It's done! My first novel -- written, thanks to the good folks at Nanowrimo. I am so excited.
Knowing that a well written novel is not that same thing as a written novel, I am taking the advice of those more experienced than I which means that I am leaving all 80 pages (!!!) in my files for a couple of weeks and then I'll go and start the real process of writing which is the rewriting.
For now, I'm going to sit in the glow of getting this done. This is an awesome feeling.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Monday, November 21, 2005
38,000 words and other such fun
I'm watching David Letterman, my 2nd favorite show in all the world. OK, third...my first being my newly developed addiction to Law and Order (all versions). Next is Jon Stewart and then is David Letterman. I'm ecstatic to report that Oprah will be on the "Superbowl of Love" on Dec 1, really, it's true. Yes, Letterman, after 16 years of paying penance for his bungle of the Academy Awards -- who can forget the amazing, "Oprah - Uma" debacle -- Oprah is finally coming on the show.
I'm a little upset though on the recent phenomenon that I see with all the ads on television. I didn't think too much about Dylan advertising Victoria's Secret. And I turned a blind eye when car companies used songs that I earned good money bagging groceries (a week's salary!) to hear at the OKC Myriad. I guess I didn't think too much about the marketing approach...but that was then and this is now.
Who the HECK suggested that Target would use "Boogie Wonderland" to advertise some of theire retro/shlick ads this season? I'll admit to some heavy metal and I'll come clean on some ELO (which was used for something I saw the other day). But "Boogie Wonderland"? What self-respecting middle age shmuck is going to sit there and dance out to that innane melody while watching seasonal ads for Target? Not me.
It's bad enough that my kids turn to me and ask me, "what song IS THAT?" when Chrysler or "zoom zoom" advertises their stuff? And I admit, it's pretty deft to see that the marketing execs have finally figured out that most of us in this generation listened to more music than we read anything? It's bad enough to see music legends being reduced to advertising pansies and I draw the line at being pandered to with "Boogie Wonderland". I'm initiating a one week personal boycott of my local Target for stooping this low.
Are you with me? I say forget about it if Target has Starbucks and other designer goods. This new gimmick is as bad as that creepy Burger King man. They must go!
I'm a little upset though on the recent phenomenon that I see with all the ads on television. I didn't think too much about Dylan advertising Victoria's Secret. And I turned a blind eye when car companies used songs that I earned good money bagging groceries (a week's salary!) to hear at the OKC Myriad. I guess I didn't think too much about the marketing approach...but that was then and this is now.
Who the HECK suggested that Target would use "Boogie Wonderland" to advertise some of theire retro/shlick ads this season? I'll admit to some heavy metal and I'll come clean on some ELO (which was used for something I saw the other day). But "Boogie Wonderland"? What self-respecting middle age shmuck is going to sit there and dance out to that innane melody while watching seasonal ads for Target? Not me.
It's bad enough that my kids turn to me and ask me, "what song IS THAT?" when Chrysler or "zoom zoom" advertises their stuff? And I admit, it's pretty deft to see that the marketing execs have finally figured out that most of us in this generation listened to more music than we read anything? It's bad enough to see music legends being reduced to advertising pansies and I draw the line at being pandered to with "Boogie Wonderland". I'm initiating a one week personal boycott of my local Target for stooping this low.
Are you with me? I say forget about it if Target has Starbucks and other designer goods. This new gimmick is as bad as that creepy Burger King man. They must go!
Sunday, November 20, 2005
34,000 words - we're almost there
My "novel" is now at 34,000 words and I'm ecstatic. I find that working my job, family aroundmy writing really can be done -- I am more of a sprinter, though, doing a 30 minute write several times a day instead of one long sit down. That's also how I work in my job, too, so that must be a rhythm that works for me.
I have been reading along with writing, the memoir "Million Little Pieces". I think reading is an important part of writing, without it, I wouldn't have moments of abject disappointment in realizing that my novel may never approach the brilliance of another. Seriously, writing and reading are two pieces of the same puzzle and they build on each other. Reading a great book only inspires me to want to write more -- not less - so it's a good way to feed the muse when you're going for word count.
I'd like to say something about this book because it is a profound experience for me. The thing about great writing is that it can be viewed on so many levels. The part of this book that resonates so much with me is the author's dogged determination for healing from addictions. There is a scene in the book where he must undergo painful dentistry (is there any other kind??) and he must do it without any kind of painkillers or anesthia since he is in rehab. This is a graphic piece in the book and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone that has a squemish stomach (or has nightmares of their dentist).
What is profound to me about this scene is the willingness to which the author subjected himself so that he could find wholeness and healing. Literally being strapped into a dentist chair, with no anesthia and no painkillers while he undergoes two root canals.
The reason this book has such a profound impact upon me is that I talk to people everyday who claim that they want their lives to be different, that they want it to change 0r they want to change. I often say that, too, and yet I have to ask myself, am I willing to undergo the transforming power of change to get there? Change generally happens when there is only enough pain to force the change to occur and generally not until (speaking personally).
I have to admit, I probably am not and the courage to which the author applies to the process of health and wholeness is inspirational to me.
The book offers a profound insight into addictions of all kinds and I am more convinced than ever that most of us, including myself, have our own "drug of choice" to which we are faithful.
I am not sure yet if I agree with all the authors premises or if I agree with him totally on his position on God or a "higher power". I do think the book offers some interesting questions for those that are courageous enough to ask them about the power of change, the power of healing and what we do to find these transforming qualities and what we do to avoid them.
I have been reading along with writing, the memoir "Million Little Pieces". I think reading is an important part of writing, without it, I wouldn't have moments of abject disappointment in realizing that my novel may never approach the brilliance of another. Seriously, writing and reading are two pieces of the same puzzle and they build on each other. Reading a great book only inspires me to want to write more -- not less - so it's a good way to feed the muse when you're going for word count.
I'd like to say something about this book because it is a profound experience for me. The thing about great writing is that it can be viewed on so many levels. The part of this book that resonates so much with me is the author's dogged determination for healing from addictions. There is a scene in the book where he must undergo painful dentistry (is there any other kind??) and he must do it without any kind of painkillers or anesthia since he is in rehab. This is a graphic piece in the book and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone that has a squemish stomach (or has nightmares of their dentist).
What is profound to me about this scene is the willingness to which the author subjected himself so that he could find wholeness and healing. Literally being strapped into a dentist chair, with no anesthia and no painkillers while he undergoes two root canals.
The reason this book has such a profound impact upon me is that I talk to people everyday who claim that they want their lives to be different, that they want it to change 0r they want to change. I often say that, too, and yet I have to ask myself, am I willing to undergo the transforming power of change to get there? Change generally happens when there is only enough pain to force the change to occur and generally not until (speaking personally).
I have to admit, I probably am not and the courage to which the author applies to the process of health and wholeness is inspirational to me.
The book offers a profound insight into addictions of all kinds and I am more convinced than ever that most of us, including myself, have our own "drug of choice" to which we are faithful.
I am not sure yet if I agree with all the authors premises or if I agree with him totally on his position on God or a "higher power". I do think the book offers some interesting questions for those that are courageous enough to ask them about the power of change, the power of healing and what we do to find these transforming qualities and what we do to avoid them.
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