What Genre? February 20, 2008
When you are writing, how do you pick your genre? Do you sit down and think, “This novel is going to be chick lit/suspense/romance/fill in the blank?”
I ask because I don’t know what genre my WIP fits into. Contemporary? Chick lit? Romantic suspense? It has elements of all of those, I think. Maybe some mystery too.
Argh. I don’t suppose it’s a huge worry, but it bothers me a little. Especially when I’m asked what I’m writing. 
I’ll just go munch on my favorite brain food (milk chocolate covered raisins) while I wait for some answers. 
Sigh February 16, 2008
So, I didn’t get 3 Guild lessons done this week. I only finished 2. Fiddlesticks. I can’t seem to pull forth a decent idea for that “Writing for Children” lesson. None of the stories I come up with would a) be interesting to kids and b) be under 1,000 words. Eh, hopefully I’ll think of something. Still getting caught up, even at this rate, though.
In the meantime, I came across a very awesome writers’ forum/connection spot, created by Gina Conroy.
Also, my WIP is slowly moving again. I’m up to 14,744 words. However, the Zokutou Word Meter seems to be broken, so I can’t update my counter. 
EDIT: I found another counter…a graphic one. LOL. I still like Zokutou better though. Sigh.
Confession February 11, 2008
I have a confession to make.
I hate my Guild lessons right now.
I probably would not say that if I didn’t have to do three this week and two for the next two weeks after that in order to accomplish my goal of being caught up by the end of February. But I really am so sick of them.
It’s a good, solid course on writing, don’t get me wrong. But I really don’t like writing non-fiction. It doesn’t energize me. Doesn’t excite me. Doesn’t give me that, “Yes, this is what I was born to do!” vibe.
And my lessons this week are titled “Writing for Children” (that one won’t be quite so bad, I can write something fictional), “Writing Promotional Copy,” and “Writing Newsletters.” Blegh. Yes, these are going to be good for me. Yes, I’ll be glad to have these skills and glad to be able to say, “I took a class that taught me how to do some of that.” No, I wouldn’t be whining if I had two weeks to do each lesson like I was supposed to have (my own fault).
Gripe. Gripe. Gripe. I cannot wait to be caught up. I think this week may be the worst. Next week’s lessons are “Writing Church Drama” and “Screenwriting vs. Prose.” Those should be more interesting, at least. Then the home stretch is “Structuring Your Screenplay” and “Formatting Your Screenplay.” Which should also be somewhat interesting. After all those, I will be caught up, with only 6 months to go in my Apprentice course. Wow. When I first started this, two years seemed like a long time. Now it’s almost over and I’m going to be planning a wedding. Phew.
Oh yeah, and there’s another reason I’ll be really happy to be caught up. After the above lessons, I have one more on the business side of writing, then the rest of them are all on writing fiction. YIPPEE!!!
I think I feel some better now. Except I still have all those lessons to actually finish. Sigh.
Quotables February 8, 2008
No, I haven’t forgotten about my writing blog. Just been busy with school – and finally making some progress on catching up with my Guild lessons! I’ve finished 8 in the past 4 weeks. Phew! I feel accomplished. Anyway, here are some new quotes.
“Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.” ~ Tom Krause
“Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.”
“You can’t just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood.”
“What mood is that?”
“Last-minute panic.”
~ Calvin and Hobbes
“Tears are words the heart can’t express.”
“The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.” ~ Sven Goran Eriksson
Now to just get caught up on reading everyone’s blogs.
EDIT: In the getting caught up process, I see that Tricia Goyer is having a drawing for a free book (out of those that comment on her blog during the week.) Go comment!
EDIT the second: Found a hilarious link through Michelle. And yes, I tried to lick my elbow. LOL.
