A Sense of Elation

I actually wrote something down today. It was basically the outline I've been forming in my head, but I spent my lunch hour at work typing up the outline and got a page and a half down before my time was up. It felt good. In fact, I was so thrilled about my mini acheivement, I had to tell someone. Our office manager was the perfect candidate and is always a willing set of ears.

Even though she claims to be not much of a reader, she promised (and I'll hold you to it, Es) that she would read my story if it got published. So, another future fan? I hope so.

Anyway, it was a good feeling to get something done. Much like the anticipation I feel when I think of writing a new entry for this blog. I look forward to the next opportunity. Sometimes I don't want to wait and write multiple blogs in one day. But, I don't want this to be a record of each and every random thought that crosses my mind. This is to create a record of my goals, set and achieved.

Long Recovery?

It's been a few days because of several other things going on in my life. Golf, alcohol, hangover, work, moving offices, anniversary, etc. I could go into details. But, for at least one part of the list I can't remember everything because of another. Another two, I don't want to remember anything at all. And, two others I look forward to more and more to come.

I can't report much progress, so I won't. But, I can say that I am feeling pretty good about my rough structure. I won't call it an outline, since I need to flesh it out more. It's only 1/2 way through my month of outlining, so I still have time to give it more polish. I don't anticipate it being solid even when I finally write the story out. It's going to be rough now so I'm not locked into fitting everything to the outline.

Anyway, I just wanted to post to show I'm still alive and kicking. And working on my story.

I actually did something.

I'm finding that I'm more motivated to write a new blog posting than do actual work. Keeping in mind that this is a hobby-like venture and it doesn't pay any bills at all, I'm wishing I was independently wealthy so I could just read, write, blog and screw around all day. Then again, I can just pretend to do real work and do this while getting paid for something else that doesn't get done. Welcome to government work. Just kidding...

But, what I did do today was flesh out a portion of the outline I had locked in my brain. I put something down on paper. The basic story structure I have worked out has three parts. I need to outline what I'm doing for each part separately and then blend them together to get the slow reveal as it all progresses. I have the basics for one part. It's a start.

I'm not lazy, just still working slow

The main reason for my blog is to keep me on track. I am starting to crave the time I find to post, but I'm starting to neglect my duties regarding my "project." I am not making the progress I hoped because I am not taking the time to write everything done in my outline. I've got the pieces, parts, whatever. I am just not putting it down on paper, in the computer, whatever.

It will be difficult this weekend to do anything constructive, but then again, this is why I gave myselft time. It's not a sprint. (It's not November, NaNoWriMo). It's a marathon. It will take time, patience, whatever.

I am determined. I know I can do it. I know I WILL do it. Just forgive me if it all seems a bit lazy.

Also, I was given the pleasure of reading Barb's first three chapters of her book Uncovering Amethyst. I told her that I didn't want to read the whole thing until it saw print. It should be a short wait. I think it's very good. At least, I hope it's a short wait. I do want to read more. The characters are fully realized and grab your attention right away.

Not a lot of progress, but some

I've got my structure. I've also got some help lined up for technical input. I also figured out my cast of characters. At least the important ones.

But, something I've neglected to mention so far is that I've got that which seems to be the writer's standard: my significant other. My wife, Lauren, has been wonderfully supportive so far with this endeavor. She has been encouraging me for years to write one of my ideas and try to live the dream of completing a story. While it is true that a complete stranger at a party doing shots of Grappa was the one that gave me my "kick in the ass," it has always been my wife who has given me the support. Without her I wouldn't be able to recognize the kick and understand that I can do this. I can write something and reach my goal. And for that, I am grateful. She has allowed me to ramble on endlessly about my ideas and has been honest when one wouldn't work, or if one was just plain stupid. But, this one I'm going to be working on? She said it was my best yet. That may not be saying much. I'll let others decide once I get my story complete. But, with her honesty and her support, I'm going to do my best to make this one work.

Lauren, this one's for you. You are the best. I'm lucky to have you forever. I love you.

