tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57820030724368537032024-03-05T01:59:51.369-08:00Shortstop in the SourdoughChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-55616128655685088692014-10-27T16:07:00.001-07:002014-10-27T16:07:25.653-07:00October #wipmadness – Week 4<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s the final check-in for the October edition of
#wipmadness. And Friday is Halloween!!! You know what that means:<o:p></o:p></div>
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CANDY!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nothing is sweeter than a handful (or two) of your favorite
bite-size candy bar. Nothing except perhaps for writing that sentence or
paragraph that makes you think, “I’m awesome. This story is awesome. Watch out
world, here I come.” </div>
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<o:p></o:p>Halloween has always been a favorite holiday of mine, and not
because of the free candy. I like seeing all the kids dressed up in costumes.
For one day, everyone can dress up and experience being someone else for the
night and collect candy or other goodies for doing so. In this way, Halloween
is very much like the experience of reading (and writing) a book: you get to
experience what life is like for someone else. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As writers, we get to step in the shoes of characters all
the time and experience another’s life, struggles, and moments of joy and despair.
As writers, we may like to think we know everything about our characters and
what they might do in certain situations, but sometimes our own creations teach
us something. Our math geek might confess she’s been flunking her algebra
quizzes or our sports star might admit he really hates the sport and would
rather play in the marching band. Their revelations might lead us to the story
that we didn’t realize was possible, but that is the story that the character
wants to tell. Sometimes we have to listen to a character to know what story is
the right one. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Has this happened to you before? Have your characters balked
at the story you’re writing and revealed something new about themselves and
turned the story into something new? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Also as a Halloween treat, consider the following questions
for one of your characters (or for you):<o:p></o:p></div>
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What was your favorite Halloween character as a kid?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Are you dressing up this year? If so, what are you going as?<o:p></o:p></div>
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What do you think makes the best costumes?<o:p></o:p></div>
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And now for the moment you've all been waiting for:<o:p></o:p></div>
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The winner of <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">write</span>
bracelet giveaway is:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kim B!!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Congratulations, Kim! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Please send me your mailing address to my email: chris hingley
17 at gmail dot com. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Jenn can adjust the length of the bracelet for you and
add the clasp of your choice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway it’s been a pleasure and an honor to be your host for
the past two months of #wipmadness. Maybe I’ll stick around for another month
if Denise can’t find another host, but for sure I’ll be commenting at check-ins. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Hope you all have a great Halloween, and even great writing
sessions!<o:p></o:p></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-49645090865423174732014-10-20T04:47:00.000-07:002014-10-20T04:47:12.748-07:00October #wipmadness – Week 3<div class="MsoNormal">
Congratulations on the book releases to Denise, Shari, and
LisaAnn. A new book is a truly amazing experience, and one that I sincerely
hope each of us experiences one day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Books like most works of art start with an idea. An idea can
be <span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;">big</span> or it can be <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">small</span></span>. An idea is simply that:
an idea. It is a spark to something more, something truly great, something truly
yours. It is something that you take from your imagination and mind and combine
it with hard work and dedication and sweat and maybe just a little too much
caffeine. It’s amazing what a simple idea can become. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I spent Saturday rewatching the first two seasons of the web
series, <i>Video Game High School</i> in
order to prepare for the third and final season. (The second episode of the
third season drops today: check YouTube.) As a backer of the final season, I
received access to the entire season before the public release, so this
afternoon I watched the first episode, and told myself I’d watch the second
episode and then write this check-in post. I made myself stop after the fourth
episode, because I wanted to say something about that fourth episode and ideas
and art and creating something that is just wow worthy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Without giving too much away, that fourth episode is a YA
novel in itself. Now I feel what book reviewers must feel like when they open a
package and find an ARC or a review copy to read and review. I just need
someone to talk about that episode with. To talk about that moment and that
moment. That scene and this one. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I've felt that many times while reading YA literature. I
could tell you the page numbers of books that stopped me in my tracks. Moments
where I had to stop reading to regroup, but at the same time wanting to turn
the page and keep reading. Scenes where I wanted to stop and write the author a
note declaring him or her to be an awesomely cool genius whose shopping lists
should be published daily. (That so should be a genre!) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Moments and scenes like these are what drives me to create.
