and uninteresting.

[commandoratchet]

I am trying to write a story and I am having a writer's block... I hate those! :mad2:

I am also doing a prewrite to a story that I have been itching to do for quite some time. I am happy about that, but I am still getting the plotline all situated and filling plotholes... That keeps me buisy. Just another testament to how short my attention span is, working on another story when I hit a writer's block in the first one!!

:banana:

[Mariner]

I haven't written any fiction at all this week. Although I've jotted down a few story ideas and made outlines and character bios for them. So hopefully I find the time to start. Do I really have to go to work and school?

But I've been busy writing for the paper. I wrote stories on guitarist (cool) and new PE classes at school (not so cool!).

[Sancho]

What gets you guys going? I can sit in front of the computer for hours and come up with nothing, but the minute I go for a run or a hike or a bike-ride, the ideas start popping – experiential stuff, abstract stuff, all kinds of stuff. Unfortunately, by the time I get back to the computer, I’ve forgotten pretty much everything. Aye, yai, yai.

So anyway, I was out hiking in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge today. It’s a gorgeous little spot in southern Oklahoma, the kind of a place that doesn’t really come to mind when you think of Oklahoma. Well, I came around a bend in the trail and there, about twenty yards away, was a small herd of wild buffalo standing on the bank of a stream. I must have startled them because they bolted away from me and the water, but they only went 50 yards or so and then stopped and turned and stood there watching me. There were a few yearlings who stood close to their mamas, and there were a few adolescents who were more standoffish, and there was one big-ole badass bull who was standing closest to me.

This was one of the ideas I had: there must be a self-preservation instinct in buffalo that make them extra wary while drinking (I once saw a wildebeest get chomped by a crocodile at a watering hole on Animal Planet). Then I started thinking of the sign at the trail-head that said, “Buffalo are dangerous, keep your distance.” But I was mesmerized by these spectacular North American creatures, so I just stood there, admiring them. Then the big fella started shaking his head and it was at that moment I knew exactly what he was thinking: Hey, I’m still thirsty. And that little guy is in my way. And I have pointy-pointy horns while he only has a stick. I’m gonna paw the earth and snort some more, then I’m gonna gore his happyass. So I eased on out of there.

It was a glorious day.

[Mariner]

What gets you guys going? I can sit in front of the computer for hours and come up with nothing, but the minute I go for a run or a hike or a bike-ride, the ideas start popping – experiential stuff, abstract stuff, all kinds of stuff. Unfortunately, by the time I get back to the computer, I’ve forgotten pretty much everything. Aye, yai, yai.



I have the exact same problem. The creative ideas are few when I sit down to write, but when I'm doing other things the ideas quickly and often come.

My solution? I put notebooks, big and little, everywhere. I have them in my room, kitchen, car, backpack and one in the newsroom. Be sure to keep a writing utensil around too! Always having paper near has helped me a ton.

[Sancho]

My solution? I put notebooks, big and little, everywhere. I have them in my room, kitchen, car, backpack and one in the newsroom. Be sure to keep a writing utensil around too! Always having paper near has helped me a ton.

Hey Mariner,

That has got to be some of the best advice you could give to someone interested in writing. My local Bookstore sells these little Moleskin notepads and advertises them as: the notebooks that Bruce Chatwin and Ernest Hemingway used. I doubt buying one those pads will make me write like either of those guys any more than buying a pair of Air Jordans will help me play basketball like M.J. but the principle stands – ideas are fleeting and you need to write them when you have them or risk losing them. I went with the no-name 79 cent spiral-bound version rather than the fancy-pants $9.95 Moleskin notepad; that way I don’t feel so bad when I send one through the washing machine.

Here’s another question. When you guys set out on a writing project, do you know exactly what you’re going to write, then write it, then edit it, ensuring that it comes out exactly as you intended? Or do you go into it with a general idea of what you’re trying to accomplish and then just go with the flow. I mean, do you let your characters sort of chose their own course of action - as you’re writing? I’m thinking mostly of fiction-writing here but the question may apply to other genres as well.

