Category: Thoughts about writing

My daily exercise to practice editing

So I have a daily thing I do, it brings me joy, normally, and it doesn’t often take me very long to do it. I wake up each morning ready and willing. So I turn over look for the email without fail. I open it and straight away my brain is woken up considering ideas. I have found I either come up with something quite quickly, or it seems to take until the end of the day for it to form. There are many different examples out there, but I simply follow the daily inspiration from @vss365official on twitter along with getting the email.

As I said, there are different feeds on twitter, and elsewhere, but I have started with this one, and I feel anymore will just take me down a path where I won’t get out of and be lost in a thick forest not sure where I started from with every 7th word a hashtag. Which will probably stop being fun and more of a brain teaser but on an epic, and futile, proportion. But why do I enjoy it?

Well, the first reason is that it is a great way to be creative. Not being in one story that seems to be twirling around in my head and on the digital page when I get time to write. I have realised I have started to create a character called Todd. There have been other names I have used, but Todd just seems to have been the one that I seem to stick too. There was the voice called Steve once, but he doesn’t seem to come along very often. There is no consistency, yet, for the character. I can see I will try and stretch myself to create something for a future character, probably called Todd, using the daily word to develop a story. As of yet, not done so.

The second reason is, when you have gone through the enjoyment, or anguish, of trying to create your story with the limited letters available on the platform of twitter, the enjoyment from reading what others have created enters a whole new level.

The third reason, and this is why I highly recommend it for anyone who is writing at any level, it has been amazing for editing. If I were still teaching I would be sharing this with my class each morning to have them send in their short pieces by the end of the day for a daily prize. Having a clear defined character limit on what you can write, with a dialogue, poem or other forms in mind, requires you to cut that little darlings, to consider each space that you are using. Quotation marks are great, but for each line that’s 2 spaces, are they really needed today? Do you need to write ‘Todd said’? I have altered so many phrases, lines and each word that I have put in, so when I look through what I wrote months ago, compared to now, I can see how I have changed what I write the more I do it. When I am editing my own pieces of work, there is often no real limit on what I write, but I am editing them not only better, but quicker. The more your practice, there better you will hopefully become.

I am in no way trying to even suggest I am the best out there, I just enjoy the fun. I am always amazed when someone comes across one of mine, likes it, comments or even retweets it. There seem to be many people out there who go through them more than me and explores what have been made, their selections are fun to scroll through if you are busy. Having a different host for half a month also allows there to be more variety of words which then, gives me, and you, more variety in what we can come up with.

When you start looking through the word of the day, following the hashtag that has kicked off as more people join in, there are those that create amazing poetry, visualise what the word could mean through emotion, some who can just seemingly create jokes or puns with what appear to be no effort at all (mainly because they do it each day without fail).

So if you are new to writing, or just want something a bit more than wordle to get your brain going on the journey in the morning/afternoon. Find @vss365official on twitter and explore what people have made. There are other examples out there for daily inspiration. As a creature of habit, I have found this one, but my main enjoyment is as I have said, reading through what others have made, practicing my own ideas out, and then being able to practice, daily, my own editing skills of making sure everyone letter counts.

But as always, whatever your inspiration, right now my dog sitting in the grass that we have let grow a bit longer in a our little garden, he is rolling around in the sun with a very general carefree life, or maybe you are seeing a person sitting in a café drinking coffee that is a bit too hot. Perhaps the wonder of a goblin behind a tree waiting to see you walk past so they can get on with escaping from somewhere. Either way, Just Write. Then see what you have written and the editing can begin.

A jumbled mess…

There have been many benefits to my decision to leave teaching. There are also many things about teaching that I miss. But there is one thing I have noticed, by not constantly thinking about planning lessons, reviewing lessons and wondering how I can add something new to the curriculum for my History department, my creativity has gone all over the place.

So I have attempted to explore the idea of writing stories. Some have even been published in different forms, something I am unbelievably proud of and still in disbelief. Being a person with ADHD, I find that I can have my ideas go far and wide, and often stray from one point. This is probably why I have multiple WIP stories at the same time.

The creative process has always intrigued me. Knowing authors who can sit down on a rigid timeframe and just write for a few hours in the morning, or in the evening. I am amazed. I sadly find the idea of sitting down at 9am to punch in to create the dialogue between The Captain and Kajuna while they discuss the changes currently happening in the city of Coombe with the threat of a Goblin invasion. Well some people can hold it in until their allotted time. I can’t.

