Here is the link to my recently published short story, To Tell the Story of Them. It is a free fiction piece available on Smashwords. Check it out and leave me a comment to let me know what you think - good or bad.
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/115596
Friday, December 23, 2011
What To Do, What To Do?
As a writer, but foremost a mother, my time is usually a bit more limited than would be ideal for getting those creative juices flowing and onto the page. Recently, I have found that my fiction WIP is neglected in favor of writing poetry. While poetry does take significant time and effort, it does not take as much research, and hours of plot/character development prior to even starting the writing process. To this end, I have pieced together a small anthology of poetry that I will publish shortly (so yes - please do be on the lookout). What I love about poetry is the raw images and ability to be much more free of traditional writing constraints (at least as a free verse poet - I tip my hat to those poets among us that toil for hours to meet specific syllabic line requirements). It seems much easier for me to feel accomplished in refining the mind dump that was the initial draft and churning out a polished poem - all in the few precious hours after my children have gone to bed, but before I too am beckoned by the need for sleep.
I do worry, however, that slipping into a diet solely of poetry and feeling accomplished every single night will make it all the more difficult to return to my WIP. Somehow working for hours on a few pages of a novel, with no end in sight, sounds a bit daunting to say the least. Yes, yes - I know, one day at a time. I do have the general path mapped out for where I want to take my novel, it's just all of the junctions that are making me tug at my collar.
Since I am a first time novelist, and still unsure of my footing as a writer, I fear that I am going about this craft of writing all wrong. Is there a right way to write a novel? Is there a right way to write period? When do you start to feel like you are actually a writer, and not a sixth grader who is shadowing a real writer on career day? Many other writers blog that you are a writer by simply writing. This statement brings a bit of comfort ... but then again maybe they are just saying that to make all of us aspiring writers feel better. Arg- over-thinking the whole thing .. brain short circuiting ... off to get a cup of coffee, put on my big girl panties, and do some writing - because I AM a writer. Right?
I do worry, however, that slipping into a diet solely of poetry and feeling accomplished every single night will make it all the more difficult to return to my WIP. Somehow working for hours on a few pages of a novel, with no end in sight, sounds a bit daunting to say the least. Yes, yes - I know, one day at a time. I do have the general path mapped out for where I want to take my novel, it's just all of the junctions that are making me tug at my collar.
Since I am a first time novelist, and still unsure of my footing as a writer, I fear that I am going about this craft of writing all wrong. Is there a right way to write a novel? Is there a right way to write period? When do you start to feel like you are actually a writer, and not a sixth grader who is shadowing a real writer on career day? Many other writers blog that you are a writer by simply writing. This statement brings a bit of comfort ... but then again maybe they are just saying that to make all of us aspiring writers feel better. Arg- over-thinking the whole thing .. brain short circuiting ... off to get a cup of coffee, put on my big girl panties, and do some writing - because I AM a writer. Right?
It is Time!
Ah yes, the infamous introductory blog post. Perhaps the most painful to write from my end, and for you to read on yours. Quick intro: I'm Kate. Thirty-two year old wife, and mother to three kiddos. I have a background in English, but have yet to finish up that degree. I suppose perhaps, at the time, I enjoyed partying more than studying. Hindsight and all that jazz, eh? I have no lofty ambitions of changing the world with my fabulously crafted blog. In fact, I am betting myself that this may end up being another one of Kate's projects that fall by the wayside. I hope not. I am a writer of fiction, poetry, and all of the random thoughts that cross through my already addled brain. Seriously- I carry a notebook with me at all times to write everything down. Ya never know what may be your next great line of verse, or perhaps the missing part of your work-in-progress that has been gnawing at your brain and waking you in the night. You writers out there know what I'm talking about.
Ok, so upWords and onWords... Well, I suppose that while I have been writing since about age nine (thank you Writer in Residence programs in Wake County Public Schools) I never decided to take things seriously until the last couple of months. I hold no illusions that I am going to be the next big thing, but I have this intrinsic desire to have my voice heard. I suppose, more accurately, my voice through the voices I lend to my characters. I think that this is why it seems safe for me to put so much of myself out there for others. I am typically a pretty private person and the thought that someone might *actually* read what I am writing has always scared the poo out of me until recently.
Alright Kate, enough babbling, this blog is set up for one purpose -for me to be me, and for my voice to be heard. Perhaps that sounds a bit narcissistic, but when you spend your entire day wiping your baby's butt, arguing with a five year old that knows EVERYTHING, and being ignored by a hormonal eleven (going on 21) year old, you need some time to just be YOU. I read, on one of my favorite blogs out there, that blogging isn't necessarily about pushing political, religious, and other motives (unless you want it to be, that is); it is solely about creating and letting people hear your voice. Hear, hear! On that note, thanks for reading and we shall see what tomorrow brings!
Ok, so upWords and onWords... Well, I suppose that while I have been writing since about age nine (thank you Writer in Residence programs in Wake County Public Schools) I never decided to take things seriously until the last couple of months. I hold no illusions that I am going to be the next big thing, but I have this intrinsic desire to have my voice heard. I suppose, more accurately, my voice through the voices I lend to my characters. I think that this is why it seems safe for me to put so much of myself out there for others. I am typically a pretty private person and the thought that someone might *actually* read what I am writing has always scared the poo out of me until recently.
Alright Kate, enough babbling, this blog is set up for one purpose -for me to be me, and for my voice to be heard. Perhaps that sounds a bit narcissistic, but when you spend your entire day wiping your baby's butt, arguing with a five year old that knows EVERYTHING, and being ignored by a hormonal eleven (going on 21) year old, you need some time to just be YOU. I read, on one of my favorite blogs out there, that blogging isn't necessarily about pushing political, religious, and other motives (unless you want it to be, that is); it is solely about creating and letting people hear your voice. Hear, hear! On that note, thanks for reading and we shall see what tomorrow brings!
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