[MANICHAEAN]

As from Friday night I get home leave back in the Philippines for 20 days. I can sit on the porch looking at the coconut trees & invariably am in the mood to pick up on the stories I started before & hopefully get some new ideas.

[Rores28]

Hey Mariner,



Here’s another question. When you guys set out on a writing project, do you know exactly what you’re going to write, then write it, then edit it, ensuring that it comes out exactly as you intended? Or do you go into it with a general idea of what you’re trying to accomplish and then just go with the flow. I mean, do you let your characters sort of chose their own course of action - as you’re writing? I’m thinking mostly of fiction-writing here but the question may apply to other genres as well.

I have a rough idea of beginning and end typically and I know my characters as well as though I'd spent a hazy night drinking with them. Gradually I acquire a more robust understanding of them after a successive series of ever less interesting dates until I am eventually bored and never speak to them again. And yes my characters frequently surprise me with what they are willing to do.

[hillwalker]

I'm pretty much the opposite - I often start with a very basic idea (character or location or situation) and then let the pen do the writing for me almost automatically. Sometimes it churns out junk, but other times it can really surprise me.....

I tend to think that planning too much detail in advance kills spontaineity. But..... each to their own.

[Sancho]

And yes my characters frequently surprise me with what they are willing to do.


I tend to think that planning too much detail in advance kills spontaineity. But..... each to their own.

You know, I’m starting to figure that out. I’ve been an avid reader my whole life, but I’ve only recently written a few shorts. As a reader, I was under the impression that writers had total and deliberate control over their characters, so I was surprised when my stories started taking off in their own directions.

I’m thinking there must be some happy median between autocratic authorial rule and character anarchy. I mean, if I cut my guys too much slack they wind up running around, boozing it up, getting in fights, crashing their cars, and making a general nuisance of themselves.

[Maryd.]

Really good... I wrote two poems that I was completely happy with. First time in years, that I have been completely happy with my work.

[Maximilianus]

Really good... I wrote two poems that I was completely happy with. First time in years, that I have been completely happy with my work.
Will you post them Mary?

[RaoulDuke]

Surprisingly, it's picked up in recent days. I went for a walk down by a stream the other day and ended up completely lost in my own thoughts; mulling over my own sense of mild dispair at the future of my career and the career and qualification centric society as a whole. I then returned and wrote a thousand words on the protagonist of my embryonic novel embarking on an aimless amble down by a stream and mulling over his own mild dispair at the future of his career and the career and qualification centric society as a whole.

So there you have it, some certified RaoulDuke advice. If you've hit a wall of procrastination creative block then go for a ramble, take a pen and paper and see what happens.

[Maryd.]

I am very happy this week as I have written 4 poems for a very special friend of mine, who's birthday is nearing.

[Jozanny]

One of the items I was hoping to announce in the next few weeks under happier auspices was that I had landed a publishing contract with a midlist house, which would be a nice break after nearly four years of significant disruption and even threats to my independence in my daily living. The contract is prospective, as of this writing, without being actual--however, given my health, age, and the strength needed to change the kitty litter, and my battles with a significantly contracted support network that I have depended on most of my life as a disabled woman, it is with regret that I withdraw from any further specific discussions on individual literary texts in the forums, and despite no small degree of affection for my time here, I need to focus my energies on keeping myself afloat as long as I am able, and need to move on to communities more suited to my needs.

Hence this is a reluctant goodbye to my LN friends, for the time being. If my pressures ease within the next two years or so, perhaps I will stop back in to say hello.

With no further ado, Farewell. :wave:

[kasie]

Every good wish for success and happiness in your ventures, Jozanny. If you can spare the time, maybe you could pop in now and then to let us know how you are getting on?

[Jozanny]

Every good wish for success and happiness in your ventures, Jozanny. If you can spare the time, maybe you could pop in now and then to let us know how you are getting on?

