Do You Know a Writer?

This started out as a #Thursday13 but I ran out of points. 

Things you should know if you are acquainted with a writer. 

1. It's not that I'm anti-social. It's just that I'm currently writing at least three books in my head. It's hard to mentally outline and talk at the same time.

2. I'm not staring at your ear because I'm a stalker with a weird fetish. You just did something that gave me an idea for my WIP.

3. I'm not talking to myself. I'm PLOTTING.

4. You mangled the spelling of that word and yes, it will eat at me FOR HOURS.

5. Please don't reference any mainstream, highly successful novels unless you know for sure that they are free of typos and weak writing. And make sure there are no adverbs in it. Otherwise, you'll set off a literary hissy fit of epic proportions.

6. James Patterson is the Antichrist. Don't ask me why. Because I'll tell you. Ad nauseum.

7. IT IS NOT A F***ING HOBBY!

8. Yes, I'm neurotic. I'm a writer, duh.

(Yes, this is borrowed.)

1. It's not that I'm anti-social. It's just that I'm currently writing at least three books in my head. It's hard to mentally outline and talk at the same time.

2. I'm not staring at your ear because I'm a stalker with a weird fetish. You just did something that gave me an idea for my WIP.

3. I'm not talking to myself. I'm PLOTTING.

4. You mangled the spelling of that word and yes, it will eat at me FOR HOURS.

5. Please don't reference any mainstream, highly successful novels unless you know for sure that they are free of typos and weak writing. And make sure there are no adverbs in it. Otherwise, you'll set off a literary hissy fit of epic proportions.

6. James Patterson is the Antichrist. Don't ask me why. Because I'll tell you. Ad nauseum.

7. IT IS NOT A F***ING HOBBY!

8. Yes, I'm neurotic. I'm a writer, duh. When have you ever met a sane writer?

9. Meet my delicate artist ego. Stroke it. Praise it. It will purr for you. Then it will cry. Then it will accuse you of being disingenuous. Then it will tell you to go to hell. Then it will beg you to like it. Then it will be aloof. Then it will curl itself into the fetal position and suck its thumb until you stroke it again.

10. Don't ask where I get my story ideas. How the crap should I know? It's not like I have a storage locker....

9. Meet my delicate artist ego. Stroke it. Praise it. It will purr for you. Then it will cry. Then it will accuse you of being disingenuous. Then it will tell you to go to hell. Then it will beg you to like it. Then it will be aloof. Then it will curl itself into the fetal position and suck its thumb until you stroke it again.

10. Don't ask where I get my story ideas. How the crap should I know? It's not like I have a storage locker....

 

 

A Journal Writing Prompt - In This Moment

Are you snowed in? Are you in self-isolation? Are you in lock down mode? 

Many people have taken time during covid to begin writing or at least keeping a journal.

Writing in a journal is a great way to relax and escape.

Here's a little Writing Prompt 

to help train your mind to write, 

to exercise your brain, 

to get you started putting thoughts down.

IN THIS MOMENT 

Sit comfortably with your notebook and pen. Write for 10 -15 minutes.

This exercise is one of my favorites. 

Read the following questions then close your eyes.

What sounds do you hear? Do you notice any odors? How is the temperature?

Are you in a relaxed state?

Now, open your eyes and immediately pick up your pen/pencil 

and write about the first thing that comes to mind.

          

Leading Ladies & Fellas

When I was a teenager way back around 1980, my mom belonged to the Harlequin Readers Service and she would receive a box of romance books every month.  She would pour over those books with a hunger only another book lover would understand. Sometimes I'd sneak a book and hide in the basement to discover the adventures that lie within the pages.

Mom’s favorites depicted historical with brawny manly men such as cowboys and damsels in distress or rich educated hunks such as doctors with an established woman in search of a man accepting of her liberation.

As I grew as a reader then became a writer, I came to appreciate the variety of characters behind well written romance stories. Personally, I don’t care for the wimpy gal who can’t tie her shoe without help. However, a gal does have the right to be doted on by a loving man…as long as she tends to her own footwear, unless he’s taking off said footwear to give her peds some undivided attention.  After all, who doesn’t love a good foot massage?

