Places I’ve lived
My early life was a whirlwind of change, constant moving. I have memory issues to start with, so this exercise will be interesting.
Vague memories are the only place I start. First there is the restaurant that my father owned. I remember very little about it, and I am not sure which memories are real. I remember a pull out couch where we slept four or five kids. It was dark, dusty and paradoxically smelled of mold. It was a sad place, full of anger and confusion.
I have some photos which show me and my brothers at various places for Christmas, and they were mostly at my Grandparent's home. Bright sunlight, matching shirts and squinting for the photos. But those are memories of the photos. Memories of memories perhaps.
The next snapshot is a brief one. Nighttime, driving back to my mother's apartment, my dad telling me that we will be fine and that he is going to buy her a car of her own. I don't think he ever did. I don't even remember the inside of that place, but I know I was at least 10 because that is when they split up.
Then there is Cummings Ave. I remember a corner lot, hot sun baking the bricks and the dry grass cracking under my steps. My step-father lived with us here. I think this is the last place I remember seeing my dad.
Then the memories come more clearly into focus. We moved to Kemptville. I must have been 11 or 12. It was a good home, with a pool we dug ourselves and a basement with a gameroom/teen den. It is where I grew up, where I found myself again, where I made myself into something new. This was the chrysalis for me, walking to school and making friends of the neighbours, friends I still keep in touch with to this day.
This is where I brought my fiancé home to meet my family. More about Kemptville tomorrow.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
4 & 4k: A Gratitude Journal for 10 Minute Novelists
I'm Typing as Fast as I Can!
Being part of a Facebook group is a lot like wandering through a set of billboards where people post things for others to read and comment on at their leisure. It is, despite the number of members, a somewhat relaxing process were you browse, peruse and otherwise stroll about the garden looking at the greenery and commenting from time to time on a particularly spectacular hydrangea. It's all very civilized.
If your looking for a little more 'action,' and a slightly more frenetic pace, you should join us in one of our 10 Minute Novelist chat sessions.
The comments and questions fly fast and furiously (apologizes to Vin) and you had better have your boots on.
Katharine hosts a topically focused Facebook Chat event every Monday. It lasts just one hour and it is reputed to be a VERY good time. Questions and answers are posted and responded to in real time. Pull out your scrolling mouse 'cause you're going to need it.
Tuesday evening is set aside for a virtual Dunkin' Donuts write in. If your have a Work In Progress, then cuddle up with a coffee and a keyboard and get some words out in the company of good friends and virtual snacks. (Note: Virtual caffeine may or may not keep you awake. We make no promises...)
If you're a bit of a night owl, then head over to Twitter on Thursday nights for a change of (very fast) pace (#10MinNovelists). It is a challenge to keep your responses to 140 characters. Best brush up on your #hashtagging if you want to stay on top of this convo.
Round out your week with a lazy Sunday afternoon Chat. We're usually working through a writing craft book, answering open questions and sharing our take and experiences as writers in training. I personally guarantee that you will learn something every single time.
And last but not least, the format of the group (no links or personal promotion except as designated) has created an interesting work around. The Private Message (PM) has become the communication method of choice for any direct contact with other members. This is how you make friends! Start a chat, make a friend. It's just that easy.
I think this is one of the group's most exciting features, this the way to have conversations, not just reactions. You should join us, we all need new friends!
So whether you wander, walk or race, there's a place for you here.
Before signing off, let's have another delightful Drabble with our tea, shall we? This little crumpet is brought to us by the Lady Sara Marschand...
"Sara writes science fiction and fantasy when not wrangling kids."
Being part of a Facebook group is a lot like wandering through a set of billboards where people post things for others to read and comment on at their leisure. It is, despite the number of members, a somewhat relaxing process were you browse, peruse and otherwise stroll about the garden looking at the greenery and commenting from time to time on a particularly spectacular hydrangea. It's all very civilized.
