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

Blunder And Stumble, But Still Moving Forward

It's been a bit since I've blogged, hasn't it?  Rest assured, I haven't turned into a zombie and succumbed to the apocalypse... yet.

My job was a little overwhelming, mostly because I was unused to spending the long hours on my feet.  However, having a job actually encourages me to spend my time more wisely (do not check facebook, do not check e-mail, do not check facebook, do not repeat) on more important things, since I really don't have the time to procrastinate.

I have still been writing.  It has still been slower than what I would prefer, but it's still coming.  About a week ago, I was having plot problems (AGAIN) and I found another writer's blog (he also is an agent, I believe) and he wrote that he works only with people who follow the formula he does when creating a story.

First, a logline.  This is a short, three-sentence blurb about your book.  The one I did was one sentence, since I still didn't really know where in the heavens my plot was.  The second thing he does is make an aristotelian plot line (that jagged line with exposition, rising action, etc).

Before I made mine, I decided to make a model plot line off of one of the most successful 'stories' of date: the Avengers.  I also added where the three acts of the story begin and end.  To keep from making it too complicated, I used the titles of scene selections from the movie.  It took me at least half an hour, but it was so worth it when I sat down to make my plotline.

Aaaand... I was too lazy to do the rest of the things the writer pointed out, since I do enjoy my bit of creative liberty (pantsing).  But having the plotline written out in front of me really does help.  I had to make some changes to my story to aline it with my plotline, and delete some passages, but I'm about 1/7th of the way into my story with a clear path to travel.

Next time I write a book, please have someone slap me across the face and tell me 'Don't forget to make a plot line!'

P.S. In non-writing news, my mom and I played in a volleyball tournament last Saturday.  We split (lost one game, then won one game) with a team of girls who played for a big college in the area.  It was awesome!

Unstoppable, dattebayo!

I've decided to quit worrying about things and DO them.  Worried about college?  I'm pulling out my AP Psych textbook and re-learning a few things.  Worried about getting my animal handler's permit at the zoo?  E-mailed my supervisor and got an extension, and I'm pretty close to getting it.  Worried about working two jobs?  I went to both of them today, and it wasn't too bad.  Worried about writing when I can't think up a scene?  I've decided to write anyways.  Even if it turns out to be uninspired, random, and out of chronological order, I'm going to beat this draft like a pinata until it's done!

A Youtube video made me rethink what the crap I was doing on the internet when there were worthier things to be done.  It isn't this one, but it's made by the same person, and it's called Unstoppable (blogspot wouldn't let me pull it up, for whatever reason).  This one, Dream, is pretty good as well.

Go for it, dattebayo!

~Crimson

In Which Crimson Gets A Job Or Two

I don't even know how it happened.  Jobless for two months, and now... let me explain.  I've been contacting Little Ceasars and Savers regularly in the past two weeks.  In my interview with Savers the other day, they pretty much told me I had a job with them, but they had to make sure I was available for re-hire (I worked there last year as a Costume Consultant-- it was great).  I also went into Little Ceasars today, and I found out I had the job there.  So I signed papers, watched a training video, and now I work there!  Sweetness.

And then, just now, Savers called me and were all 'Yeah, you're available for re-hire.  The hiring manager told me to offer you a position.  Are you still interested in that?'  And I said yes.  I start Savers Monday, and Little Ceasars on Thursday.

Somehow, I have ended up with two jobs, hired on the same day.

I'm really confused.  I'll probably end up keeping both jobs for two weeks, and then choose the one I like best.  I'll probably end up choosing Savers, the coworkers there are fun.  ...Something like that.   Oh, I just heard a funny noise.  I think it was my head exploding.  Bye now.

(Everybody Loves Crimson & Daryl)

-Crimson Ruin

Auntie Heather And The Minion Horde

I first met Auntie in the form of her book Eighth Grade Bites.  The paragraph at the back of the book made me curious about her.  I love books, and I love people who make them.  So, after I read Eighth Grade Bites, I went online and found her blog.  I love what Auntie Heather writes so much more after the entire Vlad series, following the blog, and starting into the Slayer Chronicles and Legacy of Tril.  She also has some pretty great writing tips.  I think somewhere along the line, I forgot my favorite of her writing tips: butt + chair = writing.

I am a minion.  A minion is someone who has read Auntie Heather's books and likes them.  Collectively, we are known as the Minion Horde.  It's fantastic, really.

I met her in person once!  She was talking about herself and her books at a bookstore in the city.  It was awesome, and I got my books signed.  I was pretty stoked to meet her, because she's someone I look up to.  I also tied for first place in her haiku contest which was amazing (though I never actually received said prize, but that's okay, because being chosen out of almost 400 people is awesome).

I know Auntie Heather better now-- or rather, I have a more accurate sense of who she is (saying I know her better when I've only met her once in person may make me sound like kind of a creeper).  She has a fantastic blog, her facebook posts are entertaining, and recently she's started a vlog.  I love these vlogs.  The vlogs are kind of long, and the picture quality isn't amazing, but I love them because it's just Auntie Heather and the Minion Horde having fun and talking with one another.

Become a minion.  Join the Horde. 

Butt + chair = writing.

~Crimson

Ho Snap! Crimson is back!

I don't know exactly why... but I snapped out of my writing funk and just wrote 1300 words.  It's not that much, but it's enough to put me back on track.  I was reviewing a chapter of my friend's novel, and I think that may have been what started my creativity again.  I looked back at my fan fiction, and read through it again, and it reminded me of my style.

Suddenly, I could see my way around the scene that had me flummoxed for forever (two-three weeks).  I still don't have the exact plot worked out, but that's the way books are written: scene by scene.  No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.  I am very surprised, and I'm very excited to once more fall in love with writing, so to speak.  I only have one question:  Is this the light at the end of the tunnel, or is this the rising action and the dark night of the soul is to come?  I'm not sure, but I'm going to find out by creating a story! 

I still don't have a job, I still don't see friends much, and I'm still not playing volleyball, but for me, this is enough.  

I'm stealing my life zest back if it kills me, dattebayo!

~CrimsonRuin

Lost: Life Zest. If Found, Please Return

I'm usually pretty upbeat.  I deal with life-crap and move on; I don't like to dwell on misfortune.  But in the last two or three weeks, my life-energy seems to have taken a nose dive.  Basically, the problem is that I like to be a fairly busy person, and I feel like I'm standing still, doing nothing.

I don't have a job, school doesn't start 'til fall, I hardly see my friends (with my little brother going to play with his friends EVERY DAY, it's a very acute reminder), I'm not playing volleyball, and probably the worst thing yet: my story has no plot.  No plot = no writing.  I have strong characters, but without a strong plot, without a strong drive... a story doesn't exist.

I haven't written in days. I read fan fiction and I don't do much else.  I'm trying to find motivational blogs, books, anything that will help, but nothing is really pulling me out of the slums.

SOS, loss of life zest, if found, please return.

-Crimson