Kittens and 'darlings' and all that crap...

I had a thought a few minutes ago and though I'm much too tired to be writing at this moment, I just had to get it out...  It kind of ties into my other blog entry entitled 'A Humorous Realization' in which I explained that in an attempt to find my 'voice' in the non-fiction piece I was writing, I ended sounding like a 50- year man.  Why?  Because all the good non-fiction literature I've read is written by authors in this category.  What I failed to realize is that I also have a strong negative connotation with a female voice in writing.  Why? Because every piece I've read that has a strong female voice ends up talking about feelings and small furry animals and refers to the reader as 'darling.'  (I'm thinking of one writer in particular, who shall not be named...)

HOWEVER, some of the best writers I've ever read have been women... So, what I've been grappling with is, how can I be a woman and a good writer without making people want to vomit by writing overly sentimental pieces?

I think the answer for me is for me to write what I know and write it well.  If it comes out flowery, then it comes out flowery.  But honestly, I think it will come out just as I desire it to be, because it is from the strength of real life experience, told through the lens of reality.  I think everyone can appreciate that, no matter their age or gender.

Off to Starbucks tomorrow to write my heart out...And most likely scrap most of it before the day is out.

Goodnight.
    

Crossroads!

I'm just not sure where to go from here.  I'm really excited to dive deeply into my writing.  Steve and I are housesitting for the next three weeks and I'm very excited to use the peace and quiet and space to spread out my books and my thoughts.

I think I'm realizing that I'm afraid to go back to my manuscript.  I think, even though I know that it is fraught with disaster, there is a piece of me that likes it tucked in that neat corner in my mind as 'first draft: done.'  Pulling it apart sounds so messy and disastrous!

I predict a bit of moodiness and a load of frustration, mixed with unusual introversion and a splash of depression.  Such is the creator's process!  And honestly, I'm looking forward to it!

(Steve- don't say I didn't warn you. :)

Donald Miller.

I'm nestled on my couch next to my husband right now, both of us furiously typing our computers.  (Sometimes, I feel most close to him when we don't talk at all, but are writing on our Macs beside one another.)  My new issue of Writer's Digest arrived today, perfectly sealed and ready to be devoured.  I'm reading an interview with Donald Miller, the author of Blue Like Jazz and several other edgy Christian books.  I can never figure out if I like his writing when I read his books, but most of the time, I just appreciate him.  His voice is fresh and his thoughts off-beat.

Here's an excerpt from the interview:

(Interviewer's Question:  In A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, you talk about good stories-writing, editing and living them.  You say most writers don't live good stories because they're too busy writing, and most people living good stories don't have time to write.  What's you advice for those of us who want to live and write good stories?)

Donald Miller:   I'm amazed at how much my writing is improved when I step away from the computer, even in small amounts.  If I'm stuck, I vacuum the living room or walk the dog.  I'm amazed at what comes out of that.  Like right now, I'm in the airport, heading dow to San Diego to help a friend on his book... but I know that this process will {also} open something up in the book I'm working on.  I don't know what it is yet.

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I LOVE this idea!  I have found it so true in my life.  I remember thinking last time I went to Europe that I wanted to write a lot while I was there.  The truth was, I was too busy taking it all in to sit down and process it.  And honestly, I haven't written a lot about my grand experiences there.  So much of my writing flows out of the mundane.  Very seldom do I experience something great and write directly about it.  Instead, I float down the river of life, keeping my eye out for a small ripple in the water or a spinning leaf to catch me eye-- and I write about it.  

Inspiration anyone?

I feel as though I need some inspiration on life, writing or anything really...Anyone have any quotes or life wisdom to share today?  I'm running a bit dry.

Quote of the Day.

I'm finding inspiration for my editing today in this quote by James Michener:

“I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter."