Vlog 6

Again just posting a vlog update.

Vlog 5

Again just posting a vlog update.

Vlog 4

Again just posting to link to my fourth vlog.

I'm just posting my third vlog episode.

I wish I had more time, but starting up the written blog will have to wait.

Second Vlog Episode

I'm just posting my second vlog episode.

I wish I had more time, but starting up the written blog will have to wait-

Vlogging

My first vlog and starting up the blog again

I've done a vlog update:

I plan to restart the blog. This time around I am finally tackling a novel, so no more short stories. I'll add some details later, but for now I just want to post the video, enjoy!

How busy

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 0 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 9/0.

How busy I have been. Each evening for four days straight I've thought, I really ought to update my blog, even if I have written nothing, but then I've just crawled into bed instead.

This week will be more of the same, but then next week does look like it will brighten a bit, or so I hope.

I have managed to read a few pages every now and then from The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss. I have borrowed the two first novels in the series from my brother-in-law and they will be due back at the library soon. I hope to finish the first one before I have to return them, but the second will have to wait. The novel is great so far: an easy and engaging read.

My writing has been put on standstill for the time being. So much so that my blog has even been neglected. I do hope that this is only a temporary hiatus and that soon the daily goals and blog updates will be met with time to spare, but this week at least looks very busy.

An idea for a story

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 0 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 8/0.

I got an idea for a story today. A good idea, I think, enough for a novel. The story itself is simple and has been done before - haven't they all - but the particulars are new and enticing enough to make me want to write it. So I assume people would want to read it.

I wrote the idea down, so I guess I could have written 100 words written today above, but I don't think it ought to count. The important thing is that I wrote it down. I wonder how many ideas like this have gone, because of my overevaluation of my memory. Do remember that ideas aren't worth anything. They are a dime a dozen. An idea that catches your attention and makes you want to write, however, is a valuable thing. Not because of some intrinsic value it has, that you could sell to a tv-network or anything like that, but because it might just make you turn of the tv and get you writing.

I'll flesh out the details and post the idea here, in some future instalment, if I still like it in a day or two.

First roleplaying session

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 0 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 8/0.

The first roleplaying session was today. Since it was our first session much of the evening went with finishing touches on characters and introduction, but we did manage to get into a fight or two and start on some plot. The group is friendly and the evening was nice. I look forward to the next session already.

Still in the roleplaying mood, I feel like reading some fantasy the rest of the evening. Writing will have to wait. Tomorrow looks busy, but who knows if I can't manage to write a few words before then.

The Name of the Wind

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 0 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 8/0.

I have missed two days, both writing and updating the blog. Days now are terribly, terribly busy. I feel defeated and beaten every evening when the chores are done, like I've been in a fight, and not one where I was the victor.

Things are looking good on the reading side of things, however. After a long, tough day reading seems to be the appealing option if I find an hour for myself. I am getting deeper into The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss. The novel is quite spellbinding. I particularily like the way Rothfuss has built the mythology of the setting and the way he tells it. There is a 'mythic method' to his storytelling that sets him apart, I think.

Tomorrow is the big day. The first of our roleplaying sessions. I hope I have more energy tomorrow. My character feels ready to try out, although I still need to finish a few details (I need to read the rules about initiative, as well as decide upon which feat to pick).

As far as writing goes the future looks grim indeed. My schedule is so busy I started writing out things to complain about, but soon realized I wouldn't have time and space to list it all here. I am at the point where I just have to hope for some kind of unexpected free time to pop up and find me with pen and paper in hand.

Writing asides

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 100 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 8/0.

I didn't touch my short story today. I got a little idea that I'd like to write up on another blog and I quickly got a hundred words down on paper. The short story is still waiting for a final editor's eye. It could really use it sooner rather than later, because I hope to post it for review somewhere and feedback might take some time. I can't attend to it, however, if I don't have an hour or so of free time to do it. I don't think the final edit, before I have a finished draft, is something to do during bathroom breaks.

