Distraction or Inspiration?

This past week I've found it hard to concentrate on my writing. This is a busy time of year for us starting with my son's sixth Birthday yesterday and continuing at a chaotic pace until after Christmas. Apart from this specific time, life in general holds many distractions for a writer trying to desperately carve out their writing time. I began to consider: which distractions could be viewed not as time away from writing but instead as inspiration for writing?

Distractions come in many guises. Certain activities that distract from your writing time are easy enough to turn into inspiring moments spent. For instance time spent with family at the beach or doing a craft activity with children can help us create realistic character relationships, write about emotions and describe the waves crashing against rocks.

However, many distractions in our life are not so easy. There's the tedious responsibilities such as cleaning the bathroom, paying bills and doing your tax return. Then there's the irritating time drains. For instance: having to ring customer services for the tenth time to inform the obnoxious unable-to-think-outside-the-box customer representative that they have yet again miscalculated your bill.

I ask myself: can any distraction become inspiration?

Can the metamorphosis of distraction into inspiration enable our every moment to become an interesting, productive writing moment?

I think the answer is yes. Being a writer isn't just about sitting down with your manuscript editing and writing. It's about making the choice to commit to your identity as a writer so that during every moment you're willing to actively be a writer.

Maybe with this commitment, even the most irritating or mundane parts of life will become meaningful, useful and/or enjoyable.

On that note I'll get back to you after I've scrubbed the toilet and let you know if I managed to find any sliver of inspiration from that!

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"Why do I Write?"

Whilst working on a novel writing becomes a job. Although still a pleasure, I find myself losing touch with the simple joy of writing for writings sake. That’s not to say that I have stopped writing in my journal, scribbling down ideas and writing (bad) poetry – I still do this, but just not as much.

Recently I realised it had been a while since I’d just sat with a notebook and written about something like the musical quality of the stream that runs past the bottom of my garden or written a story with no other purpose in mind than to amuse myself.

This realisation encouraged me to remember why I write. I clearly have a passion to write books that people will enjoy reading. But what of all the other reasons I write? What drives me to put pen to paper over and over again? Why do I write? Well here are some of my answers to this question:

Whether writing fiction or non-fiction, a poem or a self-indulgent journal entry; writing helps me make sense of life. Putting into words a special moment or glorious sight makes these things real and becomes a scrapbook of life.

I’m fascinated by people and relationships. It’s exciting to illustrate in words the beautiful complexity of human interaction and personalities through the creation of fictional characters.

I crave the infinite possibilities I can create using just a pen and my imagination. This provides me with hours of endless fun and escapism. It also allows me to try living many lives and experiences without physical or practical restrictions. It gives me even greater joy to share these experiences and characters with other people.

As well as a playground for my imagination, through writing, I find I discover learn and explore ideas in a way that I can’t do in my mind bogged down as it is with the noisy chaos of living. It provides a forum for my lifetime need to question ‘why?’

Story is my obsession. Whether I’m writing reading or telling, I use story to frame my every experience and journey through life.

On a basic level that I still can’t understand: I need to write. I crave writing. Writing defines who I am and when I’m not writing I feel unhappy.

There are many articles on the internet on the subject of why writers write.

George Orwell wrote the famous essay ‘Why I Write’. The Guardian has interviewed many writers in a regular feature with the title ‘Why I Write’ and it’s interesting to discover various reasons and explanations. On his website Carlos Ruiz Zafon, author of ‘The Shadow of the Wind’ answers this question. A short but interesting answer was written by writer Bernard Maclaverty. But one of my favourite articles, and the one I’d recommend, details Stephanie Calman’s (author of ‘How not to Murder Your Mother’) reflections on her own motivations to write.

Why do you write?

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That old chestnut: Show not tell! (and living with my inner critic)

I've been busy editing and fairly pleased with my progress. But yesterday I was going through a couple of chapters that displayed a terrific amount of 'telling' and not nearly enough 'showing'.

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Had I regressed? Had I learnt nothing?

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Trying not to panic I busily scribbled all over my 1st draft , made extra notes and took shaky deep breaths.

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Yet my inner critic taunted me with:

'well you obviously haven't learnt anything'

and 'fancy making such rudimentary mistakes'.

And 'blah, blah, blah.....you're kidding yourself if you think you can write...blah blah."

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If you've an inner critic like mine you can fill in the blanks. If you haven't got one of these inner bullies then I congratulate you (and wish I was you).

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After my initial biting of fingernails I decided to google some 'show not tell' writing advice.

I found some reasonable advice but I was still worried that I had so easily forgotten these basics when writing my first draft.

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I was finally comforted by an excellent article by science fiction writer Robert J Sawyer. He explains that in a first draft he does a lot more telling in the process of working out events and characters. That to carefully shape every sentence during writing the first draft can be disruptive and block your writing flow.

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I breathed a sigh of relief.

It all made sense. Of course the editing process was the place to enhance and amend. (Duh!)

