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Very Short Stories, Week 15

Good morning, friends! Couple things to share today…

This week, My hubby and I are taking one of our nephews to stay with us. There’ll probably be some Pokemon Go and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. Swimming, splash pads, day trips. Or maybe a more lazy week with in home reading and crafting. Who knows!

Because of this, I will most likely be absent from my blog and less active on Twitter (if you follow me on there; if not, here’s me! @KEMwriting ). There’s no point trying to guarantee blog posts when I’m going to be focused on having fun and laughs with my nephew!

It also means little editing will be done on my book. I plan on making time for it since the writer’s life for me will eventually mean children of my own. This will be a great way to figure that aspect out more.

While I’m off for a week of joy and adventures, I hope this week is fulfilling for the rest of you! Take care!

Oh, and enjoy my very short stories just below!

 

July 23rd

This is #folly, she cried and barrelled out the open window of the train compartment after her friend. She heard a splash seconds before cold water surrounded her, pulling at her limbs. Unbuttoning her heavy clothes, she sprung to the surface and sought out her friend.

 

July 24th

Such a waste of time, she determined and slammed her laptop closed. What a #joke, thinking I could be a writer. She tossed her USB across the room and left it there like a piece of forgotten trash.

 

Pick me up now, it seemed to say from the floor. We’re not done yet.

 

July 25th

Vivian stepped out of her room and the black dress clung to her body like a wet glove. A hesitant smile played on her lips as she descended the staircase. In front of Damian’s hungry gaze, her cheeks turned scarlet.

 

His kiss was sudden yet she #answered it with passion.

 

July 26th

Give ’em #hell, his dad said and tapped his gloves.

He entered the cage to the roars of the crowd and threw his arms up high with his own shout. Pacing back and forth, he watched his opponent. They approached each other, knocked fists and squared up.

The bell rang.

 

July 27th

What’s your #intent with my son? she asked. Her legs were crossed, hands rested on her knee.

I plan on making him happy til the end of my days, he answered and smiled. He fiddled with the ring box in his pocket.

That settles it then. You have my blessing, she grinned.

 

 

July 28th

Do you get it yet?

I want You gone

Disappear

Vanish

Into a Darkness

only You can

Summon

Tired of cruel whims

that Sabotage my attempts

You’re a bad taste

Lingering

Unwanted

I #renounce You

and Your Tainted Touch

Vilify

Condemn

Your Traitorous ways

 

Goodbye, Reflection

 

 

July 29th

#Stray dogs littered the streets; unwanted and untended. She shook her head at the sight until a wet nose kissed her hand. Smiling, she stroked the ragged pup and it demanded belly rubs. I can’t save them all but I can save this one, she mused and took it home with her.

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My Book: Done (?)

Keeping to my promise, I finished the sixth round of editing/revising on my book and I’m super stoked about it! Now, I have to let it sit for a few days before combing over it once more (plus, waiting for one of my initial reader’s to give feedback on how I used their feedback).

I managed to do five chapters last night which left me with three to do today. The need to finish kept me working on it and it is going to be nice to actually relax today (as best as I can). Now, is it actually done? Probably not. I don’t think books are every really finished, we just hit a point where we’re not sure if we’re helping or hurting our own creation.

So for now, I’m going to enjoy feeling I’ve finished it and maybe treat myself to a foot soak, or CANDY! Who knows?

The energy I’m feeling can only lead to good things right now. Kind of like the Felix Felicis poition in the Harry Potter series (yes, I’m a Potter nerd, deal with it!).

I’m going to prep some query letters since I have researched literary agents a few dozen times now (or so it feels). Double checking since it has been a few months wouldn’t be a bad idea though so… I’ll be doing that, too.

Anyways, that’s my update for the day! Keep creating your heart’s desire, my friends!

Don’t be seduced into thinking that that which does not make a profit is without value.

~ Arthur Miller

 

P.S. If any of you successful writers have published a book, give a girl some tips, please! Be it on self-publishing or the ‘traditional’ route, I’d love the insight on the obstacles or victories you had. Thanks in advance!

Finding, Removing, Replacing Words

It is a daunting task to be complete master over your work. Both its creator and editor and in some ways, its ultimate judge. We are our worst critics and this goes to whatever we produce.

The trick? Don’t feed that voice too much, because it will keep you frozen and you won’t move forward. It makes you think avoiding doing anything is the best choice and to follow the herd instead of yourself.

But tell the mother *&%$&* to shut up! Do what you need to do. At the end of the day, there is always that process of editing, erasing, replacing words, lines, colours. If it isn’t quite right, because YOU think so, you can fix that (or recruit someone to help if needs be).

