Psycho-Drama?

Okay, a couple of things here if you do not mind!!

I have two major issues at this particular point in time. I need to get them out of my head. They are offending my Muse, and it's not nice to offend your Muse.

The first issue is school. My current session ends tomorrow night at midnight, and the assignments due for the fifth and final week are roughly equal (in terms of work assignments required for this unit) to the previous four weeks, combined. Because of the flood, I am way behind, and am still trying to get caught up on the basics for this course. The School, and my Instructor are doing more than all they should to help me out with this, but it is jammin' my brain--and my schedule.

My next session of school opens--TODAY! How's that for overlap! Two tough courses to begin, and one that has all but kicked my butt to finish with (HOPEFULLY A "C") a passing grade! Yeah, I'm feeling stressed about school.

I'm outa money at the moment, and the gravytrain is in sight, but has not come into the station yet. Things are crazy tight, and its a matter of survival. That's causing a little stress.

The other, and main griping point right now is the novel for NaNoPubYe 2006, "The Radical". I am going to fish for some insight from a few of my writing sights, but I have a problem with this book that I have never run into before, and it's driving me nuts!!

I HATE THIS BOOK!

There, I said it. I hate the plot, I hate the MC (Main Character), and I hate the story! Really, I just plain hate it all. That's the most important reason I'm writing it, but it is really, REALLY freakin' me out. The MC is developing into more of a total asshole than even I envisioned, and he is taking me places I just really do not like!

One of the purposes of this Journal is to document the writing life. What I just wrote may well make little or no sense to you if you are not a writer, so let me explain something to you. The dictates of "good" writing tell you that you should create your story in "Scenes". You should know, before you begin, who is going to do what, where, and when. You MUST create conflict in each scene, or the scene shouldn't exist. Yeah, well...

I don't write like that usually. Yes, it is imperative to have "sound" writing. But formulaic writing is not for me. (At least, not currently, and not yet.) To me, it is true that accurate formulaic writing can produce "sale-able" product, but it is not any more guaranteed than any other. To abandon the rules may seem as folly. So be it. So far, the conflict has been merely writing the truth about this character and this plot. There is not going to be any moment in this work when there is not conflict--simply put.

The second item involves the control of the direction of the story. The requirement is that the writing moves the story forward. That's why readers turn the page! Most writers have an "arc" that they follow. It is a plot diagram that takes you through major and minor points, until you reach the end. The writer forces his/her characters to stay on the trail. It's a tenet of "good writing". Yeah, well...

In my writing ("Freeform"?), I do not compel my characters. They compel me. If my MC wants to go to Bakersfield, and I want him/her to go to Fresno, Fresno usually just will not show up in the writing. Even when it makes perfect plot "sense" to go to Fresno, my character is going to force their way to Bakersfield! Why?

The characters in my novels are "real" in the "words on a page" sense. I do not, most times, fully understand them. They become known to me as the words are written. For me, this is legitimate writing because that is precisely how the readers learn of them, too. Am I making even a little bit of sense here?

I do truly hate these characters. Furthermore, they know it. It is a contention that I feel must be won. They could care less. They are who they are, and seem to believe that they are not dependent upon me liking them one whit! They are not necessarily discordant with me. They are ambivilant!! They are what they are, and they are going to do what they are going to do. My job, according to them, is not to like them, but to precisely record them! They are the deliverers of the story, and they are convinced that the story, in all its brutal truth, is going to be
told, like it or don't.

I don't like the story. I don't like the plot. I don't like the warning that I feel that is compelled to lie within it. But, I am writing it. I have never had such an experience as this before in all my life. I'm just really uncomfortable IN it. I know it will pass. How do you deal with things like this. If you are a writer, tell me what you think about this reality in my life today?

Got Spork??

One of my friends over at the Spork site (NaNoers and PubYe's will understand) is doing a Senior Thesis on Nano. He asked for some input on several questions. Here are his questions, and my responses. Enjoy! (Thanks, KandyBar, for the help with gender identification! *gulp*)

How many years have you done NaNo?

2004, 2005, and 2006.

How did you first hear about NaNo?

