tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63465867175114402602024-03-19T00:08:58.018-04:00Writer: Year 1One year to follow my dream of becoming a published writer or die trying!J.A. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612067503890523499noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-36862713568978348842010-03-15T09:52:00.009-04:002010-03-15T10:11:28.366-04:00I DID IT!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> A</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">fter a month and a half of writing on this book, I've now passed two major milestones in one day: 1) I've now written well over 200 pages and 2) I let my husband read the first five chapters. For anyone who reads this blog, you'll know what at terribly frightening prospect that was (the husband part). Well, I handed him the second draft of Part I and now I'm on to flesh out Part II. I didn't want to be there when he started reading, because his face is a bit like an open book. He read and he read and when he stopped reading I thought he might have something to say or maybe have some questions. But sadly he didn't. So I brushed my teeth and started to go to bed and asked how far he had read; a silly question because of course no sensible person would read more or less of one chapter in an evening sitting. Arn't I stupid. Still failing to bring the conversation I was seeking to life, I furthered a remark: "Well, that was fast." To which he replied: "Not really, it was only fifteen pages." Perhaps I'm a bit over sensitive, but ouch that was a very pointed 'only.' But in the interest of not spooking him, he has agreed to read it, I am letting the lack of discussion lie for the moment. Maybe there will be some response at the end of Part I? I will just have to wait and see.</span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">As for Part II, writings going well. Once again, I had some wonderful brainstorms in the shower yesterday (about an hour before I had to leave for my sister's birthday dinner: Hi, Taylor) and so very quickly went to the computer to pour everything out onto the page. I had been a bit worried that after a few days spent rewriting and proofing Part I my mind would have trouble shifting focus back to producing new material, but low and behold it was ready and raring for the task and the words have been flowing nicely ever since. I hate to walk away from the computer today, but I have to actually pretend to be a housewife for awhile and take care of the banalities of life. I've also promised myself a trip to the gym, once I noticed that too many days in front of the computer were causing spider veins...eww! So I need to get the blood flowing to clear out my circulatory system and the cobwebs in my brain. Who knows, I might have some great inspiration on the elliptical. God I love that thing! J.A.</span></span></div>J.A. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612067503890523499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-500070874713974882010-03-12T10:02:00.005-05:002010-03-12T10:20:42.943-05:00Busy Busy Busy<div><br /></div><div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The last week has been slow, but productive. I have finished the first five chapters of the new book along with two rounds of rewrites. In the end I'm left with something quite good, though I'm not entirely sure anymore after re-reading so many times I've probably memorized it by now. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> It is now time to move on to the next section of the book which revolves around travel and the revelatory power of a journey. I figured the best thing to do was to review great travel sagas: </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Darkness-Joseph-Conrad/dp/1450584373/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268407100&sr=8-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Heart of Darkness</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">, </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/J-R-R-Tolkien-Boxed-Hobbit-Rings/dp/0345340426/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268407164&sr=1-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Lord of the Rings</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">, even </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Pan-100th-Anniversary-Barrie/dp/0805072454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268407188&sr=1-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Peter Pan</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> all of which give detailed reactions to new environments and foreign geographies. Walking that razor's edge between describing a setting enough to allow the reader to follow your thinking and boring said reader to death with too much detail is on the agenda next week. I'm focusing as much as possible on emotional response and connection to new landscapes (as someone who studied Landscape Archaeology (yes, that is a real course) it should be a piece of cake, right?). I like the idea of making the geography a character, but it may not be terribly appropriate at this point (maybe in the rewrites).