Anyways…..back to my original trail of thought.

Creating characters is actually pretty fun. (That is until they take over a writer’s mind and keep thus writer up all night until a scene or story is finished.) Let’s take the overly confident guy who helps a meek gal find her inner sensuality and eventually turns the table on him. He becomes empty and she is the only one who can fill him. This is much like my characters in Crow Magic. The hero in this story is the first of several Native American shifters I create; this one is a Crow shaman.

Let me tease you with a couple characters…. 

how about a dominating hot cop and a submissive lawyer? Sounds hot! In Handcuffs & Silk, the rough, tough female cop learns a bit about herself when she has a one night stand with a hot male big-city lawyer who’s a bit submissive and passive. 

The hero in Eagle Dance is a huge man with wild hair who is a big softie inside. He is looking for a woman to appreciate the simple things with him. He's the second Native American shifter, a sexy eagle and retired Marine. His leading lady is chasing a ghost but slows down for pizza and a hot shower scene. 

I’m a sucker for a good romance story with well built characters. 

(Not referring to muscular build…well maybe. Duh!) Nonetheless, 

I believe heroes can have weakness and leading ladies can be strong. They are certainly fun to create!

What kinds of characters in leading roles do you prefer?

#WednesdayWritingPrompt - Patterning

Patterning is making a list in which you repeat the same form of words to introduce each item. The repetition helps release ideas and feelings. It’s also a chance to play with words. The list becomes a kind of rhythmic writing which can have a very strong effect and may even turn into a poem!

Are you  ready to begin?

Sit comfortably with your notebook and pen (or electronic device).

Write quickly, without thinking too much and enjoy experimenting.

Take one of these opening phrases and write a line with it, then add lines for six minutes. Feel free to share!

Choose from the following:

I feel...

I want...

I don’t want…

My life is…

I wish I could…

In my perfect world…

Today I am…

#WednesdayWritingPrompt - Negative and Positive

Sit comfortably with your notebook and pen.

Positive: List three experiences you have had that were interesting, satisfying, illuminating or uplifting. Choose one of the experiences and write about it for seven minutes, concentrating on your feelings and thoughts.

Negative: List three experiences you have had that upset, angered or disturbed you in some way. Choose one of the experiences and write about it for seven minutes, concentrating on your feelings and thoughts.

Here’s an example from Jim Johnston

I was dizzy by the time I found the room where they did blood tests. Outside, it was a waiting area full of people. I couldn’t sit down, paced up and down. Frightened of a little jab, I sneered at myself. “You’re not a child of ten. You’re supposed to be a man of 32.”

“Something wrong?” The nurse was a slight little thing with kind eyes.

I couldn’t help myself: “it’s the blood, I can’t bear the sight of it.”

 “No problem, “she smiled. “We’ll make sure you don’t see any. You’d be surprised how many we get inhere like that, my little love.”

Little love! I’m over six feet. She barely reached my elbow. We both laughed and suddenly I was half crying, saying. She sat me down with a paper cup of tea. I’ve never felt such a fool in my life!

#WednesdayWritingPrompt - Desert Islands

It's a chilly Wednesday in my neck of the woods. Temp is 18 degrees and only a little snow on the ground. On the bright side... we have sunny. Let's escape the cold and visit a desert island. Here's today's Writing Prompt to help train your mind to write, to exercise your brain, to encourage you keep a journal. Use these prompts to break a writer's block if needed.

EXERCISE 3: DESERT ISLANDS

Sit comfortably with your notebook and pen.

You are marooned on a desert island. It is warm, without dangerous creatures, offers plenty of easily obtainable bananas, coconuts, other fruits and fish to eat as well as fresh water and tree shelter. You have time on your hands.

Write for three or four minutes about each of the following:

A.   What and who you would most miss, explaining why.

B.   What you would be glad to get away from.

C.   Which two objects you would choose to have with you from your home to make your life more bearable and give it some interest. (Phone, radio and TV are not available.)

D.   How you would cope with isolation and structure your time.

Wednesday's Writing Prompt - How are you?

