Tag: postaweek2011

writing

No “Kiss and tell”…but “Kiss and show”

Elodie

For the past two weeks, I have reached my goal of 300 words a day (or more).

The more I write, the more I start to ask myself “is what I am writing actually any good?” This question comes and goes…Here I am not talking about the plot but I am thinking about the intricate delicacy of the writing art.

Right now, my brain focuses on THE question: am I doing enough “showing” or am I way too much “telling”?

I am especially asking myself as part of my WIP is a diary and it requires extra strength to make sure that this part of the novel is not only telling but it also showing.

So for those of you out there who are going through the same as me, here are some of the best articles I have read so far on the subject:

Happy to read your tricks, don´t hesitate to share 🙂

 

Observations, writing

Week 43: Reading, reading, reading…

Elodie

“The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest men of the past centuries.”

Descartes

Commuting means that I have time to read; even if I am standing up I usually have a book in my hand… I have an eclectic taste: I read thrillers, historical novels or biographies (currently devouring everything related to 16th and 17th century France), classics, romantic novels, war novels, YA…I am thinking of writing reviews once a month on this blog on top of my regular posts.

My husband is getting desperate (is there a show called Desperate Husbands? Could be a nice spin-off…note to self: need to stop my mind from wandering while I type)

I usually go through at least 3 books a week. My sister did let him know that I always loved reading. I did immerse myself in Victor Hugo when I was about 7 or 8. As a teenager, I could happily just lay in bed on a rainy afternoon with a novel in front of me (ok sometimes even when it was not raining…I am such a dork)…My husband, on the other hand, mainly reads technical books or biographies and he does not have much time to turn the pages so he does not understand why I buy myself so many books. I am starting to hear regularly “Where are you going to put them?” “Do not dare moving my helicopter!” and does use threats such as “if you don’t (insert verb), I will throw all your books away…”

I thought about buying a kindle but am not ready to give up the feeling of pages turning via my fingers, the weight of the book next to me when I fall asleep dreaming about what I have just read.

I love when I cannot put a book down because I just want to know what happens. As an aspiring writer, this is what I would like for my readership, to be able to take them away for a few hours to a different place, a different time…I even get that funny feeling when I fall in love with a book, one that I know I will re-read in the future because the words have touched me in more ways than one.

Some day, one day…maybe somebody will ponder about my stories…

Happy reading to all!

Observations, Train

Week 42 – Ranting about coughing…

Elodie

No I am not coughing as I am typing this. This post will not be about my writing even though I am very pleased to announce that I almost reached my goal of 300 words per day this week.

However as a commuter I urge my co-commuters to realize some basic facts: we’re in a small place together, we might be pushed against one another, creating more intimacy than what we ever intended, sitting or standing…so if you do cough or sneeze please make sure that it does not reach the other person.

I assure you there are ways to avoid these little accidents…

This was just a little rant as for the past two days I thought about opening an umbrella, carrying a mask or just anything to avoid the little drops coming out of other passengers.

I understand one has to go to work but please, not putting something, anything in front of your mouth when you are coughing/sneezing is just plain wrong.

writing

Week 41: Happy dance….for others

Elodie

While looking for ways of writing query letters and landing agents (I am still far from that stage but curiosity won over), I stumbled upon success stories in different blogs and forums.

Why did a smile appear on my face when I read what others achieved?

It gave me hope. It is those stories of people who landed an agent, who published their first novels which make me believe that I can do the same.

As my story continues to unravel at my fingertips, there are moments where I doubt that anybody except my unwilling husband, one my best friends and maybe my mom will actually read my work.  Not a lot of people actually know that I write so it limits the possible immediate audience. I am not ashamed of it, I am a bit shy and it is a tad difficult to discuss my YA paranormal novel in a meeting…

Sometimes, it reassures me. After all, who is not afraid of failures? But at other times, I wish that others could learn to know Laura and her story as much as I, that some may enjoy travelling back in time to witch hunts in France and in New England and feel her uncertainties, her desires…

I do not know the people I came across, I do not know their work but I still did the happy dance for them.

http://www.meganshepherd.com/news/?currentPage=3

http://lisachickos.blogspot.com/2011/10/movable-type-management-my-other-new.html

http://peggyeddleman.blogspot.com/2011/10/quotes-and-cookies-agent-announcement.html

http://christinenorris.livejournal.com/284455.html

There are more out there…Not all will become the next JK Rowling but they have made it, they finished their novel, they landed an agent…

I know it is not the end of the work, not for them and not for me. However, it is a step towards the realization of a dream and this makes me happy.

