Hello Earth, I'm Still Here

Aaaaaaand of course, just as I'm about to write this post, all my words desert me and I want to fall asleep.  Even though it is the middle of the afternoon and this is completely ridiculous.

In my creative writing class, we are in the unit of images.  I already knew a lot about images, that they drive your work, but I did learn something new.  Summaries should have images in them.  Slides, which transition scenes, should also have an image and a passing of time.  I look forward to seeing more examples of slides and practicing with them, because in the past, most of my transitions were rough.  To avoid that, I usually just triple star in the middle of the page and start the next scene, so slides should really help!

My first college test came and went.  I'm in Biology 1610, and... I got a D-turned-C (thank you modified bell curve!) on the test.  Which sucked because I studied long and hard for the test.  I also have another test this week in the same class, so hopefully it goes better.  For my work, I told them four days a week or less, so hopefully I regain my sanity.  My hope is to, at the start of November, go down to working only three days a week... or find a less-demanding job.

So, yeah, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I've just been busy (so busy.  And tired, but mostly busy).

-Crimson (and if I don't post again until November, you know why)

P.S. Nanowrimo is one month away, my friends.  PREPARE YOURSELVES!

It's Official

I am a college recluse.  *sigh*  Not out of choice, but necessity.  College is five days a week, work is five days a week, and I always have the evening shift.  People are always busy between noon and four.  After work (I get off at nine some days, and ten others) I could hang out with people... but I don't, because nine or ten is kind of late to start something anyways.

Good news for writing, though: between noon and four, I can only do homework and write... and mess around on the internet, but I get bored of that within an hour.

I'll end on a good note, though.  Last night, I was hit with a sudden craving to watch this really cool Youtube video I saw at least a year ago.  I couldn't remember the name of it until... after midnight, but when I did, I was so happy!  And yes, I then watched it at midnight.  If I end up cashiering at my work, I'll try the same thing. ^.^

College and Focus

I started college last week.  It's pretty much a cooler, more independent and more intense version of high school.  I'm keeping my job, too, so I'm busy in the evening and have most of my free time in the afternoon, which is kind of weird.  I'm taking a creative writing class, and it is so flipping cool.

I've only been in the class for a week, and already I have learned so much.  Lesson number one: be specific and show imagery.  One girl in the class said she wrote 'fun stuff', and the teacher (nicely) picked on her until she gave us something specific.  Why?  Because specifics give our brains an image to focus on!  And giving the reader an image is pretty much the most important thing in writing because that is when you transport the reader into another place.

Lesson number two was on focus!  Super helpful, this might end up being the best chapter in the whole book for me.  You should be writing every day (which I, for the most part, do) but I really like what it said about timing your writing.  Put the timer on for ten minutes and just go.  I did it, and it was amazing how fast I wrote.  This helps you to really get un-stuck if you're feeling unable to write.

Probably two of my favorite quotes from this chapter are:

"Remember: you will want to avoid writing.  All writers struggle with procrastination, writer's block, distraction, or laziness.  All successful writers develop strategies to deal with these issues.  Conquering not-writing is probably half the battle when you are taking a writing class.  Everyone struggles with this."

"Expect to get stuck at unpredictable times.  Plan on getting stuck just when things are going well; that is very common.  Good writers are good learners-- they pay attention to what it is that led them to being stuck."

It was amazing to read that in the book.  No wonder I've had times where I feel like I just can't or just don't know how to write: it's normal and it happens to everyone.  I could cry it makes me so happy to read that in something published.  The book gives all kinds of advice for getting un-stuck; my favorite thus far has been making a ritual to start and stop writing.  I use rituals all the time when playing volleyball, it never occurred to me to use it while writing.  My writing ritual is as simple as putting lotion on my hands before I begin writing and after I'm done.

Also, focus can apply to the rest of my college studies, as well as flow, when you're in that awesome trance-like state and you can picture everything you write.

What are your strategies for getting un-stuck?

~Crimson