I’m not dead. Yet. Yipeee!
Well, I’ve been on hiatus from blogging for more than a year. And now I’m baaacckkk!
I just completed my YA novel and right now I’m polishing it. Soon, I’m going to change my status from being a wannabe writer to a business person—shopping my novel to super awesome agents. One step at a time.
While doing that, I’ll be hanging out more around here so, stay tuned.
I have to admit. I procrastinate. My manuscript has been sitting for weeks now, waiting for me to continue writing. Not only that but I’m also far behind in updating my blog. And I blame this latest gadget I just acquired for my procrastination… The AlpaSmart word processor.
I’ve been dreaming of sitting and writing in the park this coming summer. I hated my notebook computer because there are so many games on it and I usually end up playing them when bored or ehem… an excuse to procrastinate. Then I also hate the battery for it can’t hold power much longer when I need it.
So I got myself an AlphaSmart. I wanted the older version, the one that has nothing in it but just a word processor. And when I got it, we’re inseparable. Ideas for story suddenly poured out of me from nowhere. I was like a mad writer, capturing all those story elements into this little device. Any anecdotes I got, I recorded into my AlphaSmart.
Then days went by so fast, I realize I have to return to my manuscript, or else scrap it all together and start over again. Nah…I still have plenty of time. I need to make a cute case for my new-found friend. So, I designed a small bag for the AlphaSmart so I can carry it wherever I want.
Now what?
The guilt to return to continue with my latest manuscript is unbearable, I grudgingly agreed. Luckily it’s still in its infancy stage. What I didn’t know was all the story elements I wrote in this cute little gadget had helped me to plot my manuscript in a better way. When I noticed it, my excitement returned and I’m back into the loop!
And I thought I wasted my time toying with this thing.
Happy writing!
Spring has finally sprung and it’s gorgeous outside. So, I’ll put aside my writing for a day or two and go out to enjoy the sunshine. Before I do that, I have written about how music plays an important role in my creative writing. As a writer, you write either fiction or nonfiction, you usually will use certain devices to get you in the mood to write. I use songs to get into the writing groove.
Song is one of the important device for me to induce my creative mind to put my ideas on the screen. I had blogged about it a couple of years ago and now I have several more songs to list and currently use for my next WIP (Work In Progress).
2. I have always admire the voice of the latest AI, David Archuletta. The song titled, You Can captured my imagination to write my current manuscript and I just love the energy he breathes through the song. I feel so inspired whenever I listen to it.
3. Songs by the post-grunge band, Nickelback titled, Far Away and Gotta Be Somebody. This song definitely helps me to write the emotional narrative for my male protagonist.
4. Endless Summer Night by Richard Marx. What can I say. I love the melody…
5. If I Ever Let You Go by Westlife. Again another great song by this band with a great lyric and tempo. It also helps me to capture great feeling I need for my male protagonist.
Like other devices, such as drinking coffee a little too much, constantly going to the kitchen to look for food in the refrigerator (hey! that’s me!) or going to the café around the corner and sit for hours to write, listening to your favorite songs definitely does the trick.
So, happy listenin’ and happy writin’.
So writer, what is your new year’s resolution? I’m sure if you plan to start writing the novel you have been hiding for so long, then this is the perfect time to go for it. Or if some of you still haven’t finished writing the one from last year, then get on with it and hurry.
Me? Well, I need to start the process of writing another novel this month. I’m sure the story is strong enough to reach the end. I hate it when I reach the middle then suddenly get stuck, run out of gas and don’t know what to do. I usually outline each chapter, but when I start to write them, suddenly the scenes I reserve for the next chapter get written and this leaves the next chapter empty. Before I know it, I am out of scenes.
If you have not written a novel, this may sound crazy, but who says the writing process is easy? Otherwise each of us could write a novel every month!
So here is my resolution for 2009:
1. Get a literary agent;
2. Work on the next novel;
3. Get published.
It isn’t much, is it? I can do #2 for sure since I know what to expect based on what I’ve learned from writing and completing my previous manuscript. As for #1 and #3, wish me luck!
Go and let’s start work on our resolution.
Indeed.
You need to be alone—just you and the notebook computer in front of you, the cursor blinking faithfully waiting for you to start your first stroke of the keyboard.
You need to be alone. Just you, surrounded by books on writing, as friends and as a portable writing coach—to help you navigate your plot. And you’re dying to be outside, to be with others.
No one but you can get the job done.
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