So if some of my readers also have happy news, don´t hesitate to share 🙂

writing

Week 40: Finding the time to write….

Elodie

This is not a new topic. After using my friend “Google”, I found several websites/blogs talking about the topic, here are a few below:

http://absolutewrite.com/novels/finding_time_to_write.htm

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-Time-to-Write-when-You’re-a-Busy-Mom

http://timetowrite.blogs.com/weblog/2010/10/how-to-find-time-to-write-.html

http://self-publishingresources.com/2011/01/28/time-management-how-to-find-time-to-write-your-book/

http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/startingtowrite/tp/TimetoWrite.htm

Commuting does not necessarily making it easier to write…sometimes I am not seating, sometimes I am self-conscious about the person sitting next to me and sometimes I am too squeezed between people to actually write.

I agree that it is not always easy to find time for oneself even for something one loves to do and I would dare to say that all writers love to write. They get the urge in their fingers to tell a story.

Yes writing can be difficult, yes sometimes we want to throw our computers across the rooms and sometimes we want to ask our main characters “why are you doing this to me?” but we still love it.

For me (the commuting girl without any children but a long day at work and a long commute and a dear husband I want to spend more time with…and the family/friends I want to keep in touch
with…and….and….and….) the best advices I should pay attention to are the following:

  1. Always carry a notebook with you, you never know when you may  have the time to just put down some ideas (waiting at the doctor’s office, having coffee, having lunch…)
  2. Schedule time to write (but make it realistic). If you need a least a few hours of sleep every night do not schedule it so early in the  morning that you cannot do it. Why not use your lunch break twice a week to actually go out and eat a sandwich while typing or stay at your desk  with a notepad?
  3. Set yourself a realistic goal on how many pages you want to write per week
  4. Take a look at what you can cut: do you spend some time watching a show when you could be writing?
  5. Important: keep writing fun even with when it becomes cumbersome; do not beat yourself up if you do not reach your goal (see 3).
  6. Turn to writing communities: you are not alone with this! I joined Absolutewrite not too long ago and just reading that others are going through the same thing as I am is helpful.
  7. Be thankful for what you achieve and for the small things

I know I am very lucky because of the support I receive at home:

A dear, wonderful husband who understands my passion for writing, who lets me write while he sometimes cooks on week-ends and who pushes me a bit (sometimes I think he pushes me too much but I recognize it is because he wants the best for me….pshhhh don’t tell him otherwise he will think he is perfect)…

Observations, Train

Week 39 – Delays, another perk of commuting?

Elodie

Delays are annoying, sure…but let’s try to see the positive side of them.
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It is quite an exercise as I get very annoyed when I leave work somewhat on time but my plans on coming back somewhat early compared to usual is flawed by things out of my power.

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so maybe it is a control thing:
of course coming late to work is not a pleasant feeling especially when one gets up extra early to make sure they do make it to that particular timing but what can one do about it? Leaving earlier does not necessarily mean you will make it earlier, checking the trains’ status does help but only when the statuses are actually updated…

I simply wish I had more control over this type of situation which brings me back to the beginning of my post.
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Delays are annoying, sure…but let’s try to see the positive side of them.

* If you commute with somebody you know, you can chit chat a tad longer
* You can get coffee-to-go
* You can listen to your ipod
* You can use the time to check your emails…
* You can observe people and see how they get annoyed
* You can day dream

Plus let’s face it: being stuck in traffic jam can be more stressful, yes you are in control but control does not mean it’s solving the issue…

Does it mean that I will be less annoyed next time there is delay?

Probably not but when I see the sign “Delay” (here note the emphasis on Delay…not cancellation, it may make me smile…)

Uncategorized

Never too late: Posting at least every week….

Elodie

I’ve decided I want to blog more. Rather than just thinking about doing it, I’m starting right now.  I will be posting on this blog once a week for the rest of 2011.

I know it won’t be easy, but it might be fun, inspiring, awesome and wonderful. Therefore I’m promising to make use of The DailyPost, and the community of other bloggers with similiar goals, to help me along the way, including asking for help when I need it and encouraging others when I can.

If you already read my blog, I hope you’ll encourage me with comments and likes, and good will along the way.

Signed,

Commuting Girl