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> In other news, I'm taking the big leap this week and allowing my husband to read what I've been working on this past month or so. You have to understand that he is a physicist and computer scientist and as such is incredibly terse and practical. He also does not believe in my 'overly descriptive and sentimental writing technique.' In other words, he thinks I write like a girl. Not the most sympathetic audience. So, showing him anything forces me to prepare for an onslaught of criticism and let's face it, who wants her husband to tell her she should give up (not that I would). Brace yourselves people, next week could bring tears!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> Any helpful advice or words of encouragement would be gratefully received. J.A.</span></span></div>J.A. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612067503890523499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-82883591364246219142010-03-03T10:29:00.003-05:002010-03-03T10:46:29.933-05:00Back From the Back of Beyond<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've just returned from an extended trip to visit the family. I took along a draft of the first five chapters to review and rework, but needless to say, in all the confusion of what turned out to be a most terrible series of events (including many hospital visits) I barely opened the plastic cover I'd lovingly created before I left. Usually I like to take these obstacles and adventures as opportunities for creative exploration, but today after assessing my emotional fatigue I can barely stare at this screen without falling asleep or breaking down into senseless tears. I'm just tired. After a week's vacay from the writing wagon, I've been itching to jump back in, but the brain is not cooperating. I feel unsettled and unsteady and these are never good places for me to work from; my thoughts are too scattered and shifting. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I did start reading </span></span><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tender-Night-F-Scott-Fitzgerald/dp/068480154X"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tender is the Night</span></span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> in between trips to the hospital. I've always loved Fitzgerald's turn of phrase and so far I'm even more in love now than I ever was with </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Damned</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> or </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Gatsby</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. I'm still not sure why his characters are so young, though perhaps this has something to do with the autobiography of it all. For me, it's hard to imagine such young people being so complex. I mean, can you name a 19 year old today who would have the self-possession and awareness of Rosemary or the distant disturbance of Nicole (only 24). I myself am breathing down the neck of 30 and even with years of travel and exposure to "the rest of the world," I don't think I am half as comfortable with myself as these people, half of whom are mentally ill. Maybe that's just me. J.A.</span></span></div>J.A. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612067503890523499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-1343162258897122022010-02-22T11:27:00.004-05:002010-02-22T11:46:33.956-05:00Apologies For My Brief Absence<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Sorry to have been away for awhile. I've been furiously working on my "new thing" for a week or so and have been too absorbed in it to think of much else (including laundry, dishes, dinner, family or sadly my husband). Luckily, everyone has been very good about my sudden disappearance and neglect of my regularly scheduled duties. My husband has been happily eating take out for the last several days (I hope this unexpected pleasure is not an indication of the quality of my cooking). I have been slaving away and in the last week have been hitting the big numbers and surprisingly enough I think it all is quality. At least it feels good. At last count I was up to an astonishing 38,000 words this month and February still has six more days left. Needless to say I'm ahead of schedule and pretty proud. A lot of this success I think has come down to the support of my own planning and organization. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I've been diligent with my notebooks and binders this time, rigorously preparing character bios, chapter outlines, setting maps and sections. It has been more prep work than normal, but I think it is really paying off in my confidence in my words and motives. The plot is of course important and I had that firmly established long ago, but the development of characters, family groups and dynamics has been essential for this one and I'm trying hard to earn every ounce of progress. It is really wiping me out at the end of the day...explaining feebly the present state of my house.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I've been doing some reading on novel length lately and am happy to report that I seem to be on track for an average novel. The online advice I've found so far can be found <a href="http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/fiction/2004/12/how_many_pages_.html">here</a>. However, there does seem to be a lack of consensus on page length; with some critics suggesting 250 words per page and others stacking it up closer to 500. Any thoughts or feelings on the subject would be gratefully received. J.A.</span></div>J.A. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612067503890523499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-31207404835525085782010-02-07T12:28:00.013-05:002010-02-09T11:42:22.708-05:00The Joys of Snow and Insomnia<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Well, this is the third day we've not been able to leave the house and after hours of shoveling snow, I found myself for the first time in months dealing with a bought of insomnia. Did I lie in bed, tossing and turning? Did I spend hours</span></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLu0T6mVjrG453O6uq6JDMo5S1DK29EEMxfhDDGjP-Kg2GqEmnzkVI5iCP4KyQsnT7V9IdOqYow0ZIGoxBdrcc7KP78-3E2qsWtalYVcR_LwC1XHhK4Dbzlf4d1lKZ0sqsN8qkS_eXwQ/s320/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436281567788897010" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> staring at the minutes on the clocking droning silently? Well, yes I did for awhile actually. Then somewhere between toss and turn I found myself daydreaming (yes at night) about what I'm writing at the moment. I allowed my mind the right to tick along when it could have been sleeping and in those restless hours lying prostrate, I worked out most of the immediate obstacles to my imagination. The joy of fiction writing is that there are no problems than cannot be ironed out by applying and expanding one's imagination. The limits of your imagination are the only real limits there are; this is probably one of the reasons I enjoy writing so very much.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">By 3 am I had worked out just about everything I had been struggling with in the last week. Then came the choice: allow my mind to drift off to sleep or commit the cardinal sin of recovering insomniacs and get out of bed. Well folks, I'm a sinner. I slid out of bed, careful not to disturb my snoring husband (who seemed to be having his own sleep issues last night from the discussions he was having with himself) and made my way down the darkened hall to my moonlit office. It was wonderful to see the results of the nearly three foot dump of snow we'd received yesterday. By the late afternoon the clouds disappeared revealing a wonderfully orange sunset, but at this early hour of the morning the big bright moon overhead left a light over the woods around our home like something akin to a fairy land. So I sat in the darkness, lit only by my computer, looking out over the magic below and felt even wider awake, but somehow more at ease and in sharper focus.</span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURZXBxOC7nnT83ewJ5_hg_mNTw3IXeXTsEnM1wfQo4y2vmujprRmSuX0j-_-0z-oKCupVp6YZDugT_WxTnym6bI44gFLCGwxRD0pGsIwvfPCJQJtbSFkbUG5YaMu6IbU-ZY2LeBttufI/s320/IMG_0435.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436284071700761202" /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Bleary eyes cleaned away, I was ready to sit down and spill the last several hours of hard thinking out on the electronic page. And I did. In the next hour I had written ten full and thick pages (nothing polished or beautiful, but complete).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I returned to bed happy and satisfied as if I'd just finished Thanksgiving dinner and slept like a baby until 9 this morning. Murdoch's character Moy has a period of time every morning (she calls it her white time), where after dressing she lies on her bed for half an hour and stares at the ceiling preparing for the day. I have a feeling that this was probably Murdoch's habit as well (though we will probably never know). I think hours spent simply planning and thinking about things are the most important habit a writer can get into, besides writing obviously. The more I've planned the fuller and thicker the pages are, the more confident I am that I am doing the right things for the progression of my characters and the story. When writing works it is the best feeling in the world, but when it doesn't it is a misery. Those miserable times for me come from the fear of not knowing where I'm going. Maybe insomnia is just a part of being a well planned writer. J.A.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>J.A. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612067503890523499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-74705555616156696242010-02-04T15:39:00.004-05:002010-02-04T15:56:28.287-05:00Flesh to the Bones<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /> Spent most of today fleshing out characters and working on 'world creation.' This is a funny phrase that was apparently developed by Scifi circles in the '70s, but in my opinion should really be applicable to any sort of fiction writing. I'm working on one word this week: CRAFT. My writing technique will be ever evolving; it can only happen naturally, but something I can work on in a tangible way is my technique for developing ideas into worlds and characters that people will want to read about. I've just about finished Mayer now (though I will keep going back to some of his prompts), but re-read a section today to remind myself that the reason I should be writing (if I want to be published) is so that someone will want to read/buy it some day. With that in mind, I'm looking back over some older work along with the new stuff in hopes of improvement and focus.<br /><br /> I'm also working on a new short story that started yesterday, pretty much out of the blue. It centers around people in my community (ie writing what I know) and a group of people that I am at once connected to and intrigued by in ways that confuse me.