Life is what happens at the intersections.
That's my philosophical way of introducing my plan to write this summer. For the details keep reading.
First, with the season finales for most shows happening this week, I've decided to stop watching television. I've felt like I want more time to write, read, and play. And TV has just been keeping me from doing that.
Second, I picked up on a short story that I started writing a year ago, or maybe more. I've known how I wanted it to end, but there was a piece of the story between where I was and the ending that I wasn't sure how to handle. I finally just decided to write it out and finished that this week.
Building on that, the story is completely written by hand. It's been a very interesting experience doing it all by hand. I think that writing by hand will help me develop my own style. When writing on paper, everything that you write stays on the page. You can still revise, but you always know what your first thoughts were.
Third, I've been reading Stephen King's On Writing. Surprisingly, it's an interesting book if a bit sporadic. I'm still only half-way through but I can see that King really does have a passion for writing. And it's been a wake up call for me. Mostly because I've been using television and other things to give me an excuse for not doing the reading and writing I need to get better.
I also like his metaphor for the writing toolbox and very straight-forward definition of the pieces. I've never really been a horror fan but I might go back and read some of his books. In fact, The Shining has always interested me.
Finally, I know that writing is something that I want to do. It's been an uncomfortable dissonance in my life, feeling that I don't have enough time to myself (or rather time to do the things that I want) and so I've been funneling my free time into TV and gaming.
I guess this is like my blogging post. It's got to be an addiction if you really want to pursue it.
(This is the wife - Read the comments to see how much writing John already does. Although he doesn't realize it, he is one prolific guy.)
3 comments:
Yay for a husband who is doing what he loves!!
John forgets to mention that he already does a crazy amount of writing. At work of course, but also for World Forge Magazine and as the lead designer for Avilis 2. (He is currently doing some heavy reading so that they can write their god myths.) But it's great to see him doing something just for him (and maybe a publisher one day!)
He also needs a bit more confidence in his own ability. Some people would kill for his skill and commitment to write. Not me, I love TV and besides I can't even spell Hyms, but some people :)
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