Katherine O Connor has researched some interesting stuff about inspiration. I am more inclined to be looking for the missing muse, I guess I am not as optimistic as Kathy.
Kathy writes: "writing is such an uphill climb that I wanted to share what keeps me going.
1) Getting up in the morning and knowing Margaret Blake is already hard at work on her novel and has been for several hours.
2) Knowing my friend Maggie is willing to read a first draft of whatever I'm working on and offer good advice
3) I also I have a few quotes which I find uplifting.
"You develop a style from writing a lot, " Kurt Vonnegut
"The first chapter sells the book. The last chapter sells the next book" Mickey Spillane
"There is no great writing only great rewriting," Louis Brandeis
"The best time to plan a book is while doing the dishes,"Agatha Christie.
"If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere, "Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Those are fantastic, I love the Spillane quote so much.
As for me, well I am looking for my muse to finish those 1000 words that just will not come - but I am in good company.
O for a muse of fire
that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention
Shakespeare
Give me a spark of nature's fire
That's a' the learning I desire;
Then, tho' I trudge thro' dub an' mire
at plough or cart
My muse tho' hamely in attire
May touch my heart
Robert Burns
I guess the latter is where I am right at this moment
Ta ta for now
Margaret Blake.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Getting Reacquainted
'Write every day' is what the creativity books advise. I sure wish I could but sometimes life intervenes. So yesterday was the first time in a month I've worked on my novel.
It's not ideal to have these extended interruptions. Still, your work can survive them and still prosper. Planning helps if you have the luxury of knowing a break is coming. Don't leave your work too wrapped up. I stopped writing in the middle of a scene I was excited about. That's practically a guarantee I will get back to work on it.
Use the break for reflection. There are no absolutes. Could the real villain/hero/love interest be someone other than the person you planned? It was for me. I had an aha moment during that month when I wasn't writing that has my plot recharged.
Realize you've lost some fluidity. It's like not exercising for a month. You've got to start slow. Maybe edit a bit before you start writing and then write for short segments. It won't come as easily for awhile.
Your characters may be shy or cross with you. So give them time to share their secrets. It won't take too long. You are the author and they really need you.
It's not ideal to have these extended interruptions. Still, your work can survive them and still prosper. Planning helps if you have the luxury of knowing a break is coming. Don't leave your work too wrapped up. I stopped writing in the middle of a scene I was excited about. That's practically a guarantee I will get back to work on it.
Use the break for reflection. There are no absolutes. Could the real villain/hero/love interest be someone other than the person you planned? It was for me. I had an aha moment during that month when I wasn't writing that has my plot recharged.
Realize you've lost some fluidity. It's like not exercising for a month. You've got to start slow. Maybe edit a bit before you start writing and then write for short segments. It won't come as easily for awhile.
Your characters may be shy or cross with you. So give them time to share their secrets. It won't take too long. You are the author and they really need you.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Big Breakfast?
Okay, I have to share what I saw the other morning when hubby and I went to breakfast. We favor this little non-chain restaurant downtown because they're cheap and the food is actually very good. It's always jam packed and sometimes you have to wait, but not long. There's nothing fancy about the place but they do a heck of a business.
Well, we were sitting there waiting for our breakfast. We always order the same thing, a half order of biscuits and sausage gravy and a side of potatoes. The tables and booths are pretty close and I couldn't help notice the people sitting at the booth beside our table. They got their food about the same time ours arrived.
Ever tried enjoying a hearty plate of biscuits and gravy when the woman next to you seems to be struggling to get down a single pancake thin enough to see through? Without syrup no less! Why did she even bother ordering breakfast? I felt so self-conscious I could barely finish my breakfast off. I think I actually left a fork or two on my plate just so she could see I wasn't a total pig:)
Well, we were sitting there waiting for our breakfast. We always order the same thing, a half order of biscuits and sausage gravy and a side of potatoes. The tables and booths are pretty close and I couldn't help notice the people sitting at the booth beside our table. They got their food about the same time ours arrived.
