Not another set of writing tips!!!

Every writer has their own set of tips and thoughts and just about everything, on how the writing thing gets done. I know this because I think I've read them all.

The thing about writing is you just have to do it. No amount of reading about what you should, or shouldn't, do is going to get it done. And just because these 10 things work for some bigshot writer, doesn't mean they're going to work for you.

Do you really need someone to tell you that to be a writer you also need to be a reader? If you don't read books, how can you write readable books? Do you really need someone to tell you that show is way better than tell? Really?

I went once to a creative writing course. It was the worst experience of my life. All these budding writers vying to show off their skills and tell their stories. They didn't need to impress me, I wasn't there for their writing I was there for my own. They willingly crunched their thoughts and ideas into the formats demanded of the course leader. Now, I have to come clean and admit that I learned more about me as a writer at that course than I had in the years of writing in solitary in the proverbial darkened room. I didn't learn how to construct a story in 30 minutes - I learned that I was a slow burner, taking ideas, logging them, allowing my brain to sift the good from the bad, reconfiguring and eventually coming up with an idea that might lead to a story.

I learned that sharing my half baked thoughts is something I'd rather do with my partner, than half a dozen strangers - no matter how into writing they might be. And that I don't think in the same way that that particular group of individuals all seemed to be able to do. I also didn't want to please teacher. When I write I want to come out the other end with something that I want to read.

So my writing tips.

1. Know what you like to read and why.
2. Write for you first and foremost - afterall, you read other peoples' books so there must be an audience just like you out there.
3. Listen to what others have to say, but make your own mind up.
4. Share your thoughts and writings with those you trust to tell you what they really think, preferably non-writers themselves they won't feel the need to compete.
5. When you do find that writer buddy who helps you without comparing your work to theirs, treasure them.
6. Write, write and keep on writing. Then read it over and over, editing it until it looks like something that might interest you if you were to pick it up in a book store.
7. Try turning it into an e-book and read it on your kindle or ipad - it's amazing how this changes your view of what you've just written.
8. Above all, enjoy the person you are.

It's been some time since my last confession

I've been doing so many things since before Christmas that blogging just seemed to fall by the wayside. I decided that there would be no New Year resolutions because invariably those only last a day or two.

Instead, I decided that February would be my month of action. So starting today (I only just thought about the month of action thing over breakfast), this month will be my starting point for loadsa stuff.

Like, as I'm in New York and the biathlon is in Fort Kent, I'm heading up there today to spend the rest of the weekend with snow, skis and rifles. Who knows, I may even get a little skiing in myself.

Then it's back to the UK. And in all honesty, I have to knuckle down and reduce the chubby factor associated with these cheeks. Trouble is when my writing is going well, and it is :) my eating keeps pace. Too much snacking, not enough walking. Maybe I should buy a treadmill, then I could write and walk.

Then again, maybe not.

Snow

Normally I love the snow, and for the first couple of days it was fun. No trains, no way the car was moving from the garage, just snuggle up in a comfy couch and enjoy. Three weeks (yes, 3 weeks) later and my enthusiasm is beginning to wane.

I know there are those who have snow for months on end, but that's not our norm. In fact, living near the beach as I do, we rarely get to enjoy the white stuff. The city council are beginning to get the hang of clearing the streets, I just wish the guys would use their brains. They clear the snow and ice to the edge of the pavement, creating huge mounds. This requires significant mountaineering expertise for any pedestrian unfortunate enough to find themselves needing to actually cross from one side of the street to the other. Luckily, I have crampons and the required skills to deal with such impediments - although I have not yet found it necessary to carry my ice axe, any more snow and that too might become an essential accessory for the determined pedestrian.

Some of my fellow writers have commented on how this change in climatic conditions has made them think about how they portray weather in their writing. It's a good thought, and made me wonder if I was neglecting some vital elements in my story telling. I mentioned this to my friend who is an expert in glaciers. I truly wish I hadn't. I really didn't need to know about the jet stream currently occupying a different position to normal, nor that the outcome of this meant that the cold will last until late January at least. My friend was less forthcoming on the long range prospect of a white Christmas - more snow, he told me, is down to local circumstances but chances are the remains of what we currently have will hang around for some considerable time yet.

My nephew thinks that we all could learn from Santa Claus, afterall no matter the weather every Christmas Eve he manages to deliver the presents all around the world. Here's hoping he isn't disappointed.....

Mechanical refill

There was this guy on the train. Big guy. He was obviously trying to lose weight, he turned down the complimentary biscuit in favor of some berries he'd bought. A whole punnet of raspberries and one of strawberries. He first polished off one of those huge chicken salad baguettes, full of mayo. Then the berries. He tipped both into the one punnet and didn't stop eating 'til they were gone.

My journey's only 20 minutes and he had consumed all of this in half that time.

I'm trying to eat healthy too. The chocolate bar I'm eating right now is my cheat treat. One square at a time. Slowly. Savor that chocolate taste. Chew at least 10 times. Swallow slowly. Let the brain register that the chocolate has landed.

I've had one square. 5 minutes ago. I'm thinking about the flavor. Still tasting its residue in my mouth. Sure, I could eat the whole bar right now. But would I feel any different having consumed all 6 squares? Well, yes because I wouldn't have the expectation of the 5 delicious mouthfuls to come.

I've put my chocolate bar away. I can look forward to the next piece later.

It occurred to me that the guy on the train wasn't eating. He was consuming what he had in a short period. He didn't savor his food, each mouthful was cleared simply to make way for the next. Did he need all he ate? The berries may have been healthier but in those quantities the sugar levels are pretty high. And he could have chosen the chicken salad minus the mayo. My wife got quite mesmerised watching the constant movement from berry box to mouth to berry box to mouth, over and over again. No pause. The brain not getting a chance to figure if the stomach is full or not. By the time the signal gets through, he'll be overfull and the food gone.

"Mechanical refill" said my wife.

News Junkie

My darling wife gave me an ipad for no other reason than because she loves me. It's changed my life. I've become a news junkie. You name the news app. I've got it. LA Times, NY Times, The Guardian, Discovery News, MTV, CNN, BBC..... reading it all and loving it.

It's now July....

So I kind of guess that the new year resolution thing was a bit of a no show. It seems that the things I decide to do, turn out to be the exact opposite of reality. Pay more attention to blog = completely ignore it for 6 months or so.

So here's my new, half way through the year resolution. I'm going to ignore the blog. I'm also gonna make thousands of new resolutions.

Right.

My New Year Resolution

..was to pay more attention to my blog. I know it's February, just consider me a slow starter.

So. How you been? I'm freezing my butt off here in Scotland, looking forward to being back in California later this year.

My wife said have some soup for lunch, that'll warm you up. I burned my tongue. Hot stuff that soup.

So I thought what other hot stuff do I like?

My wife - hi sweetie.

Chillies - spicy pasta, yum

Log fires - especially on a snowy day

Oh, and soup when I'm cold!