They are also what truly makes storytelling such an amazingly awesome art. Recognizing
these moments are important both as a reader and a writer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As I glance at my bookcases that hold about 500 YA books, I
can think of the moments and scenes within each book that made me want to keep
or buy my own copy of it. (And in some cases, own multiple copies of. I have at
least two copies of John Green’s <i>Looking
for Alaska</i> and plan to buy the 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary edition in
January.) The same is with movies and specific TV show episodes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are scenes that I will never forget and there are
scenes that I will never not react to. These are the scenes that I strive
toward and the scenes I treasure. These are the scenes that make writing the
epitome of art and craft. <o:p></o:p></div>
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To avoid spoilers, I’ll only list the titles of a few of
these amazing moments and scenes, but I’m sure if you’ve read the book or
watched the movie/episode, you’ll know which one I’m talking about.<o:p></o:p></div>
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YA Books<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>See You at Harry’s</i>
by Jo Knowles<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Boy Toy</i> by Barry
Lyga<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Eleanor & Park</i>
by Rainbow Rowell<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Winger</i> by Andrew
Smith (I haven’t read an Andrew Smith book yet that doesn't include such an
impactful scene, but the one in <i>Winger</i>
is king.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Movies/TV Show episodes<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Abyssinia, Henry</i>
(M*A*S*H, Season 3, Episode 24.)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>The Body</i> (Buffy
the Vampire Slayer, Season 5, Episode 16.) <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Toy Story 3<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>The Shawshank Redemption</i></div>
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<i>Up<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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What are some of yours? Those scenes and moments that made
you realize that “this is a really good book/movie/episode?” In order to avoid
spoilers, please just include the title. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh, BTW: If you want to be entered into the giveaway of the
bracelet (see pictures on the final September #wipmadness post), please include
these words in your comment: “This is my contest entry.” I just want to make
sure everyone who wants a chance to win Jenn's awesome bracelet has a chance to
win. <o:p></o:p></div>
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See you next week for the final edition of October
#wipmadness!!!</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Have a great writing week!<o:p></o:p></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-72664901214975700892014-10-13T16:44:00.000-07:002014-10-13T16:44:02.716-07:00October #wipmadness – Week 2<div class="MsoNormal">
Between helping my nephew with the final touches of his
science project that is due tomorrow (I am so over Styrofoam and felt. And glue
that doesn't bond with either) and trying to set up online payments for bills,
I am completely without ideas for a good check-in post.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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But sitcom idea #1 made an appearance late Saturday night as
I was trying to fall asleep. The entire first scene of the show appeared to me
and the main character spoke the intro to the show. I made myself turn my light
back on and typed up the scene the best I could. (Note to self: Try the voice
memo also, so there’s less intrusive light from the electronics.) <o:p></o:p></div>
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I think it’s a good start, so now I might have to figure out
which idea to focus on. </div>
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<o:p></o:p>I guess there are worst problems to have. Like craft glue
that won’t stick to craft items. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></div>
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I think there is a metaphor there somewhere about
ineffective glue and the storytelling process, perhaps something like if one
way doesn’t work, then try another way. And if that way doesn’t work, it might
be time to try another way or ask for help. Hey, I found the metaphor!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, I hope your writing is going well. And if you are
like me and have ran into bad glue, take a step back and think, “what else can
I do?” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian wipmadnessers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Pie. I think we all need a big piece of pie. Or chocolate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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See you next week!<o:p></o:p></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-87401421759143447082014-10-06T18:20:00.001-07:002014-10-06T18:20:38.754-07:00Welcome to October #wipmadness<div class="MsoNormal">
My nephew has a short research essay due on Thursday, so I’m
walking him through the steps of researching, prewriting, and writing. After
reading <i>Number the Stars</i> in class, he
decided to do his essay on Anne Frank. Saturday we went to the library and I
showed him how to look up information in the encyclopedia. (Or as I explained
to him the old school Internet.) We also checked out three books. Tonight we’ll
work on organizing the information into three paragraphs: before hiding,
hiding, and after hiding. I’m hoping we’ll get the first paragraph done
tonight. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Helping my nephew has made me realize how innate the writing
process has become to me. Perhaps I even take it for granted at times. Working
with him and my other seventh grade student makes me re-examine the writing
process: how this step leads to this step and how vital it is to take a few
moments to organize your thoughts and even do the dreaded O word: outline. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I've never liked outlining. But I've learned that it’s a necessity
