I realized something the other day. I write the majority of my blog posts in a single sitting. Meaning, after one draft.
Even several of the stories I've published lately have only seen one draft.
Let me explain the process, which is stupidly simple. I do what is called cycling (here's a blog post I did a while back that explains it). I actually do a modified version of this. Depending on the size of the project, I will go back and do a casual read, as if I was a reader and not a writer, correcting any errors that I may come across. For short stories, novelettes, and novellas, I will typically read it through from beginning to end, mostly in a single sitting, making a few corrections here and there.
For my current project, which I know is in four parts, I will read each part in its entirety once I get to the end of it. After that, I won't read it again until the book is done. Then, I will do one more casual read, just in case something happens at the end that may affect something in the beginning. But I do not do the heavy editing like I did before I started publishing. I shake my head at how many years I wasted doing this--and I still come across several writers who feel the need to edit heavy-handedly over and over and over and over again.
This is essential Heinlein's five rules of writing. Don't trust yourself? Do it once and then test the waters.
Friday, April 26, 2019
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
A Legacy Of Hats
We celebrated my grandfather's 96th birthday this past Easter weekend.
My sister, her husband, and her two boys were there. Also, all of my aunts and uncles were in attendance, along with several cousins, their spouses and kids. It was a joyous event, to say the least. There were only five cousins and their families who were not able to come, but of those who did, we had a lot of laughs and heartfelt reminiscence.
As usual, my grandfather loves (yes, loves, I can't emphasize that enough) black licorice. We gave him an assortment of black licorice from a small candy store in town.
The weekend was also bittersweet as my grandfather has recently moved into an assisted living home and is in the process of cleaning out the house so it can be sold. For me, there were four-plus decades worth of memories in this home. There were items from the home my grandfather put people's names on, from his own children, their spouses, and then the grandchildren. I was given a piano, which had been a centerpiece for many Christmases when I was young as my grandmother (she passed away over 15 years ago) played it with skillful finesse. There were also many items one could just take. My grandfather had such an assortment of tools, they filled many tables in the basement and garage.
There were also bigger items for purchase. Another centerpiece was the dining room table. One of my cousins purchased it as he has a larger dining room and the table he owned was rather small. Many memories were spent there, and it will be the centerpiece for many more in its new home.
In the den was a writing desk. The price was reasonable--honestly, everything with prices were reasonable and none of us thought about the money as it was going to help with my grandfather's living expenses. I kept going back and back to the writing desk. It spoke to me, in a way. I put my name on it.
In a few weeks, it will be moved down (along with the piano and a corner couch) to my home.
One highlight of the day was what I'll call the legacy of hats. My grandfather and grandmother had quite an assortment of hats. Everyone picked through them and put one on. We had so much fun putting these on. One of my cousin's husband and myself each chose a fur-lined Cossack hat.
The legacy of hats filtered down to virtually everyone in attendance. My uncle Rod told me that my wife needed one. He chose one that he thought would work, then sifted through what was left, over and over again, always coming back to his original choice. It was fun to watch him choose just the right one for my wife. He truly looked like a kid in a candy store. He ended up with the original. It fit her well.
My sister, her husband, and her two boys were there. Also, all of my aunts and uncles were in attendance, along with several cousins, their spouses and kids. It was a joyous event, to say the least. There were only five cousins and their families who were not able to come, but of those who did, we had a lot of laughs and heartfelt reminiscence.
As usual, my grandfather loves (yes, loves, I can't emphasize that enough) black licorice. We gave him an assortment of black licorice from a small candy store in town.
The weekend was also bittersweet as my grandfather has recently moved into an assisted living home and is in the process of cleaning out the house so it can be sold. For me, there were four-plus decades worth of memories in this home. There were items from the home my grandfather put people's names on, from his own children, their spouses, and then the grandchildren. I was given a piano, which had been a centerpiece for many Christmases when I was young as my grandmother (she passed away over 15 years ago) played it with skillful finesse. There were also many items one could just take. My grandfather had such an assortment of tools, they filled many tables in the basement and garage.
There were also bigger items for purchase. Another centerpiece was the dining room table. One of my cousins purchased it as he has a larger dining room and the table he owned was rather small. Many memories were spent there, and it will be the centerpiece for many more in its new home.
In the den was a writing desk. The price was reasonable--honestly, everything with prices were reasonable and none of us thought about the money as it was going to help with my grandfather's living expenses. I kept going back and back to the writing desk. It spoke to me, in a way. I put my name on it.
In a few weeks, it will be moved down (along with the piano and a corner couch) to my home.
One highlight of the day was what I'll call the legacy of hats. My grandfather and grandmother had quite an assortment of hats. Everyone picked through them and put one on. We had so much fun putting these on. One of my cousin's husband and myself each chose a fur-lined Cossack hat.
The legacy of hats filtered down to virtually everyone in attendance. My uncle Rod told me that my wife needed one. He chose one that he thought would work, then sifted through what was left, over and over again, always coming back to his original choice. It was fun to watch him choose just the right one for my wife. He truly looked like a kid in a candy store. He ended up with the original. It fit her well.
Friday, April 19, 2019
Alienating your audience / Happenings In The Outhouse 19-Apr-2019
A month ago, I posted a blog about two events, one of which involved two true crime podcasts. Here's a link if you wish to refresh your memory (the podcast event was at the end of the post).
Well, there has been a new development. Again, I apologize for doing so without naming names. But there's a reason for it, a lesson for all of us to learn without any names--besides, I don't want to be the target of any backlash so better safe than sorry.
The true crime podcast who did the shaming of the other has tackled some large cases in depth, one involving a young man who was charged and found guilty of murdering a fellow high school girl. Other podcasts have done deep dives into this case, including a recent HBO documentary, and I have clear opinions on the case--my opinions I'm keeping to myself.
