For instance, if you’re looking at the ingredient list for your dogs’ chew toys, you might not want to know what the word “pizzle” means. Especially if you’re currently holding said chew toys in your bare hands.
I’m just sayin’.
:P Cheryl
The problem with schedules…is that theoretically, I have this lovely writing schedule, with time set aside for fiction, nonfiction, lunch, exercise, and admin stuff (you know, like typing up the fiction from the day before’s writing.) It looks very practical and useful.
But if I start my day by writing fiction, I tend to get on a roll, and then I don’t want to let go of it, so I write through my scheduled times for lunch, exercise, and nonfiction writing. By then I’m so exhausted that I need a break—which eats up my time for admin.
If I start something else first, though, I don’t ever GET to the fictino writing.
Ah, well. If something’s really really important, I can always start it first. I do usually get to the FIRST thing on my list. And meanwhile, I would rather have too many wonderful things in my life than too few!
Recent research at Binghamton University and the University of Arizona casts new light on the nice guy versus aggressive jerk question. Who is more successful, the polite gentleman or the pushy fellow who won’t take no for an answer? The answer appears in the November 6 issue of Science Magazine.
This is a very important question for YA writers, don’t ya think?
It turns out that these scientists study attraction in water striders rather than in humans, but their findings seem to translate to human culture pretty well. When a male jerk (water strider) approaches a group of female water striders, the females bug out (bad pun intended, and no, water striders aren’t really bugs, my fine fellow science geeks…) If a female happens upon a gentleman of a strider, though, she sticks around. Pretty soon, the nice guys are surrounded by females while the jerks…I don’t know, maybe they get into a bar fight?
Take heart, all you sweetheart males in the world. As soon as the gals notice you, you’ll be the center of attention.
I’m not sure this is good news for the girls, though. It might explain why most of the good guys are taken….
:) Cheryl
Write the Story #9: Re-read a favorite writing inspiration book, sa Bird by Bird (Lamott), Take Joy (Yolen), or Page After Page (Sellers)
Write the Story #10: Re-read a favorite writing craft book sa Stein on Writing (Stein), Writing the Breakout Novel (Maass), or Story (McKee)
Write the Story, #11: Find a book you admire; re-read passages to study craft. (Great post on this: http://bit.ly/AjaEF)
Write the Story #12: Retreat and write! Writing retreats are a great way to find focus, inspiration, and like-minded creative folks. Heaven.
On retreats: A retreat with other writers can energize you with feedback, brainstorming sessions, and a safe haven for your creative self.
Write the story: RT @chavelaque: Fellow plot dorks, behold these charts by the wonderful Jennifer Crusie (@CrusieNews): http://bit.ly/1wVrWZ
Write the story #13: a change of scenery can do wonders toward enticing your muse. Try a coffee shop, library, or park bench.
If you’re interested, come join me at @CherylRWrites for Tweets to help you overcome creative blocks and thrive on the writer’s road.
:) Cheryl
…because I spent the afternoon watching videos like these and can honestly say it was for my work. These are research for my current WIP, because the main character recently lived on the Valdez Peninsula in Argentina, where she and her father studied orcas.
I wanted to discover details about what it might be like to live there—and since I don’t have a few thousand to plunk down on a trip (as always, my first research choice) I took a virtual journey a la You-Tube.
If you’re a full-time undergrad student, check out the seventh annual Sylvia K. Burack Scholarship offered by The Writer magazine. The winner receives a $500 scholarship and a year’s subscription to The Writer.
Entry Deadline: March 1, 2010
I'm writing a YA novel in which love plays a major role—the first, fluttery, uncertainty of a girl with a crush on a guy she really, really likes. I need to do a bit of research, a bit of remembering, because I want to capture all the painful magic of the experience on the page...and I've made the delightful discovery that I can commission my significant other to help me.
Maybe this idea works for me because I've been away from sweetheart and family for 5 days. I find myself savoring each moment as if we've first met. It takes me back to a snowy college night when I had my first true-love kiss.
I like it. I like the rediscovered headiness and uncertainty of first love—probably better this time around, when I'm not actually afraid of rejection or hurt. I know how this story ends.
I think I'll call this sweetheart-o-mine and ask him on a date—a goofy date that costs nothing but time and imagination, like those we used to have before jobs, marriage, kids and such. And we'll do a bit of lovely research.
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