If your looking for a little more 'action,' and a slightly more frenetic pace, you should join us in one of our 10 Minute Novelist chat sessions.
The comments and questions fly fast and furiously (apologizes to Vin) and you had better have your boots on.
Tuesday evening is set aside for a virtual Dunkin' Donuts write in. If your have a Work In Progress, then cuddle up with a coffee and a keyboard and get some words out in the company of good friends and virtual snacks. (Note: Virtual caffeine may or may not keep you awake. We make no promises...)
If you're a bit of a night owl, then head over to Twitter on Thursday nights for a change of (very fast) pace (#10MinNovelists). It is a challenge to keep your responses to 140 characters. Best brush up on your #hashtagging if you want to stay on top of this convo.
Round out your week with a lazy Sunday afternoon Chat. We're usually working through a writing craft book, answering open questions and sharing our take and experiences as writers in training. I personally guarantee that you will learn something every single time.
And last but not least, the format of the group (no links or personal promotion except as designated) has created an interesting work around. The Private Message (PM) has become the communication method of choice for any direct contact with other members. This is how you make friends! Start a chat, make a friend. It's just that easy.
I think this is one of the group's most exciting features, this the way to have conversations, not just reactions. You should join us, we all need new friends!
So whether you wander, walk or race, there's a place for you here.
Before signing off, let's have another delightful Drabble with our tea, shall we? This little crumpet is brought to us by the Lady Sara Marschand...
When I first met Katherine, she was hosting a chat with KM Weiland. I’d only had the notion of writing, but I joined as member six-hundred-something because of everything I learned in one hour. Over the past couple years, I’ve made writer friends at chats and work buddies through 365. In here, this safe space, I feel like I can do this author thing. A few shorts and flash have been published and, someday, my novel in progress. The connections here have changed my life’s direction, so I definitely have 10 minutes to thank the woman who made it possible.
"Sara writes science fiction and fantasy when not wrangling kids."
Friday, March 17, 2017
The Digital Pensieve
"Of course you can't have it all! Where would you put it?"
So storing my idea has been something that I have been conscious of for a very long time. I have short term memory issues that make it difficult for me to remember anything but the present moment, so I learned very early on that getting a storage system together was going save me a lot of embarrassment.,
Habit is a strong second to that, especially the habit of putting things in my storage places. I have been chasing organizational systems for decades, building and adapting them to suit my needs. Nothing ever sticks though, not permanently. So what is a writer to do?
Introducing Google Drive.
I have had a series of voice recorders, and I though I have tried other ways of capturing my thoughts, that is the one I keep falling back on. It is simple and effective and can store my thoughts pretty much indefinitely.
I basically just start the recording with a reference to what it's going to be about. If it is a note or a task, I start by saying Note. If it is part of a book or series, I will start with the name of the book and then recording my ideas.
When it comes time to sort and store them, I just listen to the first few seconds to figure out what it is, then rename it, usually retaining the date and time to keep them organized and to watch the development of ideas.
The I drag the voice files into their respective folders on Google Drive, This means that at any given moment, the are stories with several voice notes just waiting to be heard. I have close to a hundred story ideas. Not all of them will be written of course (no one has that kind of time) but at least they are out off my head and waiting rather that bugging me with thoughts that I should try to remember but ultimately don't.
What does this have to do with the chapter? Well, I have set up set of folders under my WIP main folder on Google Drive, which I will use to store the physical/digital results of my work through the workbook.
This blog will start using the appropriate tags to chorale the posts that all relate to the same subject, but they will be more about my impressions and feeling about the exercise rather than the content.
It's another system. I hope I can stick to it.
So storing my idea has been something that I have been conscious of for a very long time. I have short term memory issues that make it difficult for me to remember anything but the present moment, so I learned very early on that getting a storage system together was going save me a lot of embarrassment.,
Habit is a strong second to that, especially the habit of putting things in my storage places. I have been chasing organizational systems for decades, building and adapting them to suit my needs. Nothing ever sticks though, not permanently. So what is a writer to do?