At the time, I was a professional over-the-road truck driver. I had just had a major clutz attack, and had "accidentally" broken my foot. Suddenly, I had 6 weeks to do one thing: keep my foot higher than my heart. In about two days, I was goin' nuts! I was gripin' to a fellow writer friend, who dared a hillbilly, and the rest, as they say....

What about NaNo attracted you to it? Why?

I've written a lot in my life, but writing a published novel was an item on my "Things To Do In My Life" list that had not been checked off. Now it is. The people at NaNoWriMo, NaNoEdMo, and NaNoPubYe consistently showed themselves to be friendly, accepting, affirming, and available. I like very much being around uplifting, laughing, and life-loving people. I'm hooked.

Do you participate on the Forums? Why?

Yes, I participate in as many different ways as possible. My life-work has always related around being of service to others. It's something I just cannot help. It is how I (and my Muse-thingeys) am built. Regional Boards, Affiliation Boards, Genre Boards, etc. are favorites for me. When I get writer's block, or the Plot Bunnies escape into my writing, visiting the Forum Boards (for instance) can be a productive diversion. NaNoers are, universally, supportive it seems. It's a good example to emulate.

Do you go to regional NaNo meetings? Why?

So far, I have not. I am not very comfortable being among a group of strangers, and what's stranger than a room full of nanoers? Plus, the times for my regional and local meetings haven't fit into my 3 career schedule very well.

Do you participate in instant messaging NaNo chatrooms? Why?

Yes! Actually, many of the lasting online friends that I have developed were created in the NaNoWriMo IRQ Chatroom in 2004. It really helped me, especially in the last week of the event. I learned about Word Wars, the recipe for fresh-baked chocolate chip nanocookies, and Christopher Bean's coffee! What a gift. What a joy. What a headache!

Do you participate in word wars? Why?

Usually when I am not writing during my scheduled writing time, it is because either my characters are not talking to me, or I can't find them. It is most often the case that this is also when my Muse flits off to some unknown Universe! (Yeah, I ain't much on flittin'--OR titterin'. They do both!) Once it sinks in, I go runnin' to a Word War. The only difference is I really try hard not to type the last Chapter of The Book of The Revelation, or Homer's "Odyssey". I can type really fast when I am on a roll, but I want words that move my story forward. So, I 'll do a Word War (especially a topical one) to give random pieces of my story a hearing. I usually use them later in the book. I highly recommend this. Word Wars are where Ferrets on Steroids learn how to type!

Do you have a strategy for writing during NaNo? What is it?

Writers write--every day! Or, they should. Sometimes, we do not. Life and reality sometimes do get in the way. When the first moment of NaNoWriMo 2004 struck on my clock, I had a blank page in front of me, with absolutely no idea what would appear on it. As the month passed, I was most often the most surprised reader. My characters basically dictated (with one notable exception--but that's a bus wreck best left for a future telling) the entire story, and I just typed what they wrote. That "strategy" yielded 50,000 words in just over 17 days. So far, it has worked well for me each year. 2 hours before this Fall Warm Up began, I had no idea what would appear. I now have two complete novels in my head. I want them both on paper by the end of NaNo 2006. We shall see.

Do you have certain habits when writing during NaNo? What are they?

Yes, and they are all bad. It is something that many people who DO NaNo understand, but no one else does. Your characters are with you all the time. They are in your mind, chattering away while you are doing the nuclear research that is your real job. They talk to you in your dreams. They show up in front of you at the Grocery. They send you emails. They use your friends mouths to speak to you.My first habit (which has created some "unique" personal moments in my life) is to ALWAYS listen, and respond to my Muse, and my characters whenever and wherever they appear. (Yes, this includes asking the Judge for a continuance!)My writing time inevitably occurs between 0200 and 0800 daily. I begin when I wake up, and write, B.I.C. (Butt In Chair) until 2,500 words are on paper (saved into a file on my computer--which I tenaciously require for all my writing). If the characters and/or Muse thingeys are on hiatus (or, more often, strike!), then I go to the Boards, to the Chatroom, etc. and commit heresy against them and write ANYWAY. Writing is not only a habit, but it is a visciously strenuous habit. I never miss this appointment, no matter what. (Just ask the Judge!)

