Dept. of Listsickles

[kaffy_r]

More Than One Thing Makes a Post: so - NaNo and Who

NaNo: I've managed to hit north of 23,000 words so far; BB continues to read it to make sure it's still got a plot and that the plot isn't too heavy with infodumps. I continue to try to make a writer's sprint more mornings than not, which can get my day off to a good start. As a retiree whose main non-writing work these days has to do with keeping the cat box reasonably clean, I've been able to toil at the writing pretty much all day, at least off and on. I know a lot of people don't do it that way, or can't do it that way because they're still working; more power to them for being able to write despite that. 

I've discovered that one of the things touted about NaNo - the sense of community, and the ability of finding inspiration and helpful hints from newly discovered buddies or authors who put out livestreams or blog posts - isn't what I'm here for. I've been a solitary writer all my life, someone who reaches out to one or two people for advice or editing; that's all I have needed. I think I expected to find that I needed or, more to the point, wanted, more than that as this month went on. That didn't happen. 

Part of it is, I am chagrined to say, that much of the inspiration, suggestions, and helpful hints just don't do it for me. Either they're aimed at people who I must assume are just taking the plunge, or people who are writing in genres very different than the one in which I'm most comfortable. At least I've noticed that some of the people asking for advice in the writer's group in which I do my morning springs are writing, or trying to write, YA or middle-grade fiction. They ask about time management (as I said, not a problem for me); or outlining (thought outlining might happen for me. Now I know; never gonna happen, sweetheart, not a chance in the goddamn world); or how to get past a writer's block (get by it? Simple; sit there until you feel so guilty that you write to protect yourself.) 

Ah, well; it's still working for me; just not the way I think a lot of participants make it work for them. Each to his own, said the old lady as she kissed the cow ....

More than one thing, hmmm: I've liked the first two episodes of 13's last hurrah. I'm amazed; both were written by Chibnall, and his writing is normally like nails on a blackboard for me, as his show running has been the last two series. The only thing I didn't like was reverting the Sontaran look to its 1970s design. Euck. Bring back Strax and his Sontaran dudebros! Also, I like Dan a whole lot more than I expected to. I suspect I was wary of him just because I miss Graham and Ryan. But no, he's pretty darned likable. And Yaz is still wonderful. Also, Swarm and Azure are two of the most fashionably monstrous villains (or monstrously fashionable) we've recently enjoyed. I love their voices, their clothes, and the way they walk in their heeled boots. (I saw a short video in which the actor who plays Swarm talks about how walking in heels changes your gait, which in turn shapes the way you inhabit the character. Fascinating. 

And Thirteen is wonderful. 

Comments

[marzipan77]

I'm with you on the writing-togetherness thing. In the sense that I don't want it, I mean. I've tried signing up for the write-ins and such but, honestly, it's better when it's just me with the headphones on ignoring the world around me. As a retired writer, too, and on the east coast, most sprints and write-ins are not on my schedule. I write first thing in the morning here, and concentrate on marketing and editing and formatting other times of the day. Cheers to much success!

[kaffy_r]

As a retired writer, too, and on the east coast, most sprints and write-ins are not on my schedule.

That's understandable. Your actual schedule seems pretty impressive to me, though. So ... go, you!

[ljgeoff]

I found out that I really enjoy collaboration. I did this, gee, 15 years ago? with a fellow named Grant who I clicked with at Viable Paradise. I would write some, send it to him, he would write some and send it back. When we were done, there were places where we forgot who wrote what. It was cool. I did this with my Whofic Ever/Was -- I'm not sure if that fic still exists; the LJ account it was sitting in has been purged. Oh, here it is! Ever/Was

As for Who, I'm watching season 12 right now!

[kaffy_r]

Over the years I've tried collaboration, both in actual writing together (consecutively or concurrently) as well as times when I collaboratively brainstormed stories that I eventually wrote.

The writing collaborations never went far; I'm too egotistical a person not to think "Oh, I can improve this [writing of someone else's], or other such selfish responses to a collaborator's offering. It's not something I'm proud of, but there you go.

