Falling in Love with your Characters and #writemotivation Update

So, I am now 23,000 words into "Stone Of Unity" (a.k.a WIP#1) and I am starting to experience a phenomena that a lot of writers experience. What I'm talking about is developing an emotional connection with my characters. Like I said, it isn't a unique experience. J.K. Rowling mentions becoming emotionally distraught over the death of Sirius Black. At the time, I thought it was an odd "author thing". I mean, I've felt sad when a character dies (in the case of Harry Potter, it was Dobby), but really the thought of getting completely distraught over a character just sounded weird. Well, I don't find it so weird any more. While I was lying awake in bed one night, I had a brilliant flash of inspiration on WIP#1. As soon I thought it, I started getting really upset. Then it hit me. I was emotionally connecting with my characters. I really didn't want to have one of my good guys betray someone that trusted them wholeheartedly. I know it sounds weird and neurotic, but it is true. I'm mad at one of my characters now. I don't want to write the chapter (which I am now currently doing). I don't want to hurt this innocent, trusting person, but I know it will make the story better. I know, it's weird, but true. If I could stop, I would, but I can't. I've hit that point with writing where it is my preferred activity. It trumps computer games, TV, and even reading at times. Yes, it is weird. I blame all my #writemotivation friends. They are evil and are contributing to my writing obsession.

Speaking of #writemotivation...Goal update!

1. Finish Chapter 4 of WIP #1 and start on Chapter 5: Yeah, blew this one out of the water.
2. Blog at least once a week: Yup and sometimes twice!
3. Write at least 30 minutes every day (more is better!): Stumbled a couple times with this, but even when I didn't get actual writing done, I was still working on writerly stuff. I give myself a 98%
4. Cheer on everyone else!: Yup! Love this part!
5. Do my best to not get distracted by WIP #2 as it is insidious and evil.: Nope, still quiet, had some other ideas floating around, but nothing big enough to distract me.

Well, that's all I have for today.

'Till next time.

Poetic Forms and #writemotivation update

This week is spring break, so I won't be attending class.  It's funny, but when I was in college the first time, I couldn't wait for spring break.  Now that I am in this creative writing class, I can't wait for spring break to get over. Partially, I want to see my teacher's comments on one of my assignments.  If they are good, which I expect them to be (he's liked most of what I have done so far), I plan on using it as a basis for my final short story project.  I'm also partially wanting to get back to class.  Its been fun and I want to take more classes like this.

One of the assignments that I need to get done before the next class is to create my own form (poetic or prose).  From what he showed us from last year, they can get pretty crazy.  There were all theoretically possible to do.  I've got a couple weird ones that I am probably going to turn in...and yes, I will share them here...now.

Piece of Pie Form (Poetic form)

1. The poem must be 6 lines long
2. Must be in this form:
• 1st line: 3 words
• 2nd line: 1 word
• 3rd line: 4 words
• 4th line: 1 word
• 5th line: 5 words
• 6th line: 9 words
3. There can be no repeated rhythms, phrases, or rhyming.
4. Optional challenge: Don't repeat a word in consecutive lines

Towel Form (Poetic form)

1. Poem must be 42 lines long
2. First line must be 4 words, 2nd line: 2 words.  Alternate the 4 words/2 words pattern until the end
3. The last 3 words of the poem must be "Infinity Improbability Drive"
4. The poem cannot make reference to any book by Douglas Adams (excepting the last 3 words)
5. Optional challenge: Every 4 word line must rhyme, Every 2 word line must rhyme
6. Optional challenge: Include the word "towel" 4 times and the word "mice" 2 times
7. Improbable Challenge: Multiply 9 x 6

Ok, #7 is a joke, but I had to add it.  These should be possible to write.  I will have some poems written in this form by the time classes resume (I hope!).

Now on to my #writemotivation update:

1. Finish ch. 4 and start ch. 5: Um, yeah. I'm up to ch. 8 now (need to revise my goal!)
2. Blog at least once a week: Yup!
3. Write 30 minutes every day: Done (and then some!). There were a couple days where I wasn't actually typing, but I did get some stuff plotted out and figured for WIP#1
4. Cheer on everyone else: Definitely! It's one of my favorite things!
5. Not get distracted by WIP#2: He's still lurking in there, but he's been really quiet so far. I think he's decided to be a good boy for the time being.

'Till next time!

Nerdalicious Alphabet Poem

I normally wait on posting my class homework until later, but one of my friends wanted to read this. I also need to post for my #writemotivation stuff (which I will add after the poem). Anyway, the assignment was to write an alphabet poem. I had no idea what I was going to write. Alphabet poems take some planning and I've been more focused on my WIP#1 than my school work. It wasn't until the phrase "All your base are belong to us" popped into my head that I realized that I had something. Then it was just a matter of coming up with the remain 26 letters and a title that summed it up. The first draft sounded pretty good until I got to the letter "K", then it started to get stinky. So, I put it away until a little bit ago when I think I figured it all out. It doesn't flow as well as other things I've written, but I'll just have to deal. If I push to much more on it, I'm afraid I'll get frustrated.

Here it is:
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Nerd-gasm (Iambicum Insaniae)

All your base are belong to us
Baseball cards and all that stuff
Comic books and Cons galore
Dynamic Duo across the floor
Electron microscope in hand
Fluorescent rotoscope expands
Gort! Klaatu barada nikto!
Hydrogen filled flotilla escapes
Impressive foam Godzilla’s fate
Japanese anime reigns supreme
Kings and queens and majestic knights
Live action role-playing tonight
Magic, the Gathering we all play
New rules for AD&D. Yeah!
One does not simply walk into Mordor, you see?
Plunder the ruins, slay the beast
Quickly someone call for pizza, please!
Requisite monetary donations feed
Succulent, savory tomato sauce and cheese
Tonight we’ll stay up till three!
Universal mayhem kills to fast
Victory within their grasp
Waiting for the dice to pass
XYKON RULES SUPREME!
Yells the DM commanding
Zzzzzzz…the players dream.
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As promised here is my #writemotivation update.

1. Write 30 minutes every day -- So far so good!
2. Blog once a week -- So far so good!
3. Cheer on my fellow #writemotivation buddies -- Definitely!
4. Finish ch. 4 of WIP#1 -- DONE!
5. Start and finish ch. 5 of WIP#1 -- Starting soon and I think I know what Ch. 6 is going to entail
6. Keep from getting distracted by WIP#2 -- It's been quiet so far, but I feel it lurking in there. It is still insidious and evil.

'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.