However, last weekend, the podcast's host took to Twitter and ranted on and on, alienating many people as racist, etc. if they didn't take the host's point of view. There were even people who responded to the host, stating they are of the same political affiliation, and took the host's view as hypocritical. Unfortunately, that didn't stop the host's tirade.
In the end, not only did I unsubscribe from the podcast, I deleted all of the episodes I hadn't gotten to yet--which is pretty much everything after season one, about the case I indicated above. I will never listen to another episode of this podcast.
Authors, actors, and other creative types have also done this time and again--especially in today's age, with our current POTUS, social media is ripe with this kind of crap. I have also blacklisted them.
Beware of what you say or post online, for you may be alienating your audience. You may not care. That's fine, if that is the risk you want to take. Here's the approach I would take: focus on your art, your creation. That is what the fans want to see, not your personal views on controversial topics.
Well, there has been a new development. Again, I apologize for doing so without naming names. But there's a reason for it, a lesson for all of us to learn without any names--besides, I don't want to be the target of any backlash so better safe than sorry.
The true crime podcast who did the shaming of the other has tackled some large cases in depth, one involving a young man who was charged and found guilty of murdering a fellow high school girl. Other podcasts have done deep dives into this case, including a recent HBO documentary, and I have clear opinions on the case--my opinions I'm keeping to myself.
However, last weekend, the podcast's host took to Twitter and ranted on and on, alienating many people as racist, etc. if they didn't take the host's point of view. There were even people who responded to the host, stating they are of the same political affiliation, and took the host's view as hypocritical. Unfortunately, that didn't stop the host's tirade.
In the end, not only did I unsubscribe from the podcast, I deleted all of the episodes I hadn't gotten to yet--which is pretty much everything after season one, about the case I indicated above. I will never listen to another episode of this podcast.
Authors, actors, and other creative types have also done this time and again--especially in today's age, with our current POTUS, social media is ripe with this kind of crap. I have also blacklisted them.
Beware of what you say or post online, for you may be alienating your audience. You may not care. That's fine, if that is the risk you want to take. Here's the approach I would take: focus on your art, your creation. That is what the fans want to see, not your personal views on controversial topics.
Friday, April 12, 2019
What are you doing today to better your tomorrow? / Happenings In The Outhouse 12-Apr-2019
What are you doing today to better your tomorrow?
This is a question I asked my team at work, and it also applies to one's own life at home. One should always be improving, even if it's to do one thing that wasn't done before.
First, I suggest looking at what you do everyday and eliminate what you can. Years ago, I was on the church council for my church, which was a three year commitment. I foresaw the construction of an addition from the brainstorm planning on the first year to the actual construction by the third. But the time I spent was time away from my family. So I made a commitment not to be on the church council again until our last child was graduated from high school. Every January, I am asked if I would consider it and I kindly decline. I appreciate them asking, but not at this time.
Last year, the writers group I was a member of for many, many years, decided to disband. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting every three weeks, discussing not only our writing but our lives as well. But the time commitment was troublesome when not all members would show up.
It's okay to say no to something. Even at my day job, I say no to many things because I want to be a better leader for my team.
What is important to you? Make the time for the important pieces of your life instead of letting others dictate your life and your time.
Then, as you free up your time, ask yourself: what can you do today to better yourself tomorrow?
This is a question I asked my team at work, and it also applies to one's own life at home. One should always be improving, even if it's to do one thing that wasn't done before.
First, I suggest looking at what you do everyday and eliminate what you can. Years ago, I was on the church council for my church, which was a three year commitment. I foresaw the construction of an addition from the brainstorm planning on the first year to the actual construction by the third. But the time I spent was time away from my family. So I made a commitment not to be on the church council again until our last child was graduated from high school. Every January, I am asked if I would consider it and I kindly decline. I appreciate them asking, but not at this time.
Last year, the writers group I was a member of for many, many years, decided to disband. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting every three weeks, discussing not only our writing but our lives as well. But the time commitment was troublesome when not all members would show up.
It's okay to say no to something. Even at my day job, I say no to many things because I want to be a better leader for my team.
What is important to you? Make the time for the important pieces of your life instead of letting others dictate your life and your time.
Then, as you free up your time, ask yourself: what can you do today to better yourself tomorrow?
Friday, April 5, 2019
Part one complete / Happenings In The Outhouse 05-Apr-2019
This week, I completed the first of four parts in my new epic fantasy novel. It's running a bit over 32,000 words so far, and it's going well.
For the most part.
This winter has been particularly harsh for northern Minnesota--as is other areas of the country, I'm sure--and there were days I didn't do anything. Balancing that and caring for my wife, I have had to do a bit of reflection on how to best set up my day. When are the best times to write? To read? To play games or watch Netflix/Amazon Prime?
Even to rest.
In the book of Genesis, God created the earth in six days and rested the seventh. That means one must value their time of rest--and take the time for it. If you are completely exhausted, and working on your art just isn't cutting it, rest. It's okay. You're not being lazy by doing so.
Because even God rested.
For the most part.
This winter has been particularly harsh for northern Minnesota--as is other areas of the country, I'm sure--and there were days I didn't do anything. Balancing that and caring for my wife, I have had to do a bit of reflection on how to best set up my day. When are the best times to write? To read? To play games or watch Netflix/Amazon Prime?
Even to rest.
In the book of Genesis, God created the earth in six days and rested the seventh. That means one must value their time of rest--and take the time for it. If you are completely exhausted, and working on your art just isn't cutting it, rest. It's okay. You're not being lazy by doing so.
Because even God rested.
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