100 Words in 100 Days

I recently read an article by Jody Wallace which gave me a much-needed inspirational writing boost. She gives writers an assignment of writing 100 words in 100 days; if you don't complete 100 words, you have to re-start your day count, even if you were at Day 99. So, in the car on the way to the Outer Banks on Friday, I decided to test this 100 words thing (I wasn't driving, by the way -- although I have written while driving, only at red lights or with my eyes clearly on the road, which makes reading what I had written impossible since each word is on top of the other or all looped together in one run-on sentence.....anyway, I wasn't driving while I wrote this).

I wrote a 2 paragraph description. Was it 100 words? Yes, over 100 words actually. And it was very rough, not fleshed out at all.

So I think that starting either late this week or early next week, I'll be writing 100 words for 100 days. I have much of the story complete (it is a stage play I'm turning into a manuscript -- I need to change some POVs and add more prose description) but I think I'll be able to complete it in less than 100 days. Don't hit Vegas just yet to bet on me though, because sometimes motherhood and the job that pays the bills get in the way. Both interruptions are okay. I now know I only need moments to write a little bit each day.

Also, while I was in the Outer Banks, I thought up a snippet for another story. I'm going to begin researching that today (by checking out some books at ye olde public library) and creating some character sketches. It doesn't matter what I write, as long as I'm writing, right?

Adult ADD

Does 10 or so writing blurbs constitute a diagnosis of Adult ADD?

I write stream of conscious-like; sometimes, an idea or a moment just comes to me and I write it down. I have pieces of paper in my writing box (underneath my bed, which is where any writer should store their materials -- out of plain sight so they have to dig to find them and after said paper is found, the moment is long gone) but nothing more than a few paragraphs.

So I ask again -- do I have Adult ADD?

I myself think I'm a procrastinator, especially if I'm writing where I have instant Internet access. The Internet is the devil! I can lose myself in blogs, webpages and potential agents for h-o-u-r-s, hours that I could have spent plotting and planning and figuring out a way for my characters to tell me their story.

I'm reading a writing book right now in hopes of helping myself along. I read Stephen King's book on writing last summer but it didn't help me become a better writer; it only added to my fears that everything I write really sucks and I'm dreaming an impossible dream. This book, First Draft in 30 Days, seems to be more helpful, a how-to (if you will) for people like me who procrastinate or potentially have Adult ADD. Will I be writing a book in 30 days? Ha! No. But maybe I can actually finish something, damnit.

Awesome News!

It pays to have friends in high places!! My amazing friend (and soon-to-be published author) Deidre Knight has invited me to help with some behind-the-scenes aspects of Out Of The Blogosphere.

I am beyone thrilled! Literally, there are no words. It's like Drew Barrymore in Never Been Kissed when she discovers Billy Prince wants to take her to the prom -- "I'm speechless. I have no words and that's never happened to me before because words are my life."

Thank you, ladies!! Wahoo!

Tape Recorder in my Mind

How I wish I had a tape recorder in my mind, a way to retrieve the little snippets I write in my head as I walk around town or drive in my car. I wrote almost an entire chapter just a moment ago with nary a pen or paper in sight. Can I remember it now that I'm staring at a computer screen? No.

If someone invents such a recording device, can I have the royalties? I'll let you keep the patent.

Hysterical -- seriously

Shannon McKelden cracks me up -- honestly! I can't wait until she's published so I can rush right out and buy the book. Then share it with my friends and post reviews on Amazon and post at her blog.

Wait -- this is a fangirl moment.....can this considered stalking??

A Sorta Fairytale

I am considering entering a writing contest. I've only entered 1 contest previously (for my local writers guild) which was almost 3 years ago. I never had hopes of winning; most of the winning pieces seem to be such "far out" concepts I know I'd never read the author were they to be published. But in an effort to jump start my brain, I have decided to enter. The contest deadline is in late-July so I could technically back out, should nothing come of the grand notion. Surprisingly, I have almost 2,000 words written (the contest length is 7,500). And this piece seems sorta chick lit. While I've read chick lit, I've certainly never attempted to write it. It's turning out to be fun!

A New Chapter

As the calendar turns into a new month, I begin a new chapter in my life: writer. I've tackled many of the serious ones (daughter, sister, wife, mother) and am now looking forward to this new part of my journey.

But instead of writing what the new character in my head is saying, I'm creating a blog.