Blog resumption

Last night, I finished the final revisions on my thesis.  231 pages, 73,000 words.  The feelings of accomplishment and relief know no bounds. 

What is the most difficult piece of writing or writing project you have ever done?

Blog Hiatus

This blog is going on hiatus while I tend to family matters and finish my thesis.

Playlist of your life

I'm thinking of going through the playlists on my various devices and writing down the memory that goes with each song.  Is there a particular song that holds a vivid memory for you?

Writing schedule

While working on my thesis, I seem to have figured out the best, most sustainable writing schedule for me.  I write as soon as I'm up in the morning (and have caffeine in hand), and late in the afternoon (around 4-5 o'clock).  This has become easy, and actually pleasurable for me (not forced).  Have you figured out your best writing schedule, time-wise?

Other genres, other rooms

A friend of mine just started writing his first cookbook.  I have published a couple of recipes online.  It's gotten me thinking about other types of writing we all could do.  If you veer away from your normal form of writing (prose, poetry, graphic), what else might you feel inclined to turn to? It's always good to keep your options open.

Writer's Block

Have you ever had writer's block?  How did you overcome it?

Writer's High

I'm coming down off the high that is an acceptance.  That's the thing about writing, it gives you these highs.  The other great high that writing gives you is that feeling you get when you've written something you know is good.  And even if it isn't really good, it's something you're very happy with.  I actually experienced both highs yesterday, maybe a banner day in my writing life.  So, question of the day is: what is your favorite writer's high? 

Writing Advice

Running my fingers through the pile of jewels that are my notes from AWP (Assoc. Writers/Writing Programs).  What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?

Writer's Conferences

Heading off to Los Angeles today for AWP.  What is your favorite Writer's Conference or event?

My favorites include the Iowa Summer Writing Festival, Cape May, Philadelphia and last, but certainly not least, The Rosemont Writing Retreat.

Missed week

A missed week on my blog due to a funeral in the family.  The event is generating a good deal of prose in my head, but my fingers hesitate to do the actual writing.  I feel stuck, and have decided to give myself time to heal.

Have you noticed or experienced an effect on your writing after a personal tragedy?

Fan Letter

This week I had the very pleasant experience of receiving an e-mail from an author to whom I wrote expressing my admiration of his book.  He very kindly sent me a list of books I might find helpful, since our subject matter comes from the same time period in ancient history.  Of course, he is in England, and I can find none of the books he suggested here in my local library.  Thank god for the information super highway.  I'm sure I can get them somewhere.

So, have you ever written a fan letter to another author, and did they respond?

I had a bad day again...

What do you do on those days when things are going bad, and writing is the last thing on your mind?

This morning I woke up to steady rain and burnt oatmeal.  Later I have to get a cavity filled.  I don't expect much from my brief writing attempts today, but I've got a 10-minute play assignment due for tomorrow.  As I write this I am only up to about six and a half minutes.  At least writing this post has gotten my fingers moving. 

Quitting

Have you ever decided to quit writing?  Did you ever hang up your hat and decide you were done with it?  What brought you back?

I did it a couple of times, mostly when I wasn't receiving support from home, or when basis survival was on the line.  I always came back because the ideas just wouldn't stop.

Teachers

I finally got up the nerve to send my scant pages to my thesis advisor.  I do look forward to her response, though, because she is a great teacher.  I've had good ones and I've had bad ones, but my emotional favorite was my 7th grade English teacher who held up a poem of mine and cried out, "She's done it again!" That had something to do with me becoming a writer, I think.

What teacher had the biggest influence on your decision to become a writer?

The Fickle Muse

I woke this morning to a flash of inspiration, and despite my foggy sleep brain and lack of coffee, I sat down and sketched out the ideas that came to me in that state between waking and sleeping.  It worked pretty well, as I got an hour's worth of ideas down on paper (electronically). 

What do you do to hold onto inspiration when it strikes?  Do you keep a notebook with you? Stop what you're doing and jot? Notebook and pen by the bed?  I'm starting to see the value in striking while the iron is hot, even when it is in the moments after waking.

Beginnings

I'm struggling with the new opening for my novel, and so I suppose I put this question out there looking for some suggestions.

What is your favorite opening to a novel?  Is there one that hooked you from the first sentence?

Journal

Do you keep a journal?  I have been doing so since I was twelve years old. Someone once said to me that the thought of death freaked him out because he would be completely gone.  I said I wouldn't be gone because it's all down on paper. There are many other reasons for keeping a journal.  If you do, why?  If you don't, why not? 

New Year

I have made far too many resolutions this year to be able to keep them all.  I know this going in.  They all boil down, however, to one resolution: to write brilliantly and consistently.  There.  Deep breath.  I've said it.  Eating healthier and avoiding bad substances will help my brain, which I need to write.  Exercise increases oxygen to the brain, which I need to write.  Following a schedule gives me time which I need to write. 

What are your resolutions, and do they focus mostly on writing?