tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33457867829698291492023-06-20T21:01:57.655-07:00Singing Under the MoonThe ramblings and reflections of an aspiring writerAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02200471505605779500noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345786782969829149.post-46770315760812439442013-10-15T08:08:00.001-07:002013-10-15T08:10:00.310-07:00Preparing for NaNoWriMo<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October is racing by and the thought of November approaching is leaving me feeling both eagerly excited and heart-stoppingly terrified! Naturally, being a somewhat obsessive planner, I have decided to do everything I can to prepare myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is how I am going about it:</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">Getting other obligations out of the way</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For me this means:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">- Making sure that I am ahead of schedule with my studying so that I can borrow some study time for writing during November.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">- Making sure that the cupboards and freezer are well stocked in order to minimize the number of shopping trips I'll need to do.</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">Organising the writing environment</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am making sure that I have plentiful supplies of any stationery that I might need, that my computer is running well, that my desk is tidy and organised and that I have a good supply of quick and easy healthy, energy boosting snacks to hand (but not too closely to hand - I'm seriously hoping to become so engrossed in writing that I forget all about food!).</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">Building a support structure</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am familiarising myself with the NaNoWriMo forums and starting to look for writing buddies. I am trying to prepare my unfortunate loved ones for the emotional devastation and neglect that they will have to face, and asking them if they can find it in their hearts to bear with me during this trying time.</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">Planning my time</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If I write every single day in November without fail I will need to write 1667 words a day. Since I realise that this is probably quite unlikely, I am going to aim for around 2000 words a day so that I have a few days to play around with. Apparently Stephen King writes 2500 words a day every day of the year, so I guess it is humanly possible!</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">Story preparation</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have created a plot outline to hopefully stop me from getting lost and going off on a tangent too often. Next I will be working on breaking it up into chapters so that I can keep an eye on my pace. I have already been working on developing my main characters but there are some secondary characters who need to be developed further and given more of a role in the story. I am also working on my settings and doing as much research as possible now, although I'm sure the need for more will come up once I start writing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I would really love to hear what others are doing to prepare, whether you are a fresh newbie like me or an old hand with much need advice to offer.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02200471505605779500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345786782969829149.post-57778058948282703942013-10-10T08:51:00.000-07:002013-10-15T08:11:29.927-07:00Let the games begin ...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to be a writer and I guess the best way to go about doing that is to actually write. I must slay the dragon of fear, believe in myself and set off on this quest. Before beginning my quest I am arming myself with knowledge from my Open University creative writing course . I also need to practise using these new weapons and have decided to do this by signing up for NaNoWriMo 2013 (National Novel Writing Month). The idea is that you write a novel (at least </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">50 000 words) over the 30 days of November. No pressure then!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The focus of my blog is therefore going to be shifting from postings of snippets of my writing (although these may still appear from time to time) to a record of some poor fool trying to hammer out a first draft of their first novel in a month.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know there will be laughter and tears, late nights and writer's cramp but I reckon my first novel is probably not going to be my best one so I might as well get it out of the way quickly, learn from it and when it is finished see if anything can be made of it.</span> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02200471505605779500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345786782969829149.post-28070718979410367912013-10-07T07:07:00.003-07:002013-10-15T08:12:03.831-07:00Haiku<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Basking in the sun,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cows chew the tender grass</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until the truck comes.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02200471505605779500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345786782969829149.post-49018121222722846772013-10-06T03:54:00.000-07:002013-10-15T08:12:22.438-07:00Sunday Morning<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though it is almost noon the streets are quiet and the air is still and lazy. A way off a lone dog barks in a disinterested manner, as if he only does it because there is nothing else to do. The light seems faded as if even the sun cannot be bothered to exert himself too much. Traffic is picking up now as people go shopping, leave their churches, go to share a meal with family, but even this activity is slow and tranquil compared with the usual weekday rush. I have many tasks to do today but I put them off, wanting this day to stretch out. Tomorrow brings a parting, just a brief one but nevertheless one I do not wish to face. I feel stronger with him here. I grasp his hand, thankful for the togetherness of today, for all the lazy Sundays.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02200471505605779500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345786782969829149.post-20510999757379095242013-10-03T09:52:00.000-07:002013-10-15T08:12:54.559-07:00View from my window<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a sunny day I can see forever, houses stretch out from beneath my window down to the lively town centre and the sea's blue expanse. Slightly to the right the castle ruins are etched proudly against the majestic mountains of Arran.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But this is Scotland and today is not a sunny day. Today my little town is shrouded in heavy grey-white clouds and no-one would ever guess that an island lay across the narrow strip of dark sea, if they didn't already know. The houses seem to huddle together for comfort, their rows of chimneys topped with seagulls keeping watch. It seems a magical place, where anything could happen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The maple tree across the street, usually so sedate and dignified, is showing a different side of herself today. Her prim green has been accessorised with flamboyant dabs of orange, yellow and brown and she is dancing a wild dance of joy in the squalling rain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the darkness deepens, lights begin to appear in the windows and they make me feel safe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this town fiercely. I call it home, while never quite forgetting that once I had another home, although oceans and continents and spans of time divide me from it now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was born under the vast blue African sky in a small town nestled between the green hills of KwaZulu Natal. Around this town hot, dry plains dotted with thorn trees and aloes stretch to the towering peaks of the Drakensberg in one direction and down to the jungly coast of the Indian Ocean in the other direction. This town's first name was uMgungundlovu, the place of the elephants, but no elephants roam there now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At last these wistful thoughts abate and my eyes swing back to the rain soaked streets. I stand up and close the curtains, I must go and make our dinner now.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02200471505605779500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345786782969829149.post-6382554208285838742013-10-02T05:02:00.000-07:002013-10-15T08:13:15.513-07:00Beginnings<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blogging is a completely new experience for me, so please bear with me while I (hopefully!) grow into it. I am hoping to use this blog to share and improve some of my writings and ramblings and I am excited to see where it will lead me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I could be anything I wanted to, I would be a storyteller with the power to enchant, to transport, to make words dance. I would create worlds and characters and make them live. I would live as I dream. What magic that would be! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And perhaps, just perhaps, if I dare to try, if I will myself to do the work, and if I overcome my fears and doubts - perhaps then I can learn to do it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, if you wish, please join me on this journey of growth and dreaming.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02200471505605779500noreply@blogger.com2