But today I seem to have found a good thing to help move forward on something bigger than a short story. The humble whiteboard. It was something that I used everyday. Every revision lesson, or just a general lesson in the classroom, the whiteboard with a spider diagram united many of my classes by visualising their ideas.

The image from today’s point isn’t going to be ground breaking, I have tried to do something similar on OneNote that I use for all my writing. But it has never had the same impact that I would have expected. But using it, I almost feel that I have a potential story arc to build on today past the 5k word count and link what I have already written.

I just need to remember to step away from the computer to eat and sleep tonight when trying to merge, blend and create the bigger picture of ‘the novel’.

Do details matter?

It’s the little things. Every little helps. Little things make big things happen. Beware of little expenses.

There are many quotes about the importance of little things. Some good… Some you need to search for and then realise why they don’t make the list.

But it is in the details that stories are made. Show don’t tell right? The difference between saying a person “doesn’t wear their wedding ring anymore” compared to the character “rubbing the pale skin on the 3rd finger, they paused and as they ordered another drink, each glass filled the missing gap in their life for now. But tomorrow would come eventually.” (Not saying that is an amazing line, but the details matter).

We have characters in our minds that we try to bring to the page, not just for our reader, although obliviously important, but to bring our characters to life. For us. I always think of the Coen brothers film. To see what small detail will they give Clooney next, obsessive about his teeth or hair. A small part of the character that shows a lot about the character itself, him/her self, themselves.

“Joan waited for the aged kettle to finally come to the boil. The balance of putting in just enough water for two mugs vs the time for it to boil. Any mention of throwing it out or replacing it would bring up the same points. It’s a kettle. It boils water. Apparently these arguments are meaningless as it it all that is left from the flat. Boxes from friends and family are all they have now. But the kettle survived so must be kept.

Monday always was a tough day for Evelyn, good weekends meant strong coffee. 3 spoons of coffee, 2 sugars and a splash of milk. Each week without fail. It was her only way to get to the bus and deal with the public until ot became ocially acceptable to have a coffee at work.”

I guess I have two points here, the kettle and the need to keep something safe, and their potentiallyheavy going weekends for the characyers with a need for coffee to gey through their day. They may work somewhere there is judgement about health(ish) living.

When a character is formed, describing each detail becomes a long list. Is it important to detail each item they are wearing. It might be. But only if it is needed for the story. Having a small random detail that is just that, random, “he liked cheddar cheese”, can be OK, but is it going anywhere? Does it have any relation to develop the character about how he only likes one cheese or is it just a point to say something more, but never does anythin, for him. Will they find a partner who serves up Cheshire cheese and it starts as a reason why they become uncomfortable or possibly more? Random is nice, but is it relevant?

Also, my main point from where this train of thought is coming from, a small detail can also show a history between two characters without having to say, “they have known each other for 10 years, always being there to support each other so they know what to do.” It could be as simple as “Dave placed the tea next to Michelle as the spreadsheets were open. The familiar sigh came as she paused, picked up the cup to breathe it in and smiled. Just simple tea with oat milk. Never a word was needed between them.”

Or just someone saying “Tea?” With them bringing it out attached with a comment such as “I still don’t get how you can drink that oat milk stuff. Just weird.”

Simple.

What is my point today? Well, I am sure I had one. My main thinking is, when writing, what are the little details you have added to flesh out a character. Is it the type not cigarettethey smoke, the band t-shirt they wear, the connection between 2 or more people to show they not just know each other, but know each other well.

How have you shown, not told, a key detail about someone, or something, to help develop the story?

Happy writing, everyone.

Assumptions can be dangerous

We all do it. We don’t like it. We can be embarrassed by it. But we all do it. This can be down to when a person is in front of you, they may be in a rush and you might assume they are maybe rude, grumpy, or worse.

I am writing this on Valentines Day and I have been out doing a quick bit of shopping after work. Now you might be thinking that I have been out to buy flowers, a card or some last minute token to show love. Well if you did, tut tut. I baked cookies yesterday, iced them and brought them over this morning with a cup of tea and a card (bought a week ago).

It is thinking about the assumptions we make that has amused me lately. Being the vegetarian, with my wife who is not, I often get given the steak and she gets the veggie option. People hand her the lager and me the soft drink when I have often been the one to drive to events, so drinkies for me.

But when writing a character, the use of assumptions can lead the reader down a certain path to see if they can be tricked into thinking a certain way, or make an assumption. I use this slight idea to show annoyance or the MC in The Bus Driver between how people respond to Agatha and her husband Andy. It was an idea I wrote a few years ago and have enjoyed writing the dialogue between the two of them.