Once in a while, my friend :); this is more about me than anything else, though at this point, and where I am, I am looking for communities with more specific focus, like the Henry James newsletter I have been on for about ten years. I may be the dummy in the group, but I learn a lot from these scholars, and I'd like more of the same on other topics even if I have to eat humble pie--and maybe there is an online community for midlist freelancers, or my blog can become one. We will see, but I know my time has come, and I need to free myself of faux pas bickering when I am truly busy, and not expending that emotional energy is my responsibility.

Be well dear lady!

[TheFifthElement]

Jozy, sorry to see you go but I understand the need to put your work first. I hope it all works out for you. All the best, Fifth :)

[Maximilianus]

Pity to see such a wonderful poster like Jozy leaving. Whatever you do, may the force be with you Jozy... or the light... or whatever's brighter http://smiles.kolobok.us/personal/hi.gif

[Maryd.]

Has been rather a slow week with my young fellow sick. But I am back in action. This is going to be a great writing week.

[Lacra]

Has been rather a slow week with my young fellow sick. But I am back in action. This is going to be a great writing week.

What's wrong with your young fellow?:angel: Hope this will be a better writing week for you.
As for me, there are 6 years since I didn't write anything. Maybe it is the time to start it again?

[Maryd.]

What's wrong with your young fellow?:angel: Hope this will be a better writing week for you.
As for me, there are 6 years since I didn't write anything. Maybe it is the time to start it again?

Yes my love he has been pretty ill... Gave me quite a scare... But he's back to school tomorrow. So I can get back to writing.

You see my love I write all day every day... Without fail, but last week I put a hold on everything. My family comes first then my writing. :)

[Jassy Melson]

My writing week has been slow as far as actual writing goes. I am working on a story in my head and it may be a week or more before I get it all worked out. I wrote three stories over a period of about a month, and I have ideas for two more stories. So the actual wrtiting has been zero, but it has been really productive.

[Lumiere]

I started something that doesn't totally repulse me at two days distance. I think I'll finish this one. So it's a good writing week.

[Maximilianus]

I wrote what I would like to call a poem, or a humble poem, if there's such a thing. I guess it's not bad, considering that writing isn't my regular activity.

[Maryd.]

I wrote what I would like to call a poem, or a humble poem, if there's such a thing. I guess it's not bad, considering that writing isn't my regular activity.

Hey Maxi... Congrats on your succes on writing a poem... You should share. :)

[Ome]

It was a terrible week

[Jozanny]

I've been pushing myself too hard and not hard enough, one and the same time. I just asked Arianna Huffington for employment as if I had the perfect right to ask her. My rage is rather frightening, and maybe it pushed me back to the forum so I could remember that I have a civil and mollifying side, and I am perversely bothered that the novelist Susanna dropped me like a hot potato--but those reasons are more toward getting the Suburban Woman to pay attention to how poverty has fostered the creature I came to be, more than any real interest in her satiric talent. I don't know how much energy I will spend on this, but I am probably going to pick on the scab, and in an almost Jamesian fashion, build a foundation of brick on the quicksilver of twitter networking.

I hate twitter, though I can see it for what it is. I should go to bed, but fear not getting enough done.

[Big Dante]

Almost finished my short story so it has been pretty good.
Might even get it finished tonight if I can think of the right ending.

[Jozanny]

I've been pushing myself too hard and not hard enough, one and the same time. I just asked Arianna Huffington for employment as if I had the perfect right to ask her. My rage is rather frightening, and maybe it pushed me back to the forum so I could remember that I have a civil and mollifying side, and I am perversely bothered that the novelist Susanna dropped me like a hot potato--but those reasons are more toward getting the Suburban Woman to pay attention to how poverty has fostered the creature I came to be, more than any real interest in her satiric talent. I don't know how much energy I will spend on this, but I am probably going to pick on the scab, and in an almost Jamesian fashion, build a foundation of brick on the quicksilver of twitter networking.

