Oh, man. I can't believe I am going to do this. I don't know if I can. I don't think I've ever done it before. I'm starting to panic a little. Okay, a lot.
I am NOT going to read a book in the month of February.
I know! It's crazy. I'm the person who ALWAYS has a book in her hand. A Nook in the crook (of my arm). I read one, two or three books a week, maybe more. How will I ever make it through a whole month without reading? Other than working during the day and my family, I don't have another hobby like so many other folks do. I don't watch TV or knit or....anything. I read. Everything.
Why take this vow of reading abstinence?
I need to see if reducing my reading is going to help me focus on writing and being more creative. I know I need to get better at it and you only get better by writing every day.
You see, it's easy to read, but it's hard to write. I love both, but I lack confidence in my writing skill. So, I usually take the easy way out and choose to be entertained, educated, and enthralled by other people's works rather than spend the effort to get better at my work. And yet I want my work to be brilliant. This is the part where you tell me that's the definition of insanity!
So, it's time to close the escape hatch, lock myself in, and see what I can really do. I need to give myself time to think, dream, create, and write.
*freaking out* *hyperventilating*
Wish me luck.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
What's the worst thing that can happen?
When you're young, birthday's are really exciting. I mean, who cares that Christmas was only a month ago. It's birthday time! Presents! Cake! My son was excited. He was counting down the days and moaning with sadness every morning when it still wasn't his birthday.
Little Man turned 9 on Friday.
On Thursday evening he came down with a major stomach bug and spent the night being very sick (gross).
But little man soldiered on. He rested instead of going to school. I offered to have the family party on Saturday instead of Friday evening so he could feel better but his answer was an emotional "NO!"
His perseverance made me think about characters in our writing. As writers we're supposed to think of the worst that can happen and then make our characters work through it. It lends depth and emotion to the story. It helps readers care for the characters.
When you're young, what's the worst that can happen on your birthday? You're too sick to enjoy the presents.
What's the worst that can happen to your characters in the story you're working on? Are you challenging your characters enough to make them seem real to your readers?
Little Man turned 9 on Friday.
On Thursday evening he came down with a major stomach bug and spent the night being very sick (gross).
But little man soldiered on. He rested instead of going to school. I offered to have the family party on Saturday instead of Friday evening so he could feel better but his answer was an emotional "NO!"
His perseverance made me think about characters in our writing. As writers we're supposed to think of the worst that can happen and then make our characters work through it. It lends depth and emotion to the story. It helps readers care for the characters.
When you're young, what's the worst that can happen on your birthday? You're too sick to enjoy the presents.
What's the worst that can happen to your characters in the story you're working on? Are you challenging your characters enough to make them seem real to your readers?
