The Conspiring of All Others

It seems as if the entire world is conspiring against me as a writer. I say that with tongue in cheek, actually it is stuck between my teeth where the molar is missing.

I no sooner signed up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and planned out how I would finish my current project in order to be free for November, how many words I would have to write daily (2275 a non weekend day)(22 of those) in order to complete (WIN) the 50,000 words in November, and began outlining my new project, VENGEANCE, when the other activities I am involved in went from minor time expenditures to much more demanding annoyances.

Then out of the clear blue sky I get writer's block and the ideas just don't flow. The problem was finishing that current project. After spending a year and a half on that project, focusing all my creative (?) talent (?) on those 70,000 words for so long, nothing else would come to mind.

One of the blogs I follow (can't remember which) pointed out in that authors view the hardest thing to do was to shift projects after each draft was complete. That author even stated that it took him/her over six months to start activities concerning a new project. I can't wait that long.

So, I am doing a couple of short story rewrites from the archives deep in the dungeon beneath mi casa. Who knows what will happen. I do, teacher, I do.

NaNoWriMo or bust.  Join me. Now get back to writing.

Rejections

Looking over the Writer's Market it seems like the Publishers (of whatever) really don't want any new writers in their stables.  Either that or they are just trying to keep the agents busy and out of their hair. One book publisher whose website I checked out, as requested in the Writer's Market (WM), stated flatly that any unrequested manuscripts would be trashed and not opened. Another had the comment in the WM they would accept email submissions to a certain editor on their website. The email address doesn't work. There was another one that didn't even want query letters.

I guess it's just like a fella having a stable full of really good horses. He doesn't need to buy any more. Why waste the time and money looking? What happens when the rustlers come and steal them or they die of a rare tropical disease or they just disappear when the UFO comes and beams them up? NO HORSES. Panic time when he needs a horse.

Now, I don't whinny, but I do write. I have been fortunate enough to get published a few times. If I can write a story or article well enough to get them published and get paid, why can't I interest an agent or a publisher with a query letter or a manuscript?

Did you ever go to a used car dealer? Listen to the salesperson's description of the car. Is the car as good as the salesperson says it is? Is it even the same car?

Okay, I'll quit whining and get to work.

Join me for NaNoWriMo. This will be my first try.  50,000 words in 30 days, piece of cake (if I have nothing else to do in November), but I am going for it using my new best seller, VENGEANCE, as the project.

So, keep writing.

Writing

I remember my first piece.  I thought of the premis and wrote it on the same day.  Sent it off the next day.  Received acceptance letter and check 15 days later. $27.  Took me 35 submissions before next piece sold. $100. 50 or so rejections later my biggest piece sold.  $250. My next one sold for $50 as did two more. I currently have over 300 rejections under my belt.  Wouldn't it be nice if they all went like the first and paid like the third. I could retire.  Wait a minute,  I am tired.

NEW IDEAS

AHHH, YES, four days in the God's creation will definitely give you new ideas and clear the cobwebs.

Hiking down the trail from the North Rim toward the river 6000 feet below does two things for you. First is it kills your knees and thigh muscles. The second is a lot of time to think.

Hiking or just plain being parked somewhere in God's creation for a couple of days does wonders for my mental health. It seems to get all my boxes realigned with all the proper ideas in their correct box. Also, it let's me be creative mentally. The killer on this walk in Creation was that my digital recorder was broken and I didn't get a new one before I left. So, I had to stop and write things down, which was a plus. It gave me a break to breathe and a time to see the scenery and smell the flowers, many were in bloom due to recent rains.

Bottom line is that I now have many ideas for the projects in progress and a stack of new ideas for new projects.

This therapy was so good I got over 2500 words written the day after I got back.  IF (terrible word) I could do that everyday, I would have a 100,000 word novel written in 40 days. 40 days sounds good to me.

Now I will get writing. How about you ?

The Grander Adventure

In August while on a vacation I took a chance and stopped in at the BackCountry office at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. On a whim I asked the ranger, "Got any permits for the four day hike north rim to south rim between now and October 15 when you close the north rim?"  His reply was, "You have got to be kidding me. Ain't no way. But, I will check."

Short story long, he checked, there was a trip for two on September 22-25 available, did I want it.

My reply was, "Well, I don't know. That will keep me out of church that Sunday and my dog might need me that weekend."  NO WAY, CAN'T HAPPEN. I screamed, "Yousa."

Consequently, I will be heading downhill from the North Kiabab trailhead on the north rim this Saturday morning around 6 AM.  Please pray for me and my hiking companion.

My wife is not worried, she says that I am biodegradeable, but please someone bring my equipment so she can sell it and recoup a part of the investment.

Writing is tough, no wimps allowed

I have been at this blogging thing for quite a spell, tho not as long as many. I have yet to get on a schedule or a topic.  Really, how hard can it be to sit down two or three times a week and just rattle on.  Therein lies the problem.  I can't just rattle on and two or three times a week is an impossibility with my schedule and enet availability.  I have tried posting with my Droid and the app is crazy.  One moment your writing is there and the next it isn't.  It only seems to work on the wide view and even then it doesn't follow too well.  The keyboard is slow to respond and the spell checker works one minute and not the next.

Anybody know of an App for Blogger that works??????

No thanks,Scrivener

Take this for what its worth.

I will be deleting Scrivener from my computer.  It is to anal for me to handle.  After attempting to use it for well over a week now, I am still lost.

The program is basically multiple files being drafted for a specific project.  It allows you to keep track of characters, places, and scenes in small chunks.  Supposedly you can jump back and forth with greatest of ease.

I get lost in the transitions.

The same thing can be done with three Word files open at the same time and stored in the same project folder.  I have a 17" screen which makes this very comfortable.

Scrivener also has too small a working screen for my tired old eyes.

Last word -- I can see where a more organized individual might be able to use this program to some advantage.  For me, it just doesn't work.

However, with whatever, get writing.