at some point in the writing process, and that the earlier it occurs, the
better or/and easier a project becomes. You have to know what you want to write
about before you can write about it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I think I get lost in this step. Trying to figure out what
the story is about before writing the story. Wanting my prewriting to look all
cool and organized complete with cross referencing. (Yes, I am <i>that</i> anal retentive. I wonder if there’s
a club for that?)<o:p></o:p></div>
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My question for you this week is this:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Do you have a tricky spot in the writing process? A place
where you get stuck or in a rut? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Any advice on helping a seventh grader write a five-paragraph
essay about Anne Frank? (I really thought that the five-paragraph essay was a
relic of the past, but I guess not.) Any advice or suggestions about helping
seventh-grade boys write would be greatly appreciated. <o:p></o:p></div>
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See you next week. Don’t forget to list your October goals! <o:p></o:p></div>
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My October goal: <o:p></o:p></div>
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Write a working outline for the pilot episode to sitcom idea
#2.</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Write a working outline for the YA WIP.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Make weekly progress toward these goals.<o:p></o:p></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-54476681775269259632014-09-30T03:07:00.001-07:002014-09-30T03:08:17.370-07:00September #wipmadness – Week Five<div class="MsoNormal">
Since today is the last day of September, I thought it would
be fitting to wrap the September 2014 edition of #wipmadness today instead of
yesterday. (That and after a weekend of helping my nephew catch up on missing
math assignments and complete a study guide for the novel they read exhausted
much of my energy Sunday night. I truly don’t know how you parents do it,
especially those who homeschool. You are truly heroes in my book.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I look at my goal for September, I remind myself that a
new month begins tomorrow. And that there is less (fewer?) than 100 days left
of 2014. 100 days (about 92 remaining if you like exact numbers) is plenty of
time to devote to a WIP. I've been waffling back and forth about whether to
write a page a day for the next 92 days or to write for an hour a day for the
next 92 days. I’m not quite at the drafting stage for either TV show idea. And
my novel has been on the shelf so long, I think my characters have already
graduated college. But nonetheless October means I still have three months to
squeeze as much writing time out of 2014 as I can and be able to start 2015
with plenty of steam and all that pesky prewriting done, prepped, and
organized. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So I’m extending my September goal into October, but am
adding weekly goals to kick my butt into shape. I’ll announce what those goals
are next week, because guess what?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ll be hosting #wipmadness for October!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So how was your month? Did you reach your goal for the
month? Are you extending your goal into October too? Or is it time for a new
goal?<o:p></o:p></div>
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And now for the long awaited giveaway announcement:<o:p></o:p></div>
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My friend and sometimes writing partner, Jenn, graciously
made this bracelet:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDauv8q6BP_tIqibiiEX3d7nYslWGFeo6YynypKeK5q0I_fPg8xvQNvzWmQTa4WWF06xjgLRyvBgLm15GgNsL3k9kFVsX26SeOSXW7OllTdgeSXhp9LSgbwSbAcdsWkUNvK_z3v5ECa_oV/s1600/IMG_4721.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDauv8q6BP_tIqibiiEX3d7nYslWGFeo6YynypKeK5q0I_fPg8xvQNvzWmQTa4WWF06xjgLRyvBgLm15GgNsL3k9kFVsX26SeOSXW7OllTdgeSXhp9LSgbwSbAcdsWkUNvK_z3v5ECa_oV/s1600/IMG_4721.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh06-zGnWQqhuWUL3PoM2_Nanm3PAGpxxIEIP9m7Jh0flDJbepIsmjpGoLYz5kbNqUHDO_Yhyphenhyphend0cGXoYccW3B2XuD2KkPHBXhNLFW5EwdGy9sL0gelLdVQ-akc4WwMXOQEREXVN4jc7jE9/s1600/IMG_5691.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh06-zGnWQqhuWUL3PoM2_Nanm3PAGpxxIEIP9m7Jh0flDJbepIsmjpGoLYz5kbNqUHDO_Yhyphenhyphend0cGXoYccW3B2XuD2KkPHBXhNLFW5EwdGy9sL0gelLdVQ-akc4WwMXOQEREXVN4jc7jE9/s1600/IMG_5691.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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If skulls aren't your thing, she can replace them with
different beads. She can also add an r to write to make it a writer bracelet. She
will include the clasp of your choice: lobster clasp, toggle clasp or an
adjustable clasp. (A toggle clasp is shown.) You can also select the length you'd like. I think this one is about 7.25 inches in length. If you have any questions about the bracelet, please let me
know and I can forward any questions to Jenn. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you would like to be entered into the giveaway, please include
that in your check-in comment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ll announce the giveaway winner by Friday on Twitter and here
on the blog. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Hope you have a wonderful last day of September, and I’ll
see you next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-60706375846202197732014-09-22T02:38:00.000-07:002014-09-22T02:38:10.414-07:00September #wipmadness – Week Four<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s Monday, yay!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Why am I so happy about Monday? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Because we all know it’s the real first day of the week, the
weekend is over, and it’s a great time to hit the road running, or rather to
hit the keyboard typing, or hit the paper writing. (Okay I might have stretched
out that metaphor a little too much.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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But in the interest of starting a new week: here’s an
exercise for you to do right now: <o:p></o:p></div>
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Set a timer and just write for the next five minutes.