The use of the assumptions by some of the population in the story works well (I think), to show the playful relationship between Agatha and Andy. To show the little bits of humour between the two of them and how they live together to show support. However, making assumptions about how a character might behave, or using an assumption to explain how a character may behave, or a decision they may do, can limit the development of them.

Being a people watcher, especially in the airport when the flight has been delayed, I like to watch how people are around each other. Are they on a date? First holiday together? Secret meeting between old friends? Lads night out but one seems to watch the time more than the rest? Making assumptions is easy when the consequences are random conversation in a restaurant and is more of an exercise to see who can create the most elaborate story. To use a small detail to justify an element of a story. The shoes. The style of shirt. A hidden watch. A wedding band with no ring?

All details can become part of a story. They might just be a small nugget of information to deepen the character, or a small element for something later on to be relied for a climatic point later in the story arc. Used carefully, a well placed assumption can be a wonderful way to direct, or misdirect, a reader.

However, they can also be risky, in writing or real life. Assuming a detail about someone, or hoping an assumption will be picked up on, can lessen the point that is trying to be made. They can also play on someone’s prejudices, alternatively, show your own about what you yourself think about someone.

A final thought about this point. Remember when I said about details to think about when looking around the room. The missing wedding ring. Was your first thought about this to do with a cheating husband, a divorcee or a recent widow? Did a gender at all come to your mind?

Creating a story by what you see around you can be fun. Making short bio’s about people you see is an amazing way to develop your own craft as a writer. Something I need to do more often, working in retail means I have a plethora of people around me all day long (I have no excuse!) Just don’t let your own assumptions lead the story without your knowing or think the reader will always make the one you intend.

Losing the fear

Many years ago, I had a colleague, you probably know the type, they were the one who called in sick. A lot.

Not because they were ill, with genuine health concerns, or had unseen mental health concerns. No. This colleague would call in sick because they simply couldn’t be bothered to come in. Or had somewhere they wanted to go that day so didn’t come in.

I know all this because, like all people who feel they are doing something naughty. They told me. They told me each time they did it. In fact, I was once even told before they did it. There were some tickets for an event and it was easier to have a day out too when they went.

When finally confronted about this, their response to me was something that surprised me. They had simply “lost the fear of doing it”. For them, once they had called in sick the first time, what was the problem doing it again.

This has come to lately and as a concept, it has got me thinking. Not about calling in sick, but about doing something that scares me. About how the fear is holding me back.

But losing the fear is something I need to tackle with writing. I remember sitting there last year when I first read out a piece I wrote in a writing class. Scared beforehand. Shaking through it. Followed by wanting to run out before the group could give comments on it. Thankfully, like most writing groups, they were all lovely and I left feeling that I might not be as bad as I thought I was.

So since then I have started this blog. Shared some short stories, book reviews and even some thoughts about the writing process (this piece for example). I have sent short/flash pieces off and am unbelievably happy to have a few online magazines in the process of publishing some pieces. It is therefore today I am using this fear to try something new, to the world of self-publishing with a piece on amazon this week (opening up to yet another group of critics).

It started with attempting to engage with writers via twitter (@lister_fiction) and putting myself out there, the more I share, the more the fear goes away. When, and it will be when I am sure, a negative review comes in, the fear may jump out of the box and show it hasn’t gone away. This, in itself, is a good thing, I think. Fear, a sensible level I mean, makes sure we check the quality of what we do. If we don’t fear, mixed with self-respect/pride in the work we produce, then we won’t be trying to make the best of that thought about a character and throw anything out there with mistakes that could have been found in a draft. Fear can be good, just like the biscuits in the jar in the kitchen, too many is not a good thing.

Just don’t call in sick as you had a late night down the pub and felt a bit tired that morning.

Just Write

One of the most infuriating moments I’ve had so far is when someone says “just write”. Like it is that simple.

All you need to do is sit back. Breathe. Write. Move over King, side step please Gaiman, time to sit down Cornwell. I am going to write and take over the bookshelves because I am going to ‘just write’.

This got me, I hate to say, rather angry. Like an internal carnal level of anger that was aimed at the screen. I was trying to write about a situation I had been given in an evening creative writing class set in a supermarket. I have no qualms admitting this, I was struggling. Could not see through the fog. Which amusingly became mixed in to how the story then started.

