Where in I write about writing... Yet again...
Yesterday was interesting and not just because of the massive snow dump and power outage. It had been awhile since I'd even written anything in my paper journal and for whatever reason I picked it up and scribbled out like nine pages. Felt better afterwards, I can process my thoughts and feelings better when I get them down on paper. One of the things that I touched on was while I have to write, journaling for myself is enough to quell my itch for it. Fiction writing isn't a must for me, I might get a wild hair every once in awhile when I have to tap out a scene but that's few and far between. The only time I feel fueled to write fiction is when I'm writing for someone else. So much for everyone's favorite mantra of "write for yourself and you'll be more likely to finish." Turns out while I love reading my own works (conceded I know) the only thing that irks me with them being unfinished is not that I can't continue reading it, it's that the nasty part of my psyche uses it to taunt me for not finishing anything yet. Lately I haven't felt like anyone actually wants to read my works, sure I have people say they do and even have people request for me to send them what I've done so far, but more often than not it doesn't get read. And that apparently bugs much more than being told that the person just didn't like what I wrote or found it poorly written. Go figure. (I do have at least one loyal reader and I love you dearly oldest sis!)
Moving on, at the family reunion I got a chance to really talk with my sister, more so than I have in a long time. My writing got brought up, I was probably the one who did so as I'm always trying to validate myself and the likes. Ended up having her read a scene I had recently emailed to a friend (one of those times where I just had to get the scene typed up or I wouldn't be able to sleep). She showed so much enthusiasm and I was bolstered once again. Get home and ask if she wanted the rest of what I had, she said yes so I sent it to her. One of the nice things about the program I use is I can export it as an epub so it's easy to be read on devices. Like two and a half months go by and I'm dealing with writer's block so I shoot off a quick text asking if she by chance read it. No response but not unusual for this sister (love you *kiss noise*). Try working on it as well as another one of my stories for NaNoWriMo but don't make much progress. Then at the end of November I get a response saying she'd not gotten to it but would try that weekend and then don't hear anything. I space on it too.
Fast forward to yesterday and I get a message from her talking about plot points in my story... she'd started reading it and said, "Woman, please tell me I have the entire story because I haven’t stopped reading since I opened it. Characters hook you, the writing is great. Where did you learn about tanning hides? I have to get back now. Wren has the hatchet to go get firewood." Needless to say mood soared. I let her know there was some more that I'd written since I'd sent it to her and to let me know when/if she wanted it. I also included my standard caveat of "it's a first draft" because I know it's riddled with dropped words/wrong words/misspelled words and awkward sentences just waiting for the first edit. Just like this journal post, though I probably wont be editing this.
At about 3:30am this morning the power came back on and it woke me up. I checked my phone and she'd just sent me messages about the book. "I have been left saddened.... because I am out of story." And then an even longer one...
"This story is gifted. The style you use. The story telling drew me in, enough detail in surroundings and actions to feel and understand everything but not not enough to bore me with overly done descriptions like other writers. Does that make sense? I can tell you see it clearly and are able to relay it and plant it comfortably in my mind. Your characters and their connections are revealed seamlessly... it’s a story well planted and it’s one you start reading and don’t want to put down. I am pissed I didn’t read it earlier to be able to say that this story is wonderful. I am a reader; I’ve literally read thousands of books of many genres and you my love are a story teller; Not just a writer. Please I am begging you; I want more, I need more.
There are mistakes, and a couple of spots when you do a final edit that I will submit to you but those are minor things and they are simply missing a word or could flow more easily by changing a sentence. The editing has nothing to do so far with facts and the actual story telling. With that I wouldn’t change a thing. Your path is solid, the story is fresh and needs to be shared."
After being flabbergasted by such a reception we proceeded to talk about the book and the goings on. It's not the first time I've been told that my writing is good mind you, but it had been awhile and to hear it from a new voice was needed. Another soul that wanted me to write for them. Because only God knows why, I apparently need an audience for my fiction to come alive.
Today was busy with another snow day and trying to make sure things were all ok after the winter storm so I haven't sat down to write more on it but the desire is back and I must say it is a lovely feeling. I don't know when things will settle enough for me to devote time but winter break starts Friday afternoon and maybe it's something that I have to start making time for rather than doing it in my "spare time."
Moving on, at the family reunion I got a chance to really talk with my sister, more so than I have in a long time. My writing got brought up, I was probably the one who did so as I'm always trying to validate myself and the likes. Ended up having her read a scene I had recently emailed to a friend (one of those times where I just had to get the scene typed up or I wouldn't be able to sleep). She showed so much enthusiasm and I was bolstered once again. Get home and ask if she wanted the rest of what I had, she said yes so I sent it to her. One of the nice things about the program I use is I can export it as an epub so it's easy to be read on devices. Like two and a half months go by and I'm dealing with writer's block so I shoot off a quick text asking if she by chance read it. No response but not unusual for this sister (love you *kiss noise*). Try working on it as well as another one of my stories for NaNoWriMo but don't make much progress. Then at the end of November I get a response saying she'd not gotten to it but would try that weekend and then don't hear anything. I space on it too.
Fast forward to yesterday and I get a message from her talking about plot points in my story... she'd started reading it and said, "Woman, please tell me I have the entire story because I haven’t stopped reading since I opened it. Characters hook you, the writing is great. Where did you learn about tanning hides? I have to get back now. Wren has the hatchet to go get firewood." Needless to say mood soared. I let her know there was some more that I'd written since I'd sent it to her and to let me know when/if she wanted it. I also included my standard caveat of "it's a first draft" because I know it's riddled with dropped words/wrong words/misspelled words and awkward sentences just waiting for the first edit. Just like this journal post, though I probably wont be editing this.
At about 3:30am this morning the power came back on and it woke me up. I checked my phone and she'd just sent me messages about the book. "I have been left saddened.... because I am out of story." And then an even longer one...
"This story is gifted. The style you use. The story telling drew me in, enough detail in surroundings and actions to feel and understand everything but not not enough to bore me with overly done descriptions like other writers. Does that make sense? I can tell you see it clearly and are able to relay it and plant it comfortably in my mind. Your characters and their connections are revealed seamlessly... it’s a story well planted and it’s one you start reading and don’t want to put down. I am pissed I didn’t read it earlier to be able to say that this story is wonderful. I am a reader; I’ve literally read thousands of books of many genres and you my love are a story teller; Not just a writer. Please I am begging you; I want more, I need more.
There are mistakes, and a couple of spots when you do a final edit that I will submit to you but those are minor things and they are simply missing a word or could flow more easily by changing a sentence. The editing has nothing to do so far with facts and the actual story telling. With that I wouldn’t change a thing. Your path is solid, the story is fresh and needs to be shared."
After being flabbergasted by such a reception we proceeded to talk about the book and the goings on. It's not the first time I've been told that my writing is good mind you, but it had been awhile and to hear it from a new voice was needed. Another soul that wanted me to write for them. Because only God knows why, I apparently need an audience for my fiction to come alive.
Today was busy with another snow day and trying to make sure things were all ok after the winter storm so I haven't sat down to write more on it but the desire is back and I must say it is a lovely feeling. I don't know when things will settle enough for me to devote time but winter break starts Friday afternoon and maybe it's something that I have to start making time for rather than doing it in my "spare time."