Whatever comes to your mind, just write. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now look at what you've written. Read it over. Is there
anything you can use from it in your current WIP? Or perhaps it’s given you a
morsel for something new, maybe something you've never tried before. Maybe it’s
something you’ll put on a shelf for a while and let it marinate. (I’ll skip the
marinade analogy for now.<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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But whatever you come up with, be proud of it even if you
think it’s the worst thing that has ever been written in recorded and unrecorded
history. Because you wrote it. You wrote. And that’s something to be proud of. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My question for you this week is:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Did anything surprise you about the five-minute writing
exercise? Did you discover something new about a character or uncover a new
plot detail? Did you add an idea to the ever growing story idea list? (Please
tell me I’m not the only one who keeps such a list.)</div>
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<o:p></o:p>See you next week for the final check in for September
#wipmadness!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Giveaway Update: I’m still working out the specifics of the
write bracelet with Jenn. I hope to be able to post a picture of it this week. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-72066320467339665452014-09-15T18:32:00.000-07:002014-09-15T18:32:31.332-07:00September #wipmadness – Week Three<div class="MsoNormal">
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the halfway point of the September
edition of #wipmadness. If you’re on track with your monthly goals: Congrats!
You’re awesome. And if you’re like me and are slightly off track with your
goals, you are still awesome. There’s still plenty of time left in the month to
cross those goals off your list. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So take a moment to celebrate the halfway mark. Reflect on
what you have managed to accomplish and remember it is okay to reset your goals
for the rest of the month. It’s also okay to take a day off to focus on
yourself; your characters as well as your family and your future self will
thank you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My question for you this week is:<o:p></o:p></div>
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How do you celebrate? Do you only celebrate the end of a
draft/project? Or do you celebrate throughout the process?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pictures of prizes will be posted this week, so check back
if you’re looking for a little motivation. I promise not to claim them all as
hosting awards. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-47602990005010012422014-09-08T03:25:00.001-07:002014-09-08T03:25:56.229-07:00September #wipmadness – Week Two<div class="MsoNormal">
So how was your first week of September? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Mine was okay. I cashed in a bunch of loose change that I've
earmarked for the purchase of an updated version of Syd Field’s <i>Screenplay </i>and other writing-related
books. I also brainstormed ideas for one of my TV pilots. I even know the line
of dialogue that ends the first act of the pilot episode. Now I just need to
actually write these ideas down instead of keeping it in my head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I think what I need most is to reestablish a writing
routine. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now I've never quite had the best writing routine. I tend to
write in long spurts under tight deadlines. Paper due tomorrow afternoon? By
all means, let’s start it at 10 the night before. Supposed to submit a story
for fiction workshop on Tuesday night? It’s only Saturday, I can watch one more
episode (or six) of <i>Friends</i> and still
have something to pass out. Draft of thesis project? Um, let’s not go there. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m not sure why I’m so reluctant to committing myself to a
routine. Perhaps it’s because I’m so busy planning the forest and the
surrounding areas; including the castle and the river, that I run into trees
and shrubs that trip me up. Or I spend time constructing metaphors for the
simple fact that I keep ignoring: To be a writer means you have to WRITE. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s such a novel idea. Writers write. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So my goal for this week is to:<o:p></o:p></div>
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1. Take a few minutes and write down the ideas.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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2. Set up a mini routine for the week. Pick a time and write
for at least ten minutes each day at that time. Start rebuilding the muscle
memory of writing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My question for you this week is:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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What is your writing routine? When do you write? Where do
you write? How long do you write for? Are you aiming for a certain number of
words, pages, or minutes? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Do you have any advice for establishing a writing routine?