The first session of the role playing game I meantioned some time ago is drawing near. I have had an hour of free time today, but instead of using it on the short story I used it on preparing my character. I'll play a barbarian who I based on Severian, from Gene Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun. I don't think I would have used the hour to edit, even if I didn't have to prepare for the game. I have just been so tired today it was either preparing the character or reading The Name of the Wind.

My brother-in-law is the one who recomended the book, and lent it to me. I haven't been to a university class for a long time. It will be nice to finally be able to discuss a novel with someone, after reading it, instead of boring one's wife with countless synopses in desperation.

I should head towards bed now, but I am not that sleepy yet - tired, sure, but not sleepy. I might take a look at the short story after I finish this update.

Reading a new novel

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 0 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 8/0.

I have had no time for the story today. Nor does the rest of the week look like it has much free time for writing. I feel exhausted already just thinking about how much I have to do.

I have halted reading A Confederacy of Dunces and started reading The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss. The first was insanely funny, but I barely glanced at it when I had some spare time. The pace was just slowing down. It is a great novel and I plan on finishing it. I just guess I am not really that psyched for humor at the moment.

The Name of the Wind has quite the opposite effect. I long for the next chapter already, even though I have read four chapter tonight. The writing is exquisite in places and a little lacking in others. Chapter One was a polished gem. It sucked you in and gave you a warm welcome. Chapter two I was almost looking for my red pen ready to underline places I'd edit, but just when I thought that would be the standard for the rest of the novel, chapter three turns out surprisingly well written.

So I think I'll stick with it. It is a new fantasy novel, from 2007. The sequel is already out and the last novel of the planned trilogy will be out shortly.

Still editing

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 0 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 8/0.

I typed the rest of the story in today and I think I need at least one more day of editing before I am ready to post it online for review. I feel a bit better about the story now than I did yesterday, but I still think it needs a bit of work before I am comfortable with it.

I was also planning on reading some similar stories from authors that I love, but I don't know if right now is the correct time to start that process (if there ever is a correct time).

Life in general is busy. The days are very long and tough. The first few hours of free time I just sit and relax: watch TV or chat with my wife. It takes some time before I get any urge to work or write or do something productive.

Reading has also slowed down considerable in the last week. I don't know if it is due to the novel I am currently reading, or if it has to do with fatigue.

The editor emerges

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 0 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 8/0.

Today was a busy day. My wife was at work, with me the stay at home dad. I was tired, my wife was tired and the baby was tired, but still eager to climb everything in reach and therefore in need of constant supervision.

I am still in the process of typing in the story. The editor in me is having serious issues with what I am typing in. I probably have to keep him in check until I have heard from some reader. The ending scene is the story. Everything up till that point kind of just feels like filler. Although I have written a couple of good episodes, I think, it just reads as if nothing is happening except a slow build-up to the action.

I might have to cut everything but the ending, but the ending is easily a 1000 or 1500 word story by itself, so that shouldn't be a problem. Plenty of magazines are looking for stories in that range. My plan is to wait and see, however, until I've heard some reader response.

Wife going back to work

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 2-300 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 8/0.

I never managed to post an update yesterday and today I'll have to make a fast update so I can get some sleep. I have had two stabs at an ending for the story. I have also started to type it in. The process I hope to get done tomorrow is to type it in and then do a quick edit before I get someone else to take a look at it.

My wife is starting work again tomorrow. Me and the baby will have 8 or 9 hours or fun together. I am sure I will be full of energy to write after that ordeal. It will be hard, but I think I'll manage. How I'll fit in writing with the wife working again I don't know.

I've written a little short flash fiction thing yesterday. I didn't have any good ideas on how to end the story, so I just ended up writing something else. It was just a short little funny scene.

Ending is hard

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 50 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 7/0.

I didn't post an update here yesterday. The 50 words mentioned above I wrote yesterday and should have been part of that tally.