Introducing Google Drive.
I basically just start the recording with a reference to what it's going to be about. If it is a note or a task, I start by saying Note. If it is part of a book or series, I will start with the name of the book and then recording my ideas.
When it comes time to sort and store them, I just listen to the first few seconds to figure out what it is, then rename it, usually retaining the date and time to keep them organized and to watch the development of ideas.
The I drag the voice files into their respective folders on Google Drive, This means that at any given moment, the are stories with several voice notes just waiting to be heard. I have close to a hundred story ideas. Not all of them will be written of course (no one has that kind of time) but at least they are out off my head and waiting rather that bugging me with thoughts that I should try to remember but ultimately don't.
What does this have to do with the chapter? Well, I have set up set of folders under my WIP main folder on Google Drive, which I will use to store the physical/digital results of my work through the workbook.
This blog will start using the appropriate tags to chorale the posts that all relate to the same subject, but they will be more about my impressions and feeling about the exercise rather than the content.
It's another system. I hope I can stick to it.
4 & 4k: A Gratitude Journal for 10 Minute Novelists
A Room of Their Own
With 5349 members (as of this writing) it can be a little hard to find folks who share a specific common interest in the 10 Minuters group. While the organization of topics by days certainly helps to create focus in the main group, sometimes you want to go "where everybody knows your name..." (If you don't get the reference, it is another indication of just how old I am getting!)
Welcome to the 10 Minute Novelists Groups. They are spin off groups that have been created to allow members to specialize in a specific area of interest so as to not flood the general conversation with non-general posts. By and large though, they are all built around the same code of conduct as the main group, so tucking away into a group is not going to let someone circumvent the rules.
As a writer, are you worried about how sedentary you are? Look no further than Christine Hennebury's Moving Write Along, A subgroup of 10 Minute Novelists. Christine and the other awesome admins are always ready with a Star and encouragement to get up and celebrate your health with movement. This small group (60 members) is warm and welcoming and completely low pressure!
Thinking of your next big novel in the NaNoWriMo verse? Check out Jessica White's NaNo for 10 Minute Novelists subgroup. We are just gearing up for Camp NaNoWriMo and starting to set up cabins! 160 members strong, this is the place to chat about the trials and triumphs of working under an insane deadline, 10 Minutes at a time! The group is only open around the NaNo Events (April, July and November) to keep the content focused, so the time to join up is NOW!
Finally (as if she isn't busy enough) Jessica is also heading up the 365 Writing Group. It is for ultra dedicated writers who want/need/crave that push and accountability to write, every... single.. day...! It is only open for entry in Novembers so that folks can get organized. Jess did let me have a peek at the rules though: "Each participant will select a daily goal and will enter their daily word count into an online spreadsheet. There will be daily encouragement, sprinting opportunities, challenge events, monthly motivational chats, and awesome badges to earn." I have it on good authority that "the 365 group is the best possible thing you can do for your writing." I, for one, cannot wait until next November.
I am sure that as more special focuses start to emerge, there will be places made for those people too at the invisible snack table of love! (If you guys could see HALF of the stuff the Admins do to support and encourage each other, your hearts would melt!)
Now before I tear up (again), time for today's Drabble by Sandy Stuckless!
It started with a chat. Not over coffee or a scone. Not a drink at the bar. It started on Twitter of all places. Picture this: Thursday night, manuscript going nowhere and my usual nap not cutting it. I had ten minutes to kill so I said let’s see what kind of trouble I can get into on social media. Then I found it. The hashtag that changed my writing. I met this sweet lady named Katharine, so full of confidence and compassion, who welcomed me with open arms That was over a year ago. I haven’t looked back since.
(Sandy Stuckless writes in fantasy, sci-fi, and a little paranormal. He enjoys outdoorsy stuff like camping, hiking, and throwing snowballs at his kids.)