What works? What doesn't work?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And what’s the best excuse you've used or heard for avoiding
writing? <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have some very cool ideas for giveaway items including a
WRITE bracelet and cool bookmarks. I’ll post pictures of the prototypes next
week. My friend and sometimes writing partner, Jenn has graciously agreed to
make these items. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Hope you have a great week full of fantastic writing
sessions and amazing reads. I just finished reading my fifth Andrew Smith
novel: <i>100 Sideways Miles. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Even though it’s been more than 1.7 million miles since I read
the final line of the book, I’m still lost in its world, and wish there was an
additional chapter hiding beyond the final blank page. I love it when books
stick with you for hours, days, and even years after you read it. I hope someday
a reader will feel that way about my own book or screenplay. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-79575941995154666922014-09-01T02:15:00.001-07:002014-09-01T02:15:07.712-07:00Welcome to September #WIPMADNESS <div class="MsoNormal">
Hello and welcome to my blog, <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Shortstop in the Sourdough</span>. I’m honored to be your host for
the September 2014 edition of #wipmadness. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I've always liked it when a new month begins on a Sunday or
a Monday as it gives a double fresh start to the week as well as the month. And
today being Labor Day in the U.S. (and Labour Day in Canada) makes today a triple
fresh start to this month’s wipmadness. </div>
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<o:p></o:p>As you can tell from my older posts, I’m not the most
prolific blogger, I’m pretty much the opposite of prolific. Let’s go with having
a major case of being a blocked blogger slash writer. But a new month means a
new start and this month I am jumpstarting my love and commitment to writing
and to blogging.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My goal for this month is to select a writing project (or
two) and actually make progress on it. I keep waffling (yum, waffles) between
a few screenplay ideas, two TV pilot ideas, a short story, and a YA novel. So I
figure I want to commit myself to working at least on one of the screenplay or
pilot ideas as well as working on the novel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So my question to you this week is:<o:p></o:p></div>
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What is your goal for this month?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Plus:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When you have several ideas, how do you choose which idea to
work on first? If you have more than one WIP, how do you balance them? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m working on a <s>bribing</s>, I mean motivational
giveaway of sorts. I just got my car back from its second major service of the
summer, so money is a little tight, but I’ll figure something out. I’ll announce
the <s>bribes</s> giveaways next week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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Hope you have an awesome week full of writing and discovery.
And chocolate. Chocolate is good. And so are waffles. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-14045179700016827232013-03-02T21:13:00.000-08:002013-03-02T21:17:39.620-08:00March Madness Goals 2013<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wipes off a year's worth of dust, hey, I do have a blog! Cool!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So it's that time of year again when the almond trees start blooming and my eyes start watering. The best time of the year since Saint Patrick's Day and my birthday are just around the corner. And it's time for March Madness, both the basketball version and the ubercool being accountable for your writing goals one started by <a href="http://denisejaden.blogspot.com/">Denise Jaden</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This is my third year attempting March Madness, and this year I plan to make it past the first round. I posted my goals there, but am reposting them here for my own sake. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Goals</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1. With my
writing partner, <a href="http://thoughtsfromjennb.blogspot.com/">Jenn B</a>; complete a rough draft of our screenplay. The hope is
to have a rough draft by month’s end, revise in April, and submit to a few
contests by May 1<sup>st</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2. Examine
TV pilot ideas and see if anything worth pursuing. Depending on my writing
partner’s time and energy, we may tackle one together and try to submit a pilot
script to a few contests by June 1. I figure we can use March as to prewrite
and then start a draft in April. That way we aren’t in the same stage of two
projects at once and can broaden our scope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3. Create
and maintain a master document including notes, research, and other information
for the screenplay and possible TV pilot. Once I find a template that works, I
plan to apply it to all other works in progress. I tend to get a little carried
away with folders, subfolders, and sub sub folders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">4. Design a
writing schedule for the rest of the year including daily, weekly, monthly and
so on goals and deadlines. And implement said plan. I even have a special
planner for keeping myself accountable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">5. Work on
other writing. I have a long neglected novel to give some way overdue tender
loving care to. I also should work on another TV spec, but I’m waiting for the
