Tag: NaNoWriMo ’07

Hard-Working Slacker

The last week and two days have been spent working at the Alley Theater, installing lights for their “Christmas Carol.” It was the most intensive, rigorous theatrical lighting job I’ve done. Most of the shows I’ve worked in the past have been traveling rock and roll shows in roadhouses or arenas, and touring performers/small theater companies in small venues for short runs. This is a much different thing. This show (whose lights and sets look mighty impressive) will be running until December. The detailed set and effects-laden lighting meant a longer set-up time to really wring out the details and meet the Light Designer’s standards. Hoping to see this one once it opens to the public.

The hard work stole my time away from blogging, writing for NaNoWriMo and everything else. Now, on a day off I’m lying here, typing up this post, researching old Vegas phone numbers for some fiction, and procrastinating about calling a gallery about some on-call art installation work. In the other room, a list of tasks waits to pounce on me.

I can slack a little longer before guilt gets me out of bed.

NaNoWriMo: Maybe There's Something To This…

Not being a 9-5 kind of guy has left me pretty unstructured. Recent work schedules have had me working early days and late nights. Which makes sense because they revolve around the client’s goals. This randomness appeals to my indulgent nature, but it has ruined me in the past. I’ve been hard-pressed to make demands upon myself even as I contend with the desire to create and be creative.

National Novel Writing Month might not yield a book when December comes. But I have already printed up a second new short story. The continual writing has been fairly easy. The hardest thing has been translating ideas first visually imagined for a graphic novel or movie and wrapping words around the images.

I’ve never been one to feel limited by my imagination. My ability to take an idea to fruition always failed me. But these new habits of writing are slowly coming to me and reading completed work has been reassuring. I’m looking forward to some feedback which the missus has promised.

I’m not used to being pleased with myself. Not a bad feeling at all.

Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A… Novel?

I have periodic bouts of creative malaise. I get mopey when I don’t feel like I’ve been able to channel my imagination. I haven’t been blogging as much as I would like, but that hasn’t kept me from putting words to paper. Unable to resist all the internet has to offer, getting away from the computer is actually the only way for me to start any of the fiction that I have been thinking about. A first draft is on the table as I write, ready for my wife’s editorial oversight. One of the perks of being married to an academic.

Why writing? For the same reason it also has been music, I can do it for free. Noodling around on Apple’s music program led to posting some music online. Putting words to paper is just the cost of paper. And I often have loads of time to spare. If I can be productive, all the better! And I would have something to show for it.

Might National Novel Writing Month (November) be the motivator for me to complete a first draft of a novel? Maybe. An increase of work is filling the bank account and leaving me less time and energy to putter with pursuits like writing. An excuse, I know. So here’s hoping December starts with the end of a book.

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William Shunn : Manuscript Format : Short Story – This author’s guide to the short story format was invaluable for me in getting my first creation looking like it should.