I wasn't a complete failure after all. (although maybe a little dim)

I stuck two fingers up at my inner critic and returned to my editing with enthusiasm.

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Read Robert J Sawyer's useful and interesting article by clicking here. Even if it's old news and you know it already, I think it's worth a read.

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Please share any of your own editing stories & inner-critic-bully stories.

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Hope your writing is going well today!

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"Coming Soon on Wright Story" PLEASE READ: the following post details a new blogging schedule!

(Poster above designed by my daughter & modelled by my son.)

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For too long my blogging has been erratic and disorganised. Therefore in an attempt to organise, revamp and make my blog reader friendly I have devised a plan. (Oh yes, she says rubbing her hands together)

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Starting now I will attempt to focus on a minimum of two weekly blog posts.

My posts will fall into the following categories that will be reachable via the 'Contents' bar at the top of my blog:

• Wright Writing - an account of my writing life and relevant writing activities!
• Wright Web Watch - these posts will feature something or someone interesting I've found on the Internet and will revolve around the topics of writing, reading, story, creativity......
• Wright Reading - occasionally I may write a post about a book I've enjoyed or/and found useful.
• Wright Photos - original but totally unprofessional photos may be used to adorn any of the above posts. As regular readers know, I do sometimes like to share pictures taken in my garden and in my home county of Cornwall.

I make no apologies for the cheesy content titles I have chosen. (okay just a little sorry)

I will try and exclude 'Wright Waffle' as far as possible. However, I will apologise in advance for the times when waffle seeps in, sometimes (like now) I just can't help it.

My Twitter page @wrightstory is a good place to discover my day to day musings. (Warning: Wright Waffle will often be found on my Twitter page but at least it will be limited to 140 characters)

Please wish me luck as I embark on my new organised blogging plan. Hope you enjoy (or at least humour) my attempts.

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School holiday lessons....

This is fairly random but I just thought I'd wish you 'Happy Roald Dahl Day' for no other reason than I think RDs stories are wonderful.

It has been so long since I signed on to my blog that it took four attempts to enter the correct information. I realise this is not a good sign.

Where have I been?

Not far. It's just I've been suffering from the overwhelming all consuming school summer holiday time & energy drain. (Drama queen - me? Never)

But I have learnt two lessons from this school summer break. They are not entirely new lessons but the sort that you forget and relearn as painfully as the first time!

1. Working from home is quite useful until the children are at home and kept prisoners indoors by the rain.


2. Setting impossible goals leaves one with nothing but the feeling of failure. (Maybe not impossible but I was certain I'd edit my novel over the summer. Convinced that my enthusiasm would be all I'd need to achieve this goal I failed to remember ill health, a job, husband's unpredictable hours, British weather & a string of the unforeseeable type of events one encounters.)

In addition I have found it practically impossible to dedicate much time to my blog or Twitter these past few weeks - I've had to prioritise in favour of my children . I am now just grateful to have got through the summer without a breakdown. And I'm happy to say that health wise I am doing quite well at the moment and the editing is back underway.

How was your summer?


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Editing the Seven Seas

This week I will begin editing the first draft of my YA novel.

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What's with the photo?

What is its relevance?

Mmm, well.....how about:

"Setting sail on the next stage of this novel writing journey".

I know!

Sorry.

But I was a little stuck for images. I had to make this one fit somehow. Sort of.

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This photo was taken on a showery day in Lerryn, Cornwall. A couple of weeks ago we went on a boat trip from Fowey to Lerryn and back to celebrate my goddaughter's Birthday. Despite the rain showers it was a fun trip for all.

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So here's the thing: I'm actually quite nervous about beginning the edits.

Why?

Because when I edited the children's book I wrote last year it all went horribly wrong. I edited out every last scrap of joy.

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But.....................

I learnt a lot in the process of writing and editing that first book.

And I am excited about this YA novel. I'm really pleased with it and in many ways am looking forward to polishing it so that it can truly shine. (Yet another cliche inspired sentence. Note to self: must ensure novel is free of them)

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Yet, I've still got butterflies in my stomach. (Surely that's an original description of nerves. No? Been used before? Damn!)

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Maybe I'm so nervous because this novel is worth getting right.

Or I'm just chicken.

Cluck.

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Please share your editing wisdom.

Ease my anguish - throw me a life raft! (Okay that's the last nauseating pun)

And wish me luck.

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Well time to depart on this next journey.

Anchors away!

(Sorry I just couldn't help but put in a departing dose of cheese. I promise that my novel will be free of such things.) (Hopefully)

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Celebration - First Draft Complete

Yesterday I completed the first draft of my YA novel. The word count total for this first draft was 74,030. By far the largest single piece of writing I've ever finished.

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I'm especially happy with what I've achieved because of all the health set backs I've had recently. Last night I was buzzing & jittery - not sure what to do with myself and missing my characters already. I decided on wine, food & celebration!

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I'm really pleased with this first draft and can't wait to start editing it. Any advice on how long I should leave it before starting the edits?

