"If anyone then should take away the tragic actor’s buskins and his mask, and introduce him on the stage as a phantom, is the tragic actor lost, or does he still remain? If he has voice, he still remains."
~~Epictetus
Can you survive, can you thrive?
That is the question that came to mind after I read the above. When I read the last part, the writer in me would not shut up. All that I have learned about writing, publishing, and putting to practice the mega-loads of advice, knowledge, tried-and-true hoops to jump through for becoming a successful author, it all boils down to one simple word, VOICE!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Remember When...
...you were a child?
The best parents are those who never forget when they themselves were children. Do you remember how it felt to be afraid of the dark, scared to be alone, embarrassed when someone laughed at you? After half a century, we tend to forget when we exchange fashion for comfort, a curmudgeon attitude instead of fear, and laugh at ourselves before others have a chance to do so. Think back to the good ol’ days and remember when…
…you were a student?
We teach others in many ways, even when we aren’t trying to teach. Teachers who remember being students make the best teachers. Youth comes in delicate packages. Remember that teacher who was so hard on you? You hated them at the time, but as the years passed, you realized that they were the best and that you learned the most from that class regardless of the subject. It could be your eighth-grade mathematics teacher. We remember those who cared when…
…we were sick.
The best doctors are those who remember what it was like to be the patient. They have compassion even when they don’t want to get too attached because of the emotional pain.
Growing up, growing wiser, and growing towards the real things that matter in life has been an on-going process since man first walked upon this earth. There is nothing new, only rearranged. Ever meet an old friend who made it rich and they cannot remember your name or what it was like to be poor? Rather than taking offense, pity them. Pity anyone who forgets the roads they have traveled to get to where they are today.
Read the news…
…about those who jump out of windows because they lost a fortune – pity them for they have forgotten true value.
…about someone who cannot live without another, yet murder them and themselves – pity them for they have forgotten true love.
Remember when…and be thankful and content – the power of tranquility.
Lucy
The best parents are those who never forget when they themselves were children. Do you remember how it felt to be afraid of the dark, scared to be alone, embarrassed when someone laughed at you? After half a century, we tend to forget when we exchange fashion for comfort, a curmudgeon attitude instead of fear, and laugh at ourselves before others have a chance to do so. Think back to the good ol’ days and remember when…
…you were a student?
We teach others in many ways, even when we aren’t trying to teach. Teachers who remember being students make the best teachers. Youth comes in delicate packages. Remember that teacher who was so hard on you? You hated them at the time, but as the years passed, you realized that they were the best and that you learned the most from that class regardless of the subject. It could be your eighth-grade mathematics teacher. We remember those who cared when…
…we were sick.
The best doctors are those who remember what it was like to be the patient. They have compassion even when they don’t want to get too attached because of the emotional pain.
Growing up, growing wiser, and growing towards the real things that matter in life has been an on-going process since man first walked upon this earth. There is nothing new, only rearranged. Ever meet an old friend who made it rich and they cannot remember your name or what it was like to be poor? Rather than taking offense, pity them. Pity anyone who forgets the roads they have traveled to get to where they are today.
Read the news…
…about those who jump out of windows because they lost a fortune – pity them for they have forgotten true value.
…about someone who cannot live without another, yet murder them and themselves – pity them for they have forgotten true love.
Remember when…and be thankful and content – the power of tranquility.
Lucy
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Temptation of Self-Publishing
Temptation of Self-Publishing
If you are a writer, a truly dedicated writer who wants to make a dream come true with a novel or two, then you have researched the endless, wireless, mindless space called cyberspace for the answers to your quest.
First, you want to do it the right way, or dare I say that pun, “the write way”?
Second, you write those nasty little query letters to the gatekeepers. You re-write them more times than you re-write your novel. You pray. You beg. You cry.
Then, you read about the success stories of the “few” exceptions to the rule, you know, the ones who made it successfully to the heights you dream about, by self-publishing.
You wrestle with your conscience, your pride, and your reasoning. By now, you are so totally confused about it all that you chuck it all aside and write another novel.
Yet, while writing the exciting new novel surely to be a best seller, you are haunted by that dark cloud – Publishing! It is an omniscient haunting feeling you just cannot shake. Should you? Dare you? How could you? How could you even dare to venture into the possibility of…self…publish. It sounds so weak, so much like surrender. It sounds so much like defeat and inferior to the enemy.
(pause for reflection)
Then, after writing that next novel certainly worthy of at least a movie on the family channel, you begin to reason the reasons why self-publish is not a bad idea after all.
Then you doubt your reasoning.