Idea collaboration and brainstorming was far more useful and rewarding, but even there, I'd abandon it after a while to do my own thing. Again; not something to be proud of, but it's how my head works.

Thanks for the link to the story you collaborated on with Grant!

And I'd be interested in hearing what you think about season 12!

[eve11]

Yay for writing! 23000 words is impressive! I hear you about the community stuff though. Not my bag, really. Then again, when I get writer's block it sticks around for years and I can't just guilt myself out of it. It's like all the words have dried up in my head, to the point where I look at stuff I wrote in the past and am like, "How did I manage that?"

I've been on vacation all week but it's been kind of a busy vacation. Where by "busy" I mean "going to the beach" and "eating out". Which is fine, but it is also harder to get solid writing time because I can't take my laptop to the beach and I am not good at writing in a notebook while at the beach. But I DID manage to fix the start of my next WIP chapter so it is moving now, after 8 months, hooray!

Today is a little cooler; D and my friend S went to the beach but for now I'm staying on a lounge chair by the pool (where I can use my laptop). And making bits of progress!

ETA: I've enjoyed the first two Who episodes as well. Not sure how they're going to tie everything up but it's definitely been more on point. I don't like the villains though. They are a bit OTT for me.

[kaffy_r]

I remain surprised at myself for the amount of writing I've done, with the word count now approaching 25,000.

Then again, when I get writer's block it sticks around for years and I can't just guilt myself out of it.

Right now (I almost typed "write now" which tells you where my thoughts are currently straying) I'm experiencing my first slow day. It's being caused by pain, since I woke up with really sore shoulders. Pain does tend to eat up one's thoughts and creativity. And I definitely understand not being able to guilt one's self out of a dry spell. Despite saying that guilt could jump start writing, I think I was in a bit of a mood when I said so. Certainly there have been times where I couldn't get past writer's block *cough*11 years to finish something*cough*

I've been on vacation all week but it's been kind of a busy vacation. Where by "busy" I mean "going to the beach" and "eating out".

That's the kind of busy I like, and I think it's the type of busy everyone needs, in order to recharge. I hope you continued to enjoy the vacation. After all, you did get your WIP kickstarted - congratulations!

WRT Who; Chibnall's writing has been surprisingly strong over the past three episodes, although, as I said to BB, this latest episode seemed to me to be him trying to be Moffat.

I guess I love OTT villains with a sense of fashion. Sontarans, whilst OTT have a boring fashion sense, the Cybermen don't need fashion; the Daleks don't want fashion. Swarm and Azure remind me of Eight's Eric Roberts Master. Heh.

[eve11]

My WIP will be 11 years in January. Eep. And it is only 63K words. Slow writer is slow :). Bit I've got another 500 and some notes from the last few days, thank goodness.

Have not watched ep 3 yet. Was eating out last night and today we are at the beach. Last day! Travel day tomorrow and then it's back to work and cold.

[elisi]

Part of it is, I am chagrined to say, that much of the inspiration, suggestions, and helpful hints just don't do it for me.
Same. I've never really wanted to engage with anything like that. I have (and am) collaborating with other writers, which is wonderful, but writing is something that happens in my head. (And then I have to write it down of course...)

More than one thing, hmmm: I've liked the first two episodes of 13's last hurrah.
Same. They've been very enjoyable. Which is nice!

[kaffy_r]

I think most folks on my f'list are solitary writers, or if they do work with others, it's largely collaboration with one other person, rather than the community circle thing.

I'm not sure whether my writing takes place more in my head or more in my keyboard interstices. Heh.

[elisi]

I'm not sure whether my writing takes place more in my head or more in my keyboard interstices. Heh.
Heee. My writing happens in my head (fun), then the actual writing (not fun) and then the editing (fun).

[a_phoenixdragon]

I've skipped the WriMo togetherness as well. I find it overwhelming and intimidating --- and it leads to les writing and more nail-biting as I consider all the ways I write 'incorrectly'. Yeesh! And hey, you know what motivates. What inspires - and what drives you and creates your best work. I'd definitely stick with it! 23000 words is nothing to sneeze at for sure!

Ahhh, one day, I shall know what all the hullaballo is about. One day...

*HUGS*