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I've so much other work to catch up on but am already getting distracted by the sequel I have partially planned in my head.

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But for today - a little rest. My 5 year old was awake half the night with nightmares. He bounced to school. I'm dead on my feet. Oh to have a child's energy....

5 things this week......

I haven't been a very good blogger - sorry about that. So what the heck have I been doing? Here are 5 of the things I've been up to this past week...........

1. I've been busy writing my YA novel & have completed 37 out of 40 chapters!

2. I read 'The Demon's Lexicon' by Sarah Rees Brennan. An amazing YA urban fantasy book. I challenge any reader not to fall in love with Alan & Nick. I don't know how I'm going to wait until next year for the sequel.

3. I attended my children's school sports day. Cheered loudly & generally became over involved. Photo opposite is of my five year old being a super star.

4. I've been enjoying the Lillies that my friend gave me. Every time I come downstairs I smell their wonderful sweet aroma & enjoy the sight of them decorating my dining room window.

5. I've ordered a copy of the Writers and Artists Yearbook 2010 in the hope that I will soon have my YA novel at a stage where I can start sending it to agents. (remaining hopeful)

Kindness of Strangers Blog Tour 2009 : Michael Harling author of "Postcards From Across the Pond"

Today I'm joined by Michael Harling, an America author living in the UK who has just embarked on his: Kindness of Strangers Blog Tour 2009. I am his first stop on a geographical tour of the UK & US. Please make him welcome.

Below, Michael tells us a little about himself, his blog tour & his amusing experiences of visiting Cornwall:

The First Step
11 June 2009

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A wise man once said, "A journey through 1,000 blogs begins with a single post," or something like that. As this is my first step, I ought to introduce myself and my mission.

I'm an American expat, formerly of New York State (up where the cows live, not in The City) now residing in a market town in West Sussex. I wrote a book about it and managed to get it published, but none of this makes me anyone special. In fact, there is very little about me that is special, which is why I wanted to do something different, and why I am attempting to tour the blogsphere using other people's blogs.

Cornwall is a great place to begin. Kat, a woman I have never met, has graciously agreed to let me camp here for the night and post on her blog. She has, at this early stage in the tour, captured the spirit of this adventure, and I hope that spirit finds its way to others (or this is going to be the shortest epic journey since my buddy Chris Collins talked me into hopping a freight train to Toronto with him when I was twelve, resulting in embarrassing incidents involving the station manager, the rail road police and our parents, and absolutely no forward movement).

So, Cornwall, where the land ends, or beings, depending on your point of view. As an American, it's more Land's Start for me, but that doesn't make the theme park and tourist tat surrounding that particular outcropping of rocky shoreline any less tacky. Still, I was thrilled to see it when we visited a few years back, even if they did try to charge me ten quid to have my photo taken by the famous sign.

Cornwall was lovely, quaint and full of pirate lore—everything a visiting American could want. Our little holiday cottage was crammed with appropriately pirate-coastal-town knick-knacks and located at the end of a short lane so narrow we could barely squeeze our tiny Daewoo Matiz into it. Also, I might add, I was mugged by a particularly raucous sea gull in St. Ives while enjoying a tasty ice cream cone and a stroll by the sea. It was really quite startling, and left me with sore head and just an inch of the pointy end of the cone. Shouldn't they be served with ASBOs or something? Or shot? We have seagull in the States, but not one ever tried to rough me up and rob me.

That notwithstanding, Cornwall was a nice place, and it's good to be posting from here—the titular culmination of Britain and a location I have actually been to and enjoyed—on this first of (one hopes) many stops on my tour of Blog World.

It should be fun, as long as they keep the seagulls in check.

Visit Michael & learn more about how you can become part of his Kindness of Strangers Blog Tour at: http://www.lindenwald.com/thetour.htm

Multiple Character Disorder

How many characters and story threads can you hold in your head at any one time?

I’ve been considering how many characters and story lines I hold in my mind. I am writing a young adult novel, have two partially edited children’s books, write short stories and Haiku and am always jotting new story/character creations down in my notebook. In addition to this I am an avid follower of about six TV dramas, read fiction daily and watch films. Then there is the daily interaction with ‘real’ people and their characters and stories.

Add to this the fact that when I read, write or watch quality drama I become totally involved with the characters and their individual stories. I’m probably crazy but I find myself thinking of these imaginary characters and their lives even when not reading/writing/watching TV. I ponder over their plights and look forward to learning what happens next – especially with my own creations which are more than real to me.

Whilst considering all this I soon realised that I have a strong ability to be able to follow a large quantity of multiple stories and characters. Not only that but I am constantly expanding the possible characters in existence by creating new people in my imagination.

So do I have a fiction based multiple character disorder? Sort of like an addiction to people and their stories.

Is there a limit to how many characters/stories I can hold within my mind?

I’m thinking that this may be a typical gift/disorder found amongst writers. So please tell me – does this multiple character and story hoarding sound familiar to you?

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