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Blog Archive
ABCs of Writing
I know it’s hard to imagine but I spend a lot of time in Barnes & Noble; and I enjoy items besides books. There is a little plaque that I want to buy, but I’m too cheap to part my money with called “The ABCs of Love” and they’d be things like, “Accept yourself” and “Be kind to others.” I think one was dance in the rain and kiss under park benches. It was really quite sassy and I was very much tempted to go out and do those 26 ABCs of Love, just on the hope it might enhance my love life in some way.
So I thought about it from a writing point of view. Lord knows there are books aplenty that tell you how to write the perfect blockbuster or romance. Of course we all know those books are full of crap, as all books of this nature are. Just ask Stephen King. In fact, Mr. King said something along the lines that the less said about the topic of writing the more useful it probably was.
Well, for me, long-winded windbag I tend to be, this is positively pithy. Here are my ABCs of Writing—yours may differ according to what you think matters most:
Accentuate your strengths. Boldly break new ground. Cultivate charismatic characters. Dive into first drafts. Embrace enthusiasm. Fondle your muse. Give up perfection. Humbly listen to critiques. Ignore the Internal Editor. Just write it. Kiss your frogs. Laugh at your own jokes. Master the basics. Never give up. Open yourself. Passion is everything. Quests are imperative.
Resist fiddling. Sex isn’t what your book is about; sexual tension is. Tell the truth. Understand your characters. Victory comes through persistence. Write anyway. eXpect rejection. Yes, you can. Zip along already—revision is everything.
Of course, several of these are the same theme, like “don’t quit” and “perfection doesn’t exist”, but that’s okay. I know for a fact there are several things I have to be told a dozen times a day, in a dozen different ways before I’m going to listen, so it doesn’t hurt to have them feature in my ABCs three or four times.
What are your ABCs of Writing? Did anyone get any writing done over the Memorial Day holiday? What advice do you have to tell yourself a dozen times a day, in a dozen different ways, in a bid to follow it? (I’m not limited to writing. I have to do this with dieting too.)
Books by the Crew
52 comments:
Really?! I'm the first one to comment?
I forget the muse.
I love this blog. I actually like your ABC's and not only can they apply to you, but they apply to my ABC's as well.
A-Apply yourself.
B-Break stuff.
C-Charm the pants off someone.
D-Dig deeper.
Alright, I'm already tired. LOL
I don't know what I did with my time off (well I do know but saying it on an open blog might get my hand smacked) but I didn't get any writing done. I didn't even write a blog. *hm* One might say that I'm even a loser.
Abstain from eating all night. Be good and eat fruit. Cook something at home. DON'T TOUCH THAT CHOCOLATE!
I'm sure you can see where this is going. Gah! I've let myself go. Who gains 15lbs in three months?! FIVE POUNDS A MONTH! Damn it.
I love this list. You may have topped yourself here. I did write over the weekend, but it was a school paper. About eight pages on the Seychelles Islands and now I desperately want to go there. And I'd love to set a story there. Tropical paradise for the rich and famous. Heiress running from life falls in love with cabana boy. This could be fun...
I love the ABC's hellie! (and Sin, now I'm curious. Your weekend sounds significantly more exciting than mine *g*)
to continue on from Sin:
E - Endure the days when it's not fun
F - Forget the rules!
G - Give yourself permission to write a crappy first draft
H - Help others with thoughtful critiques
I think for me, the advice I need most is forgetting the rules. I'm a sucker for writing/craft/how-to books, but if you let that stuff float around in your head too long, it paralyzes you. I try to forget everything I know about writing for the first draft, and *then* go back and apply all the rules to clean it up. (well, most of the rules, anyway. Not all of them *g*)
Sin: I really like your C. I'd love to charm the pants off someone. *LOL*
Sin, you're first because I threw up this blog so late. It wasn't until 10:30 last night that I remembered I had a blog today--and I don't have internet access, so I wrote fast and tried to throw it up as soon as I got here. That was impossible. *LOL*
Hal: Oooh, I like your H better than mine! Help others is such a good one!
I agree, there is such a thing as being overeducated. *LOL* Ignorance is bliss.
ABCs of Dieting is torture. *LOL* You should tape Oprah today. The dr on there said "stop counting calories"--so that should be up your alley. But I imagine it also means more fruits and veggies...and less bread/pasta.
