Things I've Learned and #writemotivation Update

I've learned several things in my life, most of them from Star Trek, Star Wars, and other scifi genres, not to mention fantasy, etc....etc...ok, yeah, I'm a geek/nerd (or whatever you might want to call it). Anyway, I'm talking about recent things (writing things, life things, miscellaneous things...ALL THE THINGS!).

Here are some of the things I've learned:

1. Blogging is a good way to get ideas out of my head and just have fun with random things
2. Being active in the Tweet-verse is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I have met some really amazing people who have been really encouraging with my writing. It's a curse because I keep connecting with all these awesome people who are also awesome writers and I don't have time to read ALL THE THINGS!
3. Setting random blog locations is fun and silly, but sometimes results in some weird traffic sources. I have since learned to never set any of my locations in Russia. My number one referral site at the moment is a children's furniture site in Russia. Why? I have no clue. And yes, every blog is a different location. Have fun. :D
4. The #writemotivation movement is awesome and really helpful in developing your obsession with writing.
5. Plotting the end of a book can be very scary and amazing at the same time.
6. If you write everyday, you can accomplish a lot.
7. I can write and people enjoy it.

Now for my #writemotivation goal check in.

1. Blog once a week: Check
2. Finish WIP#1 by the end of May: Um...may not make it unless I have a super productive streak, but still possible
3. Cheer on my #writemotivation tweeps: YES!

Finally, I have found my mascot. He needs a name. I'm up for suggestions. Yes, it is a stuffed tarantula wearing a Robin Hood hat.

'Till next time.

Poetic Definitions with Patterns

One of the things we do in class is write through imitation. I've mentioned this in other blog posts, so I won't bore you with the details. Needless to say, today's blog post is another one of those writing projects.  In this case, we had to analyse "af • ter • glow" by A. Van Jordan.  The design of the poem is that of a dictionary definition.  I would include it, but I don't want to infringe on any copyrights. If you find a copy, you can read it. If you really look at what he's doing, it is quiet elegant. Lots of patterns using opposites.  So, our assignment was to write our own poem, using the same techniques and patterns that he did (i.e. write a poem definition of something an use lots of opposites with some sound repetitions). So, that's what I did.

I used to have the poem on here, but apparently, it was picked in a literary journal for my local Community college. As such, I am deleting the poem.

'Till next time.

Attack of the Rabid Plot Bunnies

So, I've fallen in with a bad crowd. In addition to convincing me to forsake my responsibilities as husband, father, and a contributing member of society, they have also been really encouraging me to write...every day...This is a new thing for me as I have NEVER written everyday for any length of time. Ever. Even when I was writing my angst filled poetry of my teenage years, I never written every day. So, it was with some trepidation that I signed up with this group.

They weren't a bad sort. I'd met a few in person at a local writer's group started by the beautiful and talented Tessa Gratton and Natalie Parker. About 20 of us descended on quiet bar, in a nice hotel, and hung out for a couple hours.  Names, email addresses, story ideas, and twitter addresses were swapped. Having never "tweeted" before in my life, I decided to try it out. This was my first tweet. I think it was funny.

Anyway, I loaded up my follow list with all of the people that I had met or had attended that first meeting. I started watching and learning (which is the best way to start). I started seeing the hashtag #writemotivation. Two of the people from the writing group seemed to be using it a lot. I checked it out. If you are a writer, so should you. It's a great idea. The idea is that you make goals and then try to keep up with them. Your twitter-friends and such help you, encourage you, and say pithy things to cheer you up. It's a win-win situation in my book.

So, what does this have to do with "rabid plot bunnies"? Well, two of the #writemotivation people (KT Hanna and Becca C.) started encouraging me to write more. I started off slow with a whopping 150 words one night. That was a week and a half ago. Yesterday, I wrote 1600 words. Tonight? Who knows. I hope to finish with Chapter 2 of my Work in Progress #1, but it may end up being tomorrow (I have homework to do for my Creative Writing class that I'm taking).

So, here is where the "plot bunnies" come in. I woke up yesterday and was hit with a really awesome scene that had NOTHING to do with what I had been writing up until that point. Naturally, I freaked. I got on twitter and made a plea for help. Luckily, my friends were there to calm me down and give me this advice: "Take a day and write it down. Then go back to your original story." Over lunch that day, I wrote it, all 600+ words of it. I had slain the evil plot bunny. That night I was able to go back and continue on Chapter 2 of my first WIP. Since my scene was so awesome (to me!), I listed it as my WIP #2.

So, if you are writing an awesome story and something unrelated shows up, don't panic. Write it down or it will bite you with its big, nasty teeth.

'Till next time.

P.S. You can follow me on Twitter. There is also a link somewhere on the right side of the page. Also, check out my link to the #writemotivation movement.