Monday, February 25, 2008
February 2008 archive
Anyone who knows me knows I don’t get into politics much. I mean, I advocate for issues I feel strongly about, but as far as “rah rah” stuff–borrrring. I’d rather be writing.
But this is a fun & funky little quiz to see how closely what you believe/support aligns with the current presidential candidates (although some have come and gone). You can even do congressional race candidates from your state. All you do is choose how you feel/support certain issues and it spits out your most likely match.
My match was no shock to me…democrats all the way! (sorry, dad..and the rest of my conservative family…LOL). Waste a few minutes having some political fun (if that’s not an oxymoron…!)
Votematch.com: Find Your Political Match here
Let’s go Democrats….lol
Beth
Monday, February 25, 2008
February 25th: Creating an Environment Conducive to Writing by Gaelen Foley
If you’re a regular reader of Writer In Progress, you know I really like Gaelen’s articles for writers. I came across this one by accident, but think it’s one of the best.
One of the biggest obstacles to the creative person’s mind is the overwhelm of possibility. We’re given this stretchy, funky brain that can take something as simple as two pennies, a sleeping dog and a gallon of milk and make a story from it. We just can’t quit thinking, which in turn makes us excited, which in turn makes us scattered–focus is difficult to all but the trained & disciplined creative mind.
But focus is a pre-requisite to creating itself. While everyone’s focus is different (I can only focus on writing one piece of fiction at a time but can do three or four nonfiction pieces simultaneously), it’s still necessary. Gaelen’s article is on how to clear a space–physically, emotionally, mentally, sensorily (is that a word?!) in order to use it to create. Some basic stuff in here but some very good food-for-thought:
Creating an Environment Conducive to Writing by Gaelen Foley
Go create some space…in which to create!
Beth
Thursday, February 21, 2008
DONE…and almost done
It’s official..the book is finished! All the worksheets, all the outlining, quoting, placing the interviews, doing the bibliography….preface and conclusion…
DONE!
The only thing I’ve left to do is write my author bio. Writing the bio is the absolute, positive last thing I do when finishing an article. Mostly a cut-and-paste deal, I’m gonna let it wait a bit while I crack open that bottle of wine I bought a few weeks ago in anticipation of this very moment.
Finishing an article is an amazing feeling of accomplishment. Weeks on one piece of writing done…refreshing in completion.
Finishing a book…has changed my perception of writing and myself as a writer for the better. More on that later..I have some wine glasses to find
Thursday, February 21, 2008
February 21st: Seventh Sanctum’s Shiny Brain Toys…Fun!
One of the best ways to beat a creative block is to make your mind let down all guard by playing a game. It’s one of the oldest teacher tricks in the book for getting kids to learn, and I know it works for creative minds, too.
A creative mind can’t pass up a chance to generate ideas, especially when they’re random. We can’t help but try to make some kind of connection, however illogical.
Head over to Seventh Sanctum’s Shiny Brain Toys website and have FUN FUN FUN with their set of random generators. On the left side, you’ll see the possibilities. Choose one and write a 100 word story on the prompt you get. Keep clicking until you get one you like. Go through the choices til you find one that matches your story.
Whatever floats your boat, go have a little brain fun today. Just don’t let it take the place of actual WRITING on your project…lol…(said from experience)
Seventh Sanctum’s Shiny Brain Toys
Happy, happy generating,
Beth
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
February 20th: Fighting Writer’s Block by David Taylor
The link to this article is actually one of three good links (the rest of which are at the bottom of the article page) (there are four links but one is mis-linked to the same article) on getting through writer’s block.
I especially identify with Taylor’s belief that blocks aren’t really blocks: a “block” is a generic term for any number of things affecting writers. By that, however, I do not mean that I devalue the sense of being creatively blocked in any manner–as one who’s been blocked, through overwhelm, depression, inability to focus, etc., etc., etc., I’m all too aware that it really does exist..for lack of a more specific term.
Enough of that. Go read David’s article: Fighting Writer’s Block: Part 1: Causes and Cures by David Taylor
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
For you Sci-Fi, Fantasy and eBook Fans…
If you’re a sci-fi or fantasy afficionado, TOR and Forge Books have a really cool deal for you: free ebooks.
