A Writer's Notebook, Day One-Thousand-Four-Hundred-And-Ninety-Seven

I have been doing a bit of research and other preparation for the novel I want to start when I finish the story I am currently writing.  In part, the research is about the specifics of the science fiction device that I am premising much of the story around, as it is a fairly reasonable creation and based on actual science to a certain extent.  In truth, I don't think I need to have a super detailed explanation for how it works, but I want to have a clear understanding for myself, even if it doesn't wind up being part of the story.  As well as looking into the science, I've also been thinking about elements of plot and theme, and about certain specifics in the story.  Earlier today, I just happened on some material that demonstrated how certain ideas that are central to my story developed, and which makes some important and interesting connections that I had not considered before but seem quite obvious and sensible when considered.  What is quite interesting is that I feel like this adds a certain dimension that will flesh out the stakes of the conflict.  It feels as if I had been waiting for something of this sort, even if I didn't know it yet.  I still need to do some thinking to get this slotted into the story, but it feels like it is all coming together.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Poem: Neighborhood Inhabitants

Neighborhood Inhabitants There was a fox once, and another time, otters, and now a peacock that we think got lost during one of the storms. She stays down on the other end of the street, though, does not visit us. We have a racoon family that stays in our tree some nights, and there is a baby lizard, a brown basilisk, who we have seen several times. It is not supposed to be here, is invasive and troublesome to the local ecosystem, as are the duck.  I hear there are giant snails now who eat stucco or concrete or something of that sort. I have not seen one, though, I just heard they are here and big as my fist.
Read more

A Writer's Notebook, One-Thousand-Eight-Hundred-And-Seventy-Three

I am still finding it difficult to get back to a more productive work schedule at the moment.  In part, I am sure it is that I gave myself permission to slack off a bit, and it is difficult to walk that back, especially because I am still writing and being productive, even if not to the same degree. I know it would be good to get back to doing more writing, but I also know that I am still meeting my core obligations, even if at a more minimal level.  Really, I just need to make the choice and force myself to stick to it.  To that end, I am planning to at least get back to work on my longer projects again tomorrow, even if I don't increase the poetry output right away.
Read more

A Writer's Notebook, Day One-Thousand-One-Hundred-And-Thirty-Three

I received my acceptance to attend workshop at the Palm Beach Poetry Festival next year and am very excited to be working with Matthew Olzmann, a poet whose work I have admired for some time.  He has a rare capacity for being simultaneously absurd and serious in ways that are hysterical, but with devastating insights underneath.  I feel quite fortunate to have the PBPF, and can say, honestly, that each workshop I have attended there has been incredible.  As a person who has taken many workshops in my life, and who often finds them wanting, I am always astounded at the caliber of the classes at the festival, both in the instruction and in the community of poets I have encountered.  I only wish it could be more than just one week out of the year.
Read more