I subscribe to "The Writer" magazine, and find them full of valuable tips in relation to writing. I have finally started to write a book which is more autobiographical in nature. They say that one needs to write one's own story first in order to get personal issues out of the way to enable one to focus o writing novels.
I need to begin to discipline myself and my time in order to achieve this. I am thinking of moving to an Island in the pacific where there are no distractions. There are about 1500 people on the Island- so it is not totally isolated.
Any thoughts/suggestions?
Today in The Age newspaper, I read about Joumana Haddad and was very impressed with her background and the first poem of hers that I read has left me thinking about the content.
Nativebee3
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Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging. I look forward to hearing your voice emerge here.
ReplyDeleteI've always been told to write about what I've experienced, and that has helped me greatly. However, in 2008, I started off National Novel Writing Month trying to write a fairly autobiographical novel. It was too close to home; to painful. I couldn't separate the characters from the people that inspired them. Part way through I changed my approach.
I have the beginning of that autobiographical novel sitting on my computer and may get back to it. I've also written some shorter autobiographical pieces.
As to moving to an island of 1500 people in the Pacific, I would love to do that, however, I'm not sure if it would help with my discipline. I would be too tempted to sit quietly, enjoy the setting, and not get around to writing.
For me, I've set a simple goal, to write regularly for my blog. It has helped my writing immensely. I'd encourage you to find an achievable goal for how often you will post, and keep to it, not concerned about who reads your blog or who responds, but simply as an opportunity to keep practicing your writing.
I'll try to come back regularly to read your blog. I look forward to seeing how it evolves.
Well I just wrote quite a screed and it seems to have completely disappeared. This is one of the less endearing aspects of writing on a computer.
ReplyDeleteI will come back to it again later.
Again, I wrote a screed and again it vanished.
ReplyDeleteAldon, thank you for your comments and for sharing about starting writing your own autobiography. I could well imagine one might feel quite raw at times writing it. However, I have read that it is important to write an autobiographical type of novel first so that one's personal history becomes less intrusive and it then enables the author to write other novels. We will see.
One autobiographical book I read which really touched me was "My Kleinian Home" by Nini Herman. Beautiful writing and difficult to put down until th end. If you get an opportunity you might enjoy reading it as well.
With regards going to the Island, I already live in a remote area with les people apart from holiday time when the population swells to about 10,000. They swarm all over the place like a plaque of locusts and the locals tend to go to ground until they depart. So I am accustomed to living with looking at nature in its changing moods looking over the lake and the ocean is nearby.
It occurred to me that the famous author Colleen McCullough lives on this Island and it might be possible to approach her and ask her to mentor me. Maybe not as she is a very busy woman. Ahhhh the possibilities enriched by the fact that I don't know any of the locals, so that will be delightful getting to know them - and maybe the making of another book. I know too much about too many of the people living here through my private practice.
At the moment 12 months off sounds so enticing. We will see.
One other thing is to do with the name I am using. In all the years I have used it only one person has ever asked me the meaning of and why I use it. If you are interested, let me know and I will tell you about it.
Until next time.
Viv:
ReplyDeleteI have always loved the autobiographical writings you have sent me, as you know, so I look forward to your writing developing and expanding. And I know I asked you about Nativebee, but must confess that at least tonight I cannot remember the reply...oi veh:) Please tell again, I will instantly recall and you may be able to see my embarrassed blush thru cyberspace...
Your island sounds enticing, as does the idea of a fine mentor.
As additional motivation, you might enjoy an online journal of the arts for women over 60 (another gift of access from Carol Lark), PERSIMMON TREE MAGAZINE
Happy writing -
Miriam
A quick thought about disappearing screeds: I write most of my pieces in a word processor and save it on my computer. Then, when I'm ready to post it, I just copy it and paste it. I still lose things from time to time, but not as often anymore.
ReplyDeleteThank you Aldon and Miriam for your comments.
ReplyDeleteToday I read the winner of the short story competition in The Reader Magazine and was quite surprised by the Judge saying the story was 'perfect', particularly since there is no such thing as perfect. However, it was interesting to read the winning story. I am not surprised the judge needed to read it a few times because my initial reading of the story was one of fragmentation. However, on re-reading I can see the judge's point about there being no wasted words per se. It is not my style of writing. My initial reaction was 'will my writing ever be accepted by anyone?' It was then that I recognized an old 'tape' was at work, and thought that is not the purpose of writing. I will write and find my own voice, it does not matter if it is found wanting by judges and others.
Aldon, I do look forward to reading your autobiography when you do feel able to complete it. Both you and Miriam do write so well and I appreciate your endeavours. Vivien akka nativebee3