Assorted random Tuesdayness

[annathepiper]

Yesterday I devoted my day off to writing like a mad writing thing. I broke 2K in one day, which I hadn't done in a while, and which was extremely satisfying. I have aspirations of breaking 20K on Queen of Souls before the end of the month. And it would be extra nice to have enough of it done to query by spring. We'll see if I can pull it off.

For the sake of getting out of the house at least for a while, though, I stepped out to run errands with solarbird. We hopped the 331 to go over to Home Depot and pick up light bulbs, and on the way home we stopped at Lake Forest Park to drop off a library book. I ducked into Third Place on general principles and scarfed a couple more books: Anne Perry's A Sudden, Fearful Death (the fourth William Monk book) and one called A Cup of Light, by Nicole Mones. jessicac recommended the latter, surmising that I might like it. After reading about it on Amazon, I decided she might be right.

And in other book news (specifically of interest to cafiorello, as well as amiable_geek in case he happens to read this), I've finally started on The Spartacus File. It took a bit to get me hooked, but it finally did when I realized that I need to read it without taking it too seriously. Once I did that, it started being fun. It's a light, fast, engaging read, and I'm looking forward to finishing it off.

It was actually Not Raining this morning, wonder of wonders. Which is good, because I had the feeling i was trying to fight something off yesterday. This is what I get for walking to and from work in cold rain in JANUARY in shorts, I suppose, but I have only a few viable pairs of pants. I guess I need more. Foo.

Snurched from gamera_spinning, I report that there is a trailer out for a movie called Slither. However, I am not sure that even the lovely and talented Nathan Fillion, who appears to be starring in it, is enough to get me to go see a horror movie involving leeches. Even a comedic horror movie. Sigh. And we get this instead of more Serenity. Sniffle sniff.

On the other hand, the lovely and talented Mr. Crowe has announced his and his wife Danielle's impending second child. I'm for it. Here's hoping additional daddyhood will help further calm that boy down.

Tonight: more writing, and possibly finishing off the prologue for QoS!

Monday miles: 1.8
Tuesday morning miles: 1.6
Miles out of Hobbiton: 624.85
Miles out of Rivendell: 166.85
Miles to Lothlórien: 297.15

Comments

[kissare.livejournal.com]

Hey, I have a question for you... my boyfriend, who is wildly creative and a natural storyteller, wants to start writing (a) book(s). Are there any resources you like or could recommend to give him/us an idea of how to get started, things avoid, things to expect? I've been reading Limyaael's rants and have been watching the Scuzzboppers community when there is any activity there, for starters...

[annathepiper]

Oh wow, what a broad question. :)

In terms of resources... so far the best thing that's worked for me is to pick the brains of the people I know who were doing it before I was. This has mostly meant mizkit, which is cheaper than going to Writer's Weekend, though WW has been beyond valuable to me, as I've mentioned.

And overall the biggest thing I've gotten out of talking to both Kit and the fine folks that attend WW is that the whole process of writing seems to vary wildly from person to person. The particular system I have may not work for your boyfriend, or it may. I'd be happy to elaborate on that on an LJ post (here or on scuzzboppers) or in email if he'd like.

[jessicac.livejournal.com]

Neil Gaiman occassionally posts about the writing process in his blog, which is also just entertaining to read. His site also has some tips and information. :) Really, though, his blog seems to strongly convey what it's like to be a (albiet famous and adored) writer, from the I've written two words today and they both were awful to the I stayed up half the night because I had so much to write down.

Good luck!

[kissare.livejournal.com]

I guess that's mainly why I am asking... he doesn't know anyone who is actually out there, writing, trying to make things happen. So since this is something he seems to really want to do, I'm trying to find out as much as I can to be helpful. Thanks!

[kissare.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I will check it out. :)

[annathepiper]

Okay! Well, I'll be happy to whip up a separate post about that. Watch scuzzboppers--I'll post it there and ask others there to add their own commentary!

[kissare.livejournal.com]

Thanks, that's terrific! I'll be looking forward to it. :)

[annathepiper]

The post is up. Hope it helps! :)

[annathepiper]

Something I'll add to Jessica's great suggestion: the blog Making Light, which is the journal of Patrick and Teresa Nielsen Hayden, two of the bigwigs at Tor Books, is most excellent reading. It's not always focused on writing, but when either of them post on that topic it's always with excellent advice. It's also just an excellent blog in general.

[annathepiper]

Great tip! Thanks, Jessica! :)