network upfronts so I know if the shows I’m considering writing for will be
renewed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">6. Remember
to enjoy writing and not allow myself to be overwhelmed by deadlines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">7. Read,
blog, and exercise. I mean a writer has to do something besides write, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So it looks like March is going to be a good writing month. I just need to figure out some rewards to offer myself so I don't get off track or distracted....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Look something shiny. :-)</span></div>
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Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-61265158018186036722012-03-13T02:47:00.000-07:002012-03-13T02:47:15.408-07:00March Madness Goals 2012<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's that time of the year again for March Madness, but instead of hoops this March Madness is all about writing and reading and blogging. Thank you </span><a href="http://denisejaden.blogspot.com/2012/02/march-madness-is-here-wipmadness.html?showComment=1331631011836"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Denise</span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> for continuing to support writing and writers everywhere. I hope this is the year I actually achieve a goal or two. It's time to dust off my WIP and start working on my ultimate goal to be published (or under contract to be published) by the time I'm 40. (Which so happens to be a lot closer than I really want to admit, but that's a topic for a whole other blog entry.)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">My Official March Madness 2012 Goals</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Although this March is turning into one crazy busy month, I've decided to set some manageable goals for March Madness. So here goes:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1. Design a writing schedule for the rest of the year including daily, weekly, monthly and so on goals and deadlines.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">2. Plan out structural bones of WIP novel and April’s Script Frenzy project. As a dedicated pantser I loath outlines, but I’ve found that if left to the ways of the pants I tend to not write. Decide if want to try more than these two projects. I’m leaning toward working on two screenplays at once – one with my writing partner and one solo effort. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">3. Revisit the current draft of my WIP and see if there is anything salvageable. Thanks to my awesome writing partner and best friend, I was able to make the existing pages print out in book form. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">4. Rein in my tendency to spend more time (okay most of my time) prewriting and filling in questionnaires about my characters and actual work on writing. And to that end, compile all my prewriting, research, and information into a single master document. I will try to not organize it in twenty different ways.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">5. Try to blog at least once a week for the last three weeks of March, check in at least seven times at each check-in blog, and to make a decent dent in my to-read list. I’ve been meaning to read Markus Zusak’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Book Thief</i> for the last six years. (And this might just be my <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>manageable March Madness goal. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://denisejaden.blogspot.com/2012/02/march-madness-is-here-wipmadness.html"><img alt="" height="207" id="Image2_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkEaoGhMYNdkdN0qQgXHjJErN4sHmHreXPPVqHVOFOw3wHytYr1M9wG4nYlxnAL7uUt0sh5ZmoKVf1E0aFUr9-ozvy47GkyBWj09gynCi3Osl4jPa6kSWktvqjNe8S7NInJgWhxnA8hs/s250/MarchMadness-1.jpg" style="visibility: visible;" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://denisejaden.blogspot.com/2012/02/march-madness-is-here-wipmadness.html?showComment=1331631011836">March Madness - Thanks Denise Jaden!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-114421932480364252011-08-03T18:16:00.000-07:002011-08-03T22:18:11.046-07:00CEDA - Take Two<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So CEDA (Create Every Day in April) was pretty much an epic fail, so let’s try CEDA v.2: Create Every Day in August.*</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This CEDA is special in part because I can totally take part in Laurie Halse Anderson’s annual <a href="http://madwomanintheforest.com/write-fifteen-minutes-a-day-challenge-welcome">WFMAD</a> in which one simply writes for fifteen minutes a day. I also like Laurie’s prompts so I plan to write on those in addition to dedicating fifteen minutes a day to one or more of my goals. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My goals for CEDA, v. 2</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Write 1-2 chapters in my YA WIP.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Compile the bible for my YA WIP as well as the screenplay that <a href="http://thoughtsfromjennb.blogspot.com/">Jenn</a> and I started during Script Frenzy. (Just as soon as Jenn is done with her thesis, we plan on working on it as well as another screenplay.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Work on prewriting of above two screenplays.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Write a short story. (Or a short film.) The goal is to write something from premise to a completed first draft. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Revisit previous story ideas and/or starts. See if there is anything that I want to work on now in addition to my YA WIP, the two screenplays, and the new short story. I probably should select a solo screenplay idea to work on in addition to the ones I’m co-writing with Jenn. Develop a writing plan for the rest of 2011 and perhaps for the next year or so. I’m still trying to figure out the ideal number of projects to be working on at any given time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Respond to Laurie Halse Anderson’s daily prompts during her WFMAD challenge.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Write and post 10-15 blog entries.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Work on my new freelance writing career. (I suppose that means I need to finish working on the actual applications. I hate applications. (Note if you’re a fan of Left 4 Dead and Francis, you know he’d agree.))</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And obviously writing for at least 15 minutes a day. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">*Except for August 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, and most of the 3<sup>rd</sup>, because my time machine is in the shop. Silly intergalactic travel—all planets need to agree to the Universal Driving Codes. And don’t get me started about the effects of wormholes, black holes, and solar storms, if you thought rush hour in LA was bad, you haven’t tried traveling in time and space during the Galaxy Games. </span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-19505691079371164962011-04-01T00:58:00.000-07:002011-04-01T11:57:26.873-07:00CEDA<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sorry, fellow Left 4 Dead fans, but this isn’t a post about the Civil Emergency and Defense Agency in the game. But eventually I’ll probably blog about the awesomeness that is Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">CEDA (Create Every Day in April) is simply my version of BEDA (Blog Every Day in April) that the awesome YA author Maureen Johnson started in 2009. You can check out Maureen’s initial post <a href="http://www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com/2009/03/29/blog-every-day-april"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Why Create and not Blog?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">For starters, I’m still getting used to not cringing every time I see blog used as a verb. But I’m not the grammar police, because if I was I’d have already been picked up by Internal Affairs for my past abuse and misuse of commas. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Midway through the writing version of <a href="http://baskinex.blogspot.com/2011/02/march-madness-is-here.html"><span style="color: blue;">March Madness</span></a>, I realized that I seriously needed to work on changing my writing habits. I’ve been a longtime spurter*, and it’s way past time for a change. Or at least, time to try a new approach.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">By calling it CEDA instead of BEDA, I can continue my March Madness goals to keep working on my writing by actually writing; be it my YA WIP, the <a href="http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/"><span style="color: blue;">Script Frenzy</span></a> project that I’m working on with my friend and writing partner, <a href="http://thoughtsfromjennb.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Jenn</span></a>, my blog, or something else that just can’t wait to be written. (My characters from other works seem to like to make sudden appearances when I’m trying to fall asleep and rattle off epically awesome pieces of inner monologue, description, etc. I think I need to put new batteries in my tape recorder, because by the time I grab my cell or notebook, the words don’t appear so epically awesome. Well, most of the time they are still epically awesome, just epically awesome piles of crap.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">CEDA’s focus is to allow myself to focus on daily writing while not limiting myself to just one project. After all, writers actually write instead of just talking about writing. And I am a writer. I will write every day. I will get the words on paper. I will, in the words of the great Nike slogan; <em>Just do it</em>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">My goals for CEDA:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Write 1-2 chapters in my YA WIP.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">Complete a 100 page screenplay with Jenn for Script Frenzy</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">Write and post 10-15 blog entries. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">And because I'm such a geek for statistics, I made a spreadsheet to keep track of my total words/pages. Based on previous chapters, screenplays, and blogs; I estimate I'll see about 35,000 words. Now just to find someone willing to give me a dollar a word. I'd even settle for a penny a word.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">*</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> I should really get off my high horse about blog as a verb, because here I am using a rare noun form of the word spurt.</span></span></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-22914238168755003962011-03-12T20:52:00.000-08:002011-03-21T16:20:39.724-07:00March Madness Goals<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">So a few days ago, on March 9th to be exact, I signed up for </span><a href="http://baskinex.blogspot.com/2011/02/march-madness-writing-reading-and.html" id="link_5"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Denise Jaden's Awesome March Madness</span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">, I mean it's not the March Madness of basketball fame, but still it is very very cool. Plus it allowed me to set some goals:<br />
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So without further ado, here are my goals for March Madness:<br />
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1. Write at least one chapter in my current YA WIP.<br />