I thought about taping that Oprah and forgot. Too late now. *sigh* I have been taping shows about cooking better meals. I should probably watch those. LOL! I'm determined to hit the fitness room three times a week (at least!) starting tonight. It helps that all the shows I was addicted to are now over. LOL!
*g* That's because all the bad girls know how to have fun over a long weekend. hahaha
Thank god Hal decided to take up where I left off. I think Endure the days when it's not fun is a good E for me (not just you Hal). Forget the rules is good too. Forgetting the rules to me would mean that I'd have to have rules and I don't really have any. LOL
MM told me something this weekend that seemed to finally get through to me. Mad Mo is bad ass.
Now you guys have hit on why I don't like to read writing books. My blissful ignorance into the writing world helps me on days that aren't so great. I can't imagine knowing rules. I wouldn't accomplish a thing- well I don't accomplish anything as it is.. but still.
Very nice Helli.
I puzzled over your 'F' though. May I be your muse for a day?...I would be very good! *vwg*
My own alphabet stopped at 'B'
Begin the damned thing!
Quantam, if I fondled you, I'd want you to be very bad...otherwise what would be the point?
Begin the damned thing is a very good one...and why waste the rest of the alphabet. *LOL*
*g*
Helli,Are you saying that your current muse is very bad.Somehow I can't believe that! *smile*
Since I don't have a muse, does that mean I should fondle....nevermind.
*g* I like where this conversation is heading.
This has to be a record time for the convo going into the gutter. LOL!
Why not just stick with fondle. Period.
;) OK. I got a lot of writing done. Finally, two story ideas began to mesh and I've been bopping between the two for the last four days. Over thirty pages! Whoot!
Abstain from criticism. Blather when necessary. Climb every mountain... Don't edit yet. Fondle. (I'm sticking with that.)
Gather rose petals while ye may. Haul ballast, it balances the boat, and the plot. Internal conflict first. Jump off cliffs. Kindling starts the fire, don't throw the little stuff away, yet. Love yourself, everyone else next. Meander often. Never say no to an interesting idea. Obey nothing.
Passion drives the pen. Quantum brings the tea. Repeat F often. Stop thinking. Take time, period. Underwear should be clean. Vegitate when necessary. Why not? X marks the spot. You are a writer. Zounds is not the candy bar.
I was certain she was going to say, "Underwear should be optional." LMAO!!
Great list, Chance! I like the Meander often. I'm pretty sure I've got that one down.
I may ammend me list, Terrio. Underwear should be optional, but if worn, it should be clean. Or sexy.
Sexy? No, not going to go there. I have no faith in my ability to look sexy right now... I wish I'd only put on 15 pounds. Sigh.
FI, life is too short. I would like to learn how to cook, though. Food is not my enemy is my new motto. I gots ta make friends with food so we stop hurting each other!
I like, U- Underwear is optional.
I like the X marks the spot...wish I'd thought of that one. *LOL*
We needs an inner pirate retreat. Should never ferget that X always marks the spot, no matter what ye be lookin' fer.
A weekend a' watchin' the movie, rum bottle at yer side. Visit a pet store and trade words wit' a parrot. Or attend a pirate festival. I gots one comin' up in June. Same weekend as the NASCAR race at Infineon. Should be interestin'! Pirates on Saturday, racin' on Sunday... Long as I don't mix up the costumes...
Gee, Sin. Ya make me feel proud of meself if'n somethin' I said rang true fer ya. Too bad I don't 'member much a' what I said! ;) But that don't matter, if it chimed wit' ya.
As I said, Blather when necessary. Ya never know when pearls will drop from yer mouth. (And I do save all me e-mails, I can go back and find it...)
Ooohhhh Bad Pirates! That ‘underwear is optional’ made me choke on my coffee.
