Writers Bureau Progress

I just sent off assignment F9 for Writers Bureau, a short story assignment. While updating my spreadsheet, I checked over the dates of all the assignments and here is the productivity measure: Assignments/Submission Date 1/ March 1 2/ March 14 3/ March 26 4/ March 30 5/ April 10 6/ April 13 7/ April 14 8/ July 5 9/ September 26 March and April were clearly the most productive, because at the time my main focus was on these assignments. Then the next three months were focused on my books, so the assignment pace slowed. But even so, I am quite satisfied with my speed. As far as I am aware, I think the next assignment will the last fiction assignment. I know that will take me ages, because I have got to write a partial script, and since I have never attempted a script, no idea where to start, and haven't yet thought of a story. But it should be a good experience. Though this course isn't a miraculous cure for publishing, because of it, I have tried many different forms of writing, which I would probably never had tried on my own initiative. It has increased my general knowledge about different forms of writing, and of course now I know from experience what I like or don't like. So the script thing should be an interesting experience too. What have you learned from trying different forms of writing?

Finally finished

Finally at about 1:00 am last night, I submitted Assignment F8 to Writers Bureau. I have taken the longest amount of time doing this assignment - though doing it is not the right phrase since there were weeks when I didn't even touch it. This assignment included a short story, for which I used flash-fiction piece completed in June Monthly Challenge. It also included a synopsis for a novel. That took a while to figure out, because I was finally forced to fill in the gaps in my book, rather than focuses only on scenes that came to me willingly. And it included character biographies for 2 of the main characters in the book, which didn't take long. So that's it. Now I have only 2 Fiction assignments left to complete in this course. Next one, I am not too keen on because I have to write a radio story, and for someone who never listens to radio, it will be bit of a hard work.

Writers Bureau Assignments

Goals for April got a great productivity boost thanks to a nice break from work. Over last few days, I finished and submitted, writers bureau assignment F5, F6 and F7.

I have already received F5 and F6 back, with positive comments, though both had one significant problem where I dumped back story in the beginning. Obviously, didn't notice it when I was writing it. But once the tutor pointed it out, it's pretty obvious.

So now, re-writing and finding places to shove those back stories somewhere.

It's a shame my fiction section is coming to an end. I am really enjoying the fiction part. That's the reason why I have done all the assignments rather speedily. I have a feeling that once I get to non-fiction, my assignments submission speed will not be as good as it is now.

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.

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.

Writers Bureau

I believe in intuition. I believe in the power of instinct. I believe in signs.

Flipping through a year old magazine, during one of my irregular recycling sprees, I found an ad for Writers Bureau creative writing course. It looked appealing so I cut it out and place it...somewhere. The following day, while reading a newspaper online, I came across the same ad. That was the sign. Twice in two days, and instinct dictated I look into it.

So I looked up the details, searched through mazes of forums to find reviews. It's not a cheap course, so I wasn't willing to fork out the money without checking things out properly. I found mix reviews, but one thing was certain - most of the people who complained about the course, complained so because they lacked the discipline for self study. Those who kept at it, had mostly positive experiences.

My mind was made up. I signed up. I didn't expect to learn anything miraculously new from the material, because I believe most of the things they include in the modules could also be found on the Internet. But the value of the money lies in a tutor support. It is invaluable to have someone mark 20 assignments over time, correcting errors and pointing out weaknesses.

Also for someone like me, who prefers more structured approach, modules are handy. Even though information is not new, just the fact that they are structured in a particular order, gives me something particular to focus on, rather than reading things all over the place, jumping from one topic to another, which is almost easy to do in the jungle of Internet.

I received my materials on February 19th. So far I have completed first three assignments and had them marked and returned. Already working on assignment fourth. This is a home study course without deadlines or expiry dates, so I have read about people working on it for over seven years. There are others of course who finish it within a year or two. My goal is 10 months or less. I want to complete it before end of 2009.

Since I work full time and also have other writing interests, 10 months is going to be challenge but if it wasn't, it wouldn't be much fun.

So thus continues a writer's journey...