Check out their page at: http://www.tor.com, enter your email address and name, and you’ll be signed up for their newsletter as well as links to free ebooks as they offer them to the public.
I need more ebooks to read like I need another winter cold, so I’m passing on this chance, but check it out if you’re interested. A free ebook or two is nothing to sneeze at…(unless…like me…you’re getting another cold!)
Happy free-ebook-reading,
Beth
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
February 19th: 10 Tips for Beating Blogger’s Block at Lifeclever.com
You say blogger, I say writer…one in the same, really.
Today’s post is a short list article with a few good ideas that may resonate with you blocked folks. In addition to the ten tips, there are six additional sites at the bottom of the post to check out.
10 Tips for Beating Blogger’s Block at Lifeclever.com
Happy unblocking…
Beth
Monday, February 18, 2008
February 18th: 13 Ways to Bust Through Writer’s Block
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it, but I’ve been taking coursework toward becoming a creativity/writing/life coach. It’s a lot of fun, a lot of work, and a lot of thinking.
In all that thinking and by interacting with my clients, I’ve come to realize one of, if not THE main reason we creative types become “blocked”: overwhelm.
I don’t want to get too deeply into this as I’ve just been invited to be a weekly guest-blogger on the creativity coaching topic and will address that issue in a post shortly–but suffice it to say that when you’re creative, you have soooooo, soooooo, soooooo (did I mention SO) many ideas, thoughts, avenues, insights, etc. running around in your mind that the prospect of settling down with ONE to work with is a little (a lot) scary, intimidating and truthfully–makes it easier to just shut down and do NO work at all for a number of reasons? (fear…)
Anyway…I like Cynthia Morris’s blog post on 13 Ways to Bust Through Writer’s Block because it helps narrow and focus us on things, small steps, that we can do to get back into the groove and happiness of creating. With the creative mind, nothing is more important than focus, and Cynthia’s list does that for us. Stop over if you’ve got a minute or are stuck. Break it down and get more done.
13 Ways to Bust Through Writer’s Block by Cynthia Morris at her Original Impulse Blog
Happy Unblocking,
Beth
Sunday, February 17, 2008
February 17th: How to Conquer Writer’s Block
Guess who’s back? Not 100% yet as I have five chapters to final edit and the interviews to add to the ms. Hopefully by Tuesday it’ll be in the editor’s hands. And Tuesday night I’ll be cracking open a bottle of…something…to celebrate.
I’ve been talking and working with a couple of authors lately on issues that affect their writing and the overwhelming consensus is that the perception of being blocked is detrimentally affecting their work. It isn’t the first time I’ve heard this, and I know it won’t be the last, so to that end I’m dedicating this week’s postings to ways of working with, dealing with, and –hopefully– busting any type of block that stands in the way of creating.
Today’s post is just phenomenal. Jon Morrow’s Bestseller Interviews blog (no relation!) hosts a collection of writer’s-block-breaking links on insightful ways other have dealt with it. Keep it as a favorite when you need incentive and ideas on how to get back to the page.
Bestseller Interviews blog: How to Conquer Writer’s Block–The Ultimate Guide–by Jon Morrow
Happy breaking-writing-blocks,
Beth
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
WOOOHOOOO!
I’m two handouts, a final proofreading edit and ten interviews away from being done with the book.
The handout will be no problem and my favorite part of the writing process is proofing. I also really love reading interviews and formatting them to highlight something special about the person I interviewed, so that’s gravy too.
The hard work is done! When I finished the handout a few minutes ago, I feel like the sun started shining again. Not that I haven’t loved writing this book…I’ve learned more in the last three months about myself as a writer than I ever knew…but I’ve also put so much of my life on hold that I can’t wait to get back to it.
Might not post til the weekend but the good news is that I’ll be able to get back to the blog (good for me, maybe not you!)
Happy, happy writing (is there any other kind?!)
Beth
It's pretty simple, really. I'm a writer who loves writing about writing, and sharing all the tricks of the trade with other writers. And when I'm not writing, I'm thinking about writing. I have a hunch you know what I mean :)