A Multitude of Impractical Ideas

Novel rewrite currently at 24.5k, plus woke up with a short story title in my head and had to get it down, along with about 450 words of a story start, while the morning coffee was brewing. 'Thon goals met. Way behind on Apex editing, but that's what Friday is for. Zombies still eating my brain. (They eat very slowly, it seems.)

Some edity thoughts before the write-a-thon check-in...

I was asked once about advice I would give to people who wanted to get into editing, and I mentioned that you really need to love editing for its own sake, love looking up grammar rules and continuing to learn everything you can because the rules do change, and that's part of the fun. What I forgot to mention is that you have to love learning, period. Other people have talked about scientific accuracy in SF and maintaining consistent logic within your own world. I won't get into those, but as an editor, I have to say that I learn something from each new book or story I edit, and part of that is because I need to go research little details to make make sure that the science and logic are there.

Today I learned that fish can and do roll their eyes (and why), along with several other tidbits; none of them are things you would normally think go along with SF and editing. I just ran across something in the manuscript that didn't seem quite right...so I looked it up (Internet <3 ). And learned something. Then I did it again. Things I never would have thought to look up on my own, because really, I don't think about fish eyes that often, or whether pomegranates can grow in a specific part of England, or what the exact lyrics are to "Who put the Bomp...." But because I needed to learn about these things, now I know. It makes me a font of useless knowledge*, but better that than a font of no knowledge, right? Useless knowledge makes me happy.

As for the write-a-thon check-in: today's writing went really well after two days of struggling to figure out where to go next. I've salvaged a lot more of the original text than I thought I would, so the novel's at about 20k right now (most of it old, with tweaks). But now I've gotten to the point where the new plot direction departs radically from the old, so although I'm sure there are a few character-driven scenes that will be reworked into the new version, next week I really don't expect to add more than about 7k words to that count, if that much. Still, mission accomplished as far as WaT goals are concerned, and the plot is slowly revealing itself. A good day.

--
*Sadly, it's not the kind of useless knowledge that makes me good at trivia games, so you DON'T want me on your team for Trivial Pursuit. Trust me...I've never ever won a game yet. The South Park Game, maybe. Or The Goth Game, sure (though I have to edit their questions because they are written so poorly...and some of the answers are dead wrong).

Oops...almost forgot today was Write-a-thon check-in day. So far, it's been...typical WaT week three. I always seem to have a week three crash. Funny, because I didn't at the CW workshop...though I did write a terrible play about a talking head of lettuce that liked to wax philosophical in a Jungian vein.

I decided to take Monday off this week instead of trying to flog my fried brain into gear, figuring I'd gotten some extra time in over the weekend and finished up short story #3's rough draft. That plus more-than-usual work stress* made me think an evening off was preferable to the alternative: headsplosion. And I did spend at least 15 minutes going over some notes for the novel, plus I put an old story in the mail to a new market. Goal not met, but day not wasted. I don't feel too bad about it; not enough to put in the effort of kicking myself in the head. :P

Yesterday and today were research and note-writing days, mostly, as I once again began trying to find the working plot for this novel. I ran across some really cool stuff in my research, though, and am getting very excited about the project once again. I am only two paragraphs into the physical writing of it, but in my book (pun intended), research and note-taking time count toward my write-a-thon goal, which is primarily to make the time for my work. So, 2 out of 3 days successful.

Many thanks to my wonderful Write-a-thon sponsors! I know money is tight for everyone, so you have my extra special thanks for supporting Clarion West, a cause that means a lot to me. 



<whine>
*Added work stress: When my boss uses prejudicial language in my presence, apparently my gut reaction is to speak to her like a wayward teenager, tossing back a semi-disdainful "Don't use that phrase!" that surprises both of us. This turn of events resulted in me being a) angry to the point of being shaky that she would not only use the term she used, but give me a completely blank look when I objected, and then continue right on with what she was saying; b) worried that perhaps that was not the best, most productive way to speak to the woman who signs my paycheck; and c) agitated again three hours later when, to her credit, she chose to apologize, an act that was weakened by excuses such as "well, it's just a common phrase."

Oh, and I had to prep to train a new intern who was scheduled to come in the next day, as well.

</whine>

I'm calling the week a success, though I can't actually say for sure that I put my hour in on Thursday because I forgot to look at the clock. I finished polishing up a story and sent it off that day, plus did a little more tweaking on the old novel chapter, so I'm assuming it was at least an hour and therefore a success.