With 5349 members (as of this writing) it can be a little hard to find folks who share a specific common interest in the 10 Minuters group. While the organization of topics by days certainly helps to create focus in the main group, sometimes you want to go "where everybody knows your name..." (If you don't get the reference, it is another indication of just how old I am getting!)
As a writer, are you worried about how sedentary you are? Look no further than Christine Hennebury's Moving Write Along, A subgroup of 10 Minute Novelists. Christine and the other awesome admins are always ready with a Star and encouragement to get up and celebrate your health with movement. This small group (60 members) is warm and welcoming and completely low pressure!
Thinking of your next big novel in the NaNoWriMo verse? Check out Jessica White's NaNo for 10 Minute Novelists subgroup. We are just gearing up for Camp NaNoWriMo and starting to set up cabins! 160 members strong, this is the place to chat about the trials and triumphs of working under an insane deadline, 10 Minutes at a time! The group is only open around the NaNo Events (April, July and November) to keep the content focused, so the time to join up is NOW!
Finally (as if she isn't busy enough) Jessica is also heading up the 365 Writing Group. It is for ultra dedicated writers who want/need/crave that push and accountability to write, every... single.. day...! It is only open for entry in Novembers so that folks can get organized. Jess did let me have a peek at the rules though: "Each participant will select a daily goal and will enter their daily word count into an online spreadsheet. There will be daily encouragement, sprinting opportunities, challenge events, monthly motivational chats, and awesome badges to earn." I have it on good authority that "the 365 group is the best possible thing you can do for your writing." I, for one, cannot wait until next November.
I am sure that as more special focuses start to emerge, there will be places made for those people too at the invisible snack table of love! (If you guys could see HALF of the stuff the Admins do to support and encourage each other, your hearts would melt!)
Now before I tear up (again), time for today's Drabble by Sandy Stuckless!
It started with a chat. Not over coffee or a scone. Not a drink at the bar. It started on Twitter of all places. Picture this: Thursday night, manuscript going nowhere and my usual nap not cutting it. I had ten minutes to kill so I said let’s see what kind of trouble I can get into on social media. Then I found it. The hashtag that changed my writing. I met this sweet lady named Katharine, so full of confidence and compassion, who welcomed me with open arms That was over a year ago. I haven’t looked back since.
(Sandy Stuckless writes in fantasy, sci-fi, and a little paranormal. He enjoys outdoorsy stuff like camping, hiking, and throwing snowballs at his kids.)
Thursday, March 16, 2017
A Place for My Mind
Plan where you will write*
Work to find a space. Spend at least ten minutes preparing this space, getting everything you need – good lighting, comfort if possible, few distractions, reliable hardware and software and privacy. Get all your supplies together. Create your space and use it.
Today's question is all about WHERE to write. I suppose time and space ARE interconnected, so where and when are just as important as each other. I hope we get to what fairly soon.
The when of my writing has been an interesting question for a while. I have created various 'places' to write over the years. The one that stands out to me was when I created an office with decor and comfy seat and everything. I don't remember writing a word in there. I have tried the variation on that theme several times., usually to no avail. No writing gets done in offices reserved for the purpose.
I wrote I should Have Listened to my cat over 50 days on a TV table in my living room. Fifty days, on a TV table. The time varied a bit, sometime in the evenings, but always whenever I could pull it off, I would write in the morning after 5 am. Always on that TV table.
No, I don't even have a TV table. Instead, I have a kitchen table, a step stool in the den, and I am typing this at the desk we have set up in the dining living room area. It is a nice desk, looking all professional and stuff, and this is literally the first time I have written on it.
In addition, I am writing on my 'new' Dana by AlphaSmart. It is a $25 tool that is basically a rechargeable keyboard, and that is pretty much all it is. It has a nice big screen, and an SD card memory and best of all, it is so light and portable. It is completely distraction free. I don't even bother with proper spelling most of the time, favouring speed and content over format and precision. This allows for a more stream of consciousness type of experience,
So what does this mean for the future? Well, once April comes around, Pam will likely be using this desk for her university courses and I will be back to the table. That is not so bad however because the height is about the same. I may need to steal an extra cushion from another chair though because those things get hard to sit on after a while.