It’s tedious, but I like finding, removing, and replacing words in my book. It adds, it changes, it evolves as a result of this process. The same way a painter, a sketcher, or a knitter build in layers, so too must a writer.

First, it starts with creation. Get it on a page, good or bad. It may feel like shit at points, but it is better to work with something than nothing. Kind of like trying to make a baked potato, but without heat. You get it on a page and then you apply heat to cook in the form of editing, revising, rereading (out loud to test flow). You get feedback and you use it grow your book, mold it into the final product.

And today that is what I have been doing (despite a late start and seemingly complete disregard for my self-created schedule). I am apply some more heat to my book by finding new words (creating new details, sentences, etc), and removing words that don’t work or do what I need them to do. The words I remove are sometimes replaced which I have a lot of fun with (just don’t try and brainstorm with me or I’ll lose the thread!).

I have only gotten two chapters done in this stage of cooking today, but I’m hoping to get five more done before I gotta make dinner and do laundry (the fun stuff, right?). I had to add some content, because of one of the changes and I enjoyed it.

Got my tunes going, my bottle of water in reach, and fingers not yet tired from scrolling/typing!

Hope today is full of productivity (if you want it to be)!

 

I don’t sit there waiting for that perfect, beautiful sentence, because I know I’m going to sit there forever. So, as I tell students -start out by tripping, why don’t you? Then get up and fall over again. Just as long as you go. ~ Kathryn Harrison

 

P.S. New song find of the day on Spotify for me:

Down by the Water by Amy Macdonald

Make It Shiny!

Today’s been great for my writing so far. I woke up at 5am (later then I wanted, but hey! I got up) and managed to get in on my book almost immediately. I have managed to go through 10 chapters so far and have a couple hours left before Andrew gets home.

That may seem a lot, but it is my sixth edit and so I think it moves a bit faster. However I have hit a nitty, gritty section where my one character is being moved from his current position to a new one. It is based on feedback, but I think it will add another layer to the story since he will be going through a unique set up challenges.

Spotify is my best friend when it comes to doing this and keeps me focused. I play it on my cellphone on a fairly low volume and even my favourite songs don’t distract me as much! I’m loving making progress with the aid. (I recently read classical music is great for this purpose and might be more useful, but I haven’t tried yet).

As it stands I am hoping to finish this round of work on my book by Sunday (we’ll see since there is some house stuff I want to tackle, too). I will go through it probably another time or two to polish, spit, and shine the newer chapter editions. It will also help me catch any fact issues or inconsistencies I may have created. Fingers crossed that is not the case though!

Anyways, I better get back to it while my need to work still needs itching! Fight for your dreams and your sanity, my friends!

 

Work finally begins when the fear of doing nothing exceeds the fear of doing it badly.

~ Alain de Botton

 

P.S. some of my favourite songs to have playing while I put the hours into my book:

Galway Girl by Ed Sheeran

Human by Rag’n’Bone Man

No Roots by Alice Merton

Reminding Me by Shawn Hook, Vanessa Hudgens

No Vacancy by One Republic

Wolves by Selena Gomez and Marshmello

Your Song by Rita Ora

That’s What You Get by Paramore

Llama In My Living Room by AronChupa, Little Sis Nora (It is about what it say!)

Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Lovato

Take Me To Church by Hozier (I always have to sing this one! Love the phrasing!)

 

Anxiety At My Writing Desk

Today’s the day!

I am going to be starting a new round of editing on my book, and I am super excited! Okay, that’s a lie. I’m scared.

Scared as hell.

I could barely get out of bed. All I could think was, “What if I can’t do it? What if I make it worse?” My anxiety on it had paralyzed me, and to be honest, it still has me a bit frozen, but here I am!

Are this post, I get to it, but I figured I would show you the Beast it will be edited on.

My.Writing.Desk.jpg

Two screens for writing and researching side by side! I’m sure you also recognize some of my tools of the trade, too.

The only thing missing, is my cork board pegged with info to reference. I will be putting that today, and getting straight to work!

Sorry for not posting yesterday as well. Andrew and I got to tidying the office (where the writing magic happens), and then did some overhauling downstairs.

Excuses come to me naturally when I am trying to postpone something that scares me or drives my anxiety through the roof. (Joys of Generalized Anxiety Disorder). However I am using my anxious nature to my benefit today whether it wants me to or not.

We are also waiting on 10 to 15 cm of snow to shovel, so best get to it before I feel the need to go deal with that!