Bartenders and Restaurant Owners in Movies

Anyone who knows me or has read this blog for a bit knows that I love rom-com movies. Always have. In fact one dream of mine . . . it's to write a novel that gets turned into a rom-com. It's a lifelong dream which means it may take all my life to achieve. 

I could see Everyday Sox becoming one of these. 

What’s This Novel Title?

So I was pecking away on a novel that I had tentatively titled Sunset Perfect. An old friend helped me with that title years ago. She said she thought a friendship, a close friendship should be simple and perfect, like a sunset. So, ergo, Sunset Perfect. 

That was the working novel title for this little story for years and years. Now, the novel has changed, which is funny cause that friendship sunsetted too when I left my old job! HA! 

Try Using the Word "Not" More

When I first read this I wasn't a fan. Having considered it more, I have decided that I love it. It's a simple technique, "Use the Word Not", but it doesn't make sense until you look at your own writing a bit more analytically. 

I just wrote a passage for my daily writing goal, and realized that I could have used this advice to use the word Not. This isn't directly from my writing, but let's pretend it is. 

Weekly Writing Status Update - 3

I had to travel this week, and as anyone knows who reads this blog, I love to write when I travel. So for this week's status, I have good news . . . I did write, and quite a bit. 

I plugged away on the story of the welder, but not as much as I'd like. BUT, since I'm on the subject of creative writing, I also started writing (again) on the rom-com I hope to write about the B&B in Wyoming. So, it was fun to write several hundred words on that. For a few days there I was really doing well on creative writing. 

When Writing Isn't

I just spent three hours writing . . . but not writing at all. How is this possible? What does it mean? 

I'm back to dissertation and academic writing. My last two chapters are due in November. What does that mean? My proposal consisted of three chapters. Chapter 1 was my introduction, Chapter 2 was my literature review, Chapter 3 detailed my methodology. 

Blocking Out My Novel

Right now I’m working on three different stories, all of which I’m hoping to turn into finished novels. I figure that since I’m getting to the end of my PhD and there will be fewer and fewer posts on adult learning,  . . . Hopefully there will be just as many on self-authorship, . . . But in the spirit of finding daily content . . . I guess posting about those three (hopeful) novels will keep my blog filled. 

So I guess I’ll give a quick synopsis of each and then throughout the days further develop each book as we go. 

But or Therefore

I saw a video of Matt Stone and Trey Parker talkiong aobut what makes for a great story, and when I first saw it I didn't get it. I even tried to get it, and I didn't. I have to say, when I read about it in this tweet that I've been writing about, I finally got it. 

I've heard this before but in different terms. I've heard that conflict is key. We've all heard that. No one wants to hear a story about someone where everything goes well. 

Weekly Writing Status Update - 2

As I mentioned last week, Intuitive Writing suggests that we provide status updates on our writing on a regular basis. This can be done via writing buddy updates, updates to editors, or like I am doing it, writing blog posts that provide updates. 

Last week I wrote about my work on my little welding novel, some chapter exercises, and some of my homework. This week, it will be mostly homework. 

Public Schools and Other Institutions

I'm not sure if I've written about this before, but I don't like libraries. I just don't like em! I don't know why my tax dollars have to pay for a building to house a bunch of old musty books. Now, as a book lover, I like the idea of libraries, and I think they had a place in our history, but I think that place is long gone. I think they're too expensive and outdated. I bet I could buy old Kindles for every public library user and it would be less administrative cost, more books, and easier for everyone involved. Want to read a book? Go to the city hall and sign out a Kindle. Download the book you want. No grubby old books with dog-eared beat-up pages, filthy and gross. No old women with stern eyes yelling at you about your book being late. Why not have private libraries. Public libraries . . . They're right up there with Doctors' Offices in my book. 

I HATE doctors. I can't think of another industry where I could set an appointment with someone and then when I arrive they make me sign in and wait, then half an hour later they "seat me" or in their case take me to another holding room where I wait even longer. If I made people who came to visit me wait in the lobby, then wait in my office, then I pop in to speak to them for five minutes before dismissing them or handing them over to my assistant, I'd be fired. 

Jenga Stories

I read a really great post on Twitter (HERE) which is so full of great advice that I plan to repost in many different ways over the course of the next few weeks. This first one is on Jenga Stories. 

What’s a Jenga Story? Took me a second too, but it’s basically where you start with the end in mind. Nathan, in that link, brings up a couple of stories that use this form, Pulp Fiction, Saving Private Ryan, are his examples.