Still, I have the tools I need to get the job done. Now it is just about doing the job. I have an outline to create (in 10 minute chucks), this blog to keep up as I answer the questions in Katharine's book, and a side project I have taken on giving an extended shout out to the 10Min group!
Work to find a space. Spend at least ten minutes preparing this space, getting everything you need – good lighting, comfort if possible, few distractions, reliable hardware and software and privacy. Get all your supplies together. Create your space and use it.
Today's question is all about WHERE to write. I suppose time and space ARE interconnected, so where and when are just as important as each other. I hope we get to what fairly soon.
The when of my writing has been an interesting question for a while. I have created various 'places' to write over the years. The one that stands out to me was when I created an office with decor and comfy seat and everything. I don't remember writing a word in there. I have tried the variation on that theme several times., usually to no avail. No writing gets done in offices reserved for the purpose.
I wrote I should Have Listened to my cat over 50 days on a TV table in my living room. Fifty days, on a TV table. The time varied a bit, sometime in the evenings, but always whenever I could pull it off, I would write in the morning after 5 am. Always on that TV table.
No, I don't even have a TV table. Instead, I have a kitchen table, a step stool in the den, and I am typing this at the desk we have set up in the dining living room area. It is a nice desk, looking all professional and stuff, and this is literally the first time I have written on it.
So what does this mean for the future? Well, once April comes around, Pam will likely be using this desk for her university courses and I will be back to the table. That is not so bad however because the height is about the same. I may need to steal an extra cushion from another chair though because those things get hard to sit on after a while.
Still, I have the tools I need to get the job done. Now it is just about doing the job. I have an outline to create (in 10 minute chucks), this blog to keep up as I answer the questions in Katharine's book, and a side project I have taken on giving an extended shout out to the 10Min group!
*From Chapter 3 - Creating your space
4 & 4k: A Gratitude Journal for 10 Minute Novelists
Everything in Its Time
One of the most important factors in running a large Facebook group is the control of the flow of information. When everyone is talking about everything, then no one is listening.
So it was with a great deal of surprise that my arrival to the group was not greeted with a fanfare and a parade! OK maybe not THAT great a surprise, but instead I got a quiet hello from several very kind people, including Katharine.
Then came the news that I was member 4000! Well that was more like it. Fanfare, trumpets, monkeys and ticker-tape... but again, not for me. It was all directed at Katharine, to her group. There was a LOT of love here, and it seemed to be directed mostly by the membership. They were clearly in love with the place, and with the people who made it what it was (that hasn't changed, BTW).
Monday rolled around and BOOM! "HELLO EVERYBODY! TODAY IS NEW MEMBER SHOUT OUT DAY!" All new members were encouraged to comment and share a little about themselves (no links please), and pats on the back and encouragement abounded! There was a BADGE that you could download to show your 10Min pride!
Here is the difference though. This group, this family, wasn't interested in stroking egos or being sold your book/blog/cure for the common cold. They wanted to know about YOU! To support YOU! So no Self-Promotion (there's a time and a place for that), No Provocations (trolls are quickly and efficiently fed to the Delete Machine) No Profanity (I received a gentle suggestion to avoid the word D*mn, which I was happy to edit out).
There's a list of rules, and if you break them, we will good naturedly point and laugh and suggest you have a look at them. Break them again and we will have a serious chat, or something a little more final. There is not a 'three strikes rule.' This isn't a baseball game. This is a family, and as a family, no matter how much they disagree about the Oxford Comma of Self over Trad publishing, if you hurt one of their own, the wagons are circled and the Admins kick into high gear. Everyone is safe, or no one is.