I hate twitter, though I can see it for what it is. I should go to bed, but fear not getting enough done.

I actually think I am going to start a personal essay about this, which illustrates why my cracks are more readily perceived than Madame Merle's. No publication would take it--and yet, and yet, I don't understand the antipathies that seem to wedge between me and married suburban women authors, and Susanna's cessation of interaction with me has opened some old wounds. If I tell her it hurt that would just widen the fissure; yet Laurel Speer never minded, within our communications, that I may have been socially inappropriate, but that may be because she understood better what I was up against. Speer is old school small press a little ahead of me, and her corrections toward my views were perceptive, but, if I have to take this journey, then I have to copy this post to draft file....

[cgrillo]

Absolutely terrible.

[Dark Passenger]

Not bad. I got about 8k down but then had to leave it for a few days while I visited the inlaws.

[howtowriteabook]

This week, I've been writing articles rather than working on my book. Two articles as freelance work, and sixteen for my new blog and website.

Mani

[sithkittie]

It was a good writing weekend, got about 5k total on a few different things, and this week is shaping up to be a thoughtful week. Happy writing to everyone.

[Delta40]

Really good. While penning on lit-net and in my journal, i've come up with a new plot for my next play.....

[moonbird]

Not bad. I didn't leave the house (or even change out of my PJs, for that matter) at all this weekend, and that meant most of my time was spent on the computer, tying away at my latest story. I dreamed the entire first half... it was a nightmare so I'm assuming it's going to turn out to be some kind of sci-fi horror type story. Maybe I'll post the first chapter later!

[The Ol' Man]

Good, but patience is a requisite. I'm writing a poem in the structure of Donne's
'Nocturnal upon St. Lucy's Day', but in a different metrical system. I'm imbibing
more and more as to what I can work into it as I dash, scribble, satisfy, dissatisfy,
rewrite, unwrite, alter and settle. I have about four stanzas of a surmised eight,
but must hark back to write an additional unifying stanza between two others
to protect against possible incoherence; or rather to allow the mind to ease
into the stanza, as it seems too abrupt in differing from the preceding one.
I also keep a journal with new finds in poetry and things picked
up on the path.

[Maryd.]

Well, well, well... It's been quite a long road for my writing. Things are starting to take shape and time to put that second idea down on paper. Golly hope it doesn't take another two years (and 40 years in the making) of hard work. Hee hee

[Maximilianus]

Well, well, well... It's been quite a long road for my writing. Things are starting to take shape and time to put that second idea down on paper. Golly hope it doesn't take another two years (and 40 years in the making) of hard work. Hee hee

I want a copy, but not in 40 years. I'd rather want it sooner :p
Very appropriate and accurate signatures, by the way :rolleyes:

[Maryd.]

Sure Maxi... If and when it get's published.

And I thought the signature is how things are right now. Maybe life will change... Um, or not!

[Maximilianus]

Sure Maxi... If and when it get's published.
It will. It has to!


And I thought the signature is how things are right now. Maybe life will change... Um, or not!
Changes... :rolleyes: :banghead:

[Maryd.]

It will. It has to!

Say a few prayers for me... I need them... Hahahaha



Changes... :rolleyes: :banghead: It's one of the hardest things. But I recently worked out how tough I really am... I might just make it Max. Maybe?

[IceM]

I wrote four poems and started on three short stories, hopefully all of which come to successful fruition.

It sucks as an amateur, that sense of not knowing the quality of what you produce, at least in the eyes of the reader. I'd rather know I sucked than not know anything.

I guess I'm just complaining about the lack of readership.

[Maryd.]

I wrote four poems and started on three short stories, hopefully all of which come to successful fruition.

It sucks as an amateur, that sense of not knowing the quality of what you produce, at least in the eyes of the reader. I'd rather know I sucked than not know anything.

I guess I'm just complaining about the lack of readership.

