Tag: writing process
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Recipe for a Work of Art
I was going through my old journals and I found this. It was written in June of 2001, by a then seventeen year old me. I took the liberty of editing some of it simply because it was a bit bloated. A Recipe for a Work of Art Ingredients: First and last parts inspiration Enumerable…
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In Honor of Hidden Work
Earlier this week I reached my year goal to write 240,000 words. That is no mean feat; it’s the equivalent of four, 60,000 word novels. But where had all my words gone? I certainly didn’t write four novels. I did write short stories, and the first draft and half of a second draft of a novella.…
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What’s it like there outside, with the living?
Just a song for one of my characters. “The Living” by Natalie Merchant
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The Short Fiction Writer’s Dilemma
Me: *writes 1000 word first chapter* Me: Are you sure about that? First Chapter: Yes. Me: Are you sure you don’t need more words or something? First Chapter: I’m sure. Me: Are you sure? I mean really, really sure? First Chapter: YES! [pause] Me: Really, really, really sure? First Chapter: *sighs*
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Goal Oriented versus Task Oriented
In a couple of writing workshops I’ve attended, writers were encouraged to think of goals for each character, ie, a challenge or problem the character had to overcome which would signify change in the character. This is all fine and dandy, and seems to work for some people. The problem I always had that I…
J. S. Kuiken 