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2. Write and post at least 5 blog entries in my poor neglected Livejournal.<br />
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3. Write at least 500 words a day. So by the end of March I will have 15,500 new words. Of course, they'll be spread across a few different projects, but they'll still be new words. <br />
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4. Prepare for Script Frenzy. Get to know my characters - who they are and what do they want. Unless, of course, this is cheating.<br />
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5. Try to read at least half my current to-read pile. <br />
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6. Try to avoid overusing the phrase "at least."<br />
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7. Also I'm working on limiting my Pepsi intake to three can a day. (So far today, I've only had one.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">So without counting this sentence I am at 267 words. (Yes, I am ignoring the fact that I signed up for it on March 9, so I have eight days or 4,000 words to make up for.) <br />
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267 down, 15,233 to go. </span>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-70384684805943992672011-03-12T20:50:00.000-08:002011-03-13T16:57:31.492-07:00Awesome Must-See Video<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have to admit that I've really never thought about making a nonnarrative short film, although I suppose one could argue that Youth is a narrative film. Nonetheless this is an awesome film and I wish I had been this talented when I was 16. </span><br />
<iframe allowtransparency="allowtransparency" class="lj_embedcontent" frameborder="0" height="225" name="embed_7829476_25" src="http://lj-toys.com/?auth_token=sessionless%3A1299981600%3Aembedcontent%3A7829476%2625%26%3Ad67e69bded13ccea599c1d080623f181084ffe9f&moduleid=25&preview=&journalid=7829476" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/19900368" id="link_0">YOUTH</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/tommypetroni" id="link_1">Tommy Petroni</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/" id="link_2">Vimeo</a>. <br />
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I absolutely love what Molly O'Neill said about this film over at <a href="http://10blockwalk.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html" id="link_3">10 Block Walk</a>: "Or, as you might also care to see it, it's essentially the heart of many a contemporary YA novel, in under five minutes." <br />
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I have to agree with Molly. And I loved the skateboarding bits, but that might because one of my MCs is a skater.<br />
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I love this film.<br />
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Thanks, Tommy for sharing this with us. I know we'll be seeing more of your work in the future.<br />
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Cross-posted from <a href="http://chris-writes.livejournal.com/">my livejournal</a>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5782003072436853703.post-77900703815359304802011-03-12T20:49:00.000-08:002011-03-12T21:27:45.968-08:00The Very Memorable First Post<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Welcome to my new blog.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">First posts are really hard to write. Okay, so I find posts, in general, very hard to write, because honestly while I've always liked the idea of keeping a diary/journal, I've never been really good at maintaining said diary/journal. But I love reading blogs/journals especially those by authors (both published and aspiring to be published), agents, editors, and the like. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Although I've been on <a href="http://chris-writes.livejournal.com/"><span style="color: blue;">livejournal</span></a> for almost six years, I only have 47 entries. And until recently I pretty much had abandoned it. 2010 was going to be the year that I made a serious return to writing and blogging. That didn't happen. Then 2011 came and I decided not to even fool myself into thinking I'd make resolutions again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Then last month, YA author L.K. (Lisa) Madigan passed away. Although I only knew L.K. from her often funny <a href="http://lkmadigan.livejournal.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Drenched in Words</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">,</span> I felt part of her world. As the news spread, so did the tributes by those who knew her well and those, like me, who only knew her from her words. The following quote (from her <a href="http://www.flashburnout.com/forwriters.html"><span style="color: blue;">advice on writing</span></a>) often popped up, which coupled by the fact that L.K. knew she was going to die and that she wouldn't get a chance to write all the books she wanted made me decided it was time to actually sit down and be a writer. </span><br />
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<blockquote>The main thing is to WRITE. Some days it might be 2000 words. Some days you might tinker with two sentences until you get them just right. Both days belong in the writing life. Some days you may watch a “Doctor Who” marathon or become immersed a book that is so good you can’t stop reading. Some days you may be in love or in mourning. Those days belong in the writing life, too. Live them without guilt.</blockquote> -- L.K. Madigan<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Thank you Lisa for your words and for inspiring me to get my butt in the chair and write. Thank you to all the authors whose blogs I read who keep sharing their stories and encouraging us all to achieve our dreams. </span>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610noreply@blogger.com1