Does any of this sound familiar? If you are a writer who cares about writing, works in progress, and the whole reason for writing, it should.
When you boil the cabbage down, it is simply cooked cabbage. That sounds simple, doesn’t it? Is there anything wrong with simplicity?
Simplicity in publishing is this: Self-publish in today’s world of publishing is made so easy that is seems wrong to do it. Yet, in the end, simplicity may be a valid reason for self-publishing. For many years, I have resisted submitting my short stories and poetry to periodicals or magazines because of complicated “rights” to the work I wish to put into a book. If someone has their claws deeply embedded into my work, I have to ask them permission to publish them in a book later. (please correct me if I am wrong)
Simplicity is pure and uncomplicated. Simplicity may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back swaying me towards self-publishing. If I upload a novel to Createspace in Amazon, I become the publisher retaining all rights. If I want to rewrite it, sell it to a mainstream publishing house, a movie company, etc., it is mine to do so. Simple. No complications.
I welcome anyone’s argument pro or con on this topic. Enlighten me, please, but I ask that you back up your opinions or judgments with legitimate sources.
(Just in case you think I have not searched the fiery hoops of publishing, bettered my writing to be accepted by the “traditional” avenues, I have done it for several years now. I want my writing to evolve into the very best it can be. I never have liked the expression, “I am just how I am” with an attitude of refusing to improve. I want to improve my writing and have done so to the point of blushing when reading the first book of mine currently in print. I welcome feedback and constructive critiques.)
If you are a writer, a truly dedicated writer who wants to make a dream come true with a novel or two, then you have researched the endless, wireless, mindless space called cyberspace for the answers to your quest.
First, you want to do it the right way, or dare I say that pun, “the write way”?
Second, you write those nasty little query letters to the gatekeepers. You re-write them more times than you re-write your novel. You pray. You beg. You cry.
Then, you read about the success stories of the “few” exceptions to the rule, you know, the ones who made it successfully to the heights you dream about, by self-publishing.
You wrestle with your conscience, your pride, and your reasoning. By now, you are so totally confused about it all that you chuck it all aside and write another novel.
Yet, while writing the exciting new novel surely to be a best seller, you are haunted by that dark cloud – Publishing! It is an omniscient haunting feeling you just cannot shake. Should you? Dare you? How could you? How could you even dare to venture into the possibility of…self…publish. It sounds so weak, so much like surrender. It sounds so much like defeat and inferior to the enemy.
(pause for reflection)
Then, after writing that next novel certainly worthy of at least a movie on the family channel, you begin to reason the reasons why self-publish is not a bad idea after all.
Then you doubt your reasoning.
Does any of this sound familiar? If you are a writer who cares about writing, works in progress, and the whole reason for writing, it should.
When you boil the cabbage down, it is simply cooked cabbage. That sounds simple, doesn’t it? Is there anything wrong with simplicity?
Simplicity in publishing is this: Self-publish in today’s world of publishing is made so easy that is seems wrong to do it. Yet, in the end, simplicity may be a valid reason for self-publishing. For many years, I have resisted submitting my short stories and poetry to periodicals or magazines because of complicated “rights” to the work I wish to put into a book. If someone has their claws deeply embedded into my work, I have to ask them permission to publish them in a book later. (please correct me if I am wrong)
Simplicity is pure and uncomplicated. Simplicity may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back swaying me towards self-publishing. If I upload a novel to Createspace in Amazon, I become the publisher retaining all rights. If I want to rewrite it, sell it to a mainstream publishing house, a movie company, etc., it is mine to do so. Simple. No complications.
I welcome anyone’s argument pro or con on this topic. Enlighten me, please, but I ask that you back up your opinions or judgments with legitimate sources.
(Just in case you think I have not searched the fiery hoops of publishing, bettered my writing to be accepted by the “traditional” avenues, I have done it for several years now. I want my writing to evolve into the very best it can be. I never have liked the expression, “I am just how I am” with an attitude of refusing to improve. I want to improve my writing and have done so to the point of blushing when reading the first book of mine currently in print. I welcome feedback and constructive critiques.)
Put Your MC up that tree
As painful as it may seem, we must put our main characters (MC) up that tree, and then find a way to help him down without killing him, or the tragic ending...to kill our MC.
Since coming out of the dark, I recoil at the idea of returning to it. However, that is life. So, today, a little spirits, a little opera, and I am ready to put my MC up that tree. He will have to run until his young lungs burn with fire to save a girl's life.
Question is this...will he make it in time? Will he be able to get down out of the tree and be a hero, or will he die inside all his life knowing he failed?