Ever tried enjoying a hearty plate of biscuits and gravy when the woman next to you seems to be struggling to get down a single pancake thin enough to see through? Without syrup no less! Why did she even bother ordering breakfast? I felt so self-conscious I could barely finish my breakfast off. I think I actually left a fork or two on my plate just so she could see I wasn't a total pig:)
Friday, January 4, 2008
Now what?
Resolutions made: check.
Calorie-rich food frozen, tossed in the pail or fed to the birds: check.
Trees and decorations returned to storage: check.
House cleaned: check.
Thank you cards written and mailed: check.
Hmm ... it seems as if the holidays are "officially" behind us in the Leone household. Bt now that everything's been squared away I've got to admit I'm not quite ready to jump into any big, new projects.
Oh, right ... this might be the lull after the storm. Now I remember. Kathy mentioned it on Wednesday, didn't she? I think she may have hit the nail right on the head. I know I'm ready to kick back and take it easy. For a few days, at least.
This might be the perfect time to catch up on my reading. I got a lot of great books for Christmas and since it's too cold to even venture outside... Yes, the perfect time for reading.
But then anytime is the perfect time for reading, isn't it? Oh, what am I reading? I've just finished The Golden Tulip by Rosalind Baker. I loved it! Now I think I'll read a Diana Gabaldon, the latest in the Lord John series. I can't think of the name of the book offhand, I'm sorry. It's the new one. My godmother sent it to me for Christmas and I've been itching to dive into it. I believe today's the day! Because really, anytime I ask myself Now what? the answer is only a few pages away!
What are you reading? I'm always on the lookout for recommendations to satisfy my reading curiousity.
Have a great weekend!
Calorie-rich food frozen, tossed in the pail or fed to the birds: check.
Trees and decorations returned to storage: check.
House cleaned: check.
Thank you cards written and mailed: check.
Hmm ... it seems as if the holidays are "officially" behind us in the Leone household. Bt now that everything's been squared away I've got to admit I'm not quite ready to jump into any big, new projects.
Oh, right ... this might be the lull after the storm. Now I remember. Kathy mentioned it on Wednesday, didn't she? I think she may have hit the nail right on the head. I know I'm ready to kick back and take it easy. For a few days, at least.
This might be the perfect time to catch up on my reading. I got a lot of great books for Christmas and since it's too cold to even venture outside... Yes, the perfect time for reading.
But then anytime is the perfect time for reading, isn't it? Oh, what am I reading? I've just finished The Golden Tulip by Rosalind Baker. I loved it! Now I think I'll read a Diana Gabaldon, the latest in the Lord John series. I can't think of the name of the book offhand, I'm sorry. It's the new one. My godmother sent it to me for Christmas and I've been itching to dive into it. I believe today's the day! Because really, anytime I ask myself Now what? the answer is only a few pages away!
What are you reading? I'm always on the lookout for recommendations to satisfy my reading curiousity.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
New Year Traditions
Happy New Year to everyone!
I am sure you all reflect on the past at this time of year. I was thinking about how we used to celebrate the New Year and what great times we had. Now we don't even go outside, we do not even bother to wait for midnight.
I cannot recall how many times I have stood outside on a cold December night, waiting for the chimes, a basket over my arm that carried a cob of coal, a slice of bread and something to drink. On those chimes I would ring the bell and be let in, falling into the arms of friends and family and singing Auld Lang Syne. Latterly there has just been John and I, plus in the recent past, our lovely dog Nell and our pussy cat Foggie. Unfortunately both well loved animals are now in the land of "plenty of bones" and "lots of mice to chase." But I always think of them at New Year.
How our celebrations have changed. My Scottish Granny will be revolving in her grave at this sacrilege, for of course when she was with us, we had to celebrate Scottish style. That meant cleaning the house from top to toe on New Year's Even, all washing had to be done, ironing finished, and clothes put away. The house had to be spick and span ready for the celebrations. I still try to do that a little and I endeavour not to have any dirty laundry in the basket, failed this year, but only by a tea towel and unmentionables.
