Professional

My thoughts on the craft and profession of writing

Writing Status for November

by Cindy Rae

Writing Skill Development Takes Precedence

I’m not pushing to complete any of my works in progress at this point.  Instead, I’ve switched gears to improving my writing skills.  This involves incorporating feedback (thank you, Absolute Write Forums!) back into my stories and improving the way emotions are conveyed in my stories.  I’m using not only my works in progress but also snippets from my writing journal.   Stay posted for more before and after examples!

Being a Plotter

Entire arguments exist on the web about writing a book by the seat of your pants (pantsters) and writing by planning the structure in advance (plotter).  What I’ve found is that capturing my dreams and ideas is great as a pantster, but to write well I need to be a plotter.

So, my major ideas are now organized into a MS Word table identifying concept, premise, and M.I.C.E. quotient.  A few of these I’ve developed with a synopsis as well as major setup, conflict, climax, and resolution.  One or two now have heavily developed character charts.

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Developing Writing Skills

by Cindy Rae

Spend a chunk of your time as a writer developing your writing skills.

An author gave that advice in one of the writing podcasts I listened to recently.  I’ve taken this advice to heart, allocating time and researching how to hone my skills (thank you, Writer’s Digest).

So, this month, I’m going to spend some time on word choice, sentence structure, and setting.  As usual, I’ll continue writing in the journal, writing for social media, and fitting in some work on completing some works in progress.

Poetry Warning: Desolate Landscape

by Cindy Rae

When the sad and lonely sky reverses itself

In a dry and dusty land where the brine pools

And dries before it touches the ground

One turns away from pitiful attempts

To build a bridge across the chasm

To deny the want the desire the purpose

All the while the struggle to surrender twins of anger and resentment

Repeats over and over like an unsteady drum

Eyes are opened wide by a greater hand

And one can no longer hide a head in the sand.

Writing Status: S&P Progress

by Cindy Rae

The first part, of three parts, of my novel about Sifa and Peter, is shaping up nicely.  I feel like the section now builds the characters and builds up tensions for the upcoming conflicts in a decent way.  I’m still struggling a bit with Laura’s story — how much to reveal about her personal tragedy in the first part.  How much allusion versus specific detail should be included?  How much should I unravel, or unveil, about her problems?  After all, her story is not as prominent as Sifa’s, or Peter’s.

I may have finally found someone to review Peter’s work scene, someone who knows of the profession Peter has in the book.  We’ll see!

Writing Status: Journal and S&P Revisions

by Cindy Rae

I’ve spent more time in my journal than anything else this month.  I’m just thankful to be writing something, and the journal has been valuable in a number of ways.

I’ve also tried a few self-assigned writing exercises, and I’m still eyeing the outline of S&P on my desk.  I’d like to get the calendar of events in the novel straightened out.

It’s been fun editing for the whole participle phrase thing.  Now, in addition to writing at least three more scenes, I’d like to expand my current dialogue with more action in light of this advice.

That’s probably enough work for the next month, although I’d love to fit in some scene overhauls and consider making some scenes more emotional with different word choices.

 

Childhood Sun, Sea, and Wind

by Cindy Rae

Take either the short ferry from Port A. and drive down Mustang Island, or cross the Intracoastal Waterway from Corpus.  Take Park Road 22 south down Padre Island, passing by beachfront parks and condos and Bob Hall Pier.  Keep going until buildings disappear and sandy flat vegetation stretches out on either side.  Keep going as the road ribbons onward.  Keep going to the entrance to a little known national park, Padre Island National Seashore.

2016 Poker Run at Bird Island Basin

2016 Poker Run at Bird Island Basin

Pay your entrance fee, and keep a sharp watch out for the first turn westward, away from the Gulf and the pounding surf.  A short drive, a cluster of cars, then  you see colorful sails dancing like butterflies across the water.  The sailboard rigs fill the water as they skim, race, flutter, flip, and tip.

Welcome to one of the best windsurfing spots in the world: Bird Island Basin.

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