<br /> <br /> Otherwise, I'm also looking into joining some local writing circles, because so many people seem to suggest that this is a good way to work through problems at an early stage and to figure out which ideas are strong enough to get off the ground. I hate the idea of sharing things before they are finished; I won't even show my work to my own husband. Perhaps, it would be a good step forward to show strangers first. I have to stay confident in what I'm doing or I'll fall into despair and I'm afraid that criticism at this point won't do me any good. Thoughts, suggestions, good will would all be appreciated at this point. J.A.<br /></span></span>J.A. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612067503890523499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-153679610773669772010-01-28T17:16:00.006-05:002010-02-22T15:54:54.991-05:00Sad About Salinger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbPZEXonbuHsoys6oabL5m3qQGosHhLXEtCIqLJ-_izdUHaApprHaFeC-ognm7DaYZ6EO_6ucSaoReiqX1aBirjX3WN3drGPrbMpNV_O9cybTFx4AdktNApQburYn_17Dil7hDSu2p28/s1600-h/salinger.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbPZEXonbuHsoys6oabL5m3qQGosHhLXEtCIqLJ-_izdUHaApprHaFeC-ognm7DaYZ6EO_6ucSaoReiqX1aBirjX3WN3drGPrbMpNV_O9cybTFx4AdktNApQburYn_17Dil7hDSu2p28/s320/salinger.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436282093120071026" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I've just heard about </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/books/29salinger.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">the death of J.D. Salinger</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. </span><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Franny-Zooey-J-D-Salinger/dp/0316769029/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264717159&sr=8-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Frannie and Zooey</span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> is one of the reasons I continue to strive towards becoming this thing we call a writer (I was actually thinking about writing a comment on it yesterday, about the time that he passed away). I can only say that his genius will be sadly missed but will live on in the immortality of his words on the page. Very sad news. Very sad day. Must worker harder to deserve what he has given us. J.A. </span></div>J.A. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612067503890523499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-61675178908499943332010-01-26T10:52:00.004-05:002010-01-26T11:15:06.402-05:00Working Is A Good Thing<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well, Folks. When I promised to finish something I guess I lied (wait did I ever really promise anyone anything?). So far, I've kept to my goal and finished at least 1,000 words a day. Some days have been much much better. The goal to finish something remains, but for now I'll continue to settle for production.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've done a terrible thing and started something new, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">again</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. I had a flash of overwhelming creation at the gym, while mindlessly chugging away on the elliptical. It was so visual and strong that the second I got to the car I took out my voice recorder and started describing images as quickly as possible (I always do my best work at the gym or in the shower). It has been over a week now and it's still going strong. I can't get away from the obsessional phase of writing. I love new ideas so much that I allow them to consume me and to become my only focus. What's more, I've switched into a genre that I've never tried before and worry that my idea is perhaps cliche. In the interest of growth, I'm allowing myself to explore this to its end (wherever that may be), but at some point I'm going to need to talk to someone or read something that either confirms or denies my suspicions. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Novel-Writer%C2%92s-Toolkit-Bob-Mayer/dp/1582973202/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263498323&sr=8-1">Mayer</a>, who actually writes very nearly in this new genre, says that there are never cliches only formulas and that simply by writing from your voice and prospective you will never duplicate someone else's work, even if you are influenced by it. He's a strong proponent of formulaic writing, which I am not. It </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">is</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> fun though, a bit like '</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">choose your own adventure'</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, where you fill in the details. I'm going to let it run it's course and see where it leads, though I may just be spinning my wheels in self-gratifying writing. J.A.</span></div>J.A. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612067503890523499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-63102881016522808792010-01-21T16:44:00.006-05:002010-01-21T17:01:51.444-05:00Finish Something, Already!<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">Over the last several days I've been writing vigorously on many different projects, though have yet to be able to finish the one I started to focus on last week. Message to self: MUST FINISH SOMETHING! Still the fact that I've been consistently producing anything is a good sign. Writer's block in never fun and as long as the words keep coming, it somehow all seems worthwhile.