Yes... Isn't it better to know. I know I would rather know. I think it's a cut throat industry these days So tough to break into, really.

[MystyrMystyry]

Enter it in a Literature Prize - never know, overnight riches, fame and stardom - you might just be the literary equivalent of the next Susan Boyle

http://montrealprize.com/

[Maryd.]

Enter it in a Literature Prize - never know, overnight riches, fame and stardom - you might just be the literary equivalent of the next Susan Boyle

http://montrealprize.com/

Did you just call me Susan boyle????

[tailor STATELY]

lol (previous page)

A bust for the week for me in writing; though I read many wonderful poems by Litnetters.

Did not win either of the two forum poetry contests I entered that ended this week either (the field was too deep, and I had too little coin to bribe).

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

update: 2-short ditties written after posting this: This week already looking better :thumbsup:

[The Ol' Man]

----------------------------------------

[Venerable Bede]

My writing week has been very productive thus far. I started writing a novel that I have had in my head for quite some time now. It's a historical fiction set during the period of the Norman Conquest in 1066. So far, I have written around 7 pages.

[DocHeart]

Just finished "Talking to Filet Mignon", posted in another thread. Most weeks I don't finish anything, so I guess this one's alright.

[libernaut]

i havent written anything new for a while. its sort of depressing. hopefully this is just a phase.

[Bluehound]

This week I am mostly ....... feeling frustrated by the static.

I consider my self a writer, not that I am particularly good at it, or because I have had anything published...yet.
But I must be a writer because I am being driven slowly mad by it.
It is hard to explain to someone what writing is like without sounding a bit crazy.
When I write the good stuff, the stuff I am pleased with, I never feel like I have written it at all. It is like I have written down something that already existed somewhere in my head. I liken it to there being a radio in my brain, now and again I accidently tune into a station that just reads out stories, I write down what I hear coming over the radio. Obviously I have to muck about with it a bit, but I am always amazed when this voice pipes up and begins to dictate a story to me apparently out of thin air.
See I told you it all sounds a bit mad.
But the worst thing is the frustration.
See I can't force the radio on to the "story station" it just randomly tunes in when it feels like it, at all times of the day or night. But maybe worse than that is the fact that I can't switch it off either. When the voice is not speaking there is static.
And that's the most frustrating sound in the world.

[DocHeart]

Terrible writing week. I've got four stories on the go, and each one needs a couple of hours of work before they're done. Since Monday I've worked on them for about... hmmm... seven and a half minutes.

It's those heavy nights over at the Bloke's Thread http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43406. They've got me all disjointed.

However, a woman I thought I *MIGHT* date tomorrow night just gave me the brush, so that Friday feeling will all be invested in writing. At least that's the plan. :)

Regards

[Bluehound]

Ooo I must rant more often, I managed to finish one story last night only to have another one come through strait after :)

[Mariner]

My writing week has been very productive thus far. I started writing a novel that I have had in my head for quite some time now. It's a historical fiction set during the period of the Norman Conquest in 1066. So far, I have written around 7 pages.

Interesting! Would you happen to involve the Byzantine Empire sometime, I'm fascinated by Byzantine history.

This week has been a strong writing week for me. After wasting the last few months only writing for the newspaper and wishing I was an actual writer I've buckled down and wrote.

I've try to block out two hours of every night to sit down and write. The time fluctuates nightly depending on homework or my energy level, but I've averaged about a hour-and-a-half of straight writing. Normally I free-write for the first half-hour and then move to writing fiction, my true passion, for a hour.

It's amazing how productive I'm getting by forcing myself to do it. Getting over the initial hump of procrastination has led to exciting things, and the more I write, the more addicted I get. It's fun, rewarding and tiring, but I'm hoping this routine sticks or else there's not much hope. I've spent too long wishing, and not a lot of doing. No more waiting on the sidelines.