But to the advice of “just write”. Write what? A character, a place, a mood? It reminded me of that useless phrase some may say to those stressing or worse. “Just clear your head”. Having had a friend be told this repeatedly, if someone is struggling mentally, PLEASE do not use it. Help them to clear, but don’t use it as a way to get them to do it (show don’t tell right?).

So, I was sat there, not very happy with my favourite person, trying to write on my tablet. Typically, the more I tried, the less that got written. Zero words in fact. Actually, my word count went down as I didn’t like what was already there.

But here is the annoying thing. A 1st draft will always be successful.  Its primary goal is to be completed. That’s it. It can be awful. It can be completely rewritten. One draft I recently did was changed from 3rd to 1st person as I realised it needed to be that way to have impact. But the 1st draft was done. Had I not completed it, I would not have created the yet undiscovered masterpiece that is now on the 3rd edit. I can hear the awards knocking on my door, or that is my dog wanting more food.

So what is it that I’m trying to babble on about. Well, the advice that annoyed so much that lovely evening, is one I wish to suggest you have as YOUR mantra. Not to say to others as you may have a pen, or worse, thrown in your direction. But have it as your own post-it note, the scribble you have in your notes or just let one of the inner voices use when writing.

In the end, something will be there. Once a dialogue has been drafted or a scene pieced together, you can then, and probably only then, begin to see what works. What phrase brings it together, did the twist really stay hidden, or have you changed something part way through that needs changing at the beginning.

The obviously way to end this would be to say to you to get out there and write. I won’t.

BUT, what I will say, is when you have an idea, play with it. Put something down. Don’t worry about what it will be in the 1st draft. Having a 1st draft is more than most ideas come to (Do not look into the statistics, it is worrying).

Enjoy your stories.

#sixwordstory joys

I am new to trying to be a writer. I say trying, as I definitely don’t feel like I am one.

I have thought about stories, made lots of different stories when I was a teacher, explored and supported students to create their own. Shared some stories ideas to help discuss. The best way to develop ideas is to also spend time talking about books. What I have read amd what others have read. I will admit, my own read pile is nothing compared to some people I know, who destroy books before I have even got through the first chapter.

But the one thing that has really helped get my brain into think about a story, about what to include and the harder one, what not to include, is making six word stories.

I first saw this as a ‘thing’ when I found a competition a while back. But I have since found so many amazing people sharing images to inspire others to share their own six word story. The writing community is, again, amazing for those who want to explore the idea of writing. Purely for the joy of doing it.

Being able to read through the different answers is always hilarious, sad and in general, fun to see where others went. Some times there is an obvious theme that many see in the picture (not a bad thing). But read through and you will find some unique gems in there too.

So if you are scrolling through and looking for inspiration, or just to get your own mind thinking for a warm up exercise when spending your time writing. Have a look and get to thinking.

Don’t be fooled though. This is not some little thing to do and be a stretching exercise. Making a good six word story is not just something before doing something ‘better’. The skill for a good one is just like a skill for writing flash or an epic trilogy. Like it is for those who do sprinting or marathon running.

Similar but different.

Have a good Sunday and enjoy writing.

The Lost Ones

Today is one of those days where I am sat here enjoying the change of pace in life. I ignore the burning questions on money, future career and all those big ones that would make any other day seem like a horror movie. Life post-teaching does have some interesting points to consider, but being able to sit down on a half day, and write, has to be one of the positives from the decision to focus on mental health and a general work life balance.

I was given a 4 hour shift today, so I have worked and can do no more there without getting a different job. I like to think that I have been given the gift of time. The best example of me using this phrase was recently when we went to see a film at the cinema, planned the evening around sitting there watching, enjoying the show. But then the bulb blew up when we were 10 minutes into Avatar. The weekly shop was done on this gained time! Even got to bed early that night and woke up feeling like I was ready for the weekend. Granted, when we went to see it at a later date that ‘gained time’ was technically lost, but who actually thinks such frivolities . For the choice to see one film, I got two good nights of achievements.

As I am sure you can tell, I am using this time effectively today. Whilst trying to finish the 2nd edit of a story that is proving more joy than normal as I am changing it from 3rd to 1st person. There is also the potential to finish the 2 parts of The Bus Driver so I can declare the draft finished. While also considering a short story inspired from an advertisement board that has been left for a long time, probably from before Covid (at least). There is something about an advert of a happy event and the growing of wildlife around it that sparks an earie idea.