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"> It has made me wonder why I'm so shy about showing my work to others, especially my husband. That fear of criticism or maybe more plainly rejection is probably what is holding me back from finishing anything in a meaningful way. Editing is a long process, I know that. You can't ever expect to write something that others are meant to read without receiving a healthy dose of alteration and amendment. I just don't know if I'm ready to share all this stuff yet or whether maybe it should remain mine.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> Books are like babies in a way; every mother sees her child's flaws, but god forbid anyone should point them out. I feel that way about it at least. Right now, when my ideas are being put to page, all I want is to survive the birthing process, but the hardest part seems to be letting go of the product. I can't seem to get it all out of me for fear that it will fly away. Criticism is just that: critical and to allow someone else, especially someone I value to view the worlds into which I retreat is scary and difficult. Maybe strangers is a better way to go. At least it won't so that detrimental to my family life. J.A.</span><br /></span></span>J.A. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612067503890523499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-70155242562817879892010-01-14T14:38:00.007-05:002010-01-17T13:13:41.192-05:00Murdoch & Harpers<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yesterday was a solid start, not great, but solid. I've been reading a book on writing by an ex-Green Beret called </span></span><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Novel-Writer%C2%92s-Toolkit-Bob-Mayer/dp/1582973202/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263498323&sr=8-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Novel Writer's Tool Kit</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He suggests that one of the main secrets of successful writers is constant reading and analysis of other novels. Though I'm not only interested in novel writing, it is something I'm working on so I say great! I love reading and I've spent the last decade lost in critical analysis, so here we go.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Today, I'm reading two wondrous tomes of literature: Iris Murdoch's </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Green-Knight-Iris-Murdoch/dp/0140243372/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263498261&sr=8-5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Green Knight</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and <a href="http://www.harpers.org/">Harper's Magazine</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Laymen may wonder why I hold Harper's in such esteem, well to put it bluntly, they are one of the few remaining American magazines that regularly pay for works of fiction. So their Reading section is one of the places I'm going to send my work (someday). I say aim high or don't bother bringing your gun to town, so it's important to size up the competition. Harper's won't be the only place I'll try, of course, but they're one of the big names that some regular people actually read.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My other favorite that I'm dishing about today, is Iris Murdoch:</span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGX1eyMlpC-ArdwIzSf6JE0MwQVV4wEdMfJgzpxxWyRgaHSbHhZW8n8pvFGz93A-2IHkstaTXP-SrFBbVhQQP2CcaJ2soo6N0DBrHJp1oQ4PmV5BQI2bJJkbcTjuUaWkxAM-0HzhHkYw/s200/iris-murdoch-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426689818276453362" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Like me, Murdoch spent the greater part of her formative years at Oxford and met her husband there, as did I (Sylvia Plath did the same at Cambridge, but that's a story for another day). So, on New Year's Day I started reading <i>The Green Knight</i> for the first time and I'm blown away by the twists and turns in plot. More than anything, Murdoch demonstrates an amazing ability to juggle an unbelievably expansive cast of characters, popping them in and out of scenes with a mastery and complete understanding that I personally find impossible. At present (the point where my bookmark is currently seated), she has brought forth twelve </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">main</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> characters (including a collie), who all have interwoven backstories and complicated mannerisms. This does not even include all the minor characters that I am sure will be coming to the fore soon. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What I find most impressive is that none of these terribly complex individuals would be distinct without the use of impressions from the other characters. In short, it is not clear who the main character is or even which of the characters is the intended protagonist (for they are all so faulty that I don't really want to delve too far into any of them). Normally, this would make me want to stop reading, for surely there should always be at least one character that you side with, but the interactions are all so wonderfully interesting that I'm afraid I find it hard to put down.