A Writer's Notebook, Day One-Thousand-Five-Hundred-And-Twenty-Seven

I am trying to keep focused on this novel that I just began writing, but it has been difficult.  For one thing, it has been a bit of a struggle getting into the meat of the story.  I've been finding myself writing a lot that is very honest and personal, but it is not necessarily in a form that resembles a story at the moment.  I think that is probably alright, for now, that it will begin to move that way when I am comfortable with the nature of this piece.  It is very much built on my experiences, particularly as a fat man, even as it also has science fiction elements at the core of the story.  I think that I need to get more comfortable in that space as a writer, and I believe that is happening.  I have been diligent, in spite of any misgivings or other difficulties, in working on this new piece each day, and I feel like that is the real secret.  I believe that if I keep at it this way, working on it a bit at a time from one day to the next, never letting it go but returning each day, the dedication will pay off and it will all come together, eventually.  I just have focus on doing the work and that will be enough.  I think the act of being dedicated to the work itself plays a big role in that, at least for me.  I believe that my dedication to the work is a way to demonstrate to myself that I am serious, and that, for me, makes a difference.  I cannot explain it except to imagine that my muse notices my efforts and is inspired to offer a bit more help as a result.

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