Just Being

Once again I’m here to poke my head into the hole of the interweb.  I’ve been spending so much time living in the real word, I’ve neglected the virtual one.  That is if you don’t count Facebook.  I spend way too much time there, but I’m cutting back like a good recovering addict, which means I’ll be binging there by this evening.

A quick update on the new novel.  I’ve recently finished the new first chapter of Knight Terrors.  Now I sit and wait for the critique that should happen in a week or two.  Next it’s chapter three that will replace the previous chapter two.  Confused yet?  That’s why I have it all drawn out in one convenient One Note tab.  That can be a handy little program there.  Maybe by the next post I’ll throw down a current word count.

Late this month marked the beginning of the family birthday bash.  My son celebrated his seventh last Tuesday with the party happening tomorrow.  Next is my daughter a week from Monday.  We already gave her her gift, a shiny new Netbook.  My burthday is the following Friday.  Good Friday if you’re keeping track.  I deem it Great Friday because I’m taking the day off and doing whatever the hell I want.  A little over a week from that will be my wife’s birthday.  I think she’s opting to loaf all day without anyone bothering her.  That leaves me to head off any kid queries to help her retain a bubble of solitude.  Those days are the big ones.  I left out all the nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends that also fall in between.

I’m starting something new.  Wine.  I’ve never cared for it in the past, but I’ve been reintroduced to it.  I want to know more.  Shanalee and I are starting a wine journal as well to chronicle the different wines and foods we try.  I even might use a blog post or two to relate my findings.  To date we’ve tried a Petite Sirah (not sure from where), Barefoot Shiraz, Gnarly Head Merlot, and Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir.  A friend brought over a bottle of wine during this that I liked, but I don’t remember what it was.  So far I enjoyed the Merlot the best and the Shiraz the worst.  In future posts of this nature any recommendations would be gladly welcomed.  It’s been a couple of weeks since our last sampling.  Tonight would be a good night to try the next.  Suggestions?  Right now we’re staying away from the pricey stuff.  I’d hate to put down a lump of money for something I couldn’t stomach.

I’ll have some more news to relate in the near future.  It’s still a little early for me to say.  I know.  I’m a tease.  And if by some slim chance you already know, keep your mouth shut. Otherwise I’ll be forced to rip your tongue out via your rectum.

Wow, I got violent there.  Must have something to do with the story I’m writing.  Yeah, I’ll blame that.

So, till next time, don’t forget to fondle your muse and keep life creative.

What’s That in the Shadows?

I think I found another reason why it’s taking me so long to write this story. 

It’s actually a little embarrassing.  So what better reason to post it here for all the world to see.  In a way it’s like pulling back the drapes to let the light flow in and cleanse the place. So here it is.  My new novel…

Scares me.

 

I know, I know.  It’s silly to be afraid of a story, especially one that I’m creating.  The entire novel is fictionalized, but some could say it’s planted in truth.  Really it not.  I’m taking an idea that’s been around for millennia and turning it on its ear.  If I can convey this fear to my readers, I would all be worth it.  So, I’m continuing on for the greater good… My Readers.

 

Let’s dive a little deeper into this.  When it comes to writing everyone has a different style, a different way they approach it.  For me, the beginning stages are meditative.  No, it’s more than that.  When I’m getting to know the characters and their situation, the best I can describe it as is channeling.  I’m no longer sitting in the dinner.  The din of the cafe and the music feeding my ears from noise-reducing earbuds all melt away.  Slowly, layer by word-typed layer, I am emerged into the story.

I’m sure there’s an off-shoot somewhere that would contend it to be automatic writing, the process of someone or thing writing through you.  I don’t buy into that theory, but I have gone back to read what I had just wrote and thought, “Where the hell did that come from?”

Do you see the dilemma yet?  Here, let me spell it out.  When I write my story, I, in a sense, become my story.  Now I’m dealing with a subject that makes me uncomfortable.  See it?  In order for me to write (write good, anyway) I need to open myself up to it.  The subject I’m dealing with is making clench up inside.   Maybe I should save this for a therapy session, but those cost money.

Maybe it’s like a loose tooth.  I can’t stop poking at it until it’s out.  Whatever the case, I’m not letting the story get the better of me.  It needs to be written, and damn it, I’m going to do it.

So how do I get around this inability to fall asleep because I’m worried about what’s lurking in the shadows?  The easy answer would be to write early in the day.  That way I’d have the rest of the day to get it out of my mind.  If it were that easy.  I don’t get time during the day to write.  95% of my writing happens at night and away from home.

So I guess what I’m saying is, I’ll suck it up and write the story already.

How do you get around writing about things that make you uncomfortable?  I’d like to know.