Natsukashii

It has been some time since I wrote, life goes on around me, a chaotic swirl of voices and action that I try to keep pace with. I’m still determined (read: stubborn) to finish my manuscript and persist with my writing.

It has been a tumultuous year, and I am finally feeling things settling back down around me. Hopefully this will mean I get more done. It is important to make time for the things that inspire you and make you feel alive. Because what is life for, then, if not to pursue our passions?

I realise I have not written a blog entry in over a week now, it has been a busy one. I am still writing, and enjoying the process of expanding what I have already written. I was sad not to have a seminar to attend Wednesday night, I’ll definitely have to look into some more down the track.

My son has his birthday this weekend, so things have been busy here in preparation. It is set to be a hectic and very fun weekend. I can’t quite believe seven years have passed since he was born, it really does fly. I am so lucky to have a boy like him, he is a sweet, sensitive soul; I’m so very proud he is mine!

Enjoy your weekend, whatever you choose to do. Will you be writing?

The final seminar in the ‘Writing for your Career’ series by the Victorian Writers Center held last night, was again really informative and engaging. The content was not particularly relevant to me directly at this stage, but it was useful knowledge to tuck away for the future. The discussion was about the role of a publicist after publication, and what processes were generally followed at that stage. Really interesting stuff, and the presenter herself was a really good speaker. I enjoyed it, once again. I am sad that this is the end of the series, I will have to keep my eyes peeled for something else they may offer in the future.

This morning I was able to get another good chunk of writing done, but I am still one day down on my target, that I need to make up tomorrow in order to reach my weekly goal. Certainly achievable, and I will push on and get it done. Part of the chapter plan that I wrote, meant adding in some entirely new material, as well as extending what I already have. So it has been fun to fill in some backstory on some of my characters this week. I am starting to truly care about them, and feel emotions with them. Sounds a little crazy, but to me, they are real; I am just telling their story.

Today, the story of my daughters dramatical arrival into the world is up on Kidspot to read. I wrote the article for a friend of mine who works there, and even now, 19 months later, I still get goosebumps reading it. She certainly was hard fought for, this girl of mine. Every day, she brings light and smiles into my world, and warms my heart. So worth the fight.

Being stubborn paid off in a big way. I think being stubborn will see me through many things in life – including writing. Tonight is my final seminar at the writing centre, I am looking forward to it, and am saddened it is the last. I got so much from these seminars, I will certainly keep an eye on the site for more events of a similar nature in future.

You can read my story at Kidspot by following this link: http://social.kidspot.com.au/FatMumSlim/Mums-like-us/blog/7065/

I wrote my chapter plan recently, it actually divided itself into neat chapters very easily. Now comes the business of writing. I once read a quote that I strongly identified with: “I don’t really like to write, but I love to have written.” So true! Writing is hard work sometimes. When you are not inspired or in a creative zone, and you must force yourself to plug out words though they may be of poor quality, it can feel like a chore to me on those days. I always feel better for having done it though, regardless of initial quality (or lack thereof). Once holding a completed product, however, the sense of achievement is incomparable.

I went out yesterday with a friend to see a movie and have a late lunch. I told her what I was writing about, the ‘blurb’ if you will. Like anyone else I have told, she was excited and enthusiastic about the idea, and was keen to read it when done. I just hope that I can do justice to the idea in practice. Time to find out!

I have direction, and I have it clearly and firmly.

The presenter at the seminar on Wednesday said something that I really got a lot from: constantly starting new projects is an act of fear. Fear of finishing something, and the imperfection it will be. She said accept imperfection and FINISH IT. First drafts, are by nature, imperfect. She said that so many talented writers never get a book written because of exactly this. It really hit me. I can see myself in that.