Despite these options, and the joy of the cuteness of my dog sleeping behind me on the bed, I am most bothered by those stories that I know I have lost. Not that these would have won awards, become a best seller or anything (Well they might, is good to dream of such things).

I am sure I am not the only one, you are sleeping at night and a dream comes to you, . This idea of a new story is not just interesting but creates a buzz of excitement and wonder. You spend ages thinking about it, you might even go through subtle plot points, character’s background or just a general layout that will keep it together to make sense.

Then it happens. You wake up. Either in the middle of the night or the morning.

‘Always keep paper and pen by your bed to write ideas down when they come’

This, and similar, is some of the advice I have read or heard that all writers should do to help develop their craft. Well this is great, as long as you can reproduce the ideas that you have had on the paper in front of you.

When I have looked at some of these I wonder what they could have been. Amazed at how when I woke up it was there. When I tried to write them down it seemed to be disappearing the more I typed it on my phone.

However, when you are half awake, frantically trying to write down an idea that is in your mind. The result is not something that is reflected from the original idea.

So to all of those ideas, passing thoughts, damaged pieces of paper or broken phones. The lost ones may have gone, but the original organ that made them will hopefully bring them back. Just need to not be distracted, focus on one task at a time and let each story develop to what will hopefully be a finished draft.

The great saying that has become my mantra thanks to my lovely wife, ‘Just write’. Once that starts the rest will follow.

Have a good day all 🙂

New Year, New Target…

There is always that voice that can encourage, there is also that voice that does the opposite. I think the best way that I have ever seen this explored would be in Disney Pixar’s Inside Out. The characters there seem to explain very well how our brains can work. Yes, I am sure there is a more sophisticated way of making it, but I like that one. This might be true for some more than others. But for me it definitely appears to hit the nail on the head so to speak.

Exciting news, today I took my dog out for a walk around a place where he loves in the local area of North Somerset. Smells everything as he is inquisitive about all things. Runs through all the puddles, yet is scared of going in the water it seems despite him being a water dog bread, apparently. He also wants to play with dogs, but is nervous when a new one that he does not know appears, or worse, a male dog appears with all their bits and he is barking before they have even appeared (He has lost his but the defence/nervousness is still there).

I often wonder what characters he has inside his head. Are any of them similar to mine or yours?

But I love this Combe, not only as it was an escape for me during the first year I moved here, it has also been when walking there that characters have appeared to me. This is then followed by a balancing act between poo bags, dog treats and a fairly hefty (please don’t tell him I called him that!) lab-golden cross as I try to remember the wonderful ground breaking character. Lets just say I have often been found talking into WhatsApp leaving a voice message to myself in between whistles and such when he pulls me around to smell under a log his missed. Such messages always get a giggle when I listen to them later. How a character is being described, their hair, or an event that came to mind, followed by a loud whistle or simply ‘****’ when a squirrel appears and his instinct kicks in to chase.

So it is probably apt that as I am writing this the montage music from Rocky IV has just started playing. Could there be a better uplifting song to overcome a challenge? Possibly Rocky I’s ‘Eye of a Tiger’ or the Hercules Disney tune of ‘I will go the distance’. The New Year is here and after last year’s wobble (as it is officially being called), I am still attempting to do the writing thing. Encouragingly, I have already thought through, written out and currently editing a near 5k short story. Post teaching life has not collapsed the universe and I am working in a local retail shop considering what to do next while thinking through story ideas between selling appliances.

I am not a fan normally of picking a date on the calendar as a ‘Day 1’, this is mainly because I have had too may of them with my never ending disagreement with the scales over nearing 2 decades now. But this year feels different, probably a reaction to now firmly being past the mid thirties mark, but alas. If my lovely dog can still pull me back to smell a leaf he missed, or enjoy the new smells after it has rained, then maybe this year will see the writing attempt go somewhere and a new target is worth thinking about.

The targets I have chosen this time I think are reasonable. Win the lottery, so that should be easy. Have one piece published somewhere (anywhere, I think is open enough to happen), along with self publish something, which means finishing either an idea that is long enough to be called a novella, or have a collection of flash fiction pieces that are vaguely linked to be collated together to be worthy of charging someone 99p. ‘The Novel’ is still being played with, but making that a target would hyperdrive the ADHD I doubt I would touch the computer with procrastination.

Therefore, bring on the New Year, today is the 5th and there has been progress. Plus the dog will be sleeping for a bit longer after exploring the Combe so I should try to be productive with this time.

p.s. I might just take down Christmas first, procrastination is the key to progress isn’t it?

Happy New Year all 🙂