Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Back to Writing Part VII: Observing

It's back.
If you see me in a sea of people and I'm quiet, I'm composing paragraphs about the people around me. If you watch me closely, you might see my lips moving, forming sentences.
My eyes are soaking in every detail -- the way that woman has tied her scarf, the way that nerdy boy wears his socks with sandals.
I sit in that crowd and do my research. Even if people are crushing in to get closer to Stevie Wonder, even if it's pouring rain, even if I've had a few too many drinks and way too many cookies.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Back to Writing Part VI: Editing

So my editor sent some copy back overnight. It had a lot of markups, but it wasn't nearly as bloody as I thought it would be.
Her comments were as great as ever.
Apparently, white briefs are NOT sexy. Also, "she let them have at it" is not a sexy way to end a story. LOL.
And the dreaded Xena FanFic slipped in there somehow. I thought I'd beaten that very, very bad habit out of myself. Guess not. I'm glad she caught it.
I sent it off to be judged. We'll see if it makes the cut. I'm off to the next one.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Back to Writing Part V: Call for Submission

I submitted something. It's not what I normally write. It was a good exercise, like a tough workout after a year of inactivity.

The first four paragraphs were torture, then the rest flowed.

I cut those first paragraphs. We'll see if it worked.

It's a start. I've got nine other leads -- more if I'm willing to push my comfort zone. I feel nervous and satisfied at the same time. It's a strange but exhilarating feeling.