My short story "Neck of the Foot" has been accepted and published by Speculative Fiction Centre!
Go check it out: http://www.specfiction.com/marishaneckofthefoot.htm
Original Thought
How many times have you read in helpful(?) writing books that there are no new thoughts, everything has been written before a thousand years ago so don't worry about being original?
It is a depressing idea, that everything there is to say has been said; everything there is to do has been done, and I disagree with it.
There are infinite possibilities, unlimited potential in each thought, each word, sentence, paragraph, story.
There are countless wonderful stories that will never be written if you do not write them. Your stories have not been written and neither have mine.
It is a depressing idea, that everything there is to say has been said; everything there is to do has been done, and I disagree with it.
There are infinite possibilities, unlimited potential in each thought, each word, sentence, paragraph, story.
There are countless wonderful stories that will never be written if you do not write them. Your stories have not been written and neither have mine.
"Ask The Editors" on Abyss & Apex
Abyss & Apex has a transcription of the Ask The Editors panel from the 07 Lunacon. Interesting stuff. Useful information. Click on the link below to be taken to the transcript:
www.abyssandapex.com/200704-editorial.html
www.abyssandapex.com/200704-editorial.html
Writer's Workout on BBC
I recently discovered that the BBC website is full of useful information on writing. So far my favorite is a lesson called Writer's Workout. Not only does it give you an outline of this class but the page also contains six audio excerpts.
The first audio file is a very long intro. I say skip it.
The second audio file is on and the use of simile and metaphor and building your confidence in writing.
The third audio file suggests rewriting a favorite story to understand the meaning of the text. A fun activity.
The forth audio file is on creating characters through 'hot-seating' - putting your character in a hot seat and asking her/him/it questions.
The fifth audio file suggests examining catch phrases, collocations, and idioms to better understand text.
The sixth and final audio file is on letting go of the analytical and embracing your creative side.
From here go over to the How to Write page. It has information on writing a novel, a screenplay, memoirs, and even a radio play. If you're anything like me, you will spend hours there. Have fun!
The first audio file is a very long intro. I say skip it.
The second audio file is on and the use of simile and metaphor and building your confidence in writing.
The third audio file suggests rewriting a favorite story to understand the meaning of the text. A fun activity.
The forth audio file is on creating characters through 'hot-seating' - putting your character in a hot seat and asking her/him/it questions.
The fifth audio file suggests examining catch phrases, collocations, and idioms to better understand text.
The sixth and final audio file is on letting go of the analytical and embracing your creative side.
From here go over to the How to Write page. It has information on writing a novel, a screenplay, memoirs, and even a radio play. If you're anything like me, you will spend hours there. Have fun!
On Editing
It amazes me: the lack of clarity belonging to any given combination of words. Astounds me: the time it takes to edit and re-edit work that, when written, seemed perfectly acceptable. I write this knowing that I will rewrite it, remove at least 25% of it, swapping-out words that look odd or feel old. No, these words are not the words you will read. You, the reader, will never see the sloppy, unhappy, loose-fitting sentences I strung together on first draft. You will never read the one sentence paragraphs that transition not at all. Just think, what you are reading now might be poorly written but compared to the first draft it’s fine dining.
I hate editing; I love obsessing.
Obsessing is: I want this word, no this word is better, oh, let’s put this here, and that there. Editing is: checking, rechecking, looking for motivation, inconsistencies, grammatical errors (GRAMMAR!). Editing is the admission that I am not a great writer, maybe not a good writer, possibly a poor writer, probably not a writer at all so why continue with this useless dream, you stupid loser?
Then I remember, it’s not stupidity that causes me to write, it’s desperation, it’s need. It’s that fearful voice telling me I had better figure it out, I had better learn how to communicate well and soon, because, despite the fact that I have been a non-smoker for almost six weeks, my lungs still will eventually wear out, my breath will grow thin, and I could die having never said anything to anyone about who I am or how I see the world.
I write this knowing that the words I string together may or may not hold meaning for you. I can only hope that after obsessing and editing it is at least clearly written.
I hate editing; I love obsessing.
Obsessing is: I want this word, no this word is better, oh, let’s put this here, and that there. Editing is: checking, rechecking, looking for motivation, inconsistencies, grammatical errors (GRAMMAR!). Editing is the admission that I am not a great writer, maybe not a good writer, possibly a poor writer, probably not a writer at all so why continue with this useless dream, you stupid loser?
Then I remember, it’s not stupidity that causes me to write, it’s desperation, it’s need. It’s that fearful voice telling me I had better figure it out, I had better learn how to communicate well and soon, because, despite the fact that I have been a non-smoker for almost six weeks, my lungs still will eventually wear out, my breath will grow thin, and I could die having never said anything to anyone about who I am or how I see the world.
I write this knowing that the words I string together may or may not hold meaning for you. I can only hope that after obsessing and editing it is at least clearly written.
Contained revealed on Jersey Works
I'm excited to say that my poem, "Contained," now appears on www.jerseyworks.com. It is one of my favorites, and I am happy that it found a home with Jersey Works, a wonderful poetry and short story online magazine.
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