Monday Happenings

Monday's can be tricky.  I tend to want to sleep later in the day.  I wondered about my writing today as I haven't done any.  Never to worry.  Wrote  some film reviews that I need to let marinate for a while before I go back and edit them.  They will be on my cinema blog, Several Deadly CINEs soon.   I hate not keeping up with posting, and I'm down for some new CINEs postings.

I'm also needing to get back up with the thesis.  Somewhere between now and the end of the week I need to do a stronger abstract and introduction.  

Working It Out

Today I'm determined to write something new.  Laundry is in the final stages, the floors are mopped, and I need to clean a little more as I mellow out to some songs.  Well I know I gotta make dinner today.  I have yet to eat breakfast.  I'd like some tea to mellow out with and then look at what's on my writing plate.

Last night I scribbled down some ideas, and woke up with some more ideas.  I how I hate that feeling that all of its there and in the vapors of my mind.  I will work it out.    

Thursdays are Hangovers from Wednesdays

I don't feel like writing much today, which means I insist on posting a few sentences.  Yesterday was full of upsets and twists.  I'll get over that.  I really want a day to rest my mind from the highs lows and downs.   Bouncing back is always difficult, but I know I want to have a better day, so I must.

Going to say a few extra prays because I really need to focus on things that better me as opposed to the things that cannot be changed.  Also, if I can help myself, which I can, I will put my best foot forward today.

On a side note I was not creative today, so I feel slightly guilty about that. It means I will likely create something later today.  Will keep my notepad handy.

The Short Story Part 5: Tips

Before the editing process began I got some good feedback from friends on this short story.  As I stated before, I never gave up on revisions to the text. I learned  more about  writing  since I penned this story, and I believe that I can make a good story better. The ultimate goal is to make the story publishable.

The feedback I received concerned issues with tenses (I mixed past and present), conflict resolution with the characters/narrative, and trimming/adding parts of the story.  All of which is both necessary to address and daunting.  The plot itself does not need to be made over, and will remain intact for the most part.    Still when I have a day to myself, I will commence to properly rewriting.

The Short Story Part 4: Theme

This morning I woke up to thinking about the theme of my short story.  I jotted down some notes this morning before I dozed back off into dreamland.  I'm glad I did.  When I have more time I will jot down more notes.

In regards to theme.  Themes are embodied in the desires of our protagonists, therefore I have several questions I need to ask myself:

• What does my protagonist want?
• What does my protagonist need?
• What stands in the way of the protagonist getting what he wants/needs?
• What happens if he doesn't get what he wants or needs (the stakes)?  

These questions will help me shape the theme, and know the character a little better.  Also every story needs some risks, or stakes.  If they don't have them, we won't care for the characters or outcome.

The Short Story Part 3: Small Victories

Yesterday was a discombobulated mess, however, I did managed to get a few things done-story wise.  Not bad.  Don’t want to take these moments for granted.  They are small victories and I appreciate them.  Now I need to keep my momentum going.   

Another aspect of the story I wish to try and that’s some research.   For this I need to go look up a few things.

Did some free association with some scenes and dialogue.  Wondering if it fits or not.  Willing to take it further to get it into shape.   Not afraid at this moment.   It’s rather rewarding.   Also looking at the genre of the story.  I would classify it as a literary story, but I wonder where does this story fit in with what I want to read.  If there were other literary elements I did like, say, black humor, would I still like it?  

Trying a few new elements with the descriptions.  I hope this pays off, as I rather like what I read.   If need be, I will cut it loose.  Will save it for something else. 

Did go back and observe some tense structures.  I am switching between past and present.   I should try the story in the present.  Keep it that way. 

Wrote out some dialog exchanges between the characters.  Will have to cut it.  It’s too long.  I know this because the characters are essentially talking heads.  I did need to write it out in order to get to the heart of the story.  At least I lost my fear of cutting things.   

The Short Story Part 2: Editing

Let me say thank you to some awesome people who gave me some feedback on this story.   Feedback from others is crucial at some point to allow us to see another angle to any idea or story.   

I did some light editing last night.  I looked for typos and formatting errors.  Also cut out a few pages.  I'm going to duplicate the file ("save as") and revise from there.    This is but a simple step.

This morning I had a few ideas for the intro paragraph, and that meant writing a few paragraphs out and leaving them for a later date.  Also some ideas for a couple of dialogue adjustments and scenes came to mind.  Jotted them down on a separate document to possibly add later.  

When I make another sweep at editing, I will definitely look at the characters' voices.  There are two distinct characters and four who speak in this story.  Each needs to feel like they have a specific voice.  I need to make sure I'm able to give them their due.  

By the way did I mention that writing is rewriting?  If I haven't, now you know.   

The Short Story Part 1

I wrote a short story a while back.  It was after I took all these creative writing classes in my undergrad days so the skill set to complete it was there.   The problem was, of course, was the story needed more fine tuning.   Well that time is now.

This is a post about me revising this short story to be a better story because it deserves enrichment, and demands completion.   This is a step toward completion.