Then there was the schedule. Schedule? On a Facebook Group? Yup. I don't know if it came from her homeschooling experiences or just being a mom of 5 kids, but Katharine had the whole crew and all of the posts organized into slots, keeping the chaos down to a manageable murmur.
Mondays are New Member Shout Out Day and Blogs Day (links welcome)
Tuesdays is Top Ten Day (You are welcome to contribute your lists of things) and Buddy day (shout out for help with your project)
Wednesday is #Author Happiness - responding to the post is your chance to blast out your message, your book, project, website, pictures of your cats. LINKS WELCOME (but only on the post)
I haven't even begun to talk about the live chats.
What is the net effect? Content is kept focused. People post, and respond, with genuine questions, tips, wow moments. And the family stays strong and focused as it grows.
I will wrap up with today's Drabble by Sheri (Blog Day) Williams
One of the most important factors in running a large Facebook group is the control of the flow of information. When everyone is talking about everything, then no one is listening.
So it was with a great deal of surprise that my arrival to the group was not greeted with a fanfare and a parade! OK maybe not THAT great a surprise, but instead I got a quiet hello from several very kind people, including Katharine.
Then came the news that I was member 4000! Well that was more like it. Fanfare, trumpets, monkeys and ticker-tape... but again, not for me. It was all directed at Katharine, to her group. There was a LOT of love here, and it seemed to be directed mostly by the membership. They were clearly in love with the place, and with the people who made it what it was (that hasn't changed, BTW).
Here is the difference though. This group, this family, wasn't interested in stroking egos or being sold your book/blog/cure for the common cold. They wanted to know about YOU! To support YOU! So no Self-Promotion (there's a time and a place for that), No Provocations (trolls are quickly and efficiently fed to the Delete Machine) No Profanity (I received a gentle suggestion to avoid the word D*mn, which I was happy to edit out).
There's a list of rules, and if you break them, we will good naturedly point and laugh and suggest you have a look at them. Break them again and we will have a serious chat, or something a little more final. There is not a 'three strikes rule.' This isn't a baseball game. This is a family, and as a family, no matter how much they disagree about the Oxford Comma of Self over Trad publishing, if you hurt one of their own, the wagons are circled and the Admins kick into high gear. Everyone is safe, or no one is.
Then there was the schedule. Schedule? On a Facebook Group? Yup. I don't know if it came from her homeschooling experiences or just being a mom of 5 kids, but Katharine had the whole crew and all of the posts organized into slots, keeping the chaos down to a manageable murmur.
Mondays are New Member Shout Out Day and Blogs Day (links welcome)
Tuesdays is Top Ten Day (You are welcome to contribute your lists of things) and Buddy day (shout out for help with your project)
Wednesday is #Author Happiness - responding to the post is your chance to blast out your message, your book, project, website, pictures of your cats. LINKS WELCOME (but only on the post)
I haven't even begun to talk about the live chats.
What is the net effect? Content is kept focused. People post, and respond, with genuine questions, tips, wow moments. And the family stays strong and focused as it grows.
I will wrap up with today's Drabble by Sheri (Blog Day) Williams
What Katharine did for me: a drabble(Sheri Williams writes a bit of everything. She was the first Admin to be added by Katherine almost three years ago.)
Katharine found me when I had literally just decided I was a writer. She brought me to her fold, her brand new group, and she made me family. Three and a half years later, I am still writing in ten minute increments. I am an admin of the best fb group ever. And I am still a writer. My publishing journey has not been smooth, but Katharine and 10MinNovelists have always been there to help me through. I honestly would not be where I am today without them.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Decanting Time
Planning and Purpose*
Time is all we have that is ever truly ours, and it is the one thing that we spend without care or consequence. So this post is especially focused on the idea of how i am choosing to spend the precious little moments that are strung together.
I sit at my dining room table as I write this. It is about 930 in the evening, the chores are all done and Pam and I have sat together and talked and watched a few favourite shows. As she sits here with me, completing her daily journal, I take a moment to just jot down some thoughts about time.