Julies Rules for writers;
‘Aim’ high and ‘Allow’ yourself the freedom to grow as a writer. ‘Break’ the rules, even if … as in my case … you absolutely no friggin’ idea What they ARE. Be ‘Creative’. Be ‘Diverting’, but have “Direction’. Embrace the idea that your job is to be ‘Entertaining’. Be ‘Focused’ and ‘Frugal’ with your words. They’re too valuable to waste … I could talk for days ‘n days ‘n days about this… Uhh maybe now would be a good time to skip to the ‘z’s’ & talk about ‘zeroable’? Its something that every write should make a note –about-although… Where was I? Have a ‘Goal’ in mind when you tell a story… like why are you telling this tale? ‘Honor’ the real people, places or events that your piece of fiction utilizes. Be ‘Imaginative’. Write what brings you ‘Joy’. ‘Keep’ practicing your craft. ‘Laugh’ at life. ‘Master’ your insecurities. ‘Nurture’ your writing skills. If you want to write about real life than you must ‘Open’ up your eyes to life around you. Be ‘Persistent’. Don’t divulge ‘Secrets’. But doooo Taunt your audience with hints of what that secret might be. Never ‘Underestimate’ the intelligence of a reader. Don’t be Vulgar (shut up SIN) or let your Vanity get in the way of your storytelling. Just ‘Write’. Don’t be a ‘Xerox’ copy of the Latest Best Selling Author. Be ‘Yourself’. ‘Zero’ in on your writing goals. IE set some rules, dead lines & stick to them. And ignore the ‘Zoilisms’. That’s a fancy term for “carping and unjust criticism”.
Yah. I can have two A’s , D’s, F’s or Z’s , cuz I’m practicing my “B’s”
B’s as in BREAK all the Rules.
*LOL* Jules, I love when you write.
And I love love love the "Master your insecurities"--that should be on the top of my to-do list every morning. There should be a pill for that...or a meditation or something.
Great blog, Hellion!
I'm finding the individuality of the lists interesting. I think we could probably recognize the creators even without names.
Here;s mine:
Ask the right questions. Begin now. Compose daily. Define your goals. Execute the plan. Free your imagination. Generate words. Hone your talent. Improvise when the plan derails. Juggle those plates. Keep on keeping on. Locate the theme. Minimize the anguish. Navigate the storms. Overcome. Protect the work. Query when ready. Revise, revise, revise. Support one another. Transform the ordinary. Use what you have. Validate your voice. Wish on a star. EXercise body and mind. Yield to the muse. Zigzag when confronted with roadblocks.
I'm trying the zigzag right now since I have cut so much that I have holes that have to be filled in. And all I seem to accomplish moving in a straight line is to type and delete.
BTW ‘zeroable’ means: able to be omitted from a sentence without any loss of meaning
*clapping* You guys are absolutely brilliant at this! I'm loving everyone's lists!
Zigzag roadblocks is brillant! All of these are brilliant! You guys rock, and Janga is right, you pretty much can tell whose list belongs to who just by the listings. *LOL* Jules values brevity as the soul of wit; and Janga is very much about having goals and protecting the writer's soul even as you put yourself out there. MM is very piratey--and take no prisoners; and Terri's is very Capricorn. *LOL*
This is my favorite blog--I love everyone's comments and own ABCs lists!
Hellion! You know that I don’t write….
Julie’s Rules for Julie Writing:
‘Avoid’ writing at all costs.
‘Break’ all of the rules.
But Be: Charming, Disarming, Eccentric, Feisty, Gregarious, Honest, Inquisitive, and Judiciously Just.
Share my ‘Knowledge’ of ‘Life’ as I ‘Meander’ through the www, ‘Never’ admitting that I write… Well … actually I never admit to Doing anything (see how honest I am?) Expressing my opinion whilst I pursue my gentile art of persuasive ‘Persuasion’.
As a writer… OH WAIT … I Don’t write. But If I did my work would be:
‘Quirky or Quiet’, ‘Rowdy & Rambunctious’, ‘Serious’, ‘Temperamental, Titillating, Temptingly Terrifying’, ‘Universal & Unconventional’, ‘Versatile, Visceral & Volcanic’, ‘Whimsical & Willful’, ‘eXuberant, eXhausting’. ‘zoteric’
And full of ‘zest’ … Darn. My Rules are sooooo long. Maybe I need to practice that ‘zeroable’ thingie?. I’ll edit out some of those excess words. Which leaves me with…
I Don’t write. But If I did my work would be: Quirky or… full of … It?
Hey that ‘zeroable’ thing works! I was able to omit stuff from a sentence without Any loss of meaning!
