A splendid thunderstorm began as I finished my words last night. I listened to the rain and watched the lightning through the blinds. It was calming and invigorating, an experience to file away in my mind in case I have need of them in my current novel.

There have been times at parties when I have sat back and watched. Sometimes I try to capture the feel of a party through listening and close my eyes. I do this, not to use it against anyone or make a caricature out of them but to hear the rhythms of conversation, the clinking of silverware and the taste of certain foods.

I have done this at other places as well such as malls, baseball games, the forest, anywhere that might help my senses take in an entire experience.

One night, years afterward while at home in Grand Rapids, I had a dream about being there and it was shocking. I cannot share what happened now because it is a plot point of my novel, but it was something that was so vivid it was if I was transported back.

I don’t think I would be writing this novel had I not been paying attention to the atmosphere of Keuka Lake. It is incredibly valuable as a writer or artist to get the “feel” of an experience through all of our senses. If you have a scene in your novel that happens at a play, go to one. If you have a scene in a mall, go to one. Sit down, soak in the sounds and sights and tastes. 

Some writing is about making stuff up. Some writing is about relaying an experience people have. What better way to learn about an experience than to actually have it yourself?

Cheers,

Bob

I don’t have a lot of time to report but I did want to write an update today.

Last night, I broke the barrier all writers desire to break when writing their novel. I began to like my story.

I know that sounds silly but writing is work. Some people have a job they love and some people have a job they hate. Writing can be both and one or the other at different intervals of the writing process especially at the beginning or end of a particular work.

I believe I am beyond the point of searching for my writing stride and have found that precious writer’s groove we all hope to discover when penning our novels. The one that makes us hungry and eager, looking for any sliver of time to jot down a few words.

I hope with this new found joy in my story, I can plow through my first draft in the next few months. Perhaps this is a bit ambitious with buying a house and moving my family in the next month or so, but I think its better to have an aggressive date of completion, than none at all.

Until tomorrow, keep writing.

Cheers,

Bob

Good day. It is day three of 500 words a day for a week and I am pleased to say that I am still writing and it is coming easier. I was not sure how long it might take to get into the story I am writing but as I have little research to do I can write fairly quickly now that my fingers are accustom to fiction again. I am not saying it is good, but it is there and that simple fact is refreshing.

I realized as I was finishing my 500 words last night that I have not read a lot of children’s stories lately. I’ve read the Chronicles of Narnia a while back (they are mountains better than the horrible Disney adaptations please read them!) but I wanted to delve deeper into the classic literature my target audience reads.

I decided to start with The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald. Here’s what C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton have to say (through Wikipedia) about this esteemed man:

It was C.S. Lewis who wrote that he regarded MacDonald as his “master”: “Picking up a copy of Phantastes one day at a train-station bookstall, I began to read. A few hours later,” said Lewis, “I knew that I had crossed a great frontier.” G. K. Chesterton cited The Princess and the Goblin as a book that had “made a difference to my whole existence.”

If it can mean that much to the giants of Lewis and Chesterton, then, perhaps, it may serve me well to glean what I can. 

If you’ve taken up the writing challenge, good luck to you.

Cheers,

Bob

It’s day two of the 500 words a day for 7 days gauntlet. Also, just to be clear, this blog does not count. Only work on my novel does. I was successful last night even with the distraction of the Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings playoff game. It is the quarterfinals and they put up a miserable game. Down 0-1 — what a shame. Come on Wings!

Anyway, in between the intermissions I was able to get some words down on my new story. I’m into chapter two which describes a drive out of New York city toward one of the Finger Lakes in upstate New York. It is an all day and night excursion coupled with an awkward conversation between a father and son. I will not say much about this story yet but that it is about family.

Many stories that surround families are tragedies, ones that see loved ones wrenched apart by horrors and unfortunate circumstances of life. This story is about how that sort of family comes back together and is stronger all the more because of it.

Here’s to another 500 words tomorrow.

Cheers,

Bob

I have been a complainer lately to my writer friends. I have been childish, lost, and above all, lazy. When you are lazy and a writer, those are the two worst things you can be. The novels will not just sprout up out of the ground like spring tulips, right?

If there is a magic formula to this writing conundrum, please someone tell me. Otherwise, I will be resigned to believe you just have to do it, which is not what I want to hear.

Therefore I write this blog post to declare that I will write 500 words a day for the next week. I will check in here. I will tell you if I am successful. Whether the writing is good or bad is not the point. The point is I am out of writing shape and I need a pep talk. I need to start working out those horribly flabby writing muscles.

I have a billion excuses just like you. I have a child that does not sleep. I have a demanding job. On top of these, I want to be a great husband, father, friend, and employee. We are also buying a house (WOOHOO!)

There are times one needs to find refuge under the mother duck’s wing. There are also times that one needs to strike out into the storm of life and march forward no matter what the cost.

My first instinct is that I don’t want to be accountable. I don’t want to be more exhausted than I already am. I want to eat pizza and beach myself on the couch to watch another Detroit Red Wings game. But I just can’t anymore.

So here’s to a weekly challenge of 500 words on my new novel. Here’s to a fresh start and bucking up. Here’s to a swift kick to my rear end and the public acknowledgement of commitment to writing.

If you want to write and just can’t, join me for 3500 words in 7 days, beginning today.

Cheers,

Bob