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In <i>Tool Kit</i>, Mayer writes that there is always one scene or image that was the origin of a story and as a writer you should try to track that key moment of inspiration down. I can only assume that Murdoch's first image was either of two boys playing a game affectionately referred to as 'Dogs' or of a small ugly man trying to beat a lovely looking man to death with a baseball bat. Either way, the story that evolves from these two incidents (both of which are only related either in passing or flash back) is heartbreaking and confusing, but entirely compelling. I take away from it a need to find a purpose for my writing; a message that is unexpected by the reader. Murdoch shows that it is not simply plot or characters that drive a story, but a skillful combination of the two. Otherwise, you are left with a shell of a novel and let's face it no one wants to read fluff all the time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>On another note, I finished 1,500 words today and have almost moved on to the editing phase of a short story I started over Christmas in England. I'm at a crossroads, however, in that too much of the story is taken from real life and I'm not sure the characterizations will be favorably received.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So what do you think? Should I do the smart thing and mask my characters a bit better or should I stick by the original idea? Maybe a bit of both? As always tips, feedback and suggestions are very welcome. J.A. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>J.A. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16612067503890523499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-56501038468300266392010-01-13T10:01:00.005-05:002010-01-13T11:13:31.649-05:00The Goal: One Year To Follow A Dream<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hello Ladies and Gents,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>After a solid year of unemployment, I'm allowing myself <b>1 year and 1 year only</b>, to follow my dream and become a real writer.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For years I've toiled away in silence, writing for me, myself and I, but no more!</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The goal is by year's end to have published something, anything, anywhere for pay.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Even if it is for a tuppence, I will be published or I will throw in the towel and take a job at First Data (like my mother has suggested).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Each day, I will write at least <b>1,000 words</b> and begin to send out submissions to magazines, newspapers, literary agents, etc. until someone hears my call. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Most people might find this daunting or extreme, but after four years in college, three years in graduate school and two years of attempting to get by on pitiful excuses for academic employment, I now find myself a year into what looks to be a lifetime of unemployment so I figured what's the harm in trying to get paid for something I love. I won't post my writings on here (that somehow feels a step too egocentric), but I will chart my journey of success or failure for you each day (or so). By the end, if nothing else I will have a how to manual for how not to get published. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In the meantime, I am very happy to hear from any of you who might have thoughts or suggestions for my journey to publication. I'll be doing a lot of research into the business of writing (something I know very little about) and will feed that back through if I find anything helpful or interesting. Till then, I'm off to writing land for the day! J.A.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-87816994561123409122009-06-19T16:57:00.002-04:002009-06-19T17:10:44.448-04:00Long Ago and Far Away So, following my post below many things have changed for us. I am not thrilled with any of them, but I am presently dealing as I wait for things to clear themselves up (before I have to step in with a big stick). <div> Following our make it or break it day on the last house, we never received any word what-so-ever from the bank who was currently holding the property. As a result, we looked at new houses and actually found a place we really liked. As a pressure move, we went ahead and put an offer in on the new house and it was accepted. We went to release our offer on the old house and were then told by the real estate agent that the bank had long ago decided never to move on our offer and were instead always planning to hold on to the property until the market was more favorable. We waited over two months for them to make a decision and they never said one word about not selling to us.