While we are not retired (that is still 20 or so years away) we are independent. No children at home, and one cat who pretty much takes care of himself. There are the basic chores to do, and some cooking, but the rest is pretty routine and accomplished pretty quickly.
Ten minutes? Sure I have got ten minutes. I have got HOURS! But do I write during those hours? Not until recently. I am counting these blog posts as writing, but eventually, I see the exercises from the 10 Minutes Novelists leading to more writing of my actual project.
Pam and I recently (yesterday) actually had a conversation about the fact that I WANT to write the sequel. We've agreed that April, during Camp Nanowrimo, I will be writing while she keeps working on her degree. It is going to be an interesting time. Not because it will be difficult, but because it will be different.
Next up, I need to take some time to outline my novel. It doesn't have to be much of an outline, just a beginning, an ending, and some spots in between. I think I am going to forgo alpha readers this time though. I want to write for me. So there it is. Time. I have it, it is just about how I choose to spend it. No negotiations, no real planning required.
I still make time for the most important things however. Date nights, at least once a week. Time visiting or playing games with the kids. Overtime for work to keep the axe sharp. All of that is doable. More that doable, it is required. But it doesn't mean that I am taking up all of my time doing them. There is always a little left over.
It is the time in between times that is the most precious though. The time when my creative brain is occupied with driving or walking or just sitting there. It is during those time that my story grows, but only if I am thinking about the story in the first place. So the time is now to start thinking about the sequel. Now.
*This post is a response to all of the planning and time management questions in Chapter 2.
Time is all we have that is ever truly ours, and it is the one thing that we spend without care or consequence. So this post is especially focused on the idea of how i am choosing to spend the precious little moments that are strung together.
I sit at my dining room table as I write this. It is about 930 in the evening, the chores are all done and Pam and I have sat together and talked and watched a few favourite shows. As she sits here with me, completing her daily journal, I take a moment to just jot down some thoughts about time.
While we are not retired (that is still 20 or so years away) we are independent. No children at home, and one cat who pretty much takes care of himself. There are the basic chores to do, and some cooking, but the rest is pretty routine and accomplished pretty quickly.
Ten minutes? Sure I have got ten minutes. I have got HOURS! But do I write during those hours? Not until recently. I am counting these blog posts as writing, but eventually, I see the exercises from the 10 Minutes Novelists leading to more writing of my actual project.
Pam and I recently (yesterday) actually had a conversation about the fact that I WANT to write the sequel. We've agreed that April, during Camp Nanowrimo, I will be writing while she keeps working on her degree. It is going to be an interesting time. Not because it will be difficult, but because it will be different.Next up, I need to take some time to outline my novel. It doesn't have to be much of an outline, just a beginning, an ending, and some spots in between. I think I am going to forgo alpha readers this time though. I want to write for me. So there it is. Time. I have it, it is just about how I choose to spend it. No negotiations, no real planning required.
I still make time for the most important things however. Date nights, at least once a week. Time visiting or playing games with the kids. Overtime for work to keep the axe sharp. All of that is doable. More that doable, it is required. But it doesn't mean that I am taking up all of my time doing them. There is always a little left over.
It is the time in between times that is the most precious though. The time when my creative brain is occupied with driving or walking or just sitting there. It is during those time that my story grows, but only if I am thinking about the story in the first place. So the time is now to start thinking about the sequel. Now.
"As we made our approach to Paradise Station, Darwin kept his usual keen sense trained on every moment and maneuver of the shuttle. Usual for Darwin meant that he was actively napping in the seat next to me. If you don't know what I mean by actively napping, you haven't spent nearly enough time around a cat. It means that the cat is watchful, wary, sensitive to all movement and changes, while remaining curled up comfortably. Just watch the alertness in your cat's eye the next time they open it to track your every move. Some people find it unnerving. Given Darwin's size, I really don't blame them."
*This post is a response to all of the planning and time management questions in Chapter 2.
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