Do you participate in other writing groups? (NaNoPubMo, NaNoEdMo, NaNoFinMo, etc.)

All of the above. I also admin a novel writing Critique Group Forum, and moderate the same group on our site home on Yahoo. I have seven Forum Boards that require much writing. I am also a member of many writing Boards, such as FMWriters, AbsoluteWrite, and the LBF Publishing Homesite. (Do the nine Blogs count?)

How do you cope with the stress of writing 50k words in 30 days?

Umm, simple. Write 'em in 17 days. Or less.

Do you have any NaNo related experiences you’d like to share? What are they?

The friend dared me. There was a substantial financial remuneration involved. He withdrew it, and I deposited it. He also, on his own accord, helped me get hooked up with the Publisher that wants to publish the Novel "The Notre Dame Concert", and who also wants a series "The Grand Organ Mysteries". He also runs my website at http://www.kybudman.com/, which we are setting up. What began as a ridiculous dare has begun to become a success story. I'm proud of that, and very grateful to a real friend who not only understood my frustration, but "gently" provided an escape from it. Although, I never really saw the functional purpose of "Crisis Management" (just create a bigger crisis!) before.

Do you feel that participating in NaNo has made you a better writer/person? Why?

I have no idea as to whether or not I, or anyone else, would say my writing has made me a better person. I leave that to the subjective reflections of those who know me best. I have a personal life philosophy which says "What you think of me is none of my business!" I would definitely say that NaNo has made me a much better writer. Not only has it crystallized a writing philosophy for me personally (and thousands of others), but it has given me a writing environment, a writing community, and a writing purpose larger than myself. It has taught me that I am not the only one who laughs outrageously while "doing in" a character! It makes writing more fun, in a very fun community. I'm grateful for NaNo, and all the nanoers.

I hope he can use the information I gave him. It's interesting to discover myself just what I think about NaNoWriMo and its associated activities. I hope you think so, too.

Writing like a Ferret on Steroids,

Bud

NaNoPubye, 2006

I had not planned to participate in either NaNoPubYe 2006, or NaNoWriMo 2006 this year. Plans change.

What is NaNoPubYe?


An offshoot (one of many!) from the NaNoWriMo activity, NaNoPubYe is the National Novel Publishing Year. It is an organization which creates and follows a one year plan, from blank page to published work. In my personal opinion, everyone who even THINKS about NaNo should first begin with NaNoPubYe. With enough diversion to writing as it is (life, writer's block, life, etc.), having at least an outline of a plan is a good thing for me. No matter how far afield my world takes me, it is nice to know that I am at least anchored to the important things. And, to me writing IS a very important thing. I highly recommend this activity for anyone writing for NaNoWriMo.

Within 48 hours, two complete novels outlined themselves in my head. The first changed my mind about NaNoWriMo (The Nationl Novel Writing Month), and is a novel that, if I complete it, will be the first that I have not wanted to write. It is becoming an idea with a plan, and currently exists in my head under the working title of "The Radical". More on that later.

The second novel idea came from, strangely enough, a conversation among some friends regarding the first novel idea. It is the basis for my NaNoPubYe activity for the fourteen days. Each year, NaNoPubYe has a "Warm Up" activity, with a goal of writing 25,000 words in two weeks. That activity begins tonight at midnite. It will end at midnite on October 7th, 2006. I will then put down that work, and do the hard work of preparing for NaNoWriMo 2006, and its novel.

The Warm Up work is a cop thriller and involves a parish priest, a police Chaplain, online chatrooms, and murder. All that in 25,000 words! And, in two weeks no less.

I believe the most important revelation in this is that my Muse has come crashing through the door, and has placed herself (with quite the accompanying cast, I might add), squarely in the middle of my brain. She has been away for a while, and I feared for some time that she may have decided the better choice was to simply be shed of me. Thankfully, that is not the case. She has returned, taken up her throne, and is quietly smiling in my general direction. Yes, I did notice that she is drumming her fingers and slowing tapping her foot. So, I'd best be off to the creation station.

I hope you will stay tuned. This could be a fun deal!