Ah well, it must be an age thing - we are no longer "party people" we are leading a quiet life but oh it was such fun. Often for me the happiest day of the year - all the family together, Grandpa singing his old first world war songs, even my shy dad giving a song.
Anyway, whatever you do this year, or wherever you go, do make the best of it.
Margaret.
I am sure you all reflect on the past at this time of year. I was thinking about how we used to celebrate the New Year and what great times we had. Now we don't even go outside, we do not even bother to wait for midnight.
I cannot recall how many times I have stood outside on a cold December night, waiting for the chimes, a basket over my arm that carried a cob of coal, a slice of bread and something to drink. On those chimes I would ring the bell and be let in, falling into the arms of friends and family and singing Auld Lang Syne. Latterly there has just been John and I, plus in the recent past, our lovely dog Nell and our pussy cat Foggie. Unfortunately both well loved animals are now in the land of "plenty of bones" and "lots of mice to chase." But I always think of them at New Year.
How our celebrations have changed. My Scottish Granny will be revolving in her grave at this sacrilege, for of course when she was with us, we had to celebrate Scottish style. That meant cleaning the house from top to toe on New Year's Even, all washing had to be done, ironing finished, and clothes put away. The house had to be spick and span ready for the celebrations. I still try to do that a little and I endeavour not to have any dirty laundry in the basket, failed this year, but only by a tea towel and unmentionables.
Ah well, it must be an age thing - we are no longer "party people" we are leading a quiet life but oh it was such fun. Often for me the happiest day of the year - all the family together, Grandpa singing his old first world war songs, even my shy dad giving a song.
Anyway, whatever you do this year, or wherever you go, do make the best of it.
Margaret.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Day Two
I just hefted the tree out to the curb, leaving a trail of needles behind me. Though I enjoyed having a Christmas tree, my dining room now feels more spacious without it. Slowly I'm reclaiming my house and putting seasonal decorations away.
Also I'm hoping to reclaim my writing time. And just to make sure that happens, yesterday I pulled out a much-loved book of meditations called Simple Abundance. Sarah Ban Breathnach's pretty pink book doesn't look revolutionary but it is. The book is organized as a walk through the year, beginning on New Year's Day and it gets you to focus on and nurture someone very important -- yourself. If last year left you feeling a little ragged and exhausted (it did me), I'd recommend this book because through its gentle lessons of comfort and joy, it gets you back on track to leading an authentic life.
I've only read two days of meditations but already I've become more deliberate. My novel, I've decided, will be finished on my time frame and it will only be submitted when I'm completely happy with it. Today I'm not rushing through my chores either. After a month of marathoning I'm slowing down. We've all just been given a gift of a brand new year so there is time -- lots of time to do it our way. Hope you have a truly wonderful and fufilling year.
Also I'm hoping to reclaim my writing time. And just to make sure that happens, yesterday I pulled out a much-loved book of meditations called Simple Abundance. Sarah Ban Breathnach's pretty pink book doesn't look revolutionary but it is. The book is organized as a walk through the year, beginning on New Year's Day and it gets you to focus on and nurture someone very important -- yourself. If last year left you feeling a little ragged and exhausted (it did me), I'd recommend this book because through its gentle lessons of comfort and joy, it gets you back on track to leading an authentic life.
I've only read two days of meditations but already I've become more deliberate. My novel, I've decided, will be finished on my time frame and it will only be submitted when I'm completely happy with it. Today I'm not rushing through my chores either. After a month of marathoning I'm slowing down. We've all just been given a gift of a brand new year so there is time -- lots of time to do it our way. Hope you have a truly wonderful and fufilling year.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!
And now let us welcome the New Year
Full of things that have never been
- Rainer Maria Rilke
Full of things that have never been
- Rainer Maria Rilke
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