Finally a post after days of writing

I was on a self-imposed ban from posting anything on this blog, until I had at least finished some of my writing goals. I am happy to say that this easter break has been productive, though not as much as I would like, but then my task lists are always unrealistically long. Still, overall, I know by the time I am forced to give up my wonderful night shift of writing and have to get up at times that I currently go to bed at, I will have the contentment that I always get after productive writing sessions.

So what's finished:

• Writers Bureau Assignment 5, completed and sent
• Novella plotted, outlined
• Skeleton draft of Novella completed

Other things in progress:

• Edit of a short story
• Research on various aspects of writing, market research
• Reviewing information for WIP novels to do a proper outline before doing any further haphazard writing

Write or Die

Do you find yourself distracted when writing? Or perhaps the internal editor keeps looking over your shoulder?

I found this nifty little thing, called Write or Die! It's a pretty, simple but useful thing. You can either choose how long you want to write for, or how many words you want to write. Once you decide, you click "Write" and a simple text box opens. You start typing. When you stop, the screen starts turning colours. You can pick various levels of strictness, and based on that you might get some pretty annoying colours flashing or even sounds. When you finish your goal, you get a victory sound.

I wouldn't use it all the time, but sometimes when you just want to get into writing and are finding it hard to stick to, I think it may offer a productive diversion.

Naming Characters

A rose by any other name may still smell just as sweet, but a character with a wrong name could end up looking like a right plonker.

I have been trying to come up with names for the main characters of my novella. Now imagine, my alpha male hero being called Herbert, or a kick-ass heroine called Jean (apologies to all Herberts and Jeans...I am sure you are all lovely people). It just doesn't sound as cool as James Bond or Scarlett O'Hara.

But I have been doing some research, and of all the sites I have searched, this one is my favourite: http://www.behindthename.com/

So now, I just have to pick two names out of my short list. Then I can get on with more plotting. Writing about nameless people is not nearly as satisfying as writing about those with names - giving them a definite identity.

Writing Goals for April

These are the goals I posted on AW's April Goals thread. Since I have made a public proclamation, I must stick to it, or I would have to have a good dunking for shame. So the goals are:

• Finish writers bureau assignment 5, 6, 7 (they will have to be edited and submitted too)
• Edit and submit a short story from assignment 4
• Edit and submit two flash fiction pieces
• Submit at least 5 articles on Suite101
• Plot a novella, create an outline, and start working on it
• Work on WIP novel

It is pretty ambitious for an evening/weekend writer, but since I have a 10 days holiday over Easter, I am really aiming to get a good chunk of this done then.

I will stick to it...I will stick to it...I will stick to it....I will...I will...I will...

Waiting, Waiting, and Waiting Some More...

Not me, it’s my characters that are waiting. Impatiently, I might add, while I get my act together and give them something to do. I am trying to plot a short story for one of my Writers Bureau Assignment, and also plot a Novella. For both of them, I have got main characters, I have got the setting. I even have some conflict, and vague ideas about the beginning. What I do not have is a plot. It is rather frustrating, because I can see these characters sitting there, getting antsy to get some action. None of them are very patient, and none of them like waiting. Occasionally, I have times like this, where things just take their time to fall into place. The best way that works for me is to sit down with a pen and a notepad, and start writing. I start writing what I know, and then keep repeating it in a different way. Once the process gets going, bits and bobs of information start coming in. If I manage to have a good brain storming session then I end the session with much more information than what I started out with. Sometimes the whole plot just comes to me randomly, but at other times, like now, the plot just doesn’t stick. There is no good or bad about either case, because when the plot comes easily, there is usually something else that becomes a pain. In any case, if it goes smoothly, brainstorming is a wonderful process. But if it doesn’t, then it becomes incredibly frustrating. Because I just want things to HAPPEN. So today is the day for making things happen for at least one set of characters. I am devoting entire day (not the evening) to only thinking about them. Ok, sometime, I may have to think about work that I am doing, but for the most part, I think I can keep these people in the background and find something for them to do. So get ready my little darlings, because your days of peaceful lounging are numbered.

Indian History Articles

I have started writing articles on Indian History on Suite101. Research is turning out to be quite interesting. I always wanted to learn more about Indian History anyway, so now is the time. Still got several article ideas ready, just need to find the time to write them. Presidents of India

Param Vir Chakra - The Highest Medal of Honour

6 articles submitted 51 is the goal for 2009

Writers Bureau Assignment

I received my fiction assignment 4 back today from the tutor, with hardly any red, and most positive comments. That is most encouraging.

Now, working on next assignment. Short story plots are getting bit difficult to sort out - for a short story. I get ideas which could make books, but not sure how to write them under 2000 words. Something to figure out...

I have the setting. I have characters. Now I just need a plot. Piece of cake ....very hard, stale cake, maybe.