Tag: Books about writing

Needs a title

Lynn

I skipped writing work yesterday. I planned to proofread the last two chapters of my story, but I was tired and I just didn’t get started. I changed my routine and I suspect (ha!) that I sabotaged my own momentum.

Today, I went back to the exact routine that got me working on my story Sun–Wed. So I am here and I am ready to finish this story and, if at all possible today, publish it.

Yesterday, I did listen to some of Dean Wesley Smith’s “Writers’ Deadly Delusions” Pop-up on Teachable. His Pop-ups are similar to his lectures, and I received access to a few as a reward for a few Kickstarters I’ve supported. I’d claim to have learned something, but I’ve heard it all before. :D On the other hand, it’s nice to remind myself of the mindset I find most helpful and enjoyable for my writing and publishing. My perfectionism and other issues really get in my way and I need to work constantly to keep those things from screwing myself over.

On that note, it might be time to re-read some of my Lawrence Block books on writing. Spider Spin Me a Web is excellent, and it’s my favorite.

Now, I’m going to start on the last chapters of my proofread, make every effort possible to ignore my inner critic and fix only what needs fixed, and then get some actual publishing stuff done.

[I’m a bit pissed off with WordPress right now. For some reason, it deleted the paragraph I had here originally, and now I’m having to rewrite it. Not only did it disappear, WordPress didn’t save it in the revisions. >:( Ah, fuck it. It was something about NANOWRIMO, November, and some wips I want to finish so I can start fresh with a book for it. I really don’t want to waste any more of my morning on this. :D]

Trying to read a couple of craft books

Lynn

I’ve been stalled out reading a couple of craft books lately, but I’m going to make more of an effort to get through them as soon as I finish this particular book I’m working on.

A while back, I picked up the Kindle version of this one: 27 Fiction Writing Blunders – And How Not To Make Them! by James Scott Bell. I started it but got distracted, and I keep meaning to go back to it, but I just haven’t. I liked what I read, I just need to read the rest of it.

I got the paperback edition of this one as a gift: The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller by John Truby. I started it, skipped to the end because I do that sometimes and read several chapters out of order. Now I just need to start at the beginning and make it there.

This is my note to myself to remember to get back to these. Frankly, it might be time. It’s been a while since I’ve read anything about the craft.

Reading a Book: Writing in Overdrive

Lynn

UPDATE: This was an excellent book. Very inspiring!

I’m reading a book! No, not another fiction book (and yes, I’m getting a bit behind in my “read 60 more books this year” challenge) but a book that I’m hoping will get my creative brain kicked back into gear. I’m going on nearly two weeks of no writing here and it’s driving me batty. I have no idea why I’m still having trouble.

Writing on multiple stories has been such a great help to my daily word counts, but it hasn’t been much help at all to keep me writing consistently.

Anyway, Writing in Overdrive: Write Faster, Write Freely, Write Brilliantly by Jim Denney isn’t directly related to my issues, but it’s something to excite me regardless, because it’s about writing faster … and I think you know the idea of writing faster excites me.

I bought the book before I’d even finished the sample—the opening was that good—or my need is that desperate. I’ll know when I’m done.

Oh, and I started a new rule today. No going to bed before I get 1,000 words written. I’m going to have to get started on that soon since I don’t have any words done today.

Even though I have 4 books going.

That I love.

That I keep getting ideas for.

Ugh. I definitely have a problem. I wish I knew how to solve it.

Anyway, Writing in Overdrive is waiting, so I’m outta here…