I keep starting new and shorter things, putting off finishing my novel. So, thats it. My short story is ready to be submitted at the last few places I intend to send it, and now I am going to go back to the fiction I wrote during my Masters, and complete it to novel length. This weekend, I am going to sit down with it and work out a chapter plan (her advice again, and me being a list lover, totally me!) and set myself a writing goal of words per week. It is time to be firm with myself and push through. Even if it is terrible. That’s what editing and further drafts are for.

I thought about why I have put it off, and I realised that when I wrote it, I had some intense things going on in my life – an IVF pregnancy, and my mother’s breast cancer and subsequent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As a result, I have not only linked the emotions of that time to the writing, but nor did it end up reflecting my original vision for it. I was not as dedicated to it as I wanted to be, because of those things. Now, I can be. Now I can inject my everything into it, and bring it back to that vision. I still believe in the story, and am absolutely certain of its potential, and my ability to reach it completely.

Completed manuscript, here i come… Just as soon as I stop writing long blog entries…

Let no one ever accuse me of not being dedicated and committed to my craft! This week has seen me incredibly unwell. From the flu, to a stomach upset that had me bedridden and unable to eat for days, I still insisted on (almost literally) crawling in to last nights seminar on Time Management via the Victorian Writers Centre.

Was it worth it? I think any means of adding tools to my writing kit, of participating with other writers in writing, and of the inner motivation that comes from doing these things is always worth it. There were no earth shattering revelations that came from the night, but I did not expect any. The gist of it was, you can find the time, so make yourself do it! Stop fearing failure, expecting perfection and procrastinating and use self discipline, set small goals, and simply write! Common sense, but a nice push all the same.

I have written (no pun intended!) this week off in terms of writing, right now recovery and regaining strength need to take priority, but next week I am all about goal setting and moving forward with writing. I have some decisions to make about focus, and I need to stop planning, and start writing. Time to get firm with myself.

How was your weekend? I have been unwell, and am finding anything a challenge, so it was quiet for me. I have an urge to be writing a short story, but am unable to come up with an idea. Blocked! I have ideas for longer pieces, for non fiction pieces… But, right now, a fiction short story desire burns.

I may put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and simply see what they create, brain disengaged. I have done this before, and initially, a general ramble emerges, but after a little, it tapers into a creative work. My mind needs to be clear, for this to work, and right now is probably not ideal.

Perhaps, once I am well again. Until then, I sift ideas through my mind, tossing some out, keeping some aside as ‘maybes’ – but I am yet to find the “Ah ha!” moment. What techniques do you use to generate ideas? Writing prompts? This is a good time to edit current works, at least, until the muse settles.

Wednesday night’s seminar at the VWC was as inspiring and motivating as the week prior. Again I left with clearer vision of what to do next, and motivated to work.

And work, I am.

I invested in a membership at the Australian Writer’s Marketplace and was so glad that I did. The number of resources, information, and the obvious contacts it provides were well worth the investment for me. So, I am tidying up some pieces of writing, short stories, that I want to submit to some magazines. The submission process always excites me – rejection or acceptance – because either way, I am participating in the business of writing, and that standalone fact continues to thrill me through and through.

So, into the post with my work, next week I will send off one piece, and then begin work on the second of my short stories that I think I can do something great with.

The Australian Writer’s Marketplace can be found at https://www.awmonline.com.au/Home.aspx

When I booked the four seminars for this month, I was not sure what I would take from them. One in particular, held my interest, and is related to time management. This is such a huge issue for me, with 2 children to care for, a house to keep ordered, and a life to live, it can be really difficult to fit in some time. I have been writing whilst my youngest takes her naps lately, and this works well, but it is not always possible.

What are your time management tips? Are you an early rising or late night writer? That seminar is next week. I got so much from last weeks, I am really looking forward to tonight, despite feeling unwell with a lingering flu. Tonight’s seminar is entitled “Beyond The Slushpile” and is about how to best get your book published using a good proposal, and knowing both your market and your target. I am excited to see what I get from it!

You can find out more about this and other seminars offered by the Victorian Writers Centre here – http://vwc.org.au/what-s-on