This is going to be a melting pot type post. Lots of different delicious things to skewer your mind with and dip them in.
I'm not making any resolutions for 2011 other than I'm going to be positive and not work too much. I went into 2010 thinking that turning thirty was like the end of my life. I had such a pessimistic attitude about being thirty that I ended up having a pretty sucky year. There I said it. 2010 SUCKED. Horribly. Sure there were some nice moments. But over all, I think it was the worst year of my life. And now looking back on it, I wonder if my awful attitude kind of set me up for it. Of course, my awful attitude didn't put that hole in the ice that ended up tearing my ACL. (BTW I did 105 lbs on single leg press today with my surgical leg. Woot! Woot! First time since surgery.) But, I think our lives are a reflection of how we choose to envision them.
Ahem. Now, that's out of my system.
Lots of positivity and happy thoughts for 2011. Each day is bright, shiny, and golden. And I'm thankful for all that I have.
Transition.
A lot of my friends have children and they often tell me about the darndest things that their wee little ones tell them. Now, I don't have children, but I do have Sarcastically Delicious (aka boyfriend). After seeing the movie Little Fockers on New Year's Eve and a few choice beverages, these are some of the darndest things that Sarcastically Delicious said to me:
- You look like Katherine McPhee. Except your brown. And you have more prominent massetter muscles.
- While we were dancing to the Gin Blossoms, Sarcastically Delicious starts giggling. Seriously. He was giggling. When I asked him what was so funny. He said that he was thinking about that scene in Little Fockers where Ben Stiller made his son finish his lasagna, and then son proceeded to projectile vomit all over his Dad. Correlation between dancing to Hey Jealousy and Lasagna vomit- I thought none, but apparently not.
I'm starting 2011 with the intention of rewriting my novel. Yes, I know I said I was going to do that in 2010. And I did do that, partially. But, it still needs some work. It needs a stronger foundation. I want it to be the best that it can be. So I'm going to rewrite it again. But, before I embark on this adventurous rewrite, I've decided that I'd like to learn more about the craft of writing, the theory behind plots and character development, etc.... I'd love to go to Simmon's college and get an MFA. But, since I can't just jump ship and go to Boston. Here are some books that I'm going to try reading instead so I can learn more about writing. If you guys have read any of these, please let me know what you think. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. I'm thirsty for the knowledge.
- On Writing by Stephen King
- Writing and Selling the Young Adult Novel by K L Going
- Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks
Didn't get a lot from King's book. A good read if you're a fan, but other than that the most valuable thing you'll learn is that you need to cut 10% of your manuscript out as a rewrite goal.
ReplyDeleteI constantly refer myself back to Mamet's rant to his writing team on The Unit - http://www.movieline.com/2010/03/david-mamets-memo-to-the-writers-of-the-unit.php
It applies to more than just tv and screenplays.
I also got a lot of great insight from Egri's the Art of Dramatic Writing and the Gotham Writer's Workshop book on writing fiction. Maybe we should set up a Books on Writing book swap?
I've read Mamet's rant. It's amazing. I actually have it saved some where. I think I'll read it again.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the other book recommendations. I had seen the Gotham Writer's Workshop book on amazon, and it had received some good reviews. I might check it out.
A book swap sounds like an excellent idea. =)