The 50 words were an attempt at the ending of the short story. I don't think it worked. I want to write a beautiful ending where I somehow comunicate the protagonist's epiphany to the reader. I want a ending like Joyce's "The Dead" or Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. What I got is an ending that sounds like someone trying to write like Joyce or Fitzgerald.

I went to bed sleeping on it yesterday. I think I had some ideas in the morning, but I didn't write them down. Now they are gone. I will sleep on it again tonight. In 8 hours or so my daughter will wake up and whatever I have thought up during the night will have to contend with her for my attention. Needless to say, if I don't jot it down during the night it will never find its way onto paper.

The ending doesn't have to be that stellar. I just want something original. There are a few moments in the story where I think I write something worthwhile. I figure it needs a worthwhile ending as well, not just a failed attempt at fancy prose filled with cliches.

Writing on the bus

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 320 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 7/0.

My plans for writing today went bust when I got a phonecall from a friend, with plans for card playing followed by a movie. I arived very late for the card game, the baby was determined to stay up late, but I got there and we went to see Taken 2 afterwards.

I thought, however, after I looked at my route online and found it included a 25 minute bus ride, that I would bring my legal pad, just in case. The result was the 320 words mentioned above.

The story is not quite finished, but almost. I cracked open the final, dreaded scene. Although I haven't read it through yet, I think I got it to work. Now I just need a paragraph or two to end the story. I think I want the protagonist to have a realisation, a true Joycean epiphany.

I'll sleep on it tonight and I hope to complete the draft tomorrow.

The story on hold for a day

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 0 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 7/0.

I should have finished the story today. I got a break in the middle of the day, when the wife took the baby out to see a friend, but I relaxed and read up on roleplaying.

The roleplaying group met for the first time today and our first session might be in a week already. I looks like it is going to be great fun. I hope the baby will stay healthy and sleep soundly whenever we meet. I can't imagine it will be popular if I'll have to rush home or cancel at the last minute. Everyone of us has busy schedules and it takes quite some effort, I imagine, for us all to plan a meet.

The short story has taken a break for a day, but I hope to get the draft finished tomorrow. My wife is planning another trip with the baby, so there might be ample opportunity. If not, I should still hopefully have enough energy in the evening to finish the last page or two of the draft.

Goal met, I think

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 500 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 7/0.

I think I wrote about 500 words today. I did a rough estimate (about eight words per line, 69 lines, five striked out) and although I might have written more than 500, I'll round down in case I overestimate my productivity again.

It is the last scene of the story. I am almost finished with it. A few more paragraphs and I will be ready to start the next part of the process of writing a short story. Now I hope and expect that I can have a finished product by next Sunday. Sometimes, however, editing can drag out. Sometimes stories can even die during the revision process.

I have created a character for the roleplaying game that a few friends and I are planning to start. There might be a meet tomorrow and I hope to get one more idea for a character, so I will have some choice to think about.

A little snippet from the story

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 400 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 7/0.

I haven't written the final scene of my story yet, but I have written everything up to that point. A first draft of everything up to the scene, mind you, there is still plenty of editing to do.

I have kept every darling in the draft. There are lines and even paragraphs that have to be dropped that I know of, but I will leave everything in for now.

I wrote yesterday that I probably wouldn't be posting the story here. That doesn't mean that I won't be posting snippets. I wrote a little passage today that I thought you might enjoy (still writing on my Galaxy Tab and don't have many features available, so I will just post the quote in italics):

_John fished out a small metal box hidden behind some books on the bookstand by his bed. Stickers covered the box and "Top Secret" was written in bold, black letters on the top with a felt pen. Inside were a dozen items, heavy with memories enough for a dozen stories each. In this story, John pocketed a matchbox before carefully hiding away the box again_

Writing it again it seems I could thighten the passage, but I think it has potential to read quite well. Suggestions and comments are always much appreciated.