Not Tonight

I know this sounds completely silly, but I don't feel like writing tonight.  I feel like relaxing and vegging out to another movie.  I however feel compelled to write at lest a few sentences for my blog.   This way, at least I did commit to thinking about creative writing.

I will edit a short story I was working on, and I feel I can do better with it.   Yes, I wish I had done more, but I think my mind and body needed some rest today.   I do know that if I have to I will shut the TV off, listen to some music and get things done.  

A few days ago I was ready to put pen to paper, but the timing was wrong.  Was way to busy to commit to what I wanted.   Full of mixed emotions about results and being counter productive.  Hopefully it will resolve itself.  

Tuesdays With Latte

For those not in the know, yesterday I decided to have a latte.  I hadn't had one in a week.  I suppose you can say I was abstaining from them - too much of a good thing. Well, I knew I could have my fave yesterday cause no harm will come from this, right?  I nursed it, sipping on it since I had the whole day.

My stomach started hurting, gurgling and growling.  This thing was mad with me.  I was like, what did I do to you?  Needless to say I had an uncomfortable evening as the latte took its toll on my stomach.  My body didn't want it today, as much as I wanted it.

My tummy's been moody of late, so I better take care of it.   No lattes for the rest of the week.   Iced or hot.

Tuesdays like Mondays

Well it's one of those days that I got up earlier than I expected.  Decided to arrange a few things around the place.  Man I'm thinking I should have slept a little longer, but I was up, and my mind is buzzing.

Working on more blog posts.  I need to make notes and get things done.  I do see a pile of laundry that needs to be handled.   Why in the world did I not buy a hamper?  A little annoyed with myself at this moment.  Oh well I'll have to use a garbage bag and pray I don't mix it up with the regular garbage.  That would be very embarrassing.

Today does feel like a Monday cause I got this "let's start the week off" feeling.  Let's hope this passes because we know its Tuesday.  

Inspired In the Morning

Woke up this morning with an idea for a prose short story.  It dawned on me that this felt like a part of an older story I wrote.  It was like I have an open door here.  I've thought about this story more and more.  Found the original, and I realized how unfinished this story must be.  I have more to add and cut.  I do believe it is worth telling and must commit to it being completed.   If I do not I feel I have not given this story what it needs to be a whole story.  

Now that I have new skills to enhance my writing, I should take full advantage of them now to make what I wrote sing.   Writing can have a metaphysical aspect to it.  I like that it does.

Very cold outside. Even worse is warming up the ride. I don't know how people stand the cold. Its too much for me.

New Black Swan post at SDCS

I realize not everyone reads both of my blogs, but I do post to this and Several Deadly CINEs.  For those not in the know, CINES (or as I call it SDCS) is my Cinema Studies blog.  I created in part to dedicate it to media, while keeping this blog a bit more personal.  

The goal isto update both frequently.   While it won't be planned posts, the updates will be done a lot more frequent.  

So for those a little curious about the Black Swan film, I have the post ready for you to see.

Saturdazed

Feeling a bit blah today, and didn't do much of anything.  Decided that I should write something, be it on the laptop or in my notepad.  Perhaps a little of both today.   I really need to get on the ball with things.   Spend way too much time online goofing off yesterday.  

Tonight is left over spaghetti and salad.   I dunno if I will make anything tomorrow.  May just pull stuff out of the freezer.  

Decided to watch The Two Towers.   It's my background movie today.  

Hello World

Spent the day loafing about.  I knew I had nowhere to go today.  Made sausage and scrambled eggs for breakfast when I got up.   I'm rather indulgent today.   I know I need to write more on my projects, and I failed to get my package in the mail.  I'm a freaking doof sometimes, but I needed to not go anywhere.  I insist on getting three plots done today.

On a side note I hand wrote out a few ideas.   Gotta keep that up or face being too inactive.  

Dreams and Early Start

Woke up early this morning and I remember some kooky dreams.  I'll go write them down cause they felt like they have story potential.  I did make myself go back to bed.  I felt that I should not be so eager to get up and waste precious sleep time.  At first I thought I wasn't going to fall back asleep, but then it happened.

Take that early morning!

I worked on my thesis some more.  It was a paltry display of work effort today, however, I managed to back up my material, so I feel that alone is worth the efforts.  Oh, I need to eat a meal.  I can't live on good thoughts alone.  I may go write and research some more.   I saw a good article on Douglas Sirk I want to read through.   I also have a couple more articles I'd love to read.

The Works Cited page is done, or at least all the info is on one page.  I will need to fine tooth comb this sucker cause I want it to stand out.

Had to run a couple of errands today.  One of them being going to the post office, and I left one of the packages at home.  I am really a hot mess this week.  I think I need to make a list of the things I need done, then work at them.  As it stands I am not organized this week.

The new quarter starts this week.   I really love the rush of new people.  I however know that rush has pros and cons.   Lord help me.    

2011

Insisted on getting a haircut this morning.  I needed one, and that meant getting up early to beat the crowd.   I had three people in front of me.  That means I got up too late, AND like everyone else, I waited until after the holidays to maintain my do.  I look nice now.  Got the beard and mustache trimmed as well.  Now I feel and look sexy.