[Venerable Bede]

Interesting! Would you happen to involve the Byzantine Empire sometime, I'm fascinated by Byzantine history.


Sorry, but the story takes place in northern England. The Byzantines may get a brief mention since many English fled there after the conquest but most of the book deals with the peoples of Britain. I'm thinking of posting the first chapter up to get some feedback if anyone's interested.

[Maryd.]

I have written numerous poems this week. But one special poem is my masterpiece. Thanks... That poem is now on its way to a very special friend. :)

[Maximilianus]

I have written numerous poems this week. But one special poem is my masterpiece. Thanks... That poem is now on its way to a very special friend. :)
A masterpiece? http://smilies-gifs.com/pensando/6pensando.gif In such case the friend will have to read it several times http://smiles.kolobok.us/artists/vishenka/d_book.gif

:)



As a side comment, it's good to realize that some people are still capable of valuing other people, whereas the whole opposite always comes from the least expected person. That curious thing called 'betrayal'...

[Maryd.]

A masterpiece? http://smilies-gifs.com/pensando/6pensando.gif In such case the friend will have to read it several times http://smiles.kolobok.us/artists/vishenka/d_book.gif

:)



As a side comment, it's good to realize that some people are still capable of valuing other people, whereas the whole opposite always comes from the least expected person. That curious thing called 'betrayal'...

Oh Max, I am sure my friend will. But I mean it's my masterpiece, not a masterpiece... I do hope my friend isn't expecting perfection. YOu know me Max. I don't write perfect. I write from my heart. Sometimes the heart can be broken, sometimes it can be completely shattered. But there is always room in this tiny messed up heart for a dear and special freind. :thumbsup:

[Maximilianus]

No person worthy to be called a friend is ever expecting perfection. What one expects is respectful attention and consideration, which is quite different from condescending, as many people often believe.
What really matters, Mary, is that the words you wrote will be surely read several times and will be somehow replied. The point in doing something for someone is that "the something" doesn't fall in the void. That's what counts.

[Maryd.]

No person worthy to be called a friend is ever expecting perfection. What one expects is respectful attention and consideration, which is quite different from condescending, as many people often believe.
What really matters, Mary, is that the words you wrote will be surely read several times and will be somehow replied. The point in doing something for someone is that "the something" doesn't fall in the void. That's what counts.

And once again you have made me smile a smile of contentment, that can only be found in the heartfelt response from a friend. Thank you my dear sir. ;)

[Maximilianus]

And once again you have made me smile a smile of contentment, that can only be found in the heartfelt response from a friend. Thank you my dear sir. ;)
Welcome, Mary http://fc03.deviantart.net/images/i/2003/49/a/b/Hug_emoticon___v2

[Mariner]

Another strong week of writing. Kept up the crazy-train of production, although I'm finding the hardest part is finding balance.

Continually I write something new, usually short stories. But I don't just write them, I edit them. And re-edit. After all, what's the point if I'm not pushing myself to produce the best works possible? I need higher goals now beyond simply writing.

But striking a balance between writing and editing is hard. I don't know yet if I should write one day and edit the next or attempt both everyday. I feel stretched if I do both same day but robbed if I don't write and edit instead another day. My time currently is limited by work, reporting, homework and social engagements.

Such is the life of writing :D

[Maximilianus]

Tomorrow I'll be writing a paragraph for a writing exam about who knows what. It's supposed to be the first step to walk before being able to write an essay or maybe a story. I seem to have something to say about anything, but I figure I first have to learn how to do it properly.

[Maryd.]

Tomorrow I'll be writing a paragraph for a writing exam about who knows what. It's supposed to be the first step to walk before being able to write an essay or maybe a story. I seem to have something to say about anything, but I figure I first have to learn how to do it properly.

Oh my friend good luck with it. :)

[Bluehound]

I am really chuffed with a story I have just written, but must resist the urge to keep messing with it. I would like to give it few days to marinate then do some editing.
Wow it is such a good feeling when the story seems to write itself.