Well... it's Wednesday. Here's today's Writing Prompt to help train your mind to write, to exercise your brain, to encourage you keep a journal. Use these prompts to break a writer's block if needed.


IN THIS MOMENT part 2

Sit comfortably with your notebook and pen. Write for 10 -15 minutes.

 Describe yourself, how you are sitting, your mood, feelings, preoccupations, the thoughts that come into your head.

Technical Tip: Always remember to write in a way that is comfortable to you. During small exercises, don't get hung up on grammar, punctuation and such. These are meant to help you get thoughts down on paper as quickly and efficiently  possible. If you wish, keep a second journal to "edit" your work. Voice of experience, keeping the raw/rough draft can be inspiring sometimes years later. It's much like keeping your child's kindergarten painting years after your child grown. Have you ever looked at school items your parent saved from your younger days? How did you feel? Maybe write about it.

Wednesday's Writing Prompt - the beginning

I teach a class on writing and encourage journal keeping. I kept a journal while I spent time in England as teen. Years later, I found that old notebook and read through it. Funny thing... my first book (Painted Soul) was born and thus led to many more. Keeping a journal is not only documenting thoughts, feeling or events but it's a great way to exercise your mind. Writing can be a form of meditation, relaxation and therapy. An athlete practices regularly to stay in shape. A writer keeps writing to stay sharp. Writing is a great way for seniors to not only to keep memories alive but also keep their minds alert.  Journaling is great for all ages!

Simple rules of keeping a journal:
* Sit in a comfortable place where you won't be interrupted for a few moments.
* Don't spend alot of time. Set a timer if needed. Use only a few minutes to write. Think of it as drinking a glass of water rather than an entire gallon. Once you get the  hang of it, you might have times where your thoughts may take up several pages.
* Don't be a critique. Journal entries are raw. Think of them as rough drafts if your wish, but don't change them. It may ruin the beauty of the words. If editing is your thing, save the original and edit a copy. Keep every draft you make. I've done that and it's fun to look back at the growth.
*Keep a journal in a notebook or on a computer. It doesn't matter. Whatever is comfortable to you. I like a journal I can hold and carry. There is something about writing with a pencil on paper that feels good.
* Don't just write, keep other things in your journal. Paste a poem or comic that you enjoyed. Clip an article. Save those doodles! Keep inspirational photos.

So... every Wednesday I'll post a Writing Prompt to help train your mind to write, to exercise your brain, to encourage you keep a journal. Use these prompts to break a writer's block if needed.

Are you ready?

Here's your first assignment. 

 IN THIS MOMENT part 1

Sit comfortably with your notebook and pen. Write for 10 -15 minutes.

A.   Begin this exercise by looking at your immediate surroundings. See what catches your attention. It may be the pattern on the carpet, a fly on the window pane, a dirty cup, the painting on the wall, an open door and what lies beyond it, the view outside, the overflowing wastepaper basket, a letter you forgot to post, et. Describe two or three objects, picking out some precise details such as shape, size, color, texture, smell. Write briefly about one or two of these: the sounds you can hear, the warmth or coldness, the amount of light, the kind of light. 

A Special Visitor

The hero in Crow Magic is a Native American Crow Shifter. The storywas inspired by a series of tales told by a family friend, “Indian Dave”. Sitting around the bonfire as kids, he taught the spirituality side of the gifted animal shifters. Even today when I see an animal, I wonder if it is a shifter or not.

A couple days ago a young hawk took a tumble in the fog while hunting in our wood. He found a quiet perch to dry off and rest, allowing my son and I a rare opportunity for a friendly visit. We approached him carefully and spoke to him in Chippewa. His reaction surprised us as he calmed down and simply watched us. He gazed at us as if settling in for conversation. At one point he showed curiosity regarding my cell phone.

Hawks are considered messengers. I asked “Gekek” (Chippewa for Hawk) if he had a message for me. Words entered my mind. “You need to begin writing a Hawk Shifter story.”

I told him I would obligate his request. 

After several hours, he flew over my house with a call. What a blessing to have had him for the day!

At time of blog post publishing: I currently have the first few chapters completed for Hawk's Honor.