</div><div> We happily moved onto our new house and more trouble. When filling out our offer, our agents had told us that we could easily close in 10-15 days. I thought that sounded great! However, when I told my father about this he hit the roof. We went immediately the next morning to speak with the loan officer at the bank who had pre-approved us and she told us that my father was correct that it would take between 45-60 days to complete the mortgage process...Grrr #1. So we begrudgingly agreed against our better judgement to go ahead with this mortgage company and asked the sellers to give us an extension on the closing date, which they did immediately. With that settled we started the long and seemingly unending process of providing the mortgage company with paperwork. Well 55 days later and we still do not have our house yet and worse yet our killer rate and 0 points have expired. We are now looking at a much higher rate and 1.25 points, which is nothing close to what we agreed. I feel like killing someone, but our bank is acting with a secondary mortgage provider who seems to be causing all the trouble. We have had to arrange a second extension from the sellers on the closing date and are waiting to hear whether the 2ndary mortgage company is going to allow us to keep our old rate (still making us pay the points and adding on a $1800 fee). I am most angry about the fact that we have done everything right and have always had paperwork to the mortgage provider on the same day it was requested. We are not the ones who caused this to take so long...IE They are just pushing this out as long as possible in order that our rate will expire and as of tomorrow it does. </div><div> This shouldn't be legal, but I can't find anyone anywhere to say that we have any way to prove that they have done anything wrong....I hate this process and may never move again once it is done!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-2952362778474355342009-04-21T10:39:00.003-04:002009-04-21T10:46:07.439-04:00The Big Day! I've spent the last few days stuck in writing land, which has been wonderful. I've started working on a new serial and am coming up with new ideas for an older short story I've been working on for awhile. So, all and all quite productive. <div> It was certainly better than the four hours I spent job hunting yesterday. With so many private schools in the DC area you would think that at least one of them would be hiring a new history teacher for the fall. What I'm finding is that maybe this private school thing is not as easy as I first thought. Though everyone working at these schools already are less qualified than I am, I guess they have some special avenue through the prep school gates that I don't. My sister went to private school and it seems that unless you went there or somewhere similar they just won't hire you. I think that is sad and incestuous, but as an outsider I don't think there is much I can do to change the situation.</div><div> On to some good news....We should have a decision on our house offer by 5:00 today (I was really hoping it would be earlier). I am very ready to be on my own again (well Chris will be coming too). I'll keep you updated as things transpire.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-61892608635742183522009-04-17T13:58:00.002-04:002009-04-17T14:01:52.172-04:00Good News (Finally) !! I just got off the phone with my real estate agent and things are looking good for our house purchase finally. The banks will have an agreement to us by Tuesday and assuming that goes well, we should be able to move in twenty days later. <div> We are hedging our bets though and have decided to go ahead with looking at new properties tomorrow. No doubt we will find something that we like even better for even cheaper and then be stuck with a really hard decision. </div><div> I can't wait for all of this to be over.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6346586717511440260.post-82401178947541925732009-04-17T11:34:00.004-04:002009-04-17T11:46:38.235-04:00A light at the end of the tunnel?<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Started my day with a call to England. I've decided that there is no way I can bake and decorate my sister-in-laws wedding cake in the day and a half I will have after arrival. With some quick thinking I called up the little Mill Bakery in Swanton Morley (who created such a wonderful cake for my own wedding) to beg and plead for a special favor. I want a wedding cake with no icing, and no stacking, and well nothing really but cake (and they talked me into filling as well). <div> After that, I had my first teaching related interview today. After dressing up in my new interviewin' suit I walked up to the steps of my local community college and offered a very kind and understanding man from the History department my CV. Though we only spoke for about 15 mins I got a good feeling about how things went. Too bad I won't hear back until July about whether they will need a new History professor or not. Still, it was nice to finally have someone respond well to my background. I've vowed to become more aggressive with the search, but I'm not really an aggressive person. I like to sit back and see where things will take me, steering myself to the right choice as I go. These tactics are clearly getting me no where.<div> The last thing I have to do to day is call my real estate agent, who is taking us to see more houses on Saturday. After our last offer went into short sale (over three months ago), we are just about giving up on it. We can't keep living under my parents' roof. This was only supposed to last for three months and now we are working on seven. I can't believe the mess the housing market is in. We are offering almost 50% down on this house and secured a mortgage for the rest long ago. The seller's bank won't even take our money, they would rather hold onto a house that no one has lived in for over a year. It is crazy!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0