I love this list. :) And everyone else has been beyond creative. Great inspiration today folks! :)
I did write this weekend, about 5000 words. Just got on a roll. I'm nearly at 50K, so that's a good push. I'd love to finish by end of July, but we'll see.
:)
And we know my mantra: just keep swimming. And it becomes:
- sit down and write
- stop surfing the internet and write
- stop second guessing your ability and write
- stop counting words like some anal retentive bean counter and write.
etc.
Mostly just "write already."
lol!
Here's mine:
Anticipate down times. Believe in yourself. Cherish your critique partner. Don't lose faith. Embrace the journey. Focus on goals. Go the distance. Hold on to your vision. Imperfection is ok. Just keep swimming (of course!) Keep your calm. Listen to your heart. Make room for tangents. Never give up. Overdo it sometimes (and revise later). Pay attention to criticism but don't be afraid to Question the critic. Read a lot and often. Savor your successes. Take risks. Unleash your imagination. Vow to continue. Write everyday. EXpect rejection. Yearn. (I'm skipping Z. I know... Pirate....)
Great, my list makes me sound like a neurotic glutton. *sigh*
For writing...
Allow for changes
Bring a good attitude
Chose your words wisely
Deviate often
Expletives are okay
Forge ahead
Give your best
Hit the marks
Imitate no one
Justice for all
Keep going
Love your characters
Manage your time (HA!)
Never give up
Open all doors
Pour out your heart
Quit listening to everyone else
Running aground will happen
Strip it down
Think outside the box
Use what works
Voice is everything
Work is hard
Xylophones can be fun :)
You can do it
Zippers are dangerous
I'm glad I'm out of soda, I would have snorted mountain dew at the "xylophones can be fun" and "zippers are dangerous" *LOL*
Anal retentive bean counter! I completely resemble that remark!!! *LOL*
Jules, darling, you can keep saying you're not a writer all you like, but we don't believe you. Just like the guy who goes around saying, "I'm not a madman! I'm not a madman!" is still locked up for being crazy.
Oh, wait, that was me. But I'm free now...they gave me a lovely white jacket when I left too.
Expletives are OK...?
Expletives are mandatory!
(Now, define expletives and you'll see that works. One man's curse word is another man's prayer.)
Yeah, keep on denying Jules. No one believes you anyway. Writer!
WELL of course you don't believe Me.
You're MAD!
Read comment above
No denying I'm completely barking. But you have to be if you're going to be a writer. Only if you're crazy would you think writing for a living is a GOOD idea.
I can make the Xylophone statement because I played one in band in HS. LOL! And anyone whose ever seen THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY knows the zipper statement is true.
Shouldn't they have given you that little white jacket when you got there?
Jules - I don't believe you either.
I like being mad.
I be workin' on bein' evil. Not sure I got the temperment fer it.
That little white jacket be fun ta decorate...
Terrio - We steals the jacket when we escap...when they let us out.
Ah, now I see. *backs away slowly*
straight. jesus.
Who needs a strait jacket when you can run around naked?
I love Q's B- Begin the damn thing is right!
I only have time for A B C.
A- always be persistant. It pays off.
B-Believe in yourself!
C- Don't be a comma slut! My own personal fault.
You have the most brilliant blogs Hellie. Just love this one:)
All schucks, Lisa. *blushing* But I'm glad you have time for the first three. :)
What's wrong with commas? *LOL*
I like the persistent one though. I think we all had that on our lists--which is great!
Awesome blog, Hellion! I wish I was coherent enough to contribute but it's been fun just reading everyone else's.
Well, goes to show where my mind is. I read that as common slut. And thought, well, yeah! No one wants to be a common slut...rather the uncommon slut.
I love that word. Actually using it in a new WIP. The High Slut, the Low Slut...all a matter or training. Decided I liked it better than cortesan or whore.
Chance I read that High Slut, the Low Slut & started to sing 'You take the High Road & i'll take the Low Road ..."
And whats up with this 'we don't believe you, Julie" stuff? JUST cuz I sound like a duck (writer), walk like a duck (writer), & lay eggs (write stories)like a duck Doesn't Mean that I'm a duck.
I could just as easily be a Duckbill Platypus.
Of course
I could just as easily be a Ducking the issue...
Groan!
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