Mar 19
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Thursday, March 19, 2009 in
WritingLast night was the first time in our writing course. It was ok, quite fun, though not like the last one. I had worried a lot about the first exercise, but I shouldn’t have. (We were supposed to bring a printout from a book that had influenced us in some way. I’ve been reading since I was three and writing for almost that long, so practically everything I’ve read has influenced me.) That went ok too.
What wasn’t quite as much fun was the fact that out of a possible fifteen people (from the last course), only six had signed up and just four actually came. We don’t know what happened to the other two. Oh, well, I never expect much from this town.
Our efforts to start a writer’s group have failed. Only one person outside our family had shown any interest. No one has the time, or the inclination to join a writer’s group. :/
Mar 4
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Wednesday, March 4, 2009 in
WritingThis is the book, the one with two of my stories and one of my poems:
The Book
Mar 1
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Sunday, March 1, 2009 in
WritingLast night I actually had a pretty detailed and clear dream. In that dream, I had the idea that I should edit the book I’m going to submit to a publisher this spring. The first chapter might hook the reader a bit more than it does in its present form, so I’ll try to think of something more exciting. Maybe that will help. In any case, I want to make the book as good as it can be.
Feb 3
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Tuesday, February 3, 2009 in
WritingMost people probably have some guilty secrets. I know I do. Most of my readers and friends know that I write fan fiction and slash. At times, when I’m really depressed and need cheering up, I also write (shame on me) real people slash! Of course, I’d never in a million years post anything in public. At least not about anyone who hasn’t been dead for a couple of hundred years.
(I also fall pathetically, ridiculously and meaninglessly in love with hot celebrity guys. Sh. Don’t tell anyone, please. LOL)
So, what about you guys? Share your guilty secrets with me! I dare you!
Jan 30
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Friday, January 30, 2009 in
WritingOver the years, I’ve had literally thousands of readers, but of those, practically no one leaves a comment. Out of those few, some have given me very positive feedback. The question is, why don’t more people comment? Lately, I’ve come to the conclusion that most people don’t like my writing. Another reason might be that they feel that the stories I write are too long. Some might like my stories, but are too lazy or not care enough to comment. But even if those are contributing factors, the fact remains, my writing doesn’t appeal to that many people.
It’s discouraging, because I don’t just write this way because I can’t do any better, though maybe that’s part of the truth, I have to face that possiblity, but I actually like these stories. It’s the sort of thing I Iike to read. I’d read more of similar writing if it was available – and in some cases it is. The books I buy are often unknown to the general public, though I like relatively ‘mainstream’ genres and subgenres – mysteries, thrillers, fantasy, historic novels.
There isn’t much I can do about the popularity of my stories. I know one thing though: I’ll keep writing what I like to read. If no one else likes it, fine. I can live with that. After all, I’ve never expected more. Hoped, but never expected.
Jan 20
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Tuesday, January 20, 2009 in
WritingSince I write historic stories, I began to wonder where you draw the line. What is a historic story? When it comes to fan fiction, I suppose it depends on in what era the fandom is set, but the question remains. What point in time, can be referred to as historic?
I guess there are different ways of looking at it. It probably depends on how old you are. An example: some years ago the tv series American Dreams, set in the 1960’s, was on here in Sweden. I tried to persuade my mother to watch it too. She said no. But, I insisted, it’s historic. No, it isn’t, she said.
In my own writing I’ve decided to treat a story set in the 1980’s as historic, whereas one set in the 1990’s isn’t. Some years from now, that might change, but at the moment, that’s my division. I have memories from the 1980’s, but I still say that’s historic. It’s so long ago.
Do you agree? What is your definition of a historic story (tv series, movie etc)?
Dec 30
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Tuesday, December 30, 2008 in
WritingI finally managed to finish an original story. If I could only write every day (or rather night) I’d feel a lot better. I only wish I’d get round to finishing my novel. Why is it so hard? I suppose I’m afraid I’ll ruin what I’ve already written. All I need is a sort of start. A couple of sentences to set the right mood. Usually I manage to think of something much sooner. I’m afraid that if I don’t get it finished soon, it will never happen. It’s just going to be pointless.
Dec 19
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Friday, December 19, 2008 in
WritingThis is nothing new, I know, but I think it’s quite interesting that dreams can be inspiration for fiction.
In my case, it’s happened a couple of times already. Once, it was a horrible nightmare (which might not sound quite as horrible if I recounted it), that turned into a short horror story (which is extremely rare for me – normally, I neither read nor write horror).
In fact, thinking back, I think most of my ideas based on dreams, have been horror or at least scary. One reason might be that those dreams stand out, which makes me remember them.
On the other hand, I once had what was (at least when I woke up) nothing more than a scene, but that one scene turned into a fantasy story. I can still remember how it felt to be ‘there’ – where I witnessed the scene. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to work all that into the story, but I was quite happy about it anyway.
Nov 28
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Friday, November 28, 2008 in
WritingLast night I went to the last meeting of our writing course. It was a lot of fun, but I feel kind of sad too, that it’s the last time. We had such a great time together. Up until the afternoon of that day, I wasn’t even sure I was going to go, because I haven’t been well lately, and especially I’ve been feeling down. I’m glad I went though, because it was such a success. This came exactly at the right time, because for a while now, things have been really rough.
I really wish we could do something to keep on meeting and discussing our writing. There will be another course, of a kind, next semester, but it won’t be the same, because our ‘teacher’ – the writer – won’t be there. It’s someone else, who’s studying creative writing and that will be a completely different course. Even so, I’m considering going. Maybe some of the others will too.
Last night, we even got to do a little improvisation, led by a drama teacher who’s been taking this course too. We even discussed doing a drama course, but I’m not sure that was meant seriously. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, actually, so if we did it, I’d probably enjoy it.
Nov 18
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Tuesday, November 18, 2008 in
WritingThe books have been found. Finally! As of yesterday, we have our own copies, well, sort of…
Mom had promised to get a copy for a friend of hers and since she only gets to meet her about once a year these days and that one time is today, we had to give her one of ours, but basically this is it. The first time we get to read our own stories (and a couple of poems) in print.
Strangely enough, it doesn’t feel very magical. Maybe it hasn’t sunk in yet, or maybe it will take more to get that kind of reaction. Like an entire book written by me. That might happen some day. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. 🙂
Writing for the minority
Over the years, I’ve had literally thousands of readers, but of those, practically no one leaves a comment. Out of those few, some have given me very positive feedback. The question is, why don’t more people comment? Lately, I’ve come to the conclusion that most people don’t like my writing. Another reason might be that they feel that the stories I write are too long. Some might like my stories, but are too lazy or not care enough to comment. But even if those are contributing factors, the fact remains, my writing doesn’t appeal to that many people.
It’s discouraging, because I don’t just write this way because I can’t do any better, though maybe that’s part of the truth, I have to face that possiblity, but I actually like these stories. It’s the sort of thing I Iike to read. I’d read more of similar writing if it was available – and in some cases it is. The books I buy are often unknown to the general public, though I like relatively ‘mainstream’ genres and subgenres – mysteries, thrillers, fantasy, historic novels.
There isn’t much I can do about the popularity of my stories. I know one thing though: I’ll keep writing what I like to read. If no one else likes it, fine. I can live with that. After all, I’ve never expected more. Hoped, but never expected.