An experiment

[pegkerr]

Tonight, I tried as an experiment writing bits that were just dialogue. I wrote three mini-scenes, two between Jack and Solveig, one with Agnes and Solveig. I am trying to feel satisfied with this, even though it was only about four hundred words total between the three scenes and I don't know if they'll even fit in the book. I don't think any of them are good enough to e-mail to Kij. Baby steps, I chant to myself, over and over again, hyper aware that I'm just emerging from four years of writers block. It's all right to start with baby steps.

I've been asked to join a writer's group. May mull this over several more days; not sure what I think. My writing group seems to have more or less splintered, at least we're not meeting at the moment, but I am sure that any of the former members would willingly beta anything I write if I asked, as I would beta their work. Not sure if I want to commit to trading manuscripts with yet another three or four more people. But, on the other hand, it might give me the impetus to crank words out faster. Writers groups have been very good catalysts for me in the past. I will probably write back, asking for more info on the other members.

I heard from my friend the architect today, and he said the woman architect he had in mind, Inga, would be "delighted" to talk to me. He told me the name of the firm she works for, and I was astonished. It just so happens that the law firm I work for is in the process of preparing to move offices, and that very same architectural firm is designing our new space. And they are going to be officing in the very same building. Which means that next year, she will literally be working downstairs from me.

Doug also said that Inga has a daughter, (he thought roughly 5th grade,) who is an aspiring writer, who might sit in on some of our meetings if it's on the weekend. Would that be all right with me? Of course, absolutely! Doug also passed on that Inga could fill me in about her dad, who was the structural engineer for the Ice Palace built in the 1980s. She thought he also would enjoy discussing the project with me.

She's about to go out of town, but I am to call her and set up a meeting once she returns.

Well! That contact will work out splendidly, I hope.

Peg

Comments

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

The architectural firm being the one your law firm is using -- that sounds like more serendipity to me. :) Sometimes, the universe just helps you out.

Re: baby steps: I take comfort in Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, where she whispers, "One-inch picture frame. Small steps. Sh*tty first drafts," to her students. It makes me feel better. :)

- Darice

Bird by Bird

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that book gave me some crucial advice at a critical stage. I believe she's the one who compares writing a novel to taking a journey cross-country by car at night. Your headlights will only illuminate a little way ahead, but when you get to that point, you can see a bit farther. It was that insight that helped me get going on my first book. I was baffled for a long time on the switch from short stories to novels, because I had always had my short stories worked out entirely in my head before I started writing. And I couldn't figure out how to hold a whole novel in my head.

It was Annie Lamott who informed me that I didn't need to.

Oh.

Re: Bird by Bird

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

*toasts Ms. Lamott*

It's funny, I do tend to want to plan more (maybe too much) on a novel, and I'm willing to let a short story wander where it will. But I'm doing NaNoWriMo differently. It starts next week (!) and, although I have the basic ideas and characters in my head, I haven't let myself sit down and plan hard. I want to let the story lead me, rather than me lead the story.

(And we'll see JUST how effective that is when I'm whining in mid-November about "what will they do NEXT??") ;)

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

That's wonderful about Inga and her firm! And her daughter too--that will be a great experience. I agree it sounds more like serendipity than coincidence, and I know you'll get wonderful things out of the new acquaintance.

I was going to chime in about Bird By Bird as well, haha, but I see I have been beaten to it. You're doing marvellously--remember how hard dialogue is for most people to write, and four hundred words of dialogue-only scenes is a tremendous achievement. Swathe yourself in the self-congratulations you deserve, and keep up the good work. :)

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Officing?

K.

[eileenlufkin.livejournal.com]

By analogy with 'living', I'll bet. (Hi, Peg!)

Hi, Eileen!

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Glad to see you on LJ