Oh...how I love writing.
Oh...btw...he is also running to save the life of the "monster." Such a paradox.
Since coming out of the dark, I recoil at the idea of returning to it. However, that is life. So, today, a little spirits, a little opera, and I am ready to put my MC up that tree. He will have to run until his young lungs burn with fire to save a girl's life.
Question is this...will he make it in time? Will he be able to get down out of the tree and be a hero, or will he die inside all his life knowing he failed?
Oh...how I love writing.
Oh...btw...he is also running to save the life of the "monster." Such a paradox.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Eating Words
When we read, we think. When we write, we think, and we think about what a reader thinks. Does a reader ever wonder what a writer was thinking while writing what the reader is now reading.
Huh?
Think of reading and writing as food for the mind. We can eat junk or healthy food. We can also eat for fun, whether it is healthy or junk.
If we only chew our food without swallowing it, it does our bodies little good. That may not be a bad thing to try with that chocolate cake and ice cream.
Same as when we read, if we do not act upon a truth, or if what we read does not make us think at all, then the writer has not entered our head and it does little for our minds.
Even reading for entertainment can make us think about our lives, our neighbors, people we work with or playmates.
Thinking deeply about things will take us into the realm of philosophy where we contemplate the universe, our existence, and our reaction to it all. Reading what a philosopher has written takes us on a journey inside not only their thoughts, but also our own.
Hope I made you think a little today.
In the front of my first book in print, there is a poem I purposefully wrote for that book:
As I Write
If I write about the insanity of life
Then I may intrigue you
If I write about the passions in life
Then I may move you
If I write about the joy in life
Then I might lighten your load
If I write about the truth in life
Then I may cause you to think
If I write about the pain life gives
Then I may touch your compassion
If I write about the love in life
Then I may reach your heart
If I write about the beauty we share
Then we can connect with peace
If my writings never touch you at all
Then I have failed
Huh?
Think of reading and writing as food for the mind. We can eat junk or healthy food. We can also eat for fun, whether it is healthy or junk.
If we only chew our food without swallowing it, it does our bodies little good. That may not be a bad thing to try with that chocolate cake and ice cream.
Same as when we read, if we do not act upon a truth, or if what we read does not make us think at all, then the writer has not entered our head and it does little for our minds.
Even reading for entertainment can make us think about our lives, our neighbors, people we work with or playmates.
Thinking deeply about things will take us into the realm of philosophy where we contemplate the universe, our existence, and our reaction to it all. Reading what a philosopher has written takes us on a journey inside not only their thoughts, but also our own.
Hope I made you think a little today.
In the front of my first book in print, there is a poem I purposefully wrote for that book:
As I Write
If I write about the insanity of life
Then I may intrigue you
If I write about the passions in life
Then I may move you
If I write about the joy in life
Then I might lighten your load
If I write about the truth in life
Then I may cause you to think
If I write about the pain life gives
Then I may touch your compassion
If I write about the love in life
Then I may reach your heart
If I write about the beauty we share
Then we can connect with peace
If my writings never touch you at all
Then I have failed
Friday, December 16, 2011
Thousand Words A Picture
The saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words.
The person making that statement obviously hasn't written many novels because most visual arts such as sketching, painting and the like take a lot more than a thousand words to express the beauty, or explain exactly what in the world?
In this wonderful world of creating with words, we read about voice repeatedly. If anyone has any input on what it means to them, please post it.
Writer's Voice didn't mean much to me until recently while stretching my imagination in a single month to write 50,000 words for the Nanowrimo site. In that exercise, I found the writing style that I love doing, and it requires very little editing because it flows from my fingertips without much editing. It is my happy zone in writing. My inner editor took a vacation to the Burmuda Triangle, I think.
I have been hiding for the last few months....writing novel after novel. I will go back and reveiw later, but for now, I am pounding the keyboard like a concert pianist pounds the ivory keys. It may not be music that I am making, but it certainly sounds good to me.
My new laptop is making this work much easier...now to get some answers from Google about recognizing me here.
A great weekend to all who may read, but never respond.
Lucy
The person making that statement obviously hasn't written many novels because most visual arts such as sketching, painting and the like take a lot more than a thousand words to express the beauty, or explain exactly what in the world?
In this wonderful world of creating with words, we read about voice repeatedly. If anyone has any input on what it means to them, please post it.
Writer's Voice didn't mean much to me until recently while stretching my imagination in a single month to write 50,000 words for the Nanowrimo site. In that exercise, I found the writing style that I love doing, and it requires very little editing because it flows from my fingertips without much editing. It is my happy zone in writing. My inner editor took a vacation to the Burmuda Triangle, I think.
