Tag: Writing

Nightshift at the Baby Factory

I’ve got the late shift at our house. Besides me is a sprawled-out cutie looking just like a drunk. I’m resisting the urge to put my beer bottle next to her and grab the camera. Nothing says good parenting like infants, alcohol and digital pictures to enter into evidence. Adding to our electronics collection, we just bought our first camcorder and ended up with the first video of the kid. While fiddling with the night vision settings, got a couple of seconds of really funny faces followed by some college-level puking. It’s the kind of video you keep for a rainy day, when the kid is obnoxious, dating and asking for it. She’ll run away, shrieking, “I hate you all!” So, all the more reason to keep it on file.

Instead of writing something more substantial then this blog entry, I’m watching a show about a blocked writer, and it is also about boobs. So, bonus! I got to get back into/start the habit of writing. Between the TV and internet, its easy being passively entertained. If I could be as entertained by my own writing as others, I’d be happy.

All the while, a sink full of dishes cries out to be cleaned.

Lastly, an early picture of the sweet kid (7 days already?!) that will be a favorite for all time.

New Year, More Of The Same Good Stuff

Happy New Year to whoever is reading this post. Sometimes writing this blog feels like yelling off a cliff. I’m making some noise but I don’t know how far it carries. I don’t believe in making New Year’s resolutions and I don’t have a big end-of-the year post in my head. I’m just looking forward to doing more of the things I like to do, keeping the good habits I have and doing less of the things that haven’t worked.

Anyways, our coming year and years will have us traveling with a new addition. Zoe is her name and on her 6th day, still sweet girl. I think she will be a good partner in crime and fit in quite nicely with our little clan.

I’m hoping to put her immediate arrival to good use. Author William Gibson said that his first book Neuromancer was written under the influence of sleep deprivation brought on by the birth of his first child. I have to say that I am hoping for the same creative push. While I didn’t manage a whole book, NaNoWriMo did result in three finished short stories and the beginnings of a couple of longer stories. The completed works just need some feedback and proofreading. I’m looking forward to the next step with them and hopefully publication will be the final result.

Simply put, this year will be full of opportunities and experiences. I hope to make the most of what comes my way.

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.