How to Write

I have little time to myself in which I can do what I want (hello adulting-you suck), so progress seems painfully slow. I have been using much of my time this week to build this blog and attempt a social media presence in hopes that by the time I’ve written my first novel (shit, did I just jinx it?) I will have a presence.

I catch moments here and there to read and listen to interviews or perspectives on writing and craft and I’ve come to realize something. No one knows what the hell they are doing. Some authors are adamant that the only way to write is to be a pantser, others claim that plotting is the way to go. I’ve even read that they are both forms of the same process, one is just longer with more rewrites and the other is more organized and systematic.

I’ve also learned that character is the only thing that drives the story. Plot is also the only thing that drives a story. Additionally, in order to write a good story, you need to have a really firm understanding of character arc and story structure. It’s also totally irrelevant if you know anything about those things.

Everyone has an opinion of how it should be done, but an emerging and unexpected attraction of writing is that there really is no right way to do it. This is exactly why I loved English and loathed Math. In English, as long as you can prove my logic or pain a convincing picture, you’re right! In Math there is no room for error.

And I need lots of room for error.

Please share what your rules to write by are. Is there a technique or strategy that you follow?

Identity

So here’s a question I’m struggling with in terms of putting myself out there-do I go by a pen name or my real name? There are people out there who I don’t want knowing that I am exploring and building this side of my life, but then again I want all the accolades (those are inevitable, right?). Then comes the issue of choosing a pen name. How do I choose? Do I go with Vivianne (a name I thought was so glamorous when growing up) or something with more backbone (Jack or Anne)? Or maybe I cloak myself in mystery a la S. E. Hinton?

I work full time in a career where you need to be perceived as an upstanding citizen. Not that I am not, but what if I write a sizzling sex scene or a graphic murder scene? I feel as though people might not look at me quite the same and it may have an impact on my chances for advancement. If this whole writing thing doesn’t turn into the J. K. Rowling experience I would hate to have tainted face I show the world.

I’m also a mom to a thirteen year old girl. ‘Nuff said.

So I ask you, my fellow writers. What to do? I need to work through this so that I can choose an identity and roll with it. What have you done? Are you happy with your decision? Why or why not? I would love to hear from you! Please leave me your thoughts in the comments!

Do you use your real name when you write? How’s it working out for you?

Where to begin?

Amateur? Novice? What do you call someone who wants to write-who loves to write-but has never done so for any other reason than what was required in school, at work, or for personal pleasure? Clueless.

For as long as I can remember (admittedly my memory is one of my weaker qualities), books have been my escape. It started young, when the chaos of home was too unpleasant. Sinking into other worlds, reading by the crack of light filtering from the hall after “lights out”. By the time I hit 8th grade I had become smitten by Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I would mow through their books, voraciously absorbing the scenes. To this day I bask in King’s word play.

Then there was the poem that won me a regional award and the papers that I wrote for my high school Creative Writing class. The papers for the undergrad and then grad degrees (those were a lot less fun). But my love affair with words continues.

Then recently, I got a wild hair up my, well you know. What if I write a NOVEL! Brilliant! I can totally do that-I love books and I’m a decent writer. It was the first week of January when I was struck with this genius idea. We were sitting at a place up in Tahoe while it rained as though it may never have the chance again.

I ordered these beautiful brown (vegan) leather notebooks that were going to be where I built this masterpiece. I started brainstorming. At first I started creating a character, but a few days in she felt so contrived that I abandoned her. Then I was animated by the idea of telling the story of an obscure Nordic goddess, but written in a 1950s American town. But soon a totally different idea started to bubble to the surface despite my focus elsewhere.

I eventually succumbed and am committed to this idea. While flushing out the characters and world, I started doing some research. I discovered this book, Story Engineering, by Larry Brooks (check it out here). I have been reading it slowly and love its straightforward presentation. It’s a very no-nonsense explanation of story structure and elements. At the same time I started exploring podcasts. I’m currently enjoying one called Wizards, Warriors, & Words, not just for the great info but for the meandering conversation and irreverent humor (check it out here or on Apple’s Podcasts).

What I have taken away so far is this:

1. Write (obviously)
2. If you want to publish something, you may want to consider developing your presence on social media (hence this blog)
3. Look at entering some writing competitions. It’s good experience and maybe you’ll make some money!
4. I don’t know shit about writing

So, that’s where I’m at. Adrift at the beginning of this adventure. I hope that you will consider walking this path with me. I would love to connect with the writing community and learn from as many people as I can.

My partner in crime, Lady Delilah Sparklebottom. Otherwise known as What Did You Do?!?