I have been hiding for the last few months....writing novel after novel. I will go back and reveiw later, but for now, I am pounding the keyboard like a concert pianist pounds the ivory keys. It may not be music that I am making, but it certainly sounds good to me.
My new laptop is making this work much easier...now to get some answers from Google about recognizing me here.
A great weekend to all who may read, but never respond.
Lucy
Monday, December 12, 2011
It has Been a Very Long Time
Because my blogger site has given me a headache, I don't write here as much as I would like.
However, NaNoWriMo and December re-run has taken vast amounts of my time while creating another novel (or two). End of Excuses.
Writing is my sanity even though it drives me crazy. It is my comfort zone, my happy zone, and even my zoned zone. Writing is as powerful as any drug addiction, or television, Ipads, xbox, or chocolate is to anyone else. The journey is the best part. Like in video games, once the game is won, the thrill is in the next game.
No matter how far I stray from writing, I crave to come back. Well, NaNoWriMo is a real shot in the arm for those of us who stray from time to time. It makes us walk the straight and narrow for a month and normally, helps us get back on the right race track towards our dream goal. NaNo helped me find the "writing voice" that is mine. It is one that I now indulge myself in every moment I can tear myself away from reality - Young adult adventures, coming of age attitudes, getting into mischief, all written in first person narrative (with full attitude).
So, today is a new day.
I have decided to share me with you rather than bore you with all the same ol' crap about becoming a successful writer according to the way everyone else thinks it should be. One day, I will be published some how and no longer care about that so much. I want to write and that is what I am doing.
I have stopped querying agents.
I have stopped editing my manuscripts to death.
I have stopped the pity parties from a divorce many years ago.
Tonight, I bought myself another....yes...another....odd glass. Few of the drinking glasses in my cupboards match each other. For that matter, few of the plates, bowls, or silverware match. Depending on the mood I am in determines what plate, bowl, glass, or fork I may use. Insane? I hope so.
Speaking to myself about this, I mean, I promised I would stop buying drinking glasses. (not the alcohol type, just every day glasses) I still don't have a red one. I'll have to work on that. I justified my new purchase with the fact that I have ALWAYS been like this, but supressed me according to the expectations of others.
Well, I no longer need anyone's permisso to be me.
So, cheers to everyone with my cherry pie on a brown smokey plate with my cheep soda pop my new black smokey glass.
Life is good.
Life is good when we can be ourselves without asking permission to do so.
Have a wonderful day and try to stay warm.
However, NaNoWriMo and December re-run has taken vast amounts of my time while creating another novel (or two). End of Excuses.
Writing is my sanity even though it drives me crazy. It is my comfort zone, my happy zone, and even my zoned zone. Writing is as powerful as any drug addiction, or television, Ipads, xbox, or chocolate is to anyone else. The journey is the best part. Like in video games, once the game is won, the thrill is in the next game.
No matter how far I stray from writing, I crave to come back. Well, NaNoWriMo is a real shot in the arm for those of us who stray from time to time. It makes us walk the straight and narrow for a month and normally, helps us get back on the right race track towards our dream goal. NaNo helped me find the "writing voice" that is mine. It is one that I now indulge myself in every moment I can tear myself away from reality - Young adult adventures, coming of age attitudes, getting into mischief, all written in first person narrative (with full attitude).
So, today is a new day.
I have decided to share me with you rather than bore you with all the same ol' crap about becoming a successful writer according to the way everyone else thinks it should be. One day, I will be published some how and no longer care about that so much. I want to write and that is what I am doing.
I have stopped querying agents.
I have stopped editing my manuscripts to death.
I have stopped the pity parties from a divorce many years ago.
Tonight, I bought myself another....yes...another....odd glass. Few of the drinking glasses in my cupboards match each other. For that matter, few of the plates, bowls, or silverware match. Depending on the mood I am in determines what plate, bowl, glass, or fork I may use. Insane? I hope so.
Speaking to myself about this, I mean, I promised I would stop buying drinking glasses. (not the alcohol type, just every day glasses) I still don't have a red one. I'll have to work on that. I justified my new purchase with the fact that I have ALWAYS been like this, but supressed me according to the expectations of others.
Well, I no longer need anyone's permisso to be me.
So, cheers to everyone with my cherry pie on a brown smokey plate with my cheep soda pop my new black smokey glass.
Life is good.
Life is good when we can be ourselves without asking permission to do so.
Have a wonderful day and try to stay warm.
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