Progress Report and Some Help

Yesterday was another day in which I did not post. Again, oh, well. It's not a contest, a race or a scored event. It's my way of keeping track of what I do for my benefit.

But, what I did do yesterday is work out the format for my story. The plot is basic, but the structure needs to be a bit different to set my story apart from others in the same genre. So, that's what I did. I came up with a structure that fits my premise, my characters and my desire. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit my skills or experience. So, I will have to learn some basic skills in the area I am unfamiliar with. Isn't that what all writers do? Learn as they go. And, then with experience, they go further.

So, I've got my structure. My plan, if you will. And, I also have some help. My premise requires some expertise that I do not have, nor ever will. But, conveniently, my mother-in-law does. So, I asked her for permission to work through some of the details of my story which requires her knowledge, education and, most importantly, her experience. So, Reen, thanks in advance for helping me out.

A Reason for Skipping

I didn't write an entry yesterday. I thought about, and actually considered taking a break to post one. But, I didn't. And here are two reasons why:

1. I don't think I need to do one every single day. I will miss for many reasons and it's not like I'm trying to break a new world record in blogging. I'm just doing this for myself to keep me going. I don't need to burden myself with unrealistic expectations.

and,

2. I went golfing yesterday. Not big news for many people out there. But, it was the first time in 12 years (or so I'm figuring). I went with three of my neighbors, Eric, Bryan and Pat, and had a great time. I suck at golf and I went yesterday with no unrealistic expectations. True, I hoped I would have a fantastic drive, or sink a putt from 50 feet. But, I know I suck at golf, and I know I'll never be so great I could quit my job and go pro. But, I wanted to try something I hadn't done in a very, very long time and stopped doing because I sucked back then. I wanted to try something again simply because I do suck and the only way to get better is to try it again and start out with a different mentality: That I suck and I'll just have fun anyway.

That is part of the whole "Don't be a sissy" mantra. If you think you suck and will always suck and will be depressed because you suck, it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy. But, if you know you suck and think that maybe you won't suck if you try and that you just won't take it seriously at all, then maybe you won't suck in the future as much. You will suck less.

So, I went golfing. I got better over the course of the game (pun intended as they always should be) and did, indeed, suck less at the end of the day. And, I didn't post yesterday. So, I'm posting now and will continue to work on my outline. And, at the end of the month, I hope I will suck less as well. But, if my story outline still sucks? Well, I'll keep going, adjust my schedule, and just have fun with this whole process.

Slow, but progressing

I started my outline. Rather, I started sketching out some of the basic ideas I hope to use. Not much, but then again, that's why I gave myself a month. I figure some days I'll get an idea or two. On others I'll just burn across the page with idea after idea after idea. Hopefully, some of them will even be coherent.

I also took some time to transcribe some of my ideas from other notebooks and such into my main book.

Also, I checked out a book from the library on the recommendation from my new friend, Barb Annino. Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell. I'll start going through this one first as I don't own it.

Check out Barb's website at www.barbannino.com. Her book Uncovering Amethyst will be a great read.

The Start: Day One

Okay. I'm going to start today. I've got work and other obligations in the way, but I will be working on my outline today. I'd much rather be working on my project than work, but I can't pay the bills with an unwritten story. So, work it is.

My general goal is to create a rough idea of where I want to go with the story. A framework. A rough, broad, really empty framework. I've got my main story idea and what I'd like to do with it. I just need that framework to build my story so it can be enjoyed (I hope) by others. I don't want it to be a house of cards which may look great and get lots of comments as to how complex it is. But, it can also be completely flattened with a cross-eyed glance. I want a strong story. One with a foundation, good structural integrity and all the amenities. I'm also not planning on some architectural masterpiece that will be recognized in the future for it's elaborate beauty but inaccesibility. I want a story that, to continue the metaphor, provides warmth, shelter and can be enjoyed by anyone.

I just want to do what I've thought of doing for the past several years. And today I will start.

That, and I enjoy posting to this blog.