Other hours verified and a little extra time put in over the past two days, but not as much as I'd hoped. The math story (well, it isn't really a math story, but there are math elements to it, as well as physics, chemistry, aliens that aren't really aliens, and me making a bit of mockery of the worst job I ever had) had its second half chopped off and rewritten, which is still a work in progress. I think it might fit the antho I was rewriting it for better this way, but I'm still not sure how it ends. It went from 7k down to 4k and is now back up around 6k, so will probably wind up settling out around 7.5 over the next day or two for this draft, then trimming back a bit in revisions. Also had a hint of an idea for a further potential short, but that's going to have to simmer on the back burner for a while.

Looks like I won't be starting right in on the novel this week, but hopefully by Friday I'll have the shorts finished up and be ready. I'll put in a little more work on the mathish story tonight (working title, which will likely change: Alien Spaces) once I finish up some other projects. And one of these days I'm going to fulfill a promise I made to a Clarion West littermate and write that story about a little girl picking posies for Grandma.

Grandma should probably be very afraid.

Speaking of afraid, I think it's time for me to sign off because there is a very creepy UPS ad that keeps staring at me from the sidebar of my screen--a cardboard man who occasionally swings his legs like he's waiting for something, and the caption says "We do more than shipping." Is it just me, or does that sound like a threat? And why is he sitting so protectively on that body-sized box? Don't get me wrong, I love the creep factor; I'm just thinking that was probably not the image they were going for.

So far this week hasn't been quite as productive as last, but I did get the chapters on the old novel tightened up (I may take another look at one of them, though, just to be sure) and it turns out that the short story I thought would need a lot of revision really only needs a rewrite on the end, so that's good.  The old story I was looking at rewriting for an anthology submission is giving me a bit of pause, though. I went through it tonight and made notes about what it needs, and I think it can be a good story, but probably not appropriate for that particular antho...which leads to the question(s), do I work on it anyway and let the editor decide? Do I start a new story for the antho and put this one off until later? Do I try to do both and still somehow finish up and get ready to dive back into noveldom next week? I really don't want to put off the novel...

In any case, goals met, hours logged, will put in some extra time over the weekend to finish up short projects and prep for the novel. Yeah, that probably means sticking with the revisions instead of starting something new. then again, maybe not. Do I hear any fans of semi-dystopic *math* fiction out there? 

On a more humorous note, many of you know that I am endlessly amused by the quirks of automated spellcheckers. Livejournal offers up an array of choices when "dystopic" boggles its bitty little brain: isotopic, deistic, diastolic, despotic...and *dustpan*. Man, I love that dustpan science fiction.

I'm actually sitting here smiling a little at my computer screen because week one of the WaT went so well. Despite a mid-week drain, I somehow (and I really don't know how) managed to get TWO short stories (now known as "shories," thanks to my inability to speak earlier today) through the first draft, then took one of them through two subsequent drafts and am now almost ready to wish it luck and send it out the door. I'll take one more look at it later this week, sometime when I have a fresh brain (mmm...fresh braaaaiiiins). But I think it's done, and I think it's pretty decent. The cats didn't run away when I read it aloud, so that must be a good sign, right?

The second "shory" is going to need a lot of revision, but the basic structure is there. I also got some great feedback on an older novel at the CW party (thanks, Kate!) so I'll be touching up a couple of chapters of that this week, plus reworking an old story to submit to an anthology, and maybe reworking the abovementioned draft if I have time. We'll see how those goals go. As long as I put in my hour per day, I won't kick myself if individual projects don't get done. (Okay, well, I might kick myself, but since I only wear shoes when I absolutely have to, chances are my sock-feet won't leave much of a mark.)

All of this is to build up to next week, during which I hope (plan?) to dig back into the novel that has been giving me so much trouble (the infamous Work In and Out and In and Out and In and Out of Progress). That will be my project for weeks 2-6 of the WaT, and beyond that until it is done. (Hmm...didn't I make that statement last year?) This year I've decided that post-WaT I'm going to spell out a new set of goals to carry me through August and September so I don't fall flat on my face with the writing again (I expect I can finish the first draft by mid-October). They'll probably be a bit less strict than my WaT goals (I'll probably take one day off per week, and allow for half-hour writing times on my longer work days) but still something that will keep me going and make me hold myself accountable.

The Clarion West kick-off party was a fantastic event, and I'm so glad I went. Catching up with old friends (and a littermate!) and meeting this year's class was definitely worth the drive. I'm sure I'll be seeing many of you again soon. :-)

Because I said I would.

Goal of an hour a day met each day this week, though yesterday was iffy and ended after midnight--but in my world it's still the same day until you sleep.

So far, one (very) rough draft of a story finished at about 4500 words (plus some additional research done to fill in a few blanks) and a new story started and sitting at a bit over 500 words. I'll probably split the rest of the week's time between refining the completed draft enough to bring to writers' group this weekend and putting in some time on the new story so I don't I lose momentum.

I'd be doing the happy dance for progress right now if unrelated circumstances hadn't left me drained. Many thanks to the WaT organizers for putting the event on each year--I know how much you all do, and it's much appreciated. 

The Clarion West Write-a-thon began today, and I dutifully did my hour of writing after a procrastinatory morning of making sure the cats were not neglected, then an afternoon of catching up on other work and heading to writers' group, where other cats received large helpings of un-neglect. Oh, and csinman 's story made me laugh so hard I could barely breathe (and I wasn't the only one).

My WaT hour (actually, closer to an hour and a half--hooray!) was spent on a short story I'm hoping to finish this week. It's at about 1700 words right now (not all of those are new), and I'm guessing it'll end up around 4500 all told. I'll be checking in on Wednesdays and Sundays to report progress.

Thank you, Clarion West, for holding this event each year. I definitely need the kick-start.

I haven't been editing all that much today -- in fact, it's been the most relaxing day I've had in months. Relaxing enough that I could take the charged-up laptop (hooray for the new and improved 8-cell battery!) out to the park and read it while enjoying a gorgeous Northwest day.

Some random thoughts that occurred while doing so:

• Even enjoyable scenery and beautiful weather do not make a bad story more readable.
• The only thing that could possibly improve the park is wifi access, but at least I was prepared with several downloaded stories to read. Perhaps it's best to keep the wifi out of the park.
• Dear writers - particularly male writers - please do not describe your female characters as having "perfect breasts." There are oh-so-many reasons for this, but all you have to remember is that it has been done about 13.9 billion times before, and it is tired, tired, tired. I'll not elaborate or it will become a rant.
• And speaking of rants...[steps up on soap box] The purpose of writing a story is to communicate that story with your readers. If something gets in the way of your reader understanding the story, you are shooting your poor defenseless story in its little literary feet. There are many common forms of this, including convoluted sentence structure, unintentionally non-linear storytelling (non-linear stories can work well when done deliberately and with skill; if not, they tell the reader "Oops! I forgot to say that earlier. Guess I'll just stick it in here at the end of the scene") and overuse of dialect. I know, I know, dialect can add something to character and setting. Mark Twain did it successfully; so did George Bernard Shaw. But when it goes so far as to make the narrative impenetrable to readers, see comment above about little literary feet. [soapbox breaks into bits, sending ranter crashing to the ground]
• Not writing related, but: Dear lady jogging barefoot: perhaps that was not your best idea ever.
• Still not writing related: Dear self: moving the picnic blanket to a new shady spot without first checking for anthills was probably not *your* best idea ever.
• Despite distractions of pretty trees, pretty lake, skittering ants, and the triathlon cheering section, when a good story comes along, I *read.* And keep reading. And want more. To those authors: thank you. To the other authors: keep working at it. Many of you are getting close.

 I'm in the midst of proofing Write-a-thon participant pages (http://clarionwest.org/events/writeathon/2009), so I thought I'd share a bit of that process with the world.

Step One: Caffeinate. 
This is the most important step of all; I don't recommend proofreading your own name without it...at least not if you're me.

Step Two: Word Work
Select a participant, and begin carefully going over their submitted text, handily uploaded to a web page by one of the hardworking CW volunteers

Step Three: Interruption
Remove one moderately-sized Siamese cat from keyboard

Step Four: Return to Word Work
Continue editing for consistency of style across all participant pages

Step Five: Guilt
Extract same moderately-sized Siamese cat from the space between self and laptop, despite two blue-blue eyes now level with mine, asking, "Don't you love me anymore?"

Step Six: Return to Word Work
Check website links on pages to make sure they go to actual websites

Step Seven: Snubbing
Look around